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Archives for March 2020

South Sound Resources for Families At Home During the Coronavirus

March 17, 2020 by Maegen Blue

 

Hey, friends, How are you?

Before you answer, let me say upfront that if you just want to scroll down to ideas and resources, they’re towards the bottom where you see the graphic. It won’t hurt my feelings if you skip my musings. Really. I won’t know.

This is a weird, weird time, and for whatever reason I keep thinking of this sticker I got from the oral surgeon one time. It said, “Be nice to me. I had a root canal today.”

It feels like we all need a sticker right now. Like, “Be nice to me. It’s my first pandemic today.”

I’ve actually been pretty encouraged by the messages of support and kindness I’ve seen. Yeah, there are people hoarding toilet paper (Hey, stop that, if you’re one of them, please), but there are also people offering to shop for older folks and people offering free classes online and people ordering more take out than they probably need to support their favorite restaurants.

And that all reminds me of talking to my grandma shortly after September 11th. She reminded me of Pearl Harbor, and WWII, and a bunch of other awful stuff that we got through. And on that note, I have also seen a bunch of memes online about how this is no big deal compared to those things, and how this is really a great opportunity to hang out with your family, and while I think those things are true, I also know that this is a really big deal for a lot of us, and I hope you give yourself some grace here if you’re sitting in your pajamas watching Frozen 2 for the 10th time instead of baking bread and teaching the kids algebra and what not.

Pretend I gave you a sticker if you want.

Moving on…….

You’re invited….

If you are looking for ideas of things to do, local support and resources, or so on, I would like to invite you to join our new Facebook group:

South Sound Fun at Home With Sounds Fun Mom.

We’ll have links to virtual tours, small businesses offering curbside pick up, lists of fav parks that are playground free, and other good stuff. The emphasis will be on local resources, so that when this is all done you can go thank and visit them in person!

If you don’t want to join another group but you do need some ideas, keep reading

If You Want to Do Some School at Home

ThriftyNorthwestMom has a great list of online, educational resources. I know that many schools are also going to be working on getting some things out for your older kids. Do keep in mind that some sites are going to require you to input personal information or will hit you up for a subscription after some period, so proceed with caution!

If You Want to Get Outside

we have a great list of easy nature hikes here. You should be able to enjoy any of these while still practicing social distancing, but I leave the final determination up to you, obviously.

You may also like one of these park or hike posts. Again, I’m leaving it up to you to decide if you can do one while being safe-and if we are asked to just stay home at some point, well, I’d do that.

Sequalitchew Creek in Dupont is one of our most popular hike posts. Most of it is even stroller friendly!

We also have a list of  Local hikes that end at beaches

If You Want to Get Crafty

Ben Franklin and The Makery are offering curbside pick up of their craft kits.

If You Need to Get the Kids Online

Comcast is offering free internet to qualifying families.

Internet Essentials from Comcast:

Families who are qualified for Free/Reduced Lunch may be eligible for the Comcast Internet Essentials Program. Cost is $9.95 a month and families may be eligible for a low-cost computer. Check here or call 1-855- 846-8376 for more details.

If You Want Someone Else to Cook

If you can afford it and are comfortable with delivery or pick-up, Sue Kidd has an amazing list of area restaurants offering take out or delivery, and it would be a great way to support them during this difficult time.

If you need other help, you are welcome to leave a comment, and I’ll do my best to offer some suggestions.

xoxo Maegen

South Sound Weekend Kids Calendar: Family Fun and Things to Do March 7th and 8th

March 6, 2020 by Maegen Blue

Here’s the weekend list! There have been some cancellations and delays this weekend due to virus fears, so I do suggest you use the links to confirm details before you head out!

Have a great one!

South Sound Kid's Calendar

Saturday

All Over 

Barnes and Noble story time Most area stores offer a story time for children 2-5 at 11am. We do suggest confirming with yours as we have found participation to be inconsistent. It’s How to Catch a Unicorn and How to Catch a Dinosaur today.

South King County

Auburn Community Players presents Matilda  *Note from SFM I don’t see online ticketing options for this weekend, so you may want to call first to see if there is availability. There are additional shows this month if you can’t go this weekend. Here is the fb page

JBF Seattle Kids Consignment event in Federal Way Runs the 5th-8th; located in the vacant former Sears at The Commons

CLOSED this weekendThe Highline Mast Aquarium at Redondo is back open  small, free aquarium with touch tanks for the kids! Discovery Day from 10am-2pm

Greater Pierce County

Something’s Happening Saturdays 10:00am – 5:00pm at the Graham Library

Something’s going on all day at the Graham Library! Will it be games? Crafts? Building? Drop by and find out!

Read with a Daffodil Princess 11:00am – 12:00pm at the Buckley Library Enjoy story time with a Daffodil Princess at your Pierce County Library! The princess will read stories, talk with children and be available for photos. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Read with a Daffodil Princess Saturday, March 07: 11:00am – 12:00pm at the Summit Library

Enjoy story time with a Daffodil Princess at your Pierce County Library! The princess will read stories, talk with children and be available for photos. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Steam Explorers – Scribble Bots 1:00pm – 2:00pm at the Summit Library Build your own art robot and see what it can draw. All supplies provided. For ages 7 and older.

Read with a Daffodil Princess  2:00pm – 3:00pm at the Milton/Edgewood Enjoy story time with a Daffodil Princess at your Pierce County Library! The princess will read stories, talk with children and be available for photos. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – Traveling Lantern Theatre Company at the Graham Library 3:00pm – 4:00pm Watch the Traveling Lantern Theatre’s adaptation of the beloved Narnia classic by C.S. Lewis!

Tacoma-Also includes University Place and Lakewood

Seuss’s Spring Fling

Games and crafts and lots of  Read Across America themed fun. 10am-12; new mobile kitchen dedication at 10AM.

STEAM Saturdays at Mottet 2:30

Join Ms. Elizabeth for some hands on S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) programming. In these weekly hands on programs we will explore, build, and create fun and imaginative projects. All ages.

Baby time at Moore

Fun for you and your baby with songs, rhymes, stories and movement. For babies and their caregivers. Recommended for ages birth – 18 months. 11:30-12

Play, Grow, and Discover at Wheelock 10:30-11:15

Join us the 1st Saturday of the month for a themed sensory experience for toddlers and preschoolers.

Family story time at Moore  

10:30-11  Come for stories, songs, and other fun learning activities designed to develop the language, literacy and social skills your child needs for success.

Kawaii Keychains Kawaii Keychains – Youth Craft at the Main Library 2-3PM

Join us to make Kawaii (cute) keychains out of Shrink Plastic. Learn how to draw Kawaii faces and animals.  This monthly craft is aimed at 5th – 12th grade.

Read with a Daffodil Princess  2:00pm – 3:00pm at the University Place Library Enjoy story time with a Daffodil Princess at your Pierce County Library! The princess will read stories, talk with children and be available for photos. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Children’s show at the Science Dome
Take the kids to the area’s only indoor planetarium. It’s great!

Free Astronomy Event

The Tacoma Astronomical Society hosts free public viewing sessions each month at Pierce College near Fort Steilacoom. Indoor lectures, demonstrations, and workshops are available at public nights regardless of the weather. On nights with clear skies, TAS volunteers provide telescopic observations of the Moon, planets, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, double stars and more. Free; donations gladly accepted.

Insect Safari with Don Ehlen
Saturday, March 07: 12:00pm – 1:00pm at the Tillicum Library  Enjoy a rare opportunity to see more than 2,000 amazing insects up close.

District STEM Fair

Families and community members are invited to attend the district STEM fair on March 7 at Harrison Preparatory School, 9103 Lakewood Dr. S.W. in Lakewood. This free, all-ages event begins at 9 a.m. This year’s event features a mini museum exhibition from the Burke Museum focused on ecosystems.

Last days of the Rhea Lana consignment event

Gig Harbor

Mad Science – Fire and Ice Show! 11am-12 at the Key Center Library

Watch an interactive science show with foggy dry ice storms and gravity defying beach balls. Ever see scissors sizzle and shiver? Ever taken a bubble shower? Here’s your chance!

CANCELLLEDHarbor WildWatch Pier Into the Night Live Dive Event

Gig Harbor Night Market

Olympia

Traveling Lantern Theatre Company at the Dupont Library 11am

The Traveling Lantern Theatre Company brings us another adventure in a fantastic world! This is an all ages show; children under 8 with an adult.

The Fisherman and his Wife at Olympia Family Theater

A familiar folk tale, a family, some fish and some wishes! Let’s Play are dynamic, interactive shows performed in the lobby and between 20-30 minutes in length- perfect for young audiences of 0-5 year olds and favorite grown ups!  Giggles guaranteed. Lobby opens 30 minutes before showtime; admission is 5.00 cash or check at the door (under 2 free with paying adult; allow time to park).

Countdown to Kindergarten with Olympia School District *Event is geared towards parents

CANCELLED Lacey Cultural Celebration

Friends of the Yelm Library book sale

Family story time at the Olympia Library

Common Sense Gardening  at the LOTT WET Science Center

Where does our drinking water come from? Underground! Anything that goes on the ground can eventually end up in our drinking water. Discover how to grow beautiful landscapes without the use of harmful weed and bug killers. Thurston County Public Health will share at 2 pm about water-saving irrigation and low-maintenance landscaping ideas, and answer questions about your particular garden challenges.

Sunday

Pierce County

Featured: Mini Maestros from the Tacoma Symphony

Fun concerts just for kids 2-8! It’s the perfect way to introduce kids to music and instruments. Our readers love these! Note from SFM: As of this writing, the show is ON; however, it will not open with an, “Instrument petting zoo,” this week. This week is the percussion show! Here is the fb event

Olympia

The Fisherman and his Wife at Olympia Family Theater

A familiar folk tale, a family, some fish and some wishes! Let’s Play are dynamic, interactive shows performed in the lobby and between 20-30 minutes in length- perfect for young audiences of 0-5 year olds and favorite grown ups!  Giggles guaranteed. Lobby opens 30 minutes before showtime; admission is 5.00 cash or check at the door (under 2 free with paying adult; allow time to park).

I think we have the most complete list of weekend family events for the South Sound you’ll find, but if you do something great I missed, get in touch!

I also super appreciate you supporting the site by mentioning Sounds Fun Mom to your friends and favorite businesses!

Keep in touch!

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