Here is this week’s list of family-friendly free or frugal events for around the Northwest, as well as some events going on around the country. Thanks to Sia from Centsible in Seattle for providing this extensive list of activities for us.
Sounds Fun Mom always has a great list of events local to the South Sound area of WA as well, so make sure to check out her extensive list.
If you see a fun, frugal event that’s not listed, feel free to leave a comment so we can add that event to our list.
PUGET SOUND AREA::
Friday January 27th:
*Free Movies and Books – Kent; 1/27 – 1/28; Free movies to watch, free popcorn to munch and coffee and tea to keep you warm. 7 p.m. Jan. 27 The Princess Bride (PG) 10 a.m. Jan. 28 Alice in Wonderland (PG). Ask about Kids Free Book program while you are there.
*Movies at Mercer Slough – Bellevue; 1/27; 5:00pm to 6:00pm; Bring a comfy blanket or pillow to enjoy “Life in the Undergrowth.” All ages, age 11 and younger with adult. FREE
*FreeTête-à-têter At Frye Museum – Seattle; 1/27; 11:00am to 5:00pm; Frye Museum entrance and parking are free all the time. You can check their events page here, for a list of weekly events.
*Free Entrance to Seattle Symphony’s “Soundbridge”- Seattle, Beneroya Hall; 1/27; 12:00pm to 4:00pm; Soundbridge is a music discovery center and is free each Friday after 12 pm; Ages 2-5, 30 minute interactive storytelling with song & rhythm, dance & musical instruments.
Saturday January 28th:
* Tacoma Resident Free Day at Point Defiance Zoo - Tacoma; 1/28; 9:30am to 4:00pm; Visitors who live within the city limits of Tacoma will be admitted free on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012. Please bring proof of City of Tacoma residency (current driver’s license or picture I.D. plus utility bill). Thanks Sounds Fun Mom!
*Mariners Fanfest - Seattle; 1/28 – 1/29; 11:00am to 4:00pm; Meet Mariners players, pitch in the bullpen, play on Safeco Field, tour the clubhouse and roof control room, and more. $10, $5 ages 6 to 14, free ages 5 and younger
* Lunar New Year Celebration and Children’s Costume Parade and Contest - Seattle’s International District; 1/28; 11:00am to 4:00pm; Celebrate the Year of the Dragon in the Chinatown-International District with multicultural entertainment including lion and dragon dances, children’s costume parade, entertainment and more. Bring your children and friends to enter into the third annual Children’s Parade Contest where they can show off their best cultural New Year’s outfit on stage. Preregister on the website by downloading the application or sign up on the day of the competition. Free.
*Chinese New Year Celebration – Bellevue; 1/28; 11:00am to 6:00pm; Free event with cultural activities, demonstrations and performances.
*Winnie The Poohs Birthday Party - Northgate; 1/28; 1:00pm – 3:oopm; Join the Northgate Mall Kidgits Club to celebrate Winnie the Pooh’s Birthday. We’ll be making Hunny Sacks, decorating Hunny Pots, enjoying a coloring activity, and some yummy birthday treats. Parents, be sure to enter our Trivia Contest for a chance to win a special prize for your child. It’s Winnie the Pooh’s Birthday Celebration at Northgate Mall. “We’ll be Friends Forever, won’t we, Pooh?’ asked Piglet. Even longer,’ Pooh answered.” ? A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh This event is free to Simon Kidgits Club members, so remember to bring your Simon Kidgits Club cards. If you are not a member yet, join the club for only a $5 annual membership fee at the event or at Simon Guest Services near JCPenney.
* Kindiependent Concert – Seattle; 1/28; 10:30am; $6, $12 family. Enjoy a family friendly concert Kids’ entertainment from The Not-Its! at the Mount Baker Community Clubhouse.
*Experience the City of Music – Seatac; 1/28; 3:00pm to 7:00pm. Enjoy free concerts featuring kid rockers Recess Monkey, Americana band Carrie Clark and the Lonesome Lovers, electric soul duo Fly Moon Royalty and the Rockabilly band Dusty 45s. (Thanks Cheap Bastard Seattle!)
* Family nature walks – Tacoma; 1/28; 10am to 11am; Explore Tacoma’s Parks during this free naturalist-led walk. Discover amazing plants and animals and how they adapt to the seasons. Not suitable for kids under 3 or strollers. Lead by Nature Center Staff Free! Thanks Sounds Fun Mom!
*Groundfrog Day - Snohomish; 1/28; 11:00am to 1:oopm; Family entertainment, music, games, plus the arrival of froggy prognosticator Snohomish Slew searching for his shadow. Free.
* Free showing of Cars II – Tacoma; 1/28; 2:00pm to 4:00pm; Come watch Lightning McQueen and his friend Mater go on an overseas adventure to contend in the World Grand Prix race. Rated G. Thanks Sounds Fun Mom!
*Bellevue Art Museums Get Crafty Saturday – Bellevue; 1/28; 1:00pm to 3:00pm; Free craft time for kids each Saturday. $2 material fee or free with admission.
* Science & Technology Center (MaST) – Saturdays 10am – 2pm; kids can explore sea life with touch tanks & more. Thanks Sounds Fun Mom!
Sunday January 29th:
*Northwest Native Community Celebration & Free admission to Tacoma Art Museum- Tacoma; 1/28; 10:00am to 4:00pm; Celebrate Tacoma’s Native American heritage and experience the arts and culture of various Northwest Native groups. Enjoy traditional performances, create hands-on crafts, and peruse the wares of local artists. Museum admission free.
Thursday February 2nd:
(Always make sure to call the museum ahead of time to confirm that they are still participating in these discount days/events/activities)
*Free Admission To Seattle Art Museum- Seattle; 2/2; 10:00am to 9:00pm; First Thursday of the month SAM offers free admission to the museum.
*Free Admission To Seattle Asian Art Museum- Seattle; 2/2; 10:00am to 9:00pm; First Thursday of the month SAM offers free admission to the museum.
*Free Admission To The Burke Museum – Seattle; 2/2; 10:00am to 8:00pm; First Thursday of the month The Burke offers free admission to the museum.
*Free Admission To The Museum Of History & Industry - Seattle; 2/2; 10:00am to 8:00pm; First Thursday of the month MOHAI offers free admission to the museum.
* Free Admission To Wing Luke Museum – Seattle; 2/2; 10:00am to 8:00pm; First Thursday of the month Wing Luke offers free admission to the museum.
*Free Admission To Kids Discovery Museum – Bainbridge Island; 2/2; 10:00am to 4:00pm; First Thursday of the month Kids Discovery Museum offers free admission.
*Free Admission To The Museum Of Flight - Seattle; 2/2; 5:00pm to 9:00pm; First Thursday of the month Museum of Flight offers free admission.
*Free Admission To Henry Art Gallery – Seattle; 2/2; 11:00am to 9:00pm; First Thursday of the month Henry Art Gallery offers free admission.
*Free Admission To The Northwest African American Museum - Seattle; 2/2; 11:00am to 7:00pm; First Thursday of the month NAAM offers free admission to the museum.
*Free Admission To Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum - Seattle; 2/2; 5:00pm to 8:00pm; First Thursday of the month offers free admission.
*Half Priced Admission Imagine Childrens Museum – Everett; 2/2; Thursday 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. is half priced ( $3.88)
PORTLAND AREA:
Here’s our list of weekly events for the Portland area. For more Portland happenings, check out the PDX Kids Calendar, a comprehensive events-based website for families in the Portland area.
Friday January 27th:
*Free Entrance To The Portland Art Museum- Portland; 1/27; at 5:00pm to 8:00pm. The Portland Art Museum offers free admission on the fourth Friday of every month.
*Crystal Hotel & Ballroom Centennial Celebration - Portland; 1/27-1/29; The Crystal Hotel celebrates its 100th birthday (and the Ballroom is quickly nearing its own century-mark), and so we dedicate this weekend to music, tastings, workshops and more! Free music every day. Check website for times of events. All events free and for all ages, unless noted otherwise.
*Movie Viewing: “The Jackie Robinson Story” - Portland; 1/27; 3:30 pm; Come see a free movie. Jackie Robinson, the first black major league baseball player in the 20th century, stars as himself in this biographical film.
*Family Movie Night at Café Sip-n-Play - Portland; 1/27; 5:00pm; Free Movie Night. Grab a bite to eat, relax, and unwind while you enjoy a movie with the little atmosphere. This weekend: Finding Nemo.
* Art & More , Be A Messy Monkey - Portland; 1/27; 10:00am to 12:00pm; Drop-in Art, play and relax while enjoying a warm beverage, socializing with other families & making art! Each week we offer a special project and additional 2-3 sensory art stations. 8 hr/per parent and child, new to Monkey Studios register here.
*Mississippi Pizza Pub - Portland; They offer free music/event each day, check website for event schedule and details.
*Music From Mr. Hoo from The Alphabeticians – Portland; 1/27; 11:00am to 12:00pm; Mr. Hoo will be singing songs with and for kids. He’ll play his guitar and sing some original songs, some Alphabeticians songs, some classic kid songs and Hoo knows what else? $3 suggested donation pp.
*Creative Play At Isobels Clubhouse – Portland; 1/27; 9:30am to 11:30am; As part of creative play, kids can dress up in costumes, play with toys, read stories, play games or create in the art space.
*Sing a Long With Tyleena – Portland; 1/27 & 1/28; 10am; Join us for a musical sing a-long and story time with the fantastic Tyleena! Sing along to your favorite songs and books. Pick up a tambourine, drum or shaker and jam with us while learning some basic rhythm skills. Fun for the whole family! $3 donation.
Saturday January 28th:
* Lunar New Year - Portland; 1/28; 1:00pm to 3:00pm; Experience Lunar New Year traditions of China and Vietnam. Music, games, food, and crafts.
*Family Movie Night at Café Sip-n-Play - Portland; 1/28; 5:00pm; Free Movie Night. Grab a bite to eat, relax, and unwind while you enjoy a movie with the little atmosphere. This weekend: Finding Nemo.
*Family Happy Hour at Eat. Art. Theater - Portland; 1/28; Every Saturday from 4-6, join us for family friendly music and happy hour food and drink specials with some of Portland’s finest kids acts! Every week, two different acts take the stage to enlighten and entertain. Guests include: The Alphabeticians, Professor Banjo, The Snail People, Mo Phillips, Mr. Ben, and more!
* Free Family Swim At Marshall Community Center - Vancouver; 1/28; 4:45pm to 6:30pm; Bauman Chiropractic is sponsoring free family swims at Marshall Pool Saturday evenings.
* Kids Saturday Morning Skate Session At Oaks Park – Portland ; 1/28; 10:30am to 12:00pm; For $5.50 children 10 and under can skate (skates included). Parents free with paid child admission. You can also download a coupon while schools out (12/18 – 1/2 for 2 Skate for $8 ($4 ea)).
*Free Guided Nature Walk – Portland – 1/28; 10:00am to 11:30am; Enjoy free guided walks with park ranger.
Sunday January 29th:
* Puzzle Celebration - Portland; 1/29; 2:30pm to 4:00pm; Free event. Celebrate National Puzzle Day! Design a landscape, a family portrait, a picture of your pet, or whatever other image you’d like to take apart and put back together! All materials provided.
Monday January 30th:
*Washington County Museum Free Admission – Portland; 1/30; 10:00am to 4:30pm; Admission is free to this museum every Monday.
*Mondays On The Mall – Portland – Downtown Central Transit Mall; 1/30; Various Times; Free events all day including Wii play, caricatures, the original photo booth and entertainment.
Wednesday February 1st:
*Wondrous Wednesday’s At The World Forestry Center – Washington Park; 2/1; 10:00am to 5:00pm; Reduced admission for The Discovery Museum. Get in for $3 on the first Wed. of each month.
Thursday February 2nd:
* 3D Center of Art and Photography, Free Entrance – Portland; 2/2; 11:00am to 5:00pm; Free entrance on the first Thursday of the month; kids age 14 and under always free.
*Lunch Time With Mr. Ben at Eat. Art. Theater - Portland; 2/2; Every Thursday from 11-12pm, join us for family friendly music! Every week Mr. Ben performs and kids are free to interact.
NATIONAL EVENTS:
*Free Craft Activities at Lakeshore Learning Stores– Sat. 1/28; 11am to 3pm; Kids can come to this free craft time and make a Groundhog Puppet.
*Lowes Build And Grow Clinic - Saturday 1/28; 10:00am; Come join Lowes Build and Grow Clinic to build-a-sauras. Register here.
*Barnes and Noble Free Storytime - 1/28; Times and events vary by location. Check your location for specific story’s available this weekend.
