What to Do This Weekend
Looking for things to do with the family in Tacoma, Olympia, or Gig Harbor this weekend?
Welcome to our guide to free and affordable family fun all over the South Puget Sound! We have one just like it up every Friday! This weekend’s highlights include a fun event at the STAR Center in Tacoma Saturday, the return of library story times, a live dive experience with Harbor WildWatch in Gig Harbor, and more! We’re especially excited for Bedknobs and Broomsticks on the big screen Sunday! Read on for all of it. As always, it’s organized by day and area, and I do appreciate you using the links to confirm details before you go!
Friday
Edgewood Movie Night at Edgewood City Hall Free showing of Peter Rabbit
Ongoing
Monster Jam is at the Tacoma Dome Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Bring your ear plugs!
Indigo Frozen Fountain – Ice Skating at Point Ruston, November 14th – February 2nd. The Grand Plaza at Point Ruston will be transformed into a winter wonderland! Follow link for admission details and holiday hours.
There’s a skating rink in Auburn this year! Let us know about this if you go; we haven’t had a chance to check it out. Look under the, “Community Calendar,” for more info. Note one of our readers felt it was small and not a very authentic skating experience. If you give it a try, let us know what you think!
Saturday
Also check the, “Ongoing,” section at the top.
All Over
Barnes and Noble story time Most area stores offer a story time for children at 11am. We do suggest confirming with yours as we have found participation to be inconsistent. It’s Love, Z at most stores.
Kids’ Club at Michael’s Stores
Choose from two different classes for kids every Saturday. 2.00 or 5.00 per child, depending on class. Snowman canvas projects today. Note: Use the drop down menu to choose the class near you.
South King County
Free Kids art project at the Rusty Raven in Kent
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 Back open!
Puyallup/Greater Pierce County
AKC dog show at the fairgrounds in Puyallup free admission and can be fun for dog lovers. Many handlers will let you pet their dogs, but do ask first as they are getting show ready! 8-5 Also Sunday and Monday
Family Movie Matinee at the Fife Library 2-4 It’s “Hotel Transylvania 3.”
Explore Your World: Beebots and Ozobots – Explore STEM At Your Library
at the Bonney Lake Library 2-3PM Use little robots to code and create
Tacoma
PBS Playdate at the Children’s Museum
The museum partners with KBTC each month for fun and learning around a selected PBS Kids television show. This is a free, drop in program. Not a character event. It’s Odd Squad this month. 10-11:30
Free Kids Clothing and Toy Swap
12-1:30 at King’s Books free kids clothing & toy swap. Share what you don’t need; take something you can use. Open to everyone. This is an all volunteer event; please read the pinned post and consider helping out! It’s a great way to connect with other community minded parents near you.
Tiger Welcome and Farewell at the Point Defiance Zoo
Meet Bandar and say farewell to Dubai. Jan. 12-13 Free with admission.
Family nature walk at Swan Creek Park
10AM advance registration is now required for these free walks lead by volunteer naturalists in area parks. Not suitable for strollers; perfect for ages 3 and up. Note: Can’t get in? Consider signing up for an upcoming walk with openings.
Family story time at the Wheelock Library 10:30
Family story time at Moore Stories, songs, and other fun learning activities for young children 10:30
Family story time at Swasey Stories, songs, and other fun learning activities for young children 10:30
Family Saturday at the Washington State History Museum
Hands on history! Join a museum facilitator and other families to learn about artifacts on view, and then use your learning to make something of your own. 1-3pm; included with admission Activities are designed for children ages 4-12 but all ages are welcome!
Ranger-Led Nature Walk at Point Defiance Park 1pm
Meet the Park Ranger at the Rhododendron Garden Pavilion for an exploration of the plants and animals in the special old-growth forest of Point Defiance Park. Not recommended for strollers, wheelchairs, or children under 3. Free. Reserve your spot online Note: Can’t get in? Consider signing up for an upcoming walk with openings.
You are cordially invited to the debut of the Board Game Collection at the Swasey Branch of the Tacoma Public Library on January 12th from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm. Special guests will teach “Magic: The Gathering” and the “Pokemon Card Game,” plus other games and fun
Stinky Kids Musical at Tacoma Musical Playhouse
When Britt wakes up with a massive wad of gum in her hair she knows she’s in trouble. She enlists the help of her friends to get her out of a very sticky situation. Mayhem ensues as these friends learn from their mistakes and discover the true value of friendship. Also Sunday and next weekend
Fiddler in the Forest Puppet Show at the Lakewood Library 2-2:45pm
Enjoy a shadow puppet show featuring a fiddler and some curious creatures living in a magical forest. Create your own puppets and participate in a puppet show
Block Play at the Steilacoom Library 11:30am-12:30
Building with blocks is not only fun, it develops math and science skills. All you need is imagination!
Bilingual Family Storytime – Come play and learn! at the Tillicum Library 12-1
While not specifically a kids’ event, this night time version of an artisan craft market is open to all ages, and we’ve heard they’re a lot of fun.
Gig Harbor
Paint to Learn at the Key Center Library
Create a colorful work of art while learning about shapes, patterns and numbers! Ages 2-6 with an adult. Online registration required for all attendees (kids and caregivers). 2-3pm
Paradise Theater presents The Diary of Anne Frank Tickets and showtimes here
Probably best for teens or mature tweens due to the subject matter.
Olympia area
Nikki loses his brand new white mitten in the snow. While waiting for Nikki’s return, the Mitten becomes a warm home for a mole, rabbit, hedgehog, and more. Also Sunday. These are short, 30 minute shows perfect for the youngest audiences; 5.00 cash or check admission 10AM
OFS Kids Club at Capitol Theater presents a free showing of Mirai for kids 12 and under. More info. on the film via the link. Tickets available at box office 30 minutes prior to showtime.
Visit the LOTT Wet Science Center and learn about bees today. Pollinators are essential to all life around the world. Bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, and even some bats assist in spreading pollen between flowers, enabling them to make seeds. Join Stream Team and special guest speaker Laurie Pyne from the Olympia Beekeepers Association for a family-friendly workshop about honeybee conservation and how to start your own hive. You’ll also make a bee house to take home! Register for this 10 am – 12 pm workshop at www.streamteam.info. Pollinator activities throughout the day.
Visit the South Sound Estuarium interactive marine discovery! Open 11-4 weekends; 5.00 admission for the whole family! Jellyfish inspired activities this month.
Olympia Timberland Library Book Sale
Sunday
Also check the, “Ongoing,” section at the top.
Tacoma/Pierce County
Featured: Mini Maestros from Symphony Tacoma
January 13: The Great String Thing-a-Machine!
Featuring the String Quintet
Join the Symphony Tacoma String Quintet for an inside look into the string family! Explore the contrasts of high/low, slow/fast, and major/minor while learning all of the nuts and bolts of what make the string family truly unique. This concert’s music includes a balance of popular classical era pieces and children’s tunes that the whole family will enjoy. Don’t miss these concerts designed just to introduce young children to classical music. Shows at UPS in Tacoma; go early for the, “Instrument petting zoo!”
Ranger-Led Nature Walk at Point Defiance Park 1PM
Meet the Park Ranger at the Rhododendron Garden Pavilion for an exploration of the plants and animals in the special old-growth forest of Point Defiance Park. Not recommended for strollers, wheelchairs, or children under 3. Free. Reserve your spot online Note: If this one is full, consider registering for a future date now!
Stinky Kids Musical at Tacoma Musical Playhouse
When Britt wakes up with a massive wad of gum in her hair she knows she’s in trouble. She enlists the help of her friends to get her out of a very sticky situation. Mayhem ensues as these friends learn from their mistakes and discover the true value of friendship. Also Sunday and next weekend
Tiger Welcome and Farewell at the Point Defiance Zoo
Meet Bandar and say farewell to Dubai. Jan. 12-13 Free with admission.
Based on the Peanuts Cartoon 2pm & 7pm today and 2pm Sunday. Also next weekend
AKC dog show at the fairgrounds in Puyallup free admission and can be fun for dog lovers. Many handlers will let you pet their dogs, but do ask first as they are getting show ready! 8-5 Also Sunday and Monday
Olympia
Special morning of play at the HOCM in Olympia
Hands On invites families of children with sensory sensitivities to join popular teacher Lahela Peterson and enjoy the museum before it opens to the public for “Special Mornings of Play”.
Led by museum educators, these are special events for families of children with autism or other special needs that provide a private, less over-stimulating time to experience the museum with other families who may share the same life experience. 9-11am
Olympia Timberland Library Book Sale
The Mitten at Olympia Family Theater
Nikki loses his brand new white mitten in the snow. While waiting for Nikki’s return, the Mitten becomes a warm home for a mole, rabbit, hedgehog, and, believe it or not, several more animals. One large sneeze returns the Mitten to Nikki, and no one is the wiser. These are short, 30 minute shows perfect for the youngest audiences; 5.00 cash admission 10AM
Visit the South Sound Estuarium interactive marine discovery! Open 11-4 weekends; 5.00 admission for the whole family! Jellyfish inspired activities this month.
Know something great I missed? Want publicity for your group or advertising for your business? Send an email to soundsfunmom@gmail.com!