Here’s your weekend list, and we’ve got sunshine! Get out and enjoy free nature activities with the kids in Tacoma, awesome library events all over, and much more!

All Weekend

It’s Spring Fair time in Puyallup. See our post here for all the fair going tips you need.

Friday

Spring Break Staycation at ACM-America’s Car Museum

Through April 20, youth 12 and under get complimentary admission to ACM with a paying adult. Be sure to check out the kids’ zone and the slot car races. There aren’t a lot of deals to this spot, so this is a really good opportunity if you’ve been wanting to go. This is the one by the Tacoma Dome.

Children’s Author Visit at the Wheelock Library

Join children’s author Kevin John Scott as he talks about his new book. “Frederik Sandwich and the Earthquake That Couldn’t Possibly Be” is the first book in a new middle-grade mystery series that will keep you guessing and laughing all along the way.

Kids can meet the author and attempt to build an earthquake-proof structure out of toothpicks and marshmallows. Books will be available for sale and signing courtesy of King’s Books 4-5:30

Jumanji at the Fern Hill Library This is the new one. It’s PG-13 3:30-5:30

Auburn Community Players present Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.

April 20 & 21, 2018, 7:00 PM and April 21 & 22, 2018, 2:00 PM; Tickets are 10.00 plus a slight fee

Parents’ Night Out at WiggleWorks

Reclaim date night the drama free way! Your kids will love an evening just for them at WiggleWorks. Reservations and fees required; don’t wait as they do fill!

Saturday

All Over

Parks appreciation day  Parks all over are hosting volunteer efforts to celebrate Earth Day/Parks Appreciation Day. If you don’t see an event at this link, you might just contact your parks department and ask if there is one going on, and if children can participate. Word of advice: Go early. It sounds odd, but all the, “Good,” jobs tend to get taken early, and you don’t want your junior volunteers to be disappointed if they’re just standing around.

Celebrate National Parks week! Get free entry to National Parks Saturday and Sunday, April 21st and 22nd

YMCA Healthy Kids’ Day  Free event open to the public, typically with activities, sample classes, and joining specials. Find the Y nearest you for more details.

Kids’ Club at Michael’s Stores 2.00/child for ages 3-8. Sessions are 30 minutes. It’s an Earth Day themed craft today. There is also a slightly different version at the same time for ages 6+ for  5.00.  And from 1-3 there is a Make-Break tie dye t event for all.

Storytime at Barnes and Noble stores Most area stores do a free, weekly storytime at 11AM; however, we do suggest calling yours to confirm first, as we have found participation to be inconsistent. It’s Here We Are: Notes For Living On Planet Earth today.

Some Farmers’ Markets are already open. Get your fresh on!

South King County

Auburn Community Players present Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.

April 20 & 21, 2018, 7:00 PM and April 21 & 22, 2018, 2:00 PM; Tickets are 10.00 plus a slight fee

Meet Rubble and Skye at Learning Express Toys in Renton

Free, photo op. event

Puyallup/Bonney Lake/Greater Pierce

Note from SFM-The Spring Fair continues today and tomorrow. The Farmer’s Market is also opening today, And there is an ongoing closure on Shaw Rd. that will have a lot of traffic rerouting. Plan a little extra time for your adventures today!

Learn about our nearest neighbor and create lunar craters. All ages. Presented by Tacoma Astronomical Society. Registration required. 11-12   8 spots left as of this writing!

Free Family Movie Matinee at the Eatonville Library 2-4PM Family friendly film; snacks provided

Spring Astronomy Day Comets at the South Hill Library 3-4 You do need to register

Slug Celebration Walk at the Pt. Defiance Rhody Garden

Join us to celebrate these slimy creatures and what makes them more special than you might think. Meet at the Rhododendron Garden
Free Reserve your spot online 11:30-12:30

Earth Day Migration Celebration at the Tacoma Nature Center. Crafts, bird house building, stories and more! 12-4

Drop in any time during the event to explore your creative side as you learn about the Earth and things that we can do to keep it healthy. Make sure you give yourself enough time to do it all! Free event. Recommended for ages 4 and up; carpooling encouraged! This is a FREE event, but you may also choose to sign up for a bird walk.

Peter and the Starcatcher at Lakewood Playhouse

March 30th-April 22nd
​A wildly theatrical adaptation of Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s best-selling novels.  From marauding pirates and jungle tyrants to unwilling comrades and unlikely heroes, Peter and the Starcatcher playfully explores the depths of greed and despair… and the bonds of friendship, duty and love.

Lacey/Olympia/Dupont 

Lacey Family Fish In

This day of fun encourages fishing as a family activity. Volunteers are on-site to help both beginner and experienced young anglers. Each participant will get a rod and reel to keep! Cost: $7 per youth (ages 5-14), includes rod and reel; Pre-registration required.

For more information, contact Lacey Parks & Recreation Department at (360) 491-0857 or visit ci.lacey.wa.us/Events.

Seussical at Capital High School

Gig Harbor

Paddler’s Cup weekend at Skansie Brothers Park downtown

The Gig Harbor Paddlers Cup is the premiere event for Pacific Northwest canoe, kayak, paddleboard and outrigger athletes and enthusiasts of all ages and levels. This  annual community event features paddle racing for kayaks, canoes, stand up and prone paddleboards, outriggers and para-canoes, and dragon boat races.

Adventures of Tom Sawyer at Paradise Theater

Friday and Saturday shows through May 5th

Healthy Kids’ Day at the Tom Taylor YMCA

Visit the touch tanks and display tanks at Harbor WildWatch new hours!

Any weekend fun: Your Michael’s does do the crafts (see All Over above).  Visit the Harbor History Museum (it’s free!); walk your downtown; see what’s going on at Discovery Village, or visit one of your great parks or trails. If you know something I missed, do let me know!

Sunday

All Over

Free day at Washington State Parks-no Discover WA pass needed today in honor of Earth Day.

South King County

Auburn Community Players present Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.

April 20 & 21, 2018, 7:00 PM and April 21 & 22, 2018, 2:00 PM; Tickets are 10.00 plus a slight fee

Plant an egg carton seed for Earth Day at Learning Express Toys in Renton 1-3

Super Hero Party at the Federal Way Library Ages 7 and older.

Celebrate your favorite super heroes with cake, food, fun activities, crafts and prizes 2-4

Tacoma/Pierce County

Meeker Mansion Cellar to Attic Tour

Once a year the Meeker Mansion in Puyallup is Open to the public for a total tour through the Cellar and up to the Attic! (Free to Members).A small fee will be charged at the door to help with the Mansion’s restoration. 12-4.

Last day of the Spring Fair (See, “All Weekend,” at the top of the page).

Caspar BabyPants at Top Pot Donuts in UP

1:30 set time; go early as space is limited. More here

Kids Day Workshop at Soap and Clay

It’s fun, it’s making, it’s SCIENCE! Head to the soap shop with your favorite littles and get ready to make a mess. In this workshop, class participants will make their own custom bath fizzies completely from scratch. Choose your scents, choose your colors, and have some fun! The finer points: Class price is $30 per parent/child pair and includes instruction, take home packet, and all materials needed to make a full batch of bath bombs! Class size is limited, so be sure to contact Mrs. Soap & Clay to reserve your seat.

Paddler’s Cup weekend at Skansie Brothers Park downtown

The Gig Harbor Paddlers Cup is the premiere event for Pacific Northwest canoe, kayak, paddleboard and outrigger athletes and enthusiasts of all ages and levels. This annual community event features paddle racing for kayaks, canoes, stand up and prone paddleboards, outriggers and para-canoes, and dragon boat races. Note from SFM: I believe this is the dragon boat race day.

As always, if you know something great we missed, or if we can give you a hand, get in touch! Thank you for mentioning Sounds Fun Mom to your friends, family, and the businesses you visit.

Want to see this list sooner? I send it out on Thursdays as an email. If you’d like to subscribe, head here to sign up! 

You can also keep up with Sounds Fun Mom on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or just check back here regularly. I’m about to publish the summer camp guide, AND we have some amazing giveaways this coming week you won’t want to miss.

Note to regular readers-Your weekend list is just one post down from this one! I just couldn’t wait to tell you this news!

We’re so excited to see that Regal has announced the line up for the 2018 Summer Movie Express.

Read on for how you can see kids’ movies in the theater for just 1.00 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays this summer.

We’ll definitely include these in our summer guide, but we thought you’d want to put some favorites on your calendar and make some playdates now.

Theaters run this great program to bring families in during the summer months, and it’s a great way to entertain the kids and beat the heat.

Movie choices are  second run films, but you still get the big screen experience. And, if your kids are anything like mine, seeing a movie they love over and over again is one of their favorite things to do. Read on for the whole schedule of 1.00 movies at Regal for the summer. [Read more…]

Here’s your weekend list! We’ve found tons of amazing things to do with kids in Tacoma and all over the rest of the South Sound this weekend, and lots of them are free! Woot!

Friday

Humpty-Dumpty at Olympia Family Theater

Let’s Play performances are shorter and just right for young audiences. Tickets are 5.00 cash or check at the door; 10 or 11:30AM today; also Saturday at 10AM

Many Michael’s stores are doing a customized slime craft today. This varies by store, so do check yours for participation.

Adventures of Tom Sawyer opens at Paradise Theater Gig Harbor; Friday and Saturday shows through May 5th

Family Movie and Glow Play Night at WiggleWorks

We’re turning down the lights and up the FUN! Kids love this event with FREE glow bracelets for each child. We will be watching the newly released, Jumanji!! Included with all day, come and go admission.
Kids over 48″ inches may join for free to watch the movie; they just can’t play on the equipment. 6-8PM

Saturday

If you’re reading on the home page one more click will give you the whole list. I promise it’s worth it! 

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Disclosure: This post contains my affiliate link. If you use them the site receives a very small percentage of your purchase price. It does not change the amount you pay at all! 

Guys! I wanted to make sure you saw this really great deal to the Hands-On Children’s Museum in Olympia.

This is a super great museum. It’s absolutely huge, and it’s totally worth a day trip.

Right now, Groupon is offering admission for four for 30.00. That’s already a great deal, but today when you use code EXTRA20 you can take another 6.00 off, making your admission for four just 24.00. That is a really good value for this fun spot-I promise you can spend a whole day here. You can also get single admission entry or admission for two.  Babies 0-23 months are free, so if your family includes a toddler you may be better off with one of those offers.

There are some other ways to save on admission to the Hands-On Children’s Museum but most aren’t available to everybody. You can read about all of them here! 

Head here to check out this Groupon.

As always, read the fine print, and don’t forget to use the savings code!

Hey, Tacoma, need something fun to do with your preschoolers? Have you tried Play to Learn yet? You should!

Play to Learn events are special story times in partnership with the Children’s Museum of Tacoma. Each week features a different theme and special activities, in addition to play, songs, and circle time. These  are free, drop-in events, and all locations are open to the public! Readers love them. They’re also fun playdates and great places to meet other parents and kiddos.

You can get more information here, or just try one out!  They’re all FREE and open to the public-even those at community locations. Here’s the complete Play to Learn schedule for spring 2018 Pass it on!

PROGRAM TIMES

Morning 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Afternoon 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Evening 5 – 6:30 p.m. (Salishan Family Investment Center only)

MONDAY

March 5, 12, 19, 26 | April 9, 16*, 23, 30 | May 7, 14
*No Class at Key Peninsula Civic Center on April 16 

Madison Complex | 10 a.m.

3101 S. 43rd Street, Tacoma, WA 98409

Key Peninsula Civic Center | 10 a.m.
17010 S. Vaughn Rd., Vaughn, WA 98394

South Hill Library | 1:30 p.m.
15420 Meridian E., Puyallup, WA 98375

Willard Early Learning Center | 1:30 p.m.
3201 S. D Street, Tacoma, WA 98418

TUESDAY

Puyallup Public Library | 10 a.m.
324 S. Meridian, Puyallup, WA 98371

Inclusive Circle Time Only at the Children’s Museum of Tacoma | 10 a.m.
Instruction in American Sign Language and English

Tillicum/American Lake Gardens Community Service Center | 1:30 p.m.
14916 Washington Ave. S.W., Lakewood, WA 98498

Sumner Pierce County Library | 1:30 p.m.
1116 Fryar Ave., Sumner, WA 98390

Salishan Family Investment Center | 5 p.m.
1724 E. 44th Street, Tacoma, WA 98404

WEDNESDAY

March 21, 28 | April 11, 18, 25 | May 2, 9, 16

Parkland/Spanaway Library | 10 a.m.
13718 Pacific Ave. S., Parkland, WA 98444 Graham Library | 1:30 p.m.
9202 224th Street E., Graham, WA 98338

Wednesday classes on Joint Base Lewis McChord.
Escape Zone | 10 a.m.
841 Fairway Rd., McChord Field

Raindrops and Rainbows | 1:30 p.m. 
8197 American Lake Dr., Lewis North

THURSDAY

March 22, 29 | April 19, 26 | May 3, 10, 17, 24*
*No class on April 12 | Class at Milton/Edgewood Library only on May 24
Lakewood Library | 10 a.m.
6300 Wildaire Rd. S.W., Lakewood, WA 98499 Bay Terrace Community Center | 10 a.m.
2550 S. G St. Tacoma, WA 98405

Portland Ave. Community Center | 1:30 p.m.
3513 E. Portland Ave., Tacoma, WA 98404

Milton/Edgewood Pierce County Library | 1:30 p.m.
900 Meridian E., Suite 29, Milton, WA 98354

FRIDAY

March 23, 30 | April 13, 20*, 27 | May 4, 11, 18 
*No class at Key Peninsula Civic Center on April 20 
Asia Pacific Cultural Center | 10 a.m.
4851 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98409 Key Peninsula Civic Center | 10 a.m.
17010 S. Vaughn Rd., Vaughn, WA 98394

Prairie Ridge Recreation Hall | 10 a.m.
14205 215th Ave. E, Bonney Lake, WA, 98391

Here’s your weekend list! As you’d guess there are lots of egg hunts and Easter events this weekend. But we also found new kids’ theater, nature walks, and even a circus! Note that while we have included some egg hunts in this list you can find many more here in our master guide!

Ongoing

Want to go sledding or play in the snow? Here’s our guide! Note: Do confirm details before you head up; I haven’t checked the snow reports in a bit.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane  at Olympia Family Theater Recommended for all ages – Best enjoyed by those 6 & up Last weekend!

Saturday Click for the full list! 

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