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.

King Family Fun Center (formerly Tiffany’s Skate Inn) has reopened their super cool mini golf in Puyallup with special safety measures.

They do have times on the 4th, so if you’re looking for something to do with the kids on the 4th of July, it’s an option!

While you can walk up and, “Stand by,” for a tee time, you’re encouraged to reserve your tee time online in advance. When you do, you’ll get a bonus 5.00 gift card to use at the arcade when their indoor attractions reopen.

They are taking a bunch of precautions to keep things safe and in line with the Governor’s directives related to Covid. You can read all about them here.

Keep in mind that if there are more than 5 in your group, you’ll need an additional reservation, and a maximum of 5 folks can be playing a hole at any time. We haven’t had a chance to go back yet, but we’ve heard from site friends that they felt everything was super clean, and that it wasn’t hard to socially distance. If you go, we’d love your review, too!

If it looks like it may rain before your time, do check their Fb page for weather closures. They also do fun updates and deals and giveaways there, so it’s a good one to follow if you’re a fan.

A quick update that Spanaway Lake is currently closed (today is July 2nd, 2020)  for water activities due to toxic algae.

I know-yuck.

I will update this post as soon as I see an update, but you can always check in with Pierce County Parks.  I tend to find their quickest updates on their Fb page.

Have you heard that select Walmart Supercenters will be hosting drive-in movies? It’s true! Starting in early August, socially distanced drive-in events may be in the parking lot of your Walmart Supercenter.

If you’re looking for fun things to do with the kids around here over the 4th of July, you’ll want to head to the beach! The lowest low tides of the year will be over the 4th of July weekend this year.

If you time it right you can be tide pooling and exploring during the best low tides of the year over this 4th of July weekend.

Photo Courtesy Seattle Aquarium

There will be a low of -2.6 around 10:15 AM on Friday the 3rd and a low of -3.0 on Saturday the 4th around 11AM. There is another -3 around 11:45 on the 5th, and a -2.7 on the 6th around 12:30.  and a -2.0 on the 7th around 1PM.  *These times are for Commencement Bay. You can use the Tide Tables to find the exact time for your beach of choice.

If you want to see sand and sea creatures at low tide, you need a MINUS tide, and the bigger the number the more sand you’ll see. A -3.0 is really good, and these are the lowest tides of the summer.  Yes, I checked the tide tables for the whole summer. Most tide pooling pros recommend arriving at your beach of choice about an hour before the low.

For beach recommendations and more about low tide exploration, see our post here.

You can also go straight to the tide tables to find the low tide time for the day and beach of your choice. Basically, you just need to pick a beach and then show up at the right time. If you go at just any random time, this won’t work because you’ll just see rocks and water. Same if you go at a low tide that isn’t a minus low, at most beaches.

Welp. The Taste of Tacoma has joined a long list of events that have been forced to cancel this summer. 

This Tacoma area food festival has a special place in my heart. One year I even got to be a judge, which was pretty much the most fun ever.

If you’re determined to get that elephant ear, or just anything you can eat on a stick, your best option might be to check out the Fair Food Drive Thru Food To Go event in Puyallup.

Update/Note from SFM: It sounds like the first days of this event have been a bit bumpy with some folks reporting REALLY long wait times-like five-eight hours. What, now?? It does sound like they’re working on making the procedures a bit better/clearer, but you may want to check out what folks are saying on their Fb page and go prepared.  Please do be nice to the workers.

If you’re looking for a Tacoma area fireworks show this year, there just aren’t a lot of options. Because of Covid related crowd size restrictions, nearly every show we checked has been cancelled or postponed.

One exception is the new Drive Up event in Puyallup. Another is the traditional July 3rd fireworks show at Cheney Stadium.

The Tacoma Rainiers have announced that there WILL be fireworks on July 3rd. However, the parking lot and the stadium will be closed to the public.

So, if you want to see them you’ll need to find a nearby friend’s house, or watch via their Fb channel from your couch. From the Rainier’s page:

July 3rd is the biggest day of the year at R House, and it wouldn’t feel right to let it go by without blasting a bunch of fireworks into the night sky. So, at 9:45 p.m. on Friday, we’re shaking the Sound with our annual 3rd of July fireworks show. Our stadium and parking lot are closed, but we’ll be streaming the display LIVE on our Facebook channel.

If you want to read about the option in Puyallup, head here. Note that that one is a ticketed event.