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.
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 June 24th:
*Auburn Kids Day - Auburn; June 24th; 11:00am to 4:00pm; Enjoy this free festival with live entertainment, inflatable rides, arts & crafts, face painting, over 70 activity and information booths, miniature golf, free bike helmet fittings and bike helmet sales ($8 ea), go-cart rides, pony rides, food concessions and more. Radio Disney will be at event too.
*Fire Department Day - Seattle; June 24; 10:00am to 1:00pm; Free event in Museum of Flights East Parking lot. Kids of all ages can view fire equipment on display and meet themen and women who serve them. Climb aboard a fire engine, see how tall an aerial ladder extends, talk with firefighters and learn fire and life safety skills through fun activities.
*Taste Of Tacoma – Tacoma; June 24th – 26th; 11:00am to 9:00pm (closes at 8pm on Sunday). Free admission to the Taste of Tacoma at Point Defiance Park, but food will cost. You can purchase a family tasting tickets booklet for 15% off (get $20 in tasting tickets for $17). There will be kids area and each booth will offer a special, smaller-portioned option for only $3.75 (in addition to regular priced menu).
*Movies At Mercer Slough – Bellevue; 6/24;5:00pm to 6:00pm; Free movie for all ages, focusing on Beavers. This movie shows several beaver families in their wild surroundings. With breath-taking underwater photography, you travel inside the lodge for a rare look at these charming and industrious creatures. See them evade predators and build their homes.
*FreeTête-à-têter At Frye Museum – Seattle; through Jan. 2012; 11:00am to 5:00pm; Art lovers, did you know the Frye Museum is always free! Even better, they also provide free parking for visitors. Currently they are exhibiting Tête-à-têter, featuring one hundred fifty paintings from the Frye Art Museum’s Founding Collection. You can find a list of free events this week here, including art classes and tours.
*Free Entrance to Seattle Symphony’s “Soundbridge”- Seattle, Beneroya Hall; 6/24 at 10:00 am; 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.
*Free Mike Night at Tim Noah Thumbnail Theater – Snohomish; 6/24 at 7:30pm (sign-up at 7pm); Enjoy songs, instruments, skits & jokes – anything family-friendly. Suggested donation of $5 ($3 for entertainers).
* Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park – Seattle; 9:00am to 5:00pm; This museum is always free and preserves the story of the 1897-98 stampede to the Yukon gold fields and Seattle’s role in this event. The park offers a glimpse at the stories of adventure and hardship of the gold rush. The museum is in Pioneer Square so you can spend some time enjoying that area of Seattle as well.
Saturday June 25th:
*Party In The Park - Kirkland; 6/25; 8:00am to 12:30pm; Pancake breakfast, run, kids activities including – pony rides, cake walk, face painters, Donkey Dash (no donkeys, just a race for the kids),and more! No charge, but donations gladly accepted. Suggested donation of $5.00 for pony ride.
*Eastside Heritage Centers Strawberry Festival in Bellevue – Bellevue; 6/25 – 6/26; 10:00am to 8:00pm on Sat. and 10:00am to 5:00pm on Sun.); Entertainment, an auto show, vendors, food, and family fun are all highly visible parts of the festivities. And, you will very likely see a strawberry or two (shortcake eating contests, strawberry flats, chocolate covered strawberries, and much more).
*The Children’s Museum Birthday Celebration- Tacoma; 6/25; 10:00am to 5:00pm; The museum is celebrating its 25th birthday with a special party on the 25th day of every month! Activities include: 25¢ admission for the day, birthday-themed crafts and activities, bubble parades, playdough cupcake decorating, and face painting.
*Snoqualmie Ice Cream O-Rama- Maltby; 6/25; 11:00am to 4:00pm; Grab some free ice cream and hot dogs! The event is called the “Snoqualmie Ice-Cream-O-Rama,” and Casper Baby Pants will be performing at 2pm in a free concert too!
*International Festival - SeaTac; 6/25; 10:00am to 5:00pm; Entertainment, parade, food and kids area. You can buy a wristband for $5 and play in the kids area all day! Kids will have a blast playing in the 3 inflatable play areas plus we’ll have two different games each day. Participate in a craft and make a dream catcher or bracelet. They’ll also be offering face painting.
*Summer Fest 2011 - Tacoma; 6/25-6/26; See website for event times. Free event (Kids are is $5 fee to enter). Entertainment, food and art vendors, car show, motorcycle show, kids area and more.
*Friends Of Seattle Public Library Book Sale - Seattle; June 25th; 9:00am to 5:00pm. Thousands of children’s books as well as paperback and hardback fiction for grown-ups. All books $1.00.
*Greenwood Car Show - Greenwood (N. Seattle); 6/25; 8:00am to 4:00pm; Come experience classic cars, good food, pleasant company and the community of Greenwood, with live music, a kids zone and vintage fire engine displays.
*Free Tour Of Seattle Chinese Gardens – Seattle; 6/25; 1:00pm; Each Saturday the Seattle Chinese Gardens offers a free tour. The gardens are always free to Seattle residents!
*Bellevue Art Museums Get Crafty Saturday – Bellevue; 6/25; 1:00pm to 3:00pm; Free craft time for kids each Saturday. $2 material fee or free with admission. This week kids can make their own jewelry.
* Science & Technology Center (MaST) – Saturdays 10am – 2pm; kids can explore sea life with touch tanks & more. Thanks Sounds Fun Mom!
*Pirate Daze (NEW)- June 24th – 26th; Westport; Pirate Parade, the Tall Ship Lady Washington available for tours & 2 cruises; free entertainment & more. Thanks reader Cindy!
Sunday June 26th:
*Around The Market In 80 Minutes – Seattle – Pike Place Market; 6/26; 11:00am to 4:00pm; Free scavenger hunt hosted by the Pike Place Market on Sundays. You get a passport and need to find your way around the market, marking destinations with a sticker. Prizes awarded to winners. All ages welcome.
Thursday June 30th
*Half Priced Admission Imagine Childrens Museum – Everett; 6/30; Thursday 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. is half priced ( $3.88)
*Market Play Days at Children’s Museum - Tacoma; 6/30; 10 am to 5 pm, Children’s Museum of Tacoma is offering free admission Thursdays this June through August (the Farmers Market takes place on Thursdays during the summer, right outside of the childrens museum too).
PORTLAND AREA:
Friday June 24th:
*Festival Of Balloons - Tigard; 6/24; Event includes a carnival from Funtastic Traveling Shows, a premier youth soccer tournament, exhibitors, food, Festival of Cars, live music, helicopter tours and more. Fee is $5 online, $7 at entrance.
*Lake Oswego Festival Of The Arts – Lake Oswega; 6/24-6/26 (times vary see website for schedule); Fine arts festival including several art exhibits, food booths, music, and a Craft Faire.
*Free Entrance To The Portland Art Museum- Portland; 6/24 at 5:00pm to 8:00pm. The Portland Art Museum offers free admission on the fourth Friday of every month.
*Lady Bug Nature Walk – Portland; 6/24; 10:00am; Walk through parks, gardens and natural areas. Touch slimy slugs, smell tree bark, feel crinkly and soft leaves, hear musical bird songs etc. Cost is $3 per toddler, adults are free!
*Creative Play At Isobels Clubhouse – Portland; 6/24; 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; 6/24 & 6/25; 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!
Saturday June 25th:
*Family Day at The Oregon History Museum - Portland; 6/25; 11:00am to 3:00pm; Pedal to the Metal: Oregon Motorsports Tradition. Take a virtual spin around historic Indy courses using a Nintendo Wii. Make a racecar craft out of recycled and repurposed materials enjoy slot car races and more. Two children admitted free with one paid adult admission.
*19th Annual Good in the Neighborhood Multicultural Music & Food Festival & Parade 2011 - Portland; 6/25 to 6/26; 11:00am to 9:30pm Sat. and 12:00pm to 7:30pm Sun. Parade at 11:00am on Sat., kidSpace, basketball shoot-off, multicultural entertainment, $5 bike helmet sale and more.
*Kids Cook At The Market – Portland; 6/25; Cooking classes for kids 7 to 11 at the Portland Farmers Market. This weeks class is ‘Sushi for Kids” and is $5 per child.
*Scotland Day At Green Frog Toys – Portland; 6/25; 10:30am to 11:30am; Free event with stories at 10:30, then a Highland Dance performance by the Sherwood Dance Academy, followed by a lesson for anyone interested in learning the Highland Fling.
*Portland Farmers Market – PSU; 6/24; 8:30am to 2:00pm; Join the PSU Market this Saturday. The Mayor declared June Farmers Market Month!
* Free Family Swim At Marshall Community Center - Vancouver; 6/25; 4:45pm to 6:30pm; Bauman Chiropractic is sponsoring free family swims at Marshall Pool Saturday evenings.
*Free Guided Nature Walk: Tryon Tour Of the Bridges Part 1 – 6/25; 10:00am to 11:30am; Join park rangers for a free guided nature hike.
*Lady Bug Nature Walk – Portland; 6/25; 10:00am; Walk through parks, gardens and natural areas. Touch slimy slugs, smell tree bark, feel crinkly and soft leaves, hear musical bird songs etc. Cost is $3 per toddler, adults are free!
* Kids Saturday Morning Skate Session At Oaks Park – Portland; 6/25; 10:30am to 12:00pm; For $5.50 children 10 and under can skate (skates included). Parents free with paid child admission.
Sunday June 26th:
*Looney 4U Summer Family Event at the Oregon Jewish Museum - Portland; 6/26; 1:00pm to 4:00pm; Oregon Jewish Museum hosts this event in conjunction with their current exhibit That’s All Folks! The Mel Blanc Story.View the exhibit and join in the fun! Highlights include: cartoons and popcorn in the theater, face painting and make-your-own flip books. Suggested donation of $5 per family.
*Movie In The Park – Despicable Me – Portland; 6/26; 6:30pm; Come enjoy a free viewing of Despicable Me at Penninsula Park. Moonlight Mile will provide pre event entertainment.
Monday June 27th:
*Washington County Museum Free Admission – Portland; 6/27; 10:00am to 4:30pm; Admission is free to this museum every Monday.
*Mondays On The Mall – Portland – Downtown Central Transit Mall; 6/27; Various Times; Free events all day including Wii play, caricatures, the original photo booth and entertainment.
Wednesday June 28th:
*Honeybee Happenings – Portland – Leach Botanical Society; 6/28; 10:00am to 11:00am; Weekly nature-related story time and craft activities for young children (Ages 1-6)and their parents with short outdoor explorations if weather permits. $2 per child. No pre-registration required.
NATIONAL EVENTS:
*Lowes Build And Grow Clinic - Saturday 6/25; 10:00am; Come join Lowes Build and Grow Clinic to make and take a waving flag. Register here.
*Michaels The Knack Events– Sat. 6/25; 11:00am to Noon; Make and take it Passport to Fun EGYPT Hieroglyphics & Mummy FREE Make-It Take-It .(Ages 3 & up)
*Michaels The Knack Events – Tues. 6/28; 11:00am to 2:00pm; Passport to Fun Passport to Fun BAHAMAS Tropical Can Hug & Flower Lei Make-It Take-It .(Ages 3 & up)
*Michaels The Knack Events – Thurs. 6/30; 11:00am to 2:00pm; Passport to Fun Passport to Fun Passport to Fun CANADA Moose & Maple Leaf FREE Make-It Take-It.(Ages 3 & up)
*Free Craft Activities at Lakeshore Learning Stores – Sat. 6/25; 11am to 3pm; Kids can come to this free craft time and make a Lets Go Fishing Craft.
*Barnes and Noble Free Storytime – Sat 6/25; Times and events vary by location. Check your location for specific story’s available this weekend.
What are your favorite events this week? Any we missed – let us know in the comments!
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There is Pirates Days in Westport, WA, this weekend, they bring in the big mast pirate ship, vendors through the down town area, food, crafts, etc…Fun time!
How fun – just added it to the post!
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