Looking for something to do for Father’s Day or fun things to do with the kids this weekend?
We’ve got a great, big list right here! We found some, “Dad specific,” fun and lots of events great for everybody! Don’t forget to sign up for summer reading at your library if you’re one of our Tacoma readers. Read on for the details on that and much, much more.
Saturday
All Over
Many Farmer’s Markets are now open. Find your fresh here!
See, “Kids’ Club,” for details. Check out their, “Camp creativity,” events, too!
Storytime at Barnes and Noble stores
It’s Hop on Pop at most locations
South King County
Scholastic Books Warehouse Sale in Auburn
Slimetopia 2 is a fun family weekend for children/teens/adults of all ages!! Meet famous instagram slimers, trade your homemade slime creations, buy slime, join raffles, and lots, lots more! This is an event you won’t want to miss! Note from SFM: We found this one on fb and don’t know anything about it, but we’d love a report if you go! Also Sunday; you do need tickets
Team Spirit Weekend at the White River Valley Museum in Auburn Wear your favorite team’s gear to the Museum for FREE admission on June 15 & 16!
Show your team spirit and enjoy learning about how sports impact our history and culture in the Smithsonian’s traveling exhibit Hometown Teams: How Sports Shape America.
Flag Day Celebration in Federal Way
Join the community as Soroptimist of Federal Way holds their 30th Annual Flag Day Celebration, Saturday June 15! Learn about the history of the flag; hot dogs for purchase, Thomas Jefferson HS band on hand
Summer Reading Kick Off at Kent Panther Lake Library
Sign up for Summer Reading and join in an“out of this world” show complete with a tornado of juggling and a whirlwind of scientific knowledge!
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/South Hill/Orting/Greater Pierce
Note from SFM: There are a whole bunch of activities happening downtown this weekend including several graduation events. We’ve handled this before, friends; don’t let it stress you out, but do plan extra time for parking and to navigate road closures.
Meeker Days Puyallup’s annual street fair runs June 14th-16th Food; vendors; kid fun; live stage entertainment
Meeker Mansion/Meeker Days Fiber and Arts Festival
Two big days for fans of comics, heroes, vehicles, and fun! Photo ops, vendors, bounce houses, National Guard demos, and much, much more for the whole family. See more about the show and all the Kids’ Activities here
Tacoma/South Tacoma/Lakewood/Parkland
Free family flick at The Grand It’s Free Willy today 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. Sponsored by Colombia Bank
Summer Splash Expo at the Stewart Heights Pool Swim lessons, food, and fun. Free but pre-registration is required.
The first day to join Summer Reading Club and pick up a bingo card is Saturday, June 15!
Summer Reading Club is for everyone: bingo cards are available for little kids, kids, teens, and adults, with activities and prizes (while supplies last) for each age group. Stop by any Tacoma Public Library branch to sign up! Prizes, activities, and tons of reading fun all summer long!
Open ended, snap together building system makes many things, from houses to helicopters! Uses electricity and motors to teach use of circuits that create moving parts and lights. Expand, accessorize, and populate a world of your own! Encourages problem solving, confidence and creativity. Required: Registration and accompanying adult
Dockside Tours of the tall ship Lady Washington at the Foss Waterway Seaport Tours are included with the cost of museum admission; sails (pricey but probably amazing!) are also available
Plough to Plate at Ft. Nisqually
Discover farm to table, 19th century style, at Plough to Plate!
Throughout the day guests can tour the heritage kitchen garden and poultry house, orchard, and grain patch and learn how these relate to the agricultural history of the Fort. To get in on the act visitors can try churning butter and hauling water with a yoke. Kids can participate in an egg and spoon race, a common entertainment in the 19th century.
S.T.E.A.M. Saturdays at the Mottet Branch of the TPL
Join Ms. Elizabeth for some hands on S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) programming. Explore, build, and create fun and imaginative projects. All ages. 2-3
See a children’s show at the Science Dome-the area’s only indoor planetarium. So fun!
Lacey/Olympia/Dupont
Father’s Day Festival at Capital Mall
Family story time at the Olympia Farmer’s Market 11:00 AM
Music, movement, and books for the whole family. All ages welcome. Meet in front of the Market Garden. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult.
South Bay Grange strawberry festival
Read to a dog at the Dupont Library 1pm
Gone Fishing event at Cabela’s
activities, games, crafts, seminars and giveaways!
June 15 and 16:
* Free catch and release pond from 1-4 both days
* Free photo download with fishing theme
* Free “Nibbles and Bites” magazine to the first 100 at the pond
* Free “Gone Fishing” tin door hangers for the first 75 kids at the fish pond each day
* Saturday Only! Free stress fish to the first 100 kids at the pond
* Free “First Fish” certificate to the first 100 kids at the fish pond
* “Let’s Go Fishing” hanging bobber craft from 1-4 both days.
Visit the LOTT Wet Science Center and make a card or gift for dad today.
Visit the South Sound Estuarium interactive marine discovery! Open 11-4 weekends at their new location.
Gig Harbor
Party in the Park at Sehmel Homestead 11 – 4pm
Family event with tasty food trucks, local beverages, and bands!
Jr. Ranger Program-Camping Edition at Kopachuck State Park 1-2pm
Calling all kids! Learn the basics about exploring the outdoors and the dos and don’ts of camping. Participants will complete the needed training to earn their Junior Ranger Badge. While participants of ALL ages are encouraged to attended, the program is geared towards youth ages 6 to 12. Meets in the parking lot; be prepared to hike a short distance.
Ride the trolley! It’s back!
Sunday
South King County
The Museum of Flight is hosting free admission for Father’s Day! All dads accompanied by children on Sunday are welcome to attend.
Slimetopia 2 is a fun family weekend for children/teens/adults of all ages!! Meet famous instagram slimers, trade your homemade slime creations, buy slime, join raffles, and lots, lots more! This is an event you won’t want to miss! Note from SFM: We found this one on fb and don’t know anything about it, but we’d love a report if you go! Also Sunday; you do need tickets
Team Spirit Weekend at the White River Valley Museum in Auburn Wear your favorite team’s gear to the Museum for FREE admission on June 15 & 16!
Show your team spirit and enjoy learning about how sports impact our history and culture in the Smithsonian’s traveling exhibit Hometown Teams: How Sports Shape America.
Read with Rover at the Covington Library 1-2 Kids can drop in and practice reading to a patient canine listener
Take an amazing celestial journey to explore meteorites, constellations and Jupiter’s storms. Manipulate a robot arm to travel across Martian terrain. Ages 5 and older. Part of summer reading!
Puyallup
Meeker Days Puyallup’s annual street fair runs June 14th-16th Food; vendors; kid fun; live stage entertainment
Two big days for fans of comics, heroes, vehicles, and fun! Photo ops, vendors, bounce houses, National Guard demos, and much, much more for the whole family. See more about the show and all the Kids’ Activities here
Tacoma
Dockside Tours of the tall ship Lady Washington at the Foss Waterway Seaport Tours are included with the cost of museum admission; sails (pricey but probably amazing!) are also available
Free summer concert and puppet show in the public amphitheater in front of Albers Mill Lofts and the Museum of Glass.
Clay Martin Puppet Theater will be on the main stage from 12:00-12:30pm and from 2:00-2:30pm.
Half price dads day at the Point Defiance Zoo
Dads are the stars on this special day! Meet animals up close, watch the show put on by the Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater, or sit and enjoy a drink at the café. All dads will receive half-off general admission.
Gone Fishing event at Bass Pro Shops
Catch and release pond, free photo download, and other fun
Ft. Steilacooom Museum is open for summer tours Sundays 1-4
America’s Car Museum is hosting their, “Hoods up,” event. Food trucks will also be on site.
As always, if you need a hand, or know something fun we should add, get in touch! We also super appreciate when you mention Sounds Fun Mom to your favorite local businesses and groups. We exist because of awesome sponsors and readers!
We did the Lasy Washington tour today and my 3 and 6yo Really enjoyed it, as well as the Foss Museum. We checked free passes from the library!
Great tip! So glad you had fun! Thanks for taking the time to share your review!