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2017 FREE Days at Washington State and National Parks

March 12, 2017 by Keri Welch

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?

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

August 23, 2016 by Keri Welch

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.

Grove9

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.

Grove4

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

grove1

Grove3

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

Grove2

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.

Grove5

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.

Grove6

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.

Grove7

 

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.

Grove8

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

  • Silver Falls Loop and Bench and Snow Lakes

Hiking Mt Rainier with Kids

  • Ten Great Hikes for Kids Near Mt Rainier

Hiking Mt Rainier with Kids

  • 5 Great South Sound Hikes 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!

FREE Things do in Seattle with Kids

August 15, 2016 by Keri Welch

One of my favorite ways to spend time with my kiddos in the summer is a trip to the city.  All of these excursions are free or almost free.  You could theoretically walk to all of these locations from Pike Place Market, but little legs may not want to traverse the city blocks. Bring a stroller or Ergo, and be prepared for hills.

FREE Things to do with Kids in Seattle

Olympic Sculpture Park

FREE Things to do with Kids in Seattle

If you love art and beautiful views of the Sound and the Olympics, check out the Olympic Sculpture Park.  This outdoor art space features gigantic pieces of art along an impressive walkway at the very north end of the Seattle waterfront.  It’s an awesome way for kids to experience art in a space where they can run, jump, and scream and no one will know the difference. There is a parking garage or you can find a spot on the street. Throughout the summer, you can also catch Summer at SAM on Thursdays and Saturdays, with live music, outdoor yoga, free art tours, and a Kids’ Corner.

Myrtle Edwards Park

FREE Things to do in Seattle with Kids

Photo Courtesy of Belltown Seattle

After you explore the art, take a 1.25 mile bike ride through Myrtle Edwards Park. The incomparable views of Elliott Bay continue along this waterfront bike and pedestrian path. If you’re into geocaching, there are some caches you might enjoy or maybe you can find some Pokemon!

West Seattle Water Taxi

FREE Things to do in Seattle with Kids

Photo Courtesy West Seattle Chamber of Commerce

Take a 15 minute water taxi ride from Seattle to Alki Beach  ($5.25/one way per person, FREE/under age 5) for a speedy ferry like experience. If you’re looking for a quick bite or a sweet treat, hop in line at Marination Ma Kai.  The award winning food truck is now a restaurant on Alki. Their food and shave ice is worth the wait! If you’re looking to cruise through Lake Union, try the Seattle Ferry Ice Cream Cruise.

Alki Beach

FREE Things to do in Seattle with Kids

Sunset at Alki Beach

You don’t have to drive to the ocean to dip your toes in the sand! Enjoy a day at Alki Beach, where kids can play in the water as you watch the ferries and sailboats float by with the backdrop of the city skyline.  You can bring bikes and trikes here, too if you want to jaunt along the 2.5 mile walkway. If you want to show your kids some history, checkout the monument at the south end of the beach that marks the arrival of the first white settlers on November 13, 1851.

Pike Place Market

FREE Things to do with Kids in Seattle

Eyeing up the seafood at Pike Place

Heading to the city just for a day at Pike Place Market is worth the trip!  Kids love to watch the flying fish, meet Rosy the Pig, and grab some mini doughnuts. Don’t miss the gum wall down below on Post Alley, and all the interesting shops. Mom can buy herself some farm fresh flowers for a bargain price, too!

Seattle Center

FREE Things to do in Seattle with Kids

Taking a ride to the top of the Space Needle is pricy, but there is lots of FREE fun to be had at Seattle Center. Check out the newly opened Artist’s Playground, which is fun for big and little kids and the coolest playground I have ever seen.  Kids can safely traverse ropes and slides that are high in the sky. There are areas for big kids and tiny tots. Or, spend a warm day playing in one of the many fountains, the most popular of which is the International Fountain where water sprays in tune with music. There is always something going on at the Armory (Center House), such as cultural festivals, concerts, art installations, magic shows, and more.

World Class Museums

FREE Things to do in Seattle with Kids

Museum of Flight

Seattle’s museums are such a fun way to expose your child to culture, art, and innovation. On the 1st Thursday of each month, many museums host special hours and offer free admission. Our favorites include the Museum of Flight (perfect for toddlers, but kids of all ages will love of it), Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), and the Seattle Art Museum.

 

Starbucks

FREE Things to do in Seattle with Kids

Starbucks Reserve Roastery

If you’re in need of a caffeinated pick me up, there are options galore. Try the Starbucks on the 40th floor of the Columbia Tower (open during regular business hours). The highest Starbucks in the world also boasts amazing views of the city, for FREE. My boys particularly love looking out at Century Link and Safeco Field. Or, walk a few blocks east to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room.  Part coffee house, part regular Starbucks, and part roastery, the atmosphere is always a party. Kids will enjoy watching the roasting process and the packing machines do their thing. Be sure to order off their special menu, where even a regular latte will make you wish you could stop here every day.  If you’ve never been, it’s also fun to stop into the very first Starbucks at Pike Place Market where all the magic started.

Dick’s Drive In

FREE Things to do in Seattle with Kids

Want to grab a quick bite while you’re in the city? Try the iconic Dick’s Drive In where the burgers are super yummy and the hand dipped shakes are not to be missed. The easiest location to access is in Queen Anne, just west of Seattle Center. They have free parking!

Farther North

If you want to go a little farther north by car, you can make a pit stop at the Fremont Troll. Parking is a little tricky to find along neighboring streets, but this a must do with your kiddos at least once in a lifetime.  Where else in the world can you meet a troll holding a VW Bug? Warning: little boys will attempt to pick his nose.

FREE Things to do in Seattle with Kids

Another location worth an all day excursion is the Ballard Locks. Watch the boats pass through the locks of the Lake Washington Ship Canal, or head to the fish ladder where during the summer you can watch all the salmon swim upstream to return to spawn. It is mesmerizing and a thrill for little ones! There is also a botanical garden, and free summertime concerts on Saturdays and Sundays.

FREE Things to do in Seattle with Kids

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Know of another awesome attraction for kids in Seattle? Leave a note in the comments!

FREE Things to do in Seattle with Kids

 

20 FREE (or almost FREE) Things to do with Kids in August

August 2, 2016 by Keri Welch

We’ve got an entire full month of summer fun left here in the South Sound! Running out of things to do with your littles? We have some AWESOME ideas for you to try in August.

FREE Family Activities South Sound

[Read more…]

Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalists at South Sound Beaches

July 13, 2016 by Keri Welch

 

Low Tide Exploration in the South Sound

One of the things you can do for your kiddos to help them learn over the summer is to keep them exploring! And, what better place to explore than our very own natural playground, Puget Sound! This summer, Beach Naturalists from the Seattle Aquarium will be on hand at beaches around the Sound to help the rest of us learn more about the creatures in our waters.

Beach naturalists are trained in showing others how to enjoy the natural beach habitat while protecting it! These folks are passionate about the Sound and are enthusiastic about passing their knowledge along to future generations. If you’ve got a little who loves the water, or loves animals, this is a great way to spend some time in the summer.

Low Tide Beach Exploration South sound

Photo Courtesy Seattle Aquarium

Dates and times for South Sound locations with Beach Naturalists:

Saltwater State Park 

  • Tuesday, July 19, 10am-1pm
  • Wednesday, July 20, 10am–1:30pm
  • Thursday, July 21, 11am–2pm
  • Sunday, July 31, 9:30–11:30am
  • Monday, August 1, 9:30am–12:30pm
  • Tuesday, August 2, 10am–1pm
  • Wednesday, August 3, 11am–1:30pm

Des Moines Beach Park

  • Tuesday, July 19, 10am-1pm
  • Wednesday, July 20, 10am-1:30pm
  • Thursday July 21, 11am–2pm
  • Sunday, July 31, 9:30–11:30am
  • Monday, August 1, 9:30am–12:30pm
  • Tuesday, August 2, 10am–1pm
  • Wednesday, August 3, 11am-1:30pm

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Want more tips on exploring the Sound? Check out our post Exploring the Beach at Low Tide.

FREE Lunch for Kids in the South Sound

July 11, 2016 by Keri Welch

FREE Lunch for Kids in the South Sound

Looking for more free things to do with your kiddos this summer? United Way of King County has partnered with area organizations to provide a FREE lunch to children ages 18 and under at area parks, libraries, apartment complexes, community centers and spots around the South Sound.

Lunches are well balanced and always include protein, fruit, and a beverage. All of this, for FREE with no strings attached! Some locations also include activities such as arts and crafts, or learning times.

To find the location nearest you, head to the Summer Meals page of the Resource Finder for King County. 

Metro Parks Tacoma SUBWAY meals served at McKinley playfield and children and staff interacting at Wright Park.      Photos By Russ Carmack

Photo Courtesy of Metro Parks Tacoma

If you’re in Tacoma, the USDA Summer Free Meal Program offers free lunch at area parks in Tacoma Monday-Friday, from 12:00pm-1:00pm, through August 26. In years past, the lunch has included a FULL lunch from Subway! Sorry, parents, you’ll have to pack your own.

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Looking for more FREE things to do with your kiddos this summer? Check our our post on 50 FREE or almost FREE Things to do with Kids in the South Sound this Summer! 

Things to Do for FREE this Summer Tacoma, Puyallup, Federal Way, Bonney Lake, Lakewood, Auburn, Renton, Kent

50 FREE or Almost FREE Things to Do in the South Sound This Summer

June 28, 2016 by Keri Welch

Updated for 2018

When you’ve got all summer long to keep the kiddos having fun, things can get pricy. We’re here to help!  Try out all kinds of these things for FREE or nearly FREE all summer long.  Put them on your summer bucket list, write them on your calendar, or gather friends to do something fun!

PS If you like this post, we think you’ll LOVE the weekend lists we put up on the home page every Friday! Or get it right to your inbox on Thursday as our weekly newsletter! 

Things to Do for FREE this Summer Tacoma, Puyallup, Federal Way, Bonney Lake, Lakewood, Auburn, Renton, Kent

Get Wet!

1. We’ve got a huge list of places to cool off in the summer sun. Try out one of many South Sound spraygrounds, fountains, splash pads or pools from Auburn to Olympia!

All the spray grounds, fountains, and splash pads are FREE. The pools have modest fees.

South Sound Spray parks

2. If something a little more outdoorsy is more your speed, try out an area lake that’s great for swimming!  We’ve got a huge list of Great Lakes for Swimming in the South Sound.

A couple spots charge for parking but most are totally free.

Great lakes for swimming in the South Sound

Lake Tapps North, photo courtesy Pierce County

3. Explore one of the Best Beaches for Kids in the South Puget Sound. One of our family favs is Dash Point City Park. There is fishing pier, a little playground, sandy beach that turns rocky, and beautiful sunsets that you can only get in the PNW. The only charge for beach exploration is if you go to a state park requiring a Discover WA Pass, or there are a few city parks where you may need to pay to park.

50 Free Things to do in the South Sound this Summer

4. Kiddos can stay busy for a very long time by playing in the sand. Choose from one of the Best South Sound Beaches with Sand, or make a day of it and drive to the ocean!

Best Beaches with Sand in the South Puget Sound

5. Explore the beach at low tide and find all kinds of critters and sea life. Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists will be at various South Sound beaches throughout the summer to help us all learn more about the amazing marine life that surrounds Puget Sound and what we can do to make sure it’s around for generations to come. The link has info. on similar programs from Harbor WildWatch, Metro Parks Tacoma, and the South Sound Estuary Association. There is one near you no matter where you live around here! All of these programs are FREE. You will need a Discover WA pass if you go to a state park.

6. Go fishing! Keep summer days easy with fishing at a local pier or river.  You can even stop by Jim’s U-Fish in Spanaway  if you want more of a sure thing! There are also animals to feed and pet here.  This one can add up a bit, but readers have said it’s loads of fun and worth a  one day splurge.

50 Free things to do in the South Sound this summer

7. Try one of Five Fun Swimming Pools for South Sound Kids. One of our favs is Kandle Pool in Tacoma, which has the first wave pool in Pierce County. There are fees here, but they’re a great deal compared to a water park or a trip that requires plane tickets! Oh, and kids 4 and under are FREE.

8. If you rather stay out of the sun and get wet indoors, we’ve got a great list of Cool Indoor Pools in the South Sound just for kids!  Entrance to the Covington Pool for a family is only $13.50 and kiddos under age 4 are FREE.

Cool indoor pools for kids tacoma, covington

The Octopus at the Covington Pool

9. Splash and explore at the Mashell River in Eatonville. It’s great for kiddos who are a little bigger. And, my kids never seem to tire of skipping rocks.

mashell river in eatonville

10. Have you ever played at Wildwood Park in Puyallup? It has a teensy little crick just right for preschool splashing and mucking around. There is also great shade and paved and unpaved trails to explore. It’s totally FREE.

11. The Mast Center at Redondo is such a treasure! It’s a small aquarium with touch tanks, and it’s totally FREE to visit. 10-2 every Saturday, and Thursday evenings from 4-7.

12.Get in on the painted rock craze and you’ll be creating and hunting for painted rocks at area parks in no time. So much fun!

Opt Outside

13. Try a new to you playground. Here’s our list of Best South Sound Playgrounds.

Best Playgrounds in Tacoma

14. What little transportation lover doesn’t want to Touch a Truck?! Explore some of the biggest trucks around that service your community.  Get all the details on upcoming events in our South Sound Touch a Truck Roundup. Don’t miss the new one coming to Fife in early August! FREE or low cost events.

Touch a Truck Events Federal Way, Tacoma, Auburn, Bonney Lake, Tukwila

15. One of our favorite things to do in the South Sound is explore a nature trail. Here’s our list of  Ten South Sound Nature Walks Perfect for Young Hikers. Hylebos Wetlands in Federal Way is a great first start! FREE except for locations requiring passes.

16. If you’re ready to explore an actual hike, you can’t go wrong with Mt. Rainier. We’ve wrangled some of the best hikes near Mt. Rainier for kiddos!  

If you actually go in the park, you will have to pay for a pass unless you go on a FREE day! For hikes outside the park the pass you’ll need varies, so do check on that. Got someone who just finished 4th grade? You can go to national parks for FREE through August!

Free activities with kids in the South Sound

Skookum Falls

17. Are your littles not yet ready for hiking or nature trails? Try one of the beautiful South Sound Stroller Friendly Trails. If you’ve got one with a bike and one in the stroller, try out the Puyallup Foothills Trail, which is wide enough for all of you!

Stroller Friendly Trails near Tacoma, Olympia, Gig Harbor, Spanaway

18. Explore one of our many state parks or a national park for FREE on one of the Fee Free Days.

 

Fee Free Days Washington state parks and national parks

The nature trail at Dash Point State Park

19. Have you tried geocaching yet?  There are some great caches in Pt Defiance, with some easily discovered near the Rose Garden area. Or, take a hike where you can find some that are slightly more difficult.

20. Now that it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a visit to the Puyallup Fish Hatchery should be on your summer agenda!  Explore the Educational Center if it’s open and take a walk around the hatchery to see the fish. You can even hike into Clark’s Creek Park if you’re up for more adventure.

puyallup fish hatchery

Free Your Mind

21. Sign up for a Library Summer Reading Program, where your kiddos can avoid the summer slide and win cool prizes, too! When you go in to sign up be sure to get a list of all the awesome programs being offered for FREE and mark some on your calendar so you don’t forget!

South Sound Summer Reading Program

22. Hit up a museum for free!  There are FREE days during each month at area Tacoma and Seattle museums. Or, go on your own schedule by checking out a pass from your library.

Museum of Glass

23. Catch an excellent planetarium show at Pierce College that’s just for kids! Shows are just 6.00 for ages 3-12 and FREE for everyone else. If you’ve never been, definitely make sure it’s on your bucket list this summer.

Free or Nearly Free Activities south sound

24. For only $3/parking you can explore the beautiful Nisqually Wildlife Refuge near Olympia. Kids will have extra fun becoming Junior Wildlife Refuge Managers while you’re here.

25. Do your kiddos enjoy getting dirty in the garden? How about signing them up for FREE gardening classes with the Pierce County Master Gardeners in Puyallup. These programs are FREE and include a short story time, lesson and activities. Programs are designed for children ages 3-11.

Kids Gardening Classes Puyallup

Get the Wiggles Out

26. Need a place for your kids to play a game that won’t make a mess in your house?  Sign them up for Kids Bowl FREE all summer long!

Kids Bowl Free Federal Way, Burien, Puyallup, Tacoma, JBLM, Lakewood, Yelm, Olympia

 

27. Tiffany’s Skate Inn in Puyallup doesn’t offer free skating, but they do have lots of fun deals and a new mini golf place next door! Feel free to tell us about your favorite roller rinks, too!

Beat the Heat Indoors

28. No AC at home? Getting cranky with the stickiness of summer? Hit up one of the many South Sound Mall Play Areas. Meet up with friends and make it extra fun! Unless you do some shopping, it’s always Free to play!

29. You can also opt for an Indoor Playground. We suggest investing in the unlimited play pass from WiggleWorks. Yes, it will cost you upfront, but if you go enough you can get each visit down to just a couple of bucks (or less). Challenge accepted!

30. Got tiny history buffs? Try the pay-as-you-can Job Carr Cabin Museum. They have special summer story times and take home crafts on Fridays.

31. Catch a cheap movie! Regal Summer Movie Express is offering $1 movies on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings this summer.

Regal Kids Summer Movies Tacoma

Catch a Show

32. There are all kinds of FREE Summer Concerts and Shows for Kids in the South Sound all summer long!

Recess Monkey FREE Concert

Fun with Recess Monkey

33. Want something a little more magical? Enjoy the sights and thrills of magician Jeff Evans! He brings the magic of science alive to kids in a way that’s engaging, entertaining and FUN! Check out the schedule of FREE shows all summer long featuring Jeff!

Jeff Evans FREE Summer Shows

34.  Nothing says summer like FREE outdoor movies under the stars! We’ve got a HUGE list of Outdoor Summer Movies in the South Sound just for you and your kiddos!

Summer Outdoor Movies South Sound

Visit a Fair or Festival

Summer Festivals in Tacoma, Kent, Bonney Lake, Lakewood, Yelm, Olympia

35.  There is an awesome variety of festivals around the South Sound all summer long. You could go to a different one each weekend.

Summer Festivals Tacoma, Kent, Puyallup, Bonney Lake, Lakewood

36.The Pierce County Fair is coming up the 9th-12th. While not free, you can have a very reasonably priced time at this fair that has a more rural, small town feel than the, “Big One.”

37. Hit the Kid Kraze with Pierce County Parks and Rec

Our 2nd annual Kidz Kraze Children’s Festival is a FREE event for kids ages 3-12 and their families. The festival will feature a bounce house and obstacle course, lego workshop by Bricks 4 Kidz Tacoma, arts & crafts by Art Studio27, field games and more! Brew Dog will be on-site serving hot dogs and festival fare!

38. Celebrate your small town at one of these great events:

  • Kent Cornucopia Days July 13-15. South King county’s largest family festival features a street fair, parade, entertainment, and more.
  • Pacific Days – Friday-Sunday, July 13-15. 4-9PM Friday; 11-9 Saturday; 11-4 Sunday Music, parade, food trucks, vendors, and more family fun.
  • SummerFest in Lakewood – Saturday, July 14, 11:00am-11:00pm.  FREE all day festival with activities, food, entertainment, car show, Kids’ Zone and more! Free outdoor movie in the evening, too!
  • Capital Lakefair, Lacey – Wednesday-Sunday, July 11-15. Enjoy a parade, fireworks, and rides.Covington Days  – Saturday and Sunday, July 21 and 22nd. This official SeaFair event includes a parade, carnival, and kids’ activities.Gig Harbor Summer Arts Festival – July 21 and 22nd Saturday, times TBA. Art on display on the waterfront. In the past there have also been children’s activities, food, and vendors.Renton River Days – Friday-Sunday, July 27-29. An annual multi-day family festival featuring events and activities for kids, arts and crafts, reception, food, and live entertainment.Enumclaw Street Fair – Friday/Saturday, July 27,28 10:00am-7:00pm. This street fair includes a family fun zone with rides and games, live music, craft vendors, family activities, basketball tournament, farmer’s market, and more!

39. The Kite Festival at Chambers Creek (Saturday, August 4th 10:00am-3:00pm) is fun for the whole family!  Head down to the Central Meadow for an amazing day of kite demonstrations, family kite flying, face painting, bounce houses, and more! The first 250 kids will have an opportunity to make their own kites!

Take a Day Trip

40. Hop in the car for a day trip! There is so much variety all within 3 hours driving distance of Tacoma, including Leavenworth, Port Townsend, and Snoqualmie Falls!

Road Trips from Seattle and Tacoma

41. Head to Seattle for the day! The kids will get a kick out of the simple pleasures such as exploring Pike Place Market, the Gum Wall, and the Olympic Sculpture Park. Also worth a visit is the Ballard Locks, where kids will be mesmerized by boats passing through the locks or viewing the salmon in the fish ladder.

Our friend Angela at The Coupon Project also has a big list of frugal outings in Seattle.

Good Eats! Chow down at a free lunch site; eat ALL the ice cream you can, or send off summer at an August festival or street fair.

42. Kids can eat FREE lunches all summer long at locations all across the Puget Sound.  Find the location nearest you at USDA Summer Food Rocks site.  These are usually offered at local parks and schools and sometimes have free fun and games, too.

43. Community festivals and street fairs also abound in August.

  • Frederickson Community Festival – Saturday, August 11, 9:00am-3:00pm. The annual Freddie Fest features a car show, chili cook-off, and local vendors.

    AuburnFest, Auburn Saturday, August 11, 11:00am-8:00pm

    Held at Les Gove park, there will be live entertainment, a car show, literary fair plus lots of free kid’s activities.

    Bonney Lake Days – August 18 This festival is VERY family friendly with Kids Zone, chalk art competition, parade, and more!

    Milton Days– August 18 Events and activities TBA.

44. While this isn’t free, getting ice cream is  a cheap outing that your kiddos will LOVE. Hit up one of our Reader’s Favorite Ice Cream Spots in the South Sound! Don’t miss Ice Cream Social if you’re near Tacoma!

Tacoma area ice cream shops

45. Summer fun should always include some berry picking! Be sure to put this one on the calendar because it always seems to sneak up on us with everything else going on all summer. For where to get the best berries, head to our South Sound Berry Picking Guide. 

Strawberry Picking in Puyallup Picha Farms

South Sound Pride

46. If you haven’t been to Cabela’s in Lacey or Bass Pro Shop in Tacoma, summer is the perfect opportunity. How can you resist a free excursion with a description like this: the 185,000-square-foot retail showroom is an educational and entertainment attraction, featuring a decor of museum-quality animal displays, huge aquariums and trophy animals interacting in realistic re-creations of their natural habitats. Bass Pro Shop boasts a 12,000-gallon freshwater aquarium, 3-D diorama of a running waterfall with mountain lion, big horn sheep, and mountain goats against a backdrop mural of Mount Rainier, not to mention the unique bowling alley!

47. Got a kid who is into military history? Visit the McChord Air Museum for FREE, Wednesday-Friday, 12:00pm-4:00pm, and as of April 2016 open to the public. There are specific document requirements for gaining access to the base, so be sure to check those out before promising your kiddos this one!

Free South Sound summer events

48.  Kitsap Live Steamers invites you to Port Orchard on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month through October to ride a miniature steam train for FREE (donations are welcome).

Free South Sound summer events

49. Have you been to the new Point Ruston? The Playground on the Waterwalk is made to look like a large ferry, and kiddos can pretend they are charting their own course across the Sound. You’ll also want to check out the Grand Plaza Sprayground, open from noon-10pm, daily. This is more of a splashpad for littles, but it’s free and lots of fun! Note there is now a charge to park in the garage at Point Ruston.

50. Visit Daddy or Mommy at work for lunch!  This can be a fun way for the kids to see what Daddy or Mommy does, and also break up the long workday! Find a nearby park to make it a fuller trip, and explore the area. There may even be other family members who would enjoy a visit like this from your kiddos!

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If all else fails, a good old fashioned slip n slide from Target is always fun!

Need still More ideas?

You can find even more fun in our complete summer guide! We’ll also have our awesome weekend round ups every Friday all summer long plus more playground reviews, hike reports, and outing ideas the rest of the week! We’d love to see you every day!

PS If  you liked this post, we think you’ll Love Our Emails

 

South Sound Summer Reading Programs

June 15, 2016 by Keri Welch

Are your kiddos super excited to be done with SCHOOL over summer break? Maybe you can trick them into being done with learning by signing them up for a Summer Reading Program.

We’ve got all the details on South Sound Summer Reading Programs at your local library, right here for you!

South Sound Summer Reading Program

Double dip on these programs by signing up for a Retail Store Summer Reading Program.  Places like Family Christian Stores, Chuck E Cheese, Barnes and Noble, offer reading programs with prizes just for kids.

Got a teenager in the house? There is an awesome Teen Summer Reading Challenge going on at Pierce County Libraries. Your kids won’t mona and groan over this because the prizes are super cool, things like iTunes gift cards, Starbucks gift cards, and tickets to the Rainiers.

Pierce County Library Teen Summer Reading Program

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Be sure to stay tuned to our Summer Fun Guide all summer long for more ideas, tips and events that you’ll want to check out to keep your kids busy when the days are long.

South Sound Summer Fun Guide Tacoma, Federal Way, Bonney Lake, Lakewood, Puyallup, Kent

South Sound Berry Picking Guide

June 9, 2016 by Keri Welch

 

South Sound Area Berry Picking

Now that summer is ALMOST here, surely you’re craving some strawberry shortcake, or maybe a blubbery crumble. How about making a full day activity out of it by taking the kids berry picking right here in the South Sound? We’ve got a great round up of places where you can do just that!

Where to u pick strawberries, blueberries or blackberries in Tacoma, Puyallup, Auburn, Enumclaw

South Sound Area Strawberry Picking

Strawberry Picking in Puyallup Picha Farms

 Puyallup Strawberry Picking

Picha Farms in Puyallup offers u pick strawberry picking in June through early July. They are offering u-pick and freshly picked strawberries NOW on SELECT DAYS! Stay tuned to their Facebook page for all the details on when to show up for picking. Go as soon as you can before the season is over! Read our full review about Picha Farm with our tips and what to expect!

Kent Area Strawberry Picking

There is also now another South Sound u-pick option for our South King County readers. Duris Farms is offering U-pick at their Kent field. As with Picha, your best bet is to check their Facebook page for details. 

Other Places to Find Fresh Strawberries

And if you’re up for a bit of a road trip, Remlinger farms in Carnation is another option.

If you’re fine with letting someone else do the work, local berry stand options include Spooner Farms, Johnson Farms in Lacey (certified organic), and Fred’s Berry Stand. You can also search Puget Sound Fresh for other options. And, of course, we’d love for you to leave a comment if you have another favorite!

What about the raspberries? 

Victoria pointed out that the pic above features raspberries, but our guide does not! Sorry about that, raspberry fans! Picha and some other area farms do sell raspberries in season, but I do not know of any u pick raspberry options in the area. If you do, let us know!

South Sound Area Blueberry Picking

Blueberries are generally ready for picking in mid-July through mid-September, but last year they ripened much earlier due to our warm spring.  Check out our full round up of where to pick blueberries in the South Sound! None of these spots are open as of this writing, but it’s a very comprehensive list, so you can pick some spots and keep an eye out for open announcements.

U Pick Blueberries Tacoma, Puyallup, Auburn, Enumclaw

Blackberries

Later in the season-like late August-, you’ll see folks all over the Sound picking wild blackberries. Check out our post on how to pick wild blackberries in the South Sound, plus my very own Mother’s yummy cobbler recipe! It’s an older post, but I promise the recipe is still the very best you’ll find!

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Which berry is your favorite?

Summer Reading Programs For Teens From The Pierce County Library

June 6, 2016 by Maegen Blue

The library summer reading program is one of our very favorite summer things.

This year, the Pierce County Library system has another awesome program full of prizes and events for kids designed to keep them reading all vacation long (summer brain drain is a real thing)!

Pierce County Library Teen Summer Reading Program

Today I’m especially excited to highlight their programs for teens, and if you’re one of my teacher or homeschooling readers, or you’re just the mom who keeps everyone in the loop, I hope you’ll pass this on. I know it can be hard to get teens to do anything (I have one), but this is a way cool program with prizes I promise your pickiest teenager will be into. Here’s all the scoop to share with yours!

Teen Summer Reading Challenge

Teen Summer Reading Challenge is the Pierce County Library’s summer reading program  for teens ages 13+. This year’s theme is Get in the Game, taking a cue from the Summer Olympics.

Teens from all over Pierce County meet online at teensummerchallenge.org to take the challenge.

Here’s how you can take the challenge:

  1. Create a free account at teensummerchallenge.org
  1. Track your reading, and earn points for every hour that you read this summer.
  1. Complete activities related to books, games, sports, and pop culture to earn even more points!
  1. Spend your points to get a chance to win prizes.

This Year’s Prizes:

  • iTunes gift cards
  • Starbucks gift cards
  • Amazon gift cards
  • Target gift cards
  • Gamestop gift cards
  • Movie tickets
  • Rainiers tickets
  • Book Riot young adult books subscription box (1 month)

To redeem prizes, you must be a teen with a Pierce County Library card.  *If you don’t have one, they’re free and super easy to get!

NEW this year:

  • New activities will be released every Friday throughout the summer.
  • Vote for your favorite books in our YA Book Bracket. See your favorites rise to the top!
  • Follow us on Instagram @teensummerchallenge

And, when you enter the Sounds Fun Mom exclusive code: southsound on the Teen Summer Challenge dashboard, you’ll earn bonus points.

The teen summer challenge launched June 1st, so your teens can get registered and get reading now! Don’t forget to share that code for bonus points!

PS If you need some book suggestions, we have those coming right up tomorrow in an exclusive list from PCL young adult librarians just for us!

Disclosure: We are proud to be partners with the Pierce County Library system!

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