Looking for fun things to do with the kids this weekend? You’ve come to the right place.
Read on for everything going on around the South Sound this weekend from Auburn/Renton/Covington to Tacoma/Puyallup/Gig Harbor/Olympia and your South Sound home!
Saturday
All Over
Blueberry picking Many area u-pick farms are now open for blueberry picking. Link takes you to a list of ALL of them; you’ll need to use the links to check on openings. Thanks for doing that.
Story time at Barnes and Noble Story time and activities featuring the book The Dinosaur Expert. 11AM We do encourage you to call first to confirm participation.
Kids’ Club at Michael’s Stores Kids craft sessions from 10-12 2.00 or 5.00 for 30 minute sessions. It’s unicorn themed wall art crafts today. There is also a, “Shimmering Slime,” event from 1-3PM. That one is free, including slime.
South King County-Renton, Auburn, Federal Way, Covington
Meet Buzz Lightyear at Learning Express Toys in Renton 1-4 free photo op event
Flavor of Federal Way with Grace Church
Grace is partnering with the City of Federal Way in hosting a city wide event called, “Flavor of Federal Way” a multi-cultural festival. New event-let us know what it’s like if you try it.
Back to School Bash at the Outlet CollectionBe a part of the runway as one of our fashion show models! Have fun with Face Painting, Balloon Artists, “About Me iPhone” arts and crafts and more!! Take a fun pic with you and your friends in our Photobooth!
Polynesian Festival at Renton Uwajimaya Hula performances and other entertainment, food vendors; also Sunday
City of Renton Cruz the Loop I believe this is a car show type event, but in the past there have also been family activities and food vendors
Magical Midsummer Market at the Covington Library 1-3PM
Ages 11 to 100! Ages 10 and younger with adult.
Covington Library is hosting an extension of Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (the American Hogwarts) this fall. And you are invited to attend with a full scholarship! This market is your opportunity to craft everything on your school list, from crystals to school scarves, at no cost!
Join falconer and raptor expert Craig Moran for a fascinating look into the world of birds of prey. The audience will learn about raptor characteristics, habits, ecology and conservation. In addition, attendees will be treated to a visit from Craig’s live Ferruginous hawk. No registration needed, first come, first seated.
Coloring time at the Auburn Library 3-4:30; drop in and color
Visit the Mary Olson Farm in Auburn Tour the farm house, meet the animals! Nice, low-key, unplugged outing
Free and open to the public on summer Saturdays and Sundays (donations are suggested). June 23 – August 26, Noon – 5pm.
Visit the HCC Mast Center at Redondo The center and its touch tanks of sea critters are free and open to the public every Saturday from 10-2 Ask about their weekday evening open times during the summer! Free.
Puyallup/Milton/South Hill/Bonney Lake
Bonney Lake Days This festival is VERY family friendly with Kids Zone, chalk art competition, parade, and more!
Final children’s program with the Master Gardeners at the WSU demonstration garden. It’s the Dr. Seuss themed finale; costumes encouraged. Registration at 9:45AM; program begins at 10AM
Milton Days parade, entertainment, vendors, kids’ activities and more.
Hounds On The Hill! Bring the dog; bring the kids! Charity dog walk followed by a free community fair with demonstrations, inflatables, and other fun for your kids and your fur babies. Bradley Lake
Summer reading ice cream party celebration at the Puyallup Public Library 3-4:30
Renaissance Faire, Bonney Lake – Last weekend Take a trip back to Medieval times at the Faire! Experience pirates, faeries, and a royal masquerade, all with live entertainment! Look for discounts on their fb page.
Tacoma
Free family flick at The Grand in Tacoma
The third Saturday of each month, The Grand Cinema welcomes guests of all ages to a family-friendly movie for free! Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and movies start at 10:00 a.m. Seating is first-come, first-served. All children under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult. It’s Field of Dreams with Kevin Costner today.
McKinley Hill Street Fair FREE stuffed backpacks for the first 1200 youth grades K-12th. Free carnival games and prizes. Free skateboarding with Alchemy Skateboarding. Cool photos with Disney princesses and Marvel Superheroes. Vendors, food trucks, live entertainment
Back to School fashion show at the Tacoma Mall See the latest trends and other fun.1:30-3 There is also a pencil pouch decorating activity sponsored by JC Penney.11am-12 Posts on both events are on their fb page.
Saturday morning cartoons at the Fern Hill Library 10AM
Family nature walk at Titlow Park 10AM
Free but advance registration is now required for these popular walks with volunteer naturalists. Not suitable for strollers; perfect for ages 3 and up.
Summer reading celebration at the Point Defiance Zoo
You already needed to claim your ticket, so this one is just a reminder post if it applies to you, and maybe a heads-up to the rest of you that this will be an extra busy day at the zoo.
Family nature walk at McKinley Park 1PM
Free but advance registration is now required for these popular walks with volunteer naturalists. Not suitable for strollers; perfect for ages 3 and up.
Free walking tours at Point Defiance Park
Free drop-in walking tours at the park every weekend through September 3rd. No registration needed
- 11-11:30 am – Walking History Tour; Meet at the Point Defiance Visitors Center
- 1-2 pm – Ranger-led Nature Walk; Meet at the Rhododendron Garden Pavilion
- 2:30-3 pm – Urban Wildlife Walk; Meet at the Point Defiance Visitors Center
Cinema on the Sound Free outdoor movie at Chambers Bay It’s Jumanji
Lakewood/Parkland-Spanaway
Over 100 unique vendors, classic car show, live music, kid’s activities, bounce house, sidewalk chalk art contest, games, prizes, great food! Everyone is welcome.
Food truck festival at Sprinker Rec. Center 11AM-6PM; uses the grass outfields. Bring a blanket and get your grub on.
Children’s shows at the Pierce College Planetarium Great, low cost shows at the area’s only indoor planetarium. Definitely go at least once this summer!
Lacey/Olympia/Dupont
Pie in the Library at the Lacey Library
Calling all pie bakers! Pie entries will be received in our meeting room from 10 a.m.-noon today (Get guidelines from the library info. desk before you bake). Judging results will be announced at an awards ceremony at 3 p.m. Beverages and pie will be served, prizes will be given, fun will be had!
Family Storytime: Nautical Edition at the Olympia Library 11AM special nautical craft today
It’s Pet Parade day in Olympia
Dress up yourself and your pet as the 2018 theme “Dawn of the Dinosaurs”! This free family fun event offers the chance to win many great prizes such as cash, gift cards, gift baskets, and even a brand new bike! No registration required just show up at 8am for judging, the parade starts at 10am and prizes will be given away at noon once the parade has completed at Sylvester Park.
Hudson’s Bay Heritage Days in Dupont BBQ competition, history displays, and other fun. It looks like the children’s activities are Sunday.
Mr. Roller’s Book Sale Olympia10,000 clean used children’s books for $1 or less! Plus adult reading level history, mystery and Christian titles
Tuesday through Saturday, August 14 – 18, 9am- 3pm Note from SFM: I know *nothing* about this, but I saw it roll by on my Fb page and thought it looked like something you might want to try. Report back if you go!
Special events continue at the Hands On Children’s Museum including “Solar Days,” this weekend. Included with admission
Tour the tugboat sandman Free and open to to the public most weekends year round Percival Landing
Rulers of Sea and Land: Orcas and Wolves at the WET Science Center
Take a closer look at the two great social carnivores of Washington State. Join staff from Wolf Haven International for a 2 pm presentation exploring their differences and similarities, ecological roles, and what both species mean to us. Related activities and crafts all day.
Gig Harbor/Key Peninsula
It’s a great day on the Key for the 31st Annual Key Peninsula Logging Show & Festival (formally known as “Old Timers Day”). The Logging
Show has been a crowd pleaser for many years along with many of the antique displays,entertainment and auctions.
It’s an adoptapalooza! On Saturday August 18th, Kitsap Humane Society is bringing adoptable pets to Mud Bay in Gig Harbor. We will have tons of adoptable canines and felines of all ages, sizes, and personalities waiting to find their new best friend!
Take a family-friendly journey through Gig Harbor’s maritime history. Learn about our founding families, pioneering industries, and the wildlife and natural resources that brought us all together. Free, guided tour.
Science Saturday with Harbor WildWatch
Join Harbor WildWatch for a fun Science Saturday activity at the Skansie Visitor and Interpretive Center.
We will walk over to Jerisich Dock to learn about the unique creatures that call Gig Harbor home, and conduct a plankton tow off the dock. After the plankton tow, we will bring a sample inside to look at under the microscopes where kids (and adults!) can expect to see diatoms, plankton, and sometimes worms or other cool creatures. Suitable for kids of all ages.
Sunday
South King County-Auburn Enumclaw Renton
Family Fun Day at Emerald Downs face painters, pony rides, and other fun
The festival runs from 10 to 4 every Sunday Thru August 26th. Vendors, Music, Produce, Flowers, Food Trucks, Art and a theme that changes every week.
Polynesian Festival at Renton Uwajimaya Hula performances and other entertainment, food vendors; also Sunday
Read with Rover at the Covington Library 1-2PM
Visit the Mary Olson Farm in Auburn Tour the farm house, meet the animals! Nice, low-key, unplugged outing
Free and open to the public on summer Saturdays and Sundays (donations are suggested). June 23 – August 26, Noon – 5pm.
Pierce County/Tacoma
Kids’ Day workshop at Soap and Clay
bath bomb making today. 30.00 per pair/advance registration required; we have heard this is fun.
Renaissance Faire, Bonney Lake – Last day! Take a trip back to Medieval times at the Faire! Experience pirates, faeries, and a royal masquerade, all with live entertainment! Look on their fb page for a ticket discount.
Free walking tours at Point Defiance Park
Join us every weekend for free drop-in walking tours. Explore areas of the park and get a new perspective on Tacoma’s crown jewel. No registration necessary. Tours held every weekend through September 3
- 11-11:30 am – Urban Wildlife Walk; Meet at the Point Defiance Visitors Center
- 1-2 pm – Ranger-led Nature Walk; Meet at the Rhododendron Garden Pavilion
- 2:30-3 pm – Garden Tour; Meet at the Point Defiance Visitors Center
Historic Fort Steilacoom is now open for Sunday tours 1-4PM I believe this is a free; donations welcome type thing. Summer Sundays until Labor Day
Olympia/Lacey area
Hudson’s Bay Heritage Days in Dupont Children’s activities, historical re-enactors and more.
Need still more ideas?
Check out our complete summer guide! There is still plenty of time to do something great this summer.
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