What to Do This Weekend
Looking for things to do with the family in Tacoma, Olympia, or Gig Harbor this Saturday or Sunday?
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 you can look at trains, reptiles, or ice carvings. How’s that for variety? We’ve also found theater, films, and a free Recess Monkey concert. Or maybe you’d like to meet a falcon at the library? Read on for all that and more!
Ongoing
Manestage Theater presents You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown
Based on the Peanuts Cartoon 7pm Friday, 2pm & 7pm Saturday and 2pm Sunday.
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 The Duchess and Guy today.
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. “Cool winter mugs,” today. Note: Use the drop down menu to choose the class near you.
South King County
Auburn Adventure Film Festival There’s a film festival in Auburn this weekend. This is a new-to-us event, but there are films advertised as family friendly today.
A Gross and Messy Morning at the Kent Library (10:30AM – 11:30AM)
Explore all things disgusting with silly songs, unseemly stories and yucky activities.
Kick off the Cons A con about cons! Plus vendors, cosplay and other fun. Tickets available at the door.
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
Puyallup/Greater Pierce County
Reptile Show at the fairgrounds in Puyallup 10am-5pm Saturday and 10am-4pm Sunday at the Expo Hall (Gold Gage) 10.00/5.00 admission; children 5 and under are free. Vendors and exhibits
The Great Train Expo is at the fairgrounds in Puyallup Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Mattress Firm ShowPlex – Enter at Blue Gate Adults – $9 ($10 for a 2-day ticket), Kids 11 & under – free Lots of trains and railroad items to look at and buy. I took the kids to this quite a few years ago, and at that time there was lots to Look at but not a lot kids could touch/do. They may have added more. Definitely fun for train lovers if they’re old enough to not need to touch (or buy!) everything.
Tacoma
Free Family Flick at the Grand Cinema. It’s Ponyo today.
The third Saturday of each month, The Grand Cinema welcomes guests of all ages to a family-friendly movie for free thanks to Columbia Bank. 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.
Family nature walk at Wapato Park
10AM Join volunteer naturalists on walks in area parks. Not suitable for strollers; perfect for ages 3 and up. Advance registration is now required for these popular free walks.
Free Community Festival at the Tacoma Art Museum to celebrate the opening of the new Benaroya Wing @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm performances, art making
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
Tacoma Nature Center: Washington Wildlife at the Tillicum Library 2pm-2:45 pm
Learn about common wildlife species found in Washington. Explore the adaptations they have for survival and investigate some of the problems facing wildlife today.
Get up close and personal with bird ambassadors Lady Bird the Eurasian eagle owl and Benedict the Saker falcon, among other beautiful birds.
Gig Harbor
Paradise Theater presents The Diary of Anne Frank Tickets and showtimes here
Probably best for teens or mature tweens due to the subject matter.
Wilco Adoption event Meet a new furry friend!
Olympia area
Ice Adventures at the Hands On Children’s Museum
Sunday, January 20: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Recess Monkey at South Puget Sound Community College, Lacey campus
FREE Family Concert
10 – 11 AM – Concert
Activities till noon
Birds of Prey – The Falconer at the DuPont Library 3-4PM
Get up close and personal with raptor ambassadors Lady Bird the Eurasian eagle owl and Benedict the Saker falcon, among other beautiful birds.
Read to a Dog at the DuPont Library 1-2pm
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 creating a healthy home today.
Join Thurston County Environmental Health staff for a 2 pm presentation about common allergy and asthma triggers inside your home and how to remove or reduce them through easy, low-cost cleaning and maintenance practices. You’ll learn how to read labels on common household products, do a science experiment to test the effectiveness of a safer product, and make your own green cleaner to take home! Lots of take home information provided. Related activities all 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.
Family story time at the Olympia Library
Sunday
Also check the, “Ongoing,” section at the top.
Tacoma/Pierce County
Snowman Building Contest at the Sprinker Rec Center
Gather your friends and/or family for this annual winter tradition! Teams of up to 10 will receive a 55 gallon bucket of snow and 45 minutes to complete a snowman (it doesn’t have to be a snowman). May bring your own props or use those provided.
Top 3 teams will be awarded trophies!
NO ice skating during event. All participants will receive a coupon for FREE admission for an ice skating session!
Pre-Registration Required (space limited)
$20/per team to enter
(253) 798-4000 to register
Reptile Show at the fairgrounds in Puyallup
The Great Train Expo is at the fairgrounds in Puyallup 10am – 4pm
Mattress Firm ShowPlex – Enter at Blue Gate Adults – $9 ($10 for a 2-day ticket), Kids 11 & under – FREE Lots of trains and railroad items to look at and buy.
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.
Based on the Peanuts cartoon
Olympia
Ice Adventures at the Hands On Children’s Museum
Sunday, January 20: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Visit the South Sound Estuarium interactive marine discovery! Open 11-4 weekends; 5.00 admission for the whole family! Jellyfish inspired activities this month.
Check back for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day events and ideas.
Know something great I missed? Want publicity for your group or advertising for your business? Send an email to soundsfunmom@gmail.com!
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