Archives for July 2020

Bad news if you’ve been wondering about Meeker Days.

Meeker Days is the latest area summer festival or event to be canceled for 2020.

Originally postponed, this big Puyallup area street fair style celebration has now been definitely canceled due to Covid concerns and issues around crowd size.

You can read the full announcement here. 

The playgrounds at City of Puyallup Parks are still closed.

You may have wondered if they’re open as the fencing has been torn down at some, but that was unauthorized. As of today, 7/11, Puyallup playgrounds are closed, and the city tells me there are no plans to open them in the near future.

You can see their responses to me below in response to whether they were open and when they would be.

Many area playgrounds ARE open, but with restrictions. If your kids are desperate to go to one, open playgrounds include those run by Pierce County Parks, Metro Parks Tacoma, City of Orting, City of Kent, the City of Auburn, and the City of University Place. Note that you will want to confirm that for yourself before you go out as openings and closings change fast.  I do my best to keep up with them, but I also always include links so YOU can confirm the details!

If you know of a playground opening or change I should add, please let me know!

I know that many folks have a lot of feels about this topic, and I’d encourage you to direct those to decision makers for your area. I try to share useful information for area families, but I am absolutely not in charge of any. of this, and I always want YOU to make decisions for your family. Have a great day!

A quick reminder that you can take the kids to a drive-in showing of the Land Before Time at the Showare Center in Kent tonight at 6:30. One ticket for your whole car, and we’ve partnered with Showare to bring you a special reader deal! Just use code SOUNDSFUN at checkout, you’ll get a free popcorn (redeem at concessions).

Thanks to their giant, LED screen, they can start the show at 6:30PM, so you’ll be done in time to get the kids home at a reasonable bedtime.

Tickets are here! 

Information on their future shows, including The Goonies and Raiders of the Lost Ark (!) is here! 

Guys! If you’re in or near Tacoma, and you’d like your kids to have a few days or weeks of summer camp fun, you’re in luck. Metro Parks Tacoma has a bunch of cool, specialty camps that are still going on, and they do still have spots!

You do not have to live in Tacoma to sign up for one of these camps. Most of these are now being held outdoors, with special safety protocols, but obviously you’ll want to do your own research. The only one of these camps I know about personally is the Bricks 4 Kidz camp. My boys have done several of those.

As of this writing, each of these camps had spots, but they are limited, so if one of these sounds great to you, don’t wait long.  As always, I provided links so you can confirm all the details. I don’t have any relationship with any of these camps.

Fort Nisqually Camps 

Various camps for all ages, all but one of which has space available. Kids learn about history and enjoy a variety of old fashioned fun and games.

Martial Arts and Ninja Camp

Held at Wright Park for kids ages 4-10. All camps have spots as of this writing, including a full day option.

Dance and Arts Camps

Five dance camps still have spots, including Garden Fairy Ballet Camp, a one week dance intensive, and a Llama Llama ballet themed camp.

Tacoma Arts Live Camps

All the Tacoma Arts Live Camps have space, including drum camp!

Visual Arts Camp

We found four different arts camps that still have spots!

Skyhawks Lacrosse Camp

This is a trendy new sport around here!

Fencing Camp

If my kids were the right age for this one, they would totally be signing up!

Tennis Camp

Skyhawks has a variety of sports options still on the calendar.

Bricks 4 Kidz Camps

Lego and engineering type fun.

You can find even MORE options by going to the Metro Parks Tacoma camps page here.

The 2020 Washington State Fair is cancelled.

Yes, this is the big one in the fall that many of us still call the Puyallup Fair.

While this isn’t unexpected given the restrictions still in place due to the Covid pandemic, it’s still super sad hear that this annual tradition in Puyallup is cancelled for this year.

Wondering where you can hike with your dog near Mt. Rainier or just looking for a good, easy hike that allows dogs and is fun for kids?

The short answer is that you can’t hike with your dog within the actual park, but there are several dog friendly hikes just outside the park on National Forest Land, and they are hikes that are kid friendly and dog friendly, so you can take the whole family!

Here are three favorites! I’ve linked to the WTA site for each of them, and I always encourage you to bring the Ten Essentials and check current conditions. Please also do make sure that you are recreating responsibly and that your four legged friend is a good canine citizen, so keep him leashed and under control and be prepared to clean up after!

Our rescue lab and the hubs at Skookum Falls-with water!

• Greenwater and Echo Lakes  This one is just after the little town of Greenwater (Watch the speed limit signs here!!) and well before the Mountain. It’s a great option for an easy, closer hike. There are a lot of skinny log bridges to cross, which may not be fun with a toddler. It’s shaded and gentle the whole way, with lots of lovely views of the river. Note from SFM-Early in summer the water will be high and fast. You may want to wait for later. In any case, do read the trip reports. There are also lots of good turn-around points-no need to go farther than you want!   This area would also be an excellent first backpacking destination. Open but trail reports mention bugs and some issues with out bridges. Go with a flexible spirit (and bug spray!). You’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass.

• Skookum Flats/Skookum Falls  Pretty views, and almost the whole hike is flat and shaded. You do have to scramble straight up a hillside if you want to get right up by the waterfall at the end-NOT for anyone but the sure footed (or mountain goats). Young children can just enjoy a peek-a-boo view. Do note that getting to the trailhead  requires going down one very bumpy road! If you want to see the waterfall in full force go during the late spring/early summer. Open; you need a Northwest Forest Pass. This is a very popular trail with mountain bikers and folks hiking with their dogs, so do be prepared to share the trail and socially distance. Also, you may need to go early to score parking.

• Sheep Lake A bit of this goes up hill, but it’s generally easy, and very pretty. The very first bit is the steepest, and may not be suitable for young children on their own.  We also had relatively little company on this one, something that can’t be said for most of the hikes on this list.  It ends at a bona fide alpine lake where kids (and your dog) could easily play the day away. You do need to bring bug spray. We got eaten alive doing this one late in August. Open; a few snow patches to cross. You will need a Northwest Forest Pass.

You might also like this post on easy hikes and nature walks, some of which are Fido Friendly.

Or this post has more options for kid friendly hiking at Mt. Rainier, but NOT with the dog.

While there is not an organized Summer Playground Program in Tacoma this year, there are still six park locations in Tacoma where area kids can get a free lunch this summer.

Read on for more straight from our friends at Metro Parks.

Summer lunch program continues in six parks despite the impacts of COVID-19

Free lunch is available to all youth under 18 years of age at the locations listed below. The District’s Grab & Go meal service may be expanded to include a playground component later this summer, but that will be dependent on Pierce County progressing from its current phase of reopening and the District being able to secure service providers with COVID-19 safety training and experience.

The free lunch program is available from noon to 1 p.m., Monday-Friday through August 28 at these park locations:

Several Tacoma community partners are also offering meal services this summer to help meet community-wide needs. Learn More

“Now, perhaps more than ever, we all need to ensure that kids in our community don’t suffer from food insecurity,” Metro Parks Board President Tim Reid said. “We’re extremely grateful for partnerships with Safeway and Safe Streets that enable us to provide this vital service for their health and well-being.”

Play Safe this Summer
Parents are advised to visit the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department website regularly, for the latest guidance for playing safely in public spaces and limiting their family’s risk of exposure to COVID-19.

For information on Metro Parks Tacoma playground openings head here.

Information on summer meals in Puyallup is here.

Outdoor Drive In Movies at Showare in Kent at a Kid Friendly Time

If you’re looking for something fun to do with the kids this weekend, I’ve got a great idea! The Showare Center in Kent is offering drive-in style movies.  How fun is that?

There are two shows most Wednesdays-Sundays, starting  THIS Wednesday the 8th when you can see The Land Before Time.  What’s really cool is that because they have a massive LED screen, they can start the show at 6:30, so you can have a great time with your family and still get the kids home and in bed at a reasonable hour!

Jurassic Park is also an option at 9:30, but that one is pretty late and scary for younger kids. Maybe for your big ones or date night, though? You do need a separate ticket for each show.

Clear daytime viewing!

New shows are announced every Wednesday!

I think Land Before Time sounds like about the cutest ticket for your whole summer, AND I have a special deal just for you!

Free Popcorn With Reader Code

I’ve partnered with our friends at Showare to get you a fun freebie! Note that they have provided me an affiliate link for ticket sales.

When you buy your ticket to the 6:30PM Showing of Land Before Time on Sunday July 12th and use code SOUNDSFUN, you’ll get a free popcorn!

Tickets are sold per car and the price is super reasonable compared to a regular night at the movies. Plus,  if you’ve been practically nowhere since March (raises hand), you’re probably due for a family night out!

You can head right here to get your tickets! Don’t forget to choose the 6:30PM showing of Land Before Time on Sunday if you want to use the SOUNDSFUN code to score your free popcorn! *Just take your ticket to the concession stand to get your free popcorn*

Here are some more details from our friends at ShoWare:

Showtimes*: 
Wednesdays: 6:30pm & 9:30pm
Thursdays: 6:30pm & 9:30pm
Fridays: 6:30pm & 9:30pm
Saturdays: 6:30pm & 9:30pm
Sundays: 6:30pm and 9:30pm
*Show times and dates are subject to change week by week

Prices* Per Vehicle:
$20 for Motorcycles
$30 for General Admission Parking
$40 for Premium General Admission (First 4 rows)

*Prices do not include fees.
*All ticket sales are final. No refunds or exchanges

– Each vehicle entering accesso ShoWare Center’s Outdoor Cinema requires one ticket. The amount of people allowed in each vehicle will be determined by the amount of seat belt’s per vehicle.
Example: A Toyota Prius will require one ticket, and will allow five people to enter.

No RV’s will be allowed.

– Food & non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.

– We will have an FM Radio Station for you to tune from your vehicle. This station will be displayed on the screen before the movie begins.

Wondering about masks or safety precautions? More FAQs are right here! 

When you get tickets to the 6:30 showing of Land Before Time on Sunday the 12th don’t forget to use your code for free popcorn! 

Disclosure: If you purchase tickets to the Sunday showing via my link the site will receive a small percentage of the sale. I do appreciate it. As with all site content, you assume responsibility for your family’s experiences, and I want you to only do the things that Sound Fun for your fam! If you go, I’d love to hear your report!

Looking for fun things to do with the kids around Tacoma, Puyallup, or your South Sound home this 4th of July? It’s a different kind of celebration this year, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a bummer summer! Here are ten great ideas for the greater 253 (a few of them will work no matter where you live).

Throwback to a parade on a 4th when we were allowed to get a little closer. Wishing you a safe and fun weekend from our house to yours!

1. Free Go tide pooling! Some of the lowest tides of the whole summer are this weekend. 
2. Not free but reasonable Play a round of mini golf! King’s has open times on the fourth. If you want to spend zero dollars challenge the kids to set up their own in the yard.
3. Fun splurge See some animal friends! The Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium has reopened, and they do have times on the 4th. One big change is you need to get timed entry tickets online, in advance (yes, members, too).
4. Free Watch fireworks. The fireworks show in Puyallup (pretty much the only professional one around this year) has sold out of viewing spots, BUT you can go watch at Pioneer Park by the library for free. You’re encouraged to social distance, of course.
5. Chow down on Fair Food to Go. I bet your kids will think it’s fun to drive right on the fairgrounds to get their scones and Earthquake Burgers. Bring your appetite! Nope, not free, but as expensive as you make it!
6. Free-you will need a Discover WA pass for state parks. Hit the beach! Here is our list of best beaches. Note I haven’t updated that post in a while, but it should still have good info. If you see anything that needs a correction, let me know.
7. Free most places Take a hike. Most all area places where you’d go for a hike are open, and all my posts have links so you can confirm details before you go. Here’s a favorite in Dupont that ends in a beach.  Or head to Wildwood Park in Puyallup. It has a tiny creek the kids can play in and a new, “Story walk,” I think they’ll love.
8. Find a geocache! Have you ever tried this real life treasure hunt? Why not start this summer? It’s a perfect outdoors, socially distant adventure. Free unless you choose to buy an app or a GPS or go to a location requiring a pass.
9. Paint a rock. Here’s another cheap and easy trend that’s two activities in one. Love it! Cheap
10. Watch Hamilton.   I admit you probably didn’t me to suggest this one, but for your kids old enough to be interested, it really is pretty great. Not free but included if you already pay for Disney.
11. Bonus: Make bubbles! This will cost you a few dollars (literally just a few), but you may already have the ingredients on hand. Bonus, bonus: Picha Farms has berry picking Sunday (and maybe beyond?). It’s not free, but you’re paying for the berries, and you get to take them home and eat them. Yum, yum!

PS This is going to be a different kind of summer, but I promise you fun isn’t cancelled. Check back in a couple of days for my completely revised (and still totally awesome) South Sound Summer Guide.

Yes! The awesome aquariums at the Point Defiance Zoo have reopened as of July 1st.  The zoo also has open times on the 4th, making it a good activity to do with the kids over this 4th of July weekend.

6/25/2020 (Photo/Katie Cotterill) Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.

That means you will be able to see both the aquariums and the other outdoor areas of the zoo on your visit.

You will need to purchase an online ticket in advance, and there are one-way walking paths to keep everyone at a safe distance. Member tickets are free, but you still need one. These are for a specific time, and only valid during that time to limit crowd size.

High touch areas remain closed.

We’ve heard from readers that they had a great experience and felt safe and comfortable. If you go, we’d love a review from you, too. You can read more detail and get tickets here. I’ve also included more detailed information on the safety measures in place and what to expect during your visit.  If you want to go straight to the info. about mask requirements, that’s at the bottom.  All of this is straight from the zoo.

6/25/2020 (Photo/Katie Cotterill) Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.

Safety Measures in Place

Both aquariums will follow the Zoo-wide measures, plus a few extra:

• Guests will follow one-way paths through each aquarium.
• Stingray Cove, the Tidal Touch Zone, the Home Sweet Ocean Home play area and all interactive digital stations are closed. In the South Pacific Aquarium, the tropical lagoon is viewable only from the upper deck.
• Guests are encouraged to follow marks on the floor for social distancing.
• Stanchions and signs will discourage touching of exhibit windows and other surfaces. Extra hand sanitizing stations will be in place. Restrooms with no-touch entry are open in the Pacific Seas Aquarium.
• Doors in the South Pacific Aquarium (an older building) will be propped open to increase airflow. Doors in the newer Pacific Seas Aquarium will continue to operate with motion sensors.
• Strollers and wheelchairs are allowed in both aquariums (no outside stroller parking). One family at a time is allowed in the South Pacific Aquarium elevator leading down to the Outer Reef. The Pacific Seas Aquarium is fully ADA-accessible.
• Aquarium staff dives, talks and feeds will happen at unscheduled times to prevent congestion. There are no Eye-to-Eye Shark Dives at this time.

The inside Dayroom in the Asian Forest Sanctuary habitat will also open as a one-way through experience. Guests may also choose to bypass all indoor areas.

Face Coverings Required

Because we care about the safety of our guests, staff and animals, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium requires all guests to wear face coverings while visiting.

Exception for Children Under 5

• Children under 5 are not required to wear face coverings.
• Children ages 2, 3, and 4 are encouraged, but not required, to wear face coverings.
• Children under 2 should not wear face coverings.

If guests don’t have a face covering when they arrive, a face mask will be provided to them.  All staff members and volunteers are also required to wear face masks while working.

Tuesdays 3-4 pm are reserved for people with a medical condition, mental health condition or disability that prevents them from wearing a face covering.

(Photos/Katie Cotterill) Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.