Need something great to do this weekend? We’ve got you covered! See Santa in Tacoma, Reindeer in Puyallup, Salmon in Gig Harbor, or hit up a library just about anywhere for great free fun! All that and more straight ahead!
Friday
Kids night out at the STAR Center
The Hip Hop Nutcracker at The Pantages
Saturday
All Over
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 Jack Frost vs. The Abominable Snowman today.
Crafts at Michael’s Snowman cookie making today. Click on, “Kids’ Club,” and then navigate to your store for details and registration. Mine had 8 spots left for 3.00.
Kids’ Workshop at McClendon Hardware Stores It’s a bow and arrow project- create a pint-sized projectile using string, pre-cut pipe & an eraser-tipped dowel. This should be available at all 7 locations, but you may want to check with yours first.
South King County
Auburn Avenue Kids presents Beauty and the Beast 10.00 tickets 2PM at Auburn Avenue Theater
Day with the Grinch at the Auburn Valley Humane Society
Share the Love at Rairdon’s Subaru of Auburn. Fill up the Subaru with pet food & supplies and see the Grinch’s heart get larger. There will be pictures with the Grinch, raffle baskets, holiday treats and cookies. 11am-2pm
Squid-A-Rama at the Highline Mast Aquarium at Redondo
MaST Center divers and Marine Biologists will be on hand at the annual running of the Squid through our very own Puget Sound to aid in viewing the run and to answer any questions about other marine life in the Sound. Art and Science activities for the whole family. Come see a squid dissection, a squid release, and more! 4-7:30PM Free
at the Auburn Library 2PM For ages 10 and older Decorate a pre-made sugar skull using glitter paint, sequins and paper. Space is limited. Please pick up a ticket at the Information Desk starting at 1:30pm on the day of the program.
Christmas tree lighting and light show at The Landing in Renton
Christmas Tree Lighting & Laser Light Show featuring Live Entertainment: Frosty, Rudolph, Teddy Bear, Wizard & Stilt Walkers. Selfie station with Rudolph & Frosty. 6-8PM
Greater Pierce County
Stop in and see the reindeer at Watson’s
North Pole at the Fair, Puyallup –Woot! Reserve a photo time with Santa and enjoy a full afternoon at the North Pole, with an entire village just for kids. You can also go play at the pole without getting photos-tickets are just 5.00 for play without photos, and it’s such a great way to spend a rainy day! See the FAQ at the link for more on photos and what’s new this year. Note that reservations for photos are going fast.
Something’s Happening Saturdays at the Graham Library
Something will be going on at the Graham Library all day on Saturday! Will it be games? Will it be crafts? Will it be building? Drop by and find out!
Jeff Evans – Amazing Magic Show at the Bonney Lake Library 1-2pm Discover the amazing things that happen when you open a book and read! For Jeff Evans, his career in magic began from a book of coin tricks he read when he was 12 years old. For all ages.
Jeff Evans – Amazing Magic Show at the Buckley Library Discover the amazing things that happen when you open a book and read! For Jeff Evans, his career in magic began from a book of coin tricks he read when he was 12 years old. For all ages.
Tacoma
Sensational Santa times There are still time slots available for this Saturday’s Sensational Santa for children with special needs who need a sensory friendly environment. Link has contact info. if you need help booking/have questions. If you go to the choose a day/session button you can see the times for today and upcoming sessions. I was having a hard time getting the link to go straight to it.
Free family flick at The Grand
The third Saturday of each month, The Grand Cinema welcomes guests of all ages to a family-friendly movie for free! Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and movies start at 10:00 a.m. Seating is first-come, first-served. All children under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult. It’s The Dark Crystal today.
Family story time at Moore 10:30
Family story time at Wheelock 10:30
Baby time at Moore 11:30
STEAM Saturdays at Mottet 2:30 Join Miss Elizabeth and make Straw Rockets today!
Family nature walk at McKinley Park
10am Advance registration is now required for these free nature walks with volunteer naturalists. Not suitable for strollers; fun for ages 3 and up.
Neighborhood toy store day at Teaching Toys and Books
Neighborhood Toy Store Day is a benefit for Communities In Schools’ Ready, Set, Read Program. Every child can choose a free toy and we will have a balloon artist making creations throughout entire event. Games, crafts, and other fun.
Cook to learn at CMOT Free but RSVP here
10-11am All About Fruit is the theme today (recipes may contain dairy and gluten). For children ages 2-5 and their caregivers In partnership with Project Child Success, the Children’s Museum is hosting Cook to Learn to increase math skills in the kitchen in a fun and playful way.
Join Kidical Mass Tacoma for their 5th Annual Cranksgiving family bike ride benefiting the St. Leo Food Connection food bank! Riders meet at Alma Mater around 12:45 and pedal to Hilltop Safeway to shop. After shopping, you’ll pedal your donations to the Food Connection. Link has more details about Kidical Mass rides and this route.
Spanish/English Story Time – Come Play and Learn!
at the Tillicum Library 12-1pm Enjoy stories, art activities, rhymes, singing and fingerplays for the whole family. Story times are offered in Spanish and English
Insect Safari at the Parkland/Spanaway Library 2-3PM Enjoy a rare opportunity to see many amazing preserved insects up close!
Santa’s arrival at Bass Pro Santa arrives at 5PM. Free hot chocolate at 5:30; craft from 6-8 and free photos from 6-8 until Bass Passes run out
Magnificent Moons at the Pierce County Science Dome
Great shows at the area’s only indoor science dome. Perfect activity for kids!
Olympia/Dupont
Visit the Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail and see salmon returning to spawn Wear those boots!
Santa’s Arrival and “Elves in Training,” event at Capital Mall
Santa is arriving and he is recruiting new elves and he’s bringing a couple of his reindeer friends with him! Join us for Elf Training where children can complete tasks like toy building, cookie decorating and feeding live reindeer. 2-4PM
Santa’s arrival at Cabela’s stores
Fall kids crafts with Olympia Lamplighters This is a new to us venue and event we found on Fb; let us know if you try it.
Read to a Dog at the Dupont Library 1-2pm
Share a book with a furry friend while improving your reading skills.
Family story time at the Olympia Library
Visit the LOTT Wet Science Center for, “Rainy Day Carnival Play” today
Escape gloomy weather and come inside to play games! Challenge someone to a bean bag toss, recycled bottle bowling, and more!
Free OFS Kids Club move at Capitol Theater
It’s Fantastic Mr. Fox
Gig Harbor/Kitsap
Every year, the greater Gig Harbor community celebrates the return of the salmon to our local waters. Join festival hosts Harbor WildWatch and the Harbor History Museum, as well as community partners, for a fun afternoon of activities.
This FREE family-friendly event is hosted at the Harbor History Museum on November 16, 2019. Touch sea critters, take a salmon walking tour, watch dragon boat and kayak races, and much more!
Sensory Story Time at the Gig Harbor Library 10:30-11:30am
Explore stories through hands-on activities and sensory stations that encourage early learning. You do need to register. 4 spots left as of this writing. Go fast!
Upcycle Your Holidays – Crafts for the Whole Family at the Key Center Library 12:00pm – 3:00pm Learn how to use recycled materials to create a modern and up-cycled look for your holiday. Supplies provided. All ages.
PenMet Parks Kids Night Out event Registration and fees required
Sunday
Globetrotters at the ShoWare Center in Kent Two shows with the ball handling wizards today.
Join TYS and TYAO for a fun evening of music from the movies. The musicians and conductors will be in costume and the audience is invited to come in costume.
Shunned by the other pumpkins, Spookley is befriended by three hilarious spiders who convince him that, square or not, he has a right to be the Pick of the Patch.
You are invited inside the working studios of 95 local artists to learn about the artistic process, ask questions, and purchase one-of-a-kind creations. All studios will feature demonstrations or will have hands-on activities for visitors. It’s family friendly and free! Get your Tacoma Studio Tour Passport and more info online. Saturday and Sunday!