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Go On A Painted Rock Hunt

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Have you heard about the painted rock craze yet?

While we’re staying at home why not get in on this fun trend? You can save up your painted rocks until it’s safe to hide them at local parks, or you could hide them in your neighborhood.

Do you have Facebook friends talking about finding or hiding painted rocks around Tacoma or Puyallup? Or maybe you’ve found one on a recent park or playground trip? If you’ve been wondering about #PuyallupRocks or #TacomaRocks, I’ve got all the scoop!

The idea is a simple one: People paint designs on rocks and then hide them.

The idea is to spread a little joy and delight, and I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how fun it is for kids to go on a real life treasure hunt and find a painted rock.

Want to learn more?  Here’s all you need to know to get started.  [Read more…]

Playground Report: Mayfair Playfield

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If you’re one of our readers near Parkland/Spanaway or the greater area, you’ll be glad to know there is a new place to take the kids. 

Yep, the best thing about this new playground is its location in an area that definitely needs more fun spots for families. My pal, Barb, checked it out with her kids and sent in this review (note the important caution about the creek). 

Mayfair Playfield is a 4-acre neighborhood playfield that features a play structure added in September of 2016. The play structure has 2 slides, climbing spaces, monkey bars, and a spinning pole. There is also a freestanding large web swing.

The park has at least 12 picnic tables with most located close to the play structure and a few placed further out under some trees for a shady, more private option. There was also a large pile of sand that, while not contained in a sandbox, was more than enough to spark creative play and digging for my kiddo.

The field itself is large enough to host a friendly game of football or soccer without bothering play at the play structure.

North Fork Clover Creek runs along the northern border of the park. While this is a lovely feature, there is no fence along that side of the park so this would not be a good place to bring any kiddos that might like to wander. At the time of our visit the water was running quite quickly and was too deep to wade in.

Pets are allowed but must be leashed and picked up after. Parking was very limited with only 3 spaces, one of which was a handicap space. You may be able to find parking in the neighborhood surrounding the park.

A neighborhood group, Mayfair Dream Project  helped make the playground a reality and posts regular park updates. They have an Easter egg hunt coming up! You can get the park address and directions at the Pierce County website.

We’ll be curious to see if the creek becomes suitable for wading or play in the summer. Right now, Barb said it was up to her waist/hips and running fast, so definitely don’t take kids here unless you can closely supervise them. I suspect it’s unusually high with all the rain. If you’ve checked this one out, let us know!  Been to a playground we haven’t featured yet? Send me an email or leave a comment. We’d love to feature your review. 

2017 FREE Days at Washington State and National Parks

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Guess what’s coming up? It’s a FREE day at our state parks (No Discover WA pass needed). If you love the outdoors as much as we do here at Sounds Fun Mom, you’ll want to be sure to put these dates on your calendar! Here are the dates and info you need to know about fee free days at Washington state parks and national parks in 2017! We also have recommendations for our favorite state parks below!

Discover Pass Free Days

If you want vehicle access to state parks or recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks, you will need a Discover Pass. It will cost you $30 annually, or $10 for a one day pass. But, the following are Discover Pass Free Days:

Discover Pass Free Days
Washington State Parks offers several “free days” when a Discover Pass is not required to visit a state park. Following are the 2017 State Parks free days:
Jan. 1 — First Day Hikes; New Year’s Day
Jan. 15-16 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
March 19 — State Park’s 104th birthday
April 15 — Spring day
April 22 — Earth Day
June 3 — National Trails Day
June 10 — National Get Outdoors Day
Aug. 25 — National Park Service 101st Birthday
Sept. 30 — National Public Lands Day
Nov. 11 — Veterans Day
Nov. 24 — Autumn day

Fee Free Days Washington state parks and national parks

The nature trail at Dash Point State Park

The free days only apply to day use and not overnight stays or rented facilities, or those lands managed by the Washington State Departments of Natural Resources and Fish & Wildlife.

If you decide you want to purchase a Discover Pass, you can buy them online, from over 600 licensed vendors, from the Department of Licensing when you renew your license, at state parks where representatives are present, and at over 80 retail locations.

Two of our favorite South Sound Washington State Parks are Saltwater State Park in Des Moines and Dash Point State Park in Federal Way. Tolmie near Olympia and Kopachuck near Gig Harbor are also great. We’d love to hear about your favorites, too. Leave a comment and spill!

There are also some days when you can get free entry to national parks!

Fee Free Days at National Parks

Fee Free Days 2016 Washington State Parks and National Parks

Hiking at Olympic National Park

2017 Free Days at National Parks

January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 20: Presidents’ Day
April 15-16 and 22-23: Weekends of National Park Week
August 25: National Park Service Birthday
September 30: National Public Lands Day
November 11-12: Veterans Day Weekend

If you are heading toward Mt. Rainier, you might find these posts helpful:

Ten Great Hikes For Kids Near Mt. Rainier
A Kid Friendly Guide To Mt.Rainier

4th Graders FREE to National Parks

In case you haven’t heard, the Every Kid in a Park Initiative allows all 2016-2017 4th graders and their families free access to national parks. Get more info at our post about Every Kid in a Park! PS You can use your free pass for everyone in the car, and it’s good all the way through August! An amazing deal!

5th Grade Ski Passport

If you’ve got a 5th grader and are planning to travel to Eastern Washington or Northern Idaho, your child can get a FREE ski passport to ride or ski at participating slopes. Get all the info at the 5th Grade Ski Passport site.

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What are some of your favorite state or national parks to enjoy with your kiddos?

Take a Walk Back in Time at Shadow Lake Bog

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Did you know that there is a 5,000 year old peat bog in Renton? This is a great place to check out with the kids if you want a short outing with a little learning thrown in. Shadow Lake Bog is open to the public daily for self guided tours (see link to pdf below) or, if you call ahead, you might even be able to score a personal tour from a volunteer or staff member.

photo courtesy of Shadow Lake Nature Preserve

We were lucky enough to have a staff member, Isabelle, give us a tour. The trail consists of a half-mile boardwalk which winds through the forest and peat, ending with an observation platform that overlooks the bog. As we walked through the forest, Isabelle pointed out a prehistoric plant and many other plants growing in the area which were used many years ago by Native Americans. The kids especially enjoyed seeing (and smelling) the humongous skunk cabbage. About halfway through the trail, the environment changes from forest to the peat bog. The surface of the bog is covered in little hills called hummocks. The hills are caused by the 17 varieties of moss growing and decaying at different rates. The visible part of the peat is just the top layer of 65 feet of moss- the size of a six story building!

A wide variety of wildlife in the bog area features garter snakes, salamanders, birds and lots and lots of frogs, which live in a man made pond. Isabelle told us that around February, the frogs in the pond are so loud, you can’t  hear much else!

Visiting the bog feels like going back in time, and is a serene, interesting trip. Check the website or Facebook for educational programs, hours and volunteer opportunities.

Address:

21656 184th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058

Self Guided Tour

Video on the history of the bog

Website

Facebook

Facebook is the best way to check upcoming events.

Playground Report: The New Playground at Meridian Habitat Center In Puyallup

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Hey, Puyallup, there’s a new playground in town! It’s on South Hill, at the Meridian Habitat Center, which is that kind of funky building and open space just past the Walgreens. You might have heard it called the Puyallup Amphitheatre.

It’s a Pierce County Parks property, and it’s a great new addition to an area that could really use some more play places!

New playground structure at playground in Puyallup near Walgreens

The centerpiece is this big climbing structure. It’s similar to the one in the Kids’ Zone at the zoo, only bigger and better.  [Read more…]

South Sound Harvest Festivals

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Updated for 2018!

Nothing says fall like getting down-on-the-farm for some old fashioned fun. Here are events and places where kids can meet animals, pick apples or pumpkins, and have more old fashioned fun.

[Read more…]

Playground Report: Puget Park

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Sun is in the forecast all week. Just in time, our contributor Tabitha has a report on Puget Park in North Tacoma, a unique pocket park with interesting equipment, shady picnic spots, and a trail that leads down to Ruston Way.

Puget Park sits on 1.22 acres and is nestled on 31st & N. Proctor in North Tacoma, with a newly updated playground and a trail connecting Puget Gulch and the Ruston Way waterfront.

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The park offers a playground, trails, and shade that makes it a great spot on a hot day. There are tables for a picnic, or you can throw down a blanket and relax on the grass.

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The playground equipment is fairly new and has many different features. I’d say the toys are appropriate for a range of ages; 0-2 years old will love the swings and the shaded grass, 2-12 will find something they love. I’d say the big toy is geared more towards ages 2-7, as the older children get bored quickly. Ages 8-12 will enjoy the spinning toys surrounding the big toy. There are plenty of hills if your child loves to roll down the grass hills. [Read more…]

Let’s Hike with the Kids: Grove of the Patriarchs

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If you’re making a visit to Mt. Rainier with your kiddos, a great place to start is by hiking at Grove of the Patriarchs, where you can see 1,000 year old trees!

To access this hike, enter the park at the Stevens Canyon Entrance of Mt. Rainier National Park. Continue west until you see the Parking lot with the helpful sign.  There may or may not be a couple of sillies hanging out around there.

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Take a potty break in the mostly clean bathrooms before hitting the trailhead. The Grove parking lot is also used by visitors to access Silver Falls, which is another great hike that goes a much farther distance. The Grove of the Patriarchs hike is a 1.1 mile mostly flat trail that includes a suspension bridge to a magical island of giant, old growth trees.  The trail is well maintained and easy for little ones to traverse. You could bring your jogging stroller if necessary, but you will need help lifting it over some of the inclines that include steps.

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Along the hike, you will see many fallen trees with giant root systems. Your kiddos won’t be able to resist a photo op!

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You’ll spy the Ohanapecosh River from the trail, too!

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The highlight for the kiddos on this hike is definitely the suspension bridge that allows crossing over the Ohanapecosh River. The sign alerts that only one person should pass at a time, so be prepared to wait your turn if it’s a particularly busy day at the Grove.

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Once you’re on the other side, you will come to a boardwalk that winds through the old growth forest. There are benches for resting along the way, or simply sitting and taking in the grandeur of the forest.

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Continue walking along the boardwalk, which is a loop and you will see this giant 1,000 year old tree that measures more than 7 kids across, or more precisely 40′ in diameter.

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This hike is ideal for all ages, and is a wonderful start for little legs. Older kiddos will also enjoy the adventure of the suspension bridge, and the magnificence of the giant trees.

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Looking for even more fun at Mt. Rainier with kids? Here are some other posts you might enjoy:

Hiking Mt Rainier with Kids

Hiking Mt Rainier with Kids

South Sound Summer Hikes with Kids near Tacoma, Bonney Lake, Mt Rainier

Looking for a closer adventure?   Our favorite south sound Washington State Parks are Saltwater State Park in Des Moines and Dash Point State Park in Federal Way.

This post has information on state and national parks FREE days. Got a 4th grader? You can get free entry to national parks all the way through August!

South Sound Toddler Playgrounds

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Where can you find a playground that’s safe for toddlers?  We asked this question over on our Facebook page, and as usual, our readers delivered. If you need a playground that’s fenced near Tacoma, or you just want to find somewhere where you can keep your, “Runners,” in sight, we think you’ll love this handy guide.

Best Playgrounds for Toddlers in the South Sound

Read on for the whole list! [Read more…]