It’s another amazing weekend full of fun things to do with the kids. Slather on that sunscreen and get out! This is not a weekend to spend at home!
Archives for July 2019
Save the Date for Tacoma Public Library’s Block Party!
Hey, Tacoma, need more free, fun things to do with the kids this summer? We hear you!
One you won’t want to miss is coming up from our friends at the Tacoma Public Library. It’s a Block Party!
It’s Saturday, August 10th from 1-4pm in front of the main branch of the TPL.
There will be live entertainment, games, activities, and fun for all ages. Don’t miss the bounce house, face painting, carnival games, a photo booth, a special appearance by The Bubbleman, and much more!
This will be an afternoon the kids will be talking about all year. And it’s FREE. We love free!
We’ll remind you about this event when it’s closer, but I know you’ll want to save the date now! You can get more info. here.
PS It’s not too late to participate in summer reading at your library!
Disclosure: We are proud to have a partnership with the Tacoma Public Library!
Park Report: Dune Peninsula Park and the Chutes and Ladders Slides on Wilson Way
Have you found the new park in Tacoma with the slides all the way down? If you haven’t been to this real life Chutes and Ladders style park in Tacoma, here is all you need to know about the new Dune Peninsula and Wilson Way, including where to park for the slides, and more.
The start of the walkway around Dune Peninsula from the parking lot to the right of the yacht club. You can see the yacht club to the left in the pic.
The new park is called Dune Peninsula. It’s huge! The views are beautiful, and the paths are mostly flat and smooth. It’s a great place to walk with a stroller or rent some kind of pedal bike. You can walk around it, and it also connects to Ruston Way, or can lead to Wilson Way and ultimately to Point Defiance Park, depending on which way you go, and how far you want to walk or pedal. We saw a bunch of folks who had rented surreys from Wheel Fun on Ruston, and they looked super fun. Nobody was huffing and puffing too much that I noticed either! Those of you who just want to do the slides should keep on reading!
Mostly flat, paved walkway loops around the peninsula-great place for strollers etc.
The slides are at the east end of the new Wilson Way Bridge, which is the new walkway that connects Ruston Way to Point Defiance. If you walk all the way across the bridge you’ll get to the grass behind the tennis courts at Point Defiance and sort of below and to the left of the Pagoda. If you go down the slides you get to the Point Defiance Marina. If you walk past the Marina you can get to Owen Beach etc…
The slides are at the end of the bridge on Wilson Way.
You can walk from the peninsula all the way to the slides, but that is going to be a bit of a walk, and there is a bit of a slope from the Point Ruston-ish end to the bridge.
If you just want to do the slides, the parking by the Marina-sort of straight under the pedestrian bridge- is closer, or there is also a small lot at the end of Wilson Way on the Point Defiance side. See my screenshot from one of our fun parks friends below. PS Reader Katie reminded me that yet another option is to pay to park in the Point Ruston lot-you can also get it validated if you’re going to shop/eat somewhere at Point Ruston.
If you go down the slides, you’re pretty much at the Marina. If you keep walking past them on this pedestrian bridge, you get to Point Defiance-you know where the tennis courts are? You’ll be right behind them.
The slides themselves are very cool. I didn’t try them, but I saw what looked like every kid in Tacoma (and a few of their parents) trying them, and they were all having a ball. They are interspersed with stairs, so not one straight slide. There are six, and each has a set of stairs next to them for those of you who prefer a more traditional route down. And, no, the slides don’t seem to get too hot! For more pics and reader tips, you can check out this fb post with lots of both from our amazing readers.
Btw, if you want a real workout, the stair here, and the sort of observation step up things on the peninsula part would most definitely give you one!
If you’ve been, please leave a comment and let us know how you liked it!
This is the best page I’ve found for directions, and a map.
South Sound Weekend Kids’ Calendar: Family Fun and Things to Do July 20th and 21st
There is so much going on around the South Sound this weekend! Grab the kids, grab those sunglasses, and make it a great one!
South Sound Weekend Kids’ Calendar: Family Fun and Things To Do July 12th, 13th, and 14th
What’s Fun for Kids at the Library This Week
Need free fun to do with the kids when it’s raining?
Or just any day?
Look no further than your library!
We’re rounded up the best things going on for kids at Tacoma, Puyallup, and Pierce and South King County library branches.
We’ve just included two days worth since this is a new-to-the-site feature. Let me know if you find it helpful, and we’ll do it again!
Also note that I have only included special events that sounded like,
“Best bets.” I haven’t included regular story times. As usual, links are provided so you can check the details! Make sure you’ve signed up for summer reading, too!
“Best bets.” I haven’t included regular story times. As usual, links are provided so you can check the details! Make sure you’ve signed up for summer reading, too!
Thursday
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium – How the Moon and Stars Affect Wildlife on Earth at the Orting Library 1:00pm – 2:00pm Glowing orbs in the sky inspired us to send people into space. But what do they mean for wild animals?Transformations, brave journeys, odd behaviors
Nancy Stewart – Up, Up and Away at the Milton/Edgewood Library 1:30pm – 2:30pm Join Nancy Stewart in a singing celebration of people, places and things that are out of this world!
Emily’s Paper Crafts – Star Wars Origami at the Gig Harbor Library 2pm Learn how to fold and create several origami Star Wars characters and space ships. Take home your folded creations.
Puppet Theater Presents – Little Red and Dog House at the South Hill Library 2:30 Pierce County Library puppeteers present classic stories. Ages 6 and up.
Come out for an afternoon of tie dye in the park. Bring your own shirt or other item to tie dye. Tie dye colors will be provided
Popsicle Stick Puzzles at the South Tacoma Library 3pm
Create a personal puzzle with Popsicle Sticks. You’ll draw a design and once it’s done, get someone to TRY to solve it.
Friday
Superhero at Storytime at the Puyallup Library 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Meet our own community superhero, an officer from the Puyallup Police Department, during Preschool Storytime. Ages 3-5 years. More Details
Building Madness at the Gig Harbor Library 10:30 Use Lego bricks, Straws & Connectors, blocks and more to construct fabulous contraptions. Creative fun for the whole family. Age 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Animal Encounters – Australian Animals at the Bonney Lake Library 11am Australia is home to some of the most unique animals on the planet. Visit with a few of these creatures while you learn about their habitats, behavioral and physical adaptations, and more!
Science Tellers – Aliens: Escape from Earth at the Key Center Library 11am See an action-packed and educational adventure totally out of this world!
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium – How the Moon and Stars Affect Wildlife on Earth at the Tillicum Library 2pm Glowing orbs in the sky inspired us to send people into space. But what do they mean for wild animals? Transformations, brave journeys, odd behaviors…
Summer Reading STEM – Light Sensing Robots at the Sumner Library 2PM Many scientific discoveries in space have happened because there are robots/machines that can sense changes in light. Join us to make a robot that can do the same thing!
Summer Stories and Crafts – at the Orting Valley Farmers Market 3:30pm – 4:30pm Drop by to hear a story, make a craft and meet your local library staff!
Altered Art – Aliens or Fandom Characters at the Fife Library 4:30pm Paint UFOs, aliens or fandom characters onto thrifted paintings to create an altered work of art.
Free Slurpee Day 2019
A quick reminder that today, Thursday, July 11th, you can score a free Slurpee at 7-11 because it’s 7-11.
My boys and I do this every year. It’s silly, it’s totally not healthy, and it’s free. Again, you may want to double check with your store, but I’ve never found one not participating. It runs 11am-7pm.
Note that it’s a small size. I think Henry had his done by the time we were out the door last year.
