Explore the science of speed at PacSci's newest exhibit -- play in a ski simulator, build and race Lego cars, race drag cars and more! Date: 05/31/2008 - 09/01/2008 Time: Daily, open hours Location:Pacific Science Center, Seattle | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Free with admission Event Info: 206-443-2001 | Web site
The West the Railroads Made
Head back to an era of coal-fired engines and iron tracks. Learn about how the West was made - through railroads! Over 80 artifacts, rare railroad memoribilia, photos and paintings are included in the exhibit. Date: 04/13/2008 - 01/24/2009 Time: During museum hours Location:Washington State History Museum, Tacoma | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Free with museum admission Event Info: 253-272-3500 | Web site
Blue Man Group – Making Waves
Discover the wonder of sound with help from the Blue Man Group. The new exhibit allows hands-on exploration of the different aspects of sound and noise. Date: 05/23/2008 - 08/31/2008 Time: During museum hours Location:Kids Discovery Museum, Bainbridge Island | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Free with admission Event Info: 206-855-4650 | Web site
Smart Moves and Grooves
Small changes in eating and physical activity habits can have a big impact on children's lives. Through dramatic and explorative play, adults and children discover healthy options in selecting foods and beverages, from the tot-sized kitchen to matching games, and choose when and what physical activities to participate in, like the kids' yoga workout studio or fitness challenges. Date: 06/02/2007 - 12/31/2008 Time: Wednesdays 3:45 p.m. Location:Tacoma Children's Museum, Tacoma | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Free with admission Event Info: 253-627-6031 | Web site
Make Way For Tall Ships
In honor of the Tall Ships Festival making waves at the Tacoma Waterfront, the museum will display a selection of maritime-themed prints for viewing. Date: 06/02/2008 - 10/31/2008 Time: During museum hours Location:Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Free with admission Event Info: 253-272-4258 | Web site
The Last Polar Bear
View over 40 photographs of polar bears in the wild by wildlife photographer Steven Kazlowski, who for over eight years documented the effects of global warming on ice-dependent species in the Arctic. Date: 06/28/2008 - 12/31/2008 Time: Daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Location:The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Seattle | Map It Cost: Free with admission Event Info: 206-543-5590 | Web site
The Forty Part Motet
A unique representation of choral compositions by English composed Thomas Tallis can be found at the museum as a sound installation created by artist Janet Cardiff. Date: 07/12/2008 - 09/07/2008 Time: During museum hours Location:Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Free with admission Event Info: 253-272-4258 | Web site
Tacoma’s Civil Rights Struggle: African Americans Leading the Way
While the national civil rights movement was taking place across the country, Washington state and the city of Tacoma was dealing with its own equal rights struggles. This exhibit chronicles Tacoma's civil rights struggle through artifacts, photographs, newspaper clippings and more. Date: 08/18/2008 - 12/07/2008 Time: During museum hours Location:Washington State History Museum, Tacoma | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Free with admission Event Info: 253-272-3500 | Web site
Festivals and Fairs
Evergreen State Fair
The Evergreen State Fair means that summer's almost over. Spend the last few days of vacation viewing animals and enjoying entertainment and carnival rides. There's continual entertainment on the family stage, plus pig races, contests, a petting farm and lots of other fun for kids. Opening day is Kids' Day -- all kids under 15 get in free. Another Kids' Day is scheduled for Aug. 28. Family Day is Aug. 27 ($25 admission). Date: 08/21/2008 - 09/01/2008 Time: Aug. 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 10 a.m.-10 p.m.;
Aug. 22, 23, 29, 30, 31 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sept. 1 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Location:Evergreen State Fairgounds, Monroe | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: $5-$9, 5 and under free; Labor Day $4-$7, 5 and under free. Advance discount tickets available. Extra charge for concerts, carnival rides, rodeo. Event Info: 24-hour event line: 425-388-3200 | Web site
Olympia Harbor Days
Tugboats return to the southernmost tip of Puget Sound for three days of entertainment, food, art, history and a last farewell to the summer. Be on hand at noon Sunday as the tugs leave shore to participate in the Annual Harbor Days Tugboat Races, out in the deep channel of the bay. Extra attractions include a children's area, model tugboats, and the Lady Washington (star of the Pirates of the Caribbean) & her crew. Date: 08/29/2008 - 08/31/2008 Time: Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Location:Percival Landing, Olympia | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Free Event Info:Web site
Get Moving
Country Village Train Rides
Take a half-mile train ride through the Country Village grounds. Date: 04/01/2008 - 08/31/2008 Time: Mondays, Wednesdays-Thursdays 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fridays-Saturdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sundays 11:30-5 p.m. Closed Tuesday. Location:Country Village Bothell, Bothell | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: $3/person Event Info: 425-210-6688 | Web site
Pool Playland
This "gentle" swim for little ones and their caregivers takes place in the warm water pool, and there are water toys to play with, too. On hot days, this swim session sells out; tickets go on sale at 10:30 a.m. Date: 05/10/2008 - 09/07/2008 Time: Daily 11 a.m.-noon Location:Mounger Pool, Seattle | Map It Ages: Ages 5 and under Cost: $2.75-$3.75, corkscrew slide $1 extra Event Info: 206-684-4708 | Web site
Fun Family Fridays
Head to the pool to cool off with the family on summer Friday nights, and enjoy a swim, plus games, entertainment and activities with a fun different theme each week. On Friday, July 4, there's no event -- it's a regular family swim. Date: 05/16/2008 - 09/05/2008 Time: Fridays 5:30-7:30 p.m. Location:Mounger Pool, Seattle | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: $2.75-$3.75 Event Info: 206-684-4708 | Web site
Outdoor Family Swim
Outdoor Colman Pool, the West Seattle saltwater pool with a spectacular beach view, hosts a special swimtime just for famiies on weekends and holidays. Date: 06/13/2008 - 09/07/2008 Time: Fridays-Sundays, holidays 5-7 p.m. Location:Colman Pool, Seattle | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: $2.75-$3.75 Event Info: 206-684-7494 | Web site
Outdoor Public Swim
Starting June 14, the unique Colman Pool (it's filled with heated saltwater; it's built right on the beach by the Fauntleroy ferry terminal in West Seattle) is open daily for a long afternoon public swim. Note that on Sept. 6 and 7, the public swim time is from 3-4:45 p.m. Date: 06/14/2008 - 09/07/2008 Time: Daily 1:45-4:45 p.m. Location:Colman Pool, Seattle | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: $2.75-$3.75 Event Info: 206-684-7494 | Web site
Outdoor Public Swim
Outdoor Mounger Pool is a great place to hang out on warm summer days. Public swims are open to all, and the corkscrew slide is open, too ($1 extra, free on Thursdays at the 6:30 p.m. session). A separate fee is required for each swim time, but if you buy tickets to both the 1 p.m. and the 3 p.m. session, you're allowed to stay on the pool deck between sessions. Date: 06/16/2008 - 09/07/2008 Time: Daily 1-2:25 p.m. and 3-4:25 p.m.; Tuesdays, Thursdays 6:35-8 p.m. Location:Mounger Pool, Seattle | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: $2.75-$3.75, corkscrew slide $1 extra Event Info: 206-684-4708 | Web site
Rent a Kayak or Canoe
Renton a kayak or canoe from Cascade Canoe and Kayak Center, located in the Cedar River Boathouse on the southern shore of Lake Washington, and take it for a paddle to Gene Coulon Memorial Beach or up the Cedar River. Watch for great blue herson, bald eagles, osprey, muskrats, turtles and a host of other wildlife -- including the otters that live on the dock. Click on the link for detailed information about rentals. The center is open daily until 7 p.m., but boats are due back by 6 p.m. 1060 Nishiwaki Lane, Renton. Date: 07/01/2008 - 09/01/2008 Time: Daily 11 a.m.-7 p.m. until Labor Day Cost: First hour $14-$23 Event Info: 425-430-0111 | Web site
Jetty Island Days
Take a free ferry from Everett to Jetty Island -- a man-made island with warm shallows and sandy beaches -- for swimming, late-night campfires (Saturdays, July 12-Aug. 22 7 p.m.), nature walks (daily, 12:15 and 3:15 p.m.), puppet shows (Mondays 2:15 p.m.), kids’ crafts and other nature activities. Click on the link for complete schedule of activities and driving directions to the 10th Street Boat Launch and Marine Park, located at 10th Street and West Marine View Drive. Pick up individual boarding passes at the kiosk located in the park. Some event highlights: Sept. 1, closing activities (noon-4 p.m.). Date: 07/05/2008 - 09/01/2008 Time: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 10 a.m.-5:50 p.m.; Fridays, Saturdays 10 a.m.-8:50 p.m.; Sundays 11 a.m.-6:50 p.m. Ages: All ages Cost: Free, but donation of $1-$2 suggested Event Info:Web site
Family Skate
Lace up those ice skates! Family Skate Night features black lights and a DJ. As this is an ongoing event, we recommend checking the schedule before dropping by in case there is an unanticipated schedule change. Date: 02/01/2008 - 12/31/2008 Time: Fridays 8-11:20 p.m.
Location:Kent Valley Ice Centre, Kent | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Adult $7.62, child $6.57, 3 and under free. Skate rental $3.03. Event Info: 253-850-2400 | Web site
Public Skating Sessions
Cool off at Highland's weekday summer skate sessions -- unlike on weekends, they last all day long. Date: 06/23/2008 - 08/29/2008 Time: Mondays, Tuesdays 9:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m.; Wednesdays 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thursdays, Fridays 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Location:Highland Ice Arena, Shoreline | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: $5.50-$6, ages 5 and under free, skate rental $3/person Event Info: 206-546-2431 | Web site
Family Swim
Splish splash with the kids during open hours family swim. Admission price of $6 covers a family up to nine people. Please call to verify changes in schedule due to school holidays and pool maintenence. Date: 06/28/2008 - 12/31/2008 Time: Fridays 6:30-8:45 p.m.; Saturdays 11:15-5 p.m.; Sundays 2-4:45 p.m. Location:Olympia Downtown YMCA, Olympia | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: Nonmembers $6/family Event Info: 360-357-6609 | Web site
Indoor Play
Kindergym
Sing songs, enjoy circle games and play on the indoor playground. On Fridays, half of the gym is open gym and the other half is a test track for trikes and bikes, bring a helmet! Classes meet year-round, except during Olympia School District breaks, holidays and the month of August. Participants may pre-register up to three months in advance. Date: 01/01/2008 - 12/31/2008 Time: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10:10-11 a.m. or 11:10 a.m.-noon; Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10:10-11 a.m. Location:Olympia Center, Olympia | Map It Ages: Ages 2-4 Cost: $21 per month, second child $16 Event Info: 360-753-8380 | Web site
Club Highlands Activities
Fill out a registration form, then drop the kids off for daily activities at the Highlands Neighborhood Center. Kids can come and go; no childcare provided. Mondays: arena sports, 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays: break dancing, 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays: 3 on 3 basketball, 5-7 p.m. Thursdays: art club, 1-3 p.m. Fridays: kids' night, 6-7 p.m. No program July 23. 800 Edmonds Ave. N.E. Renton.
Date: 06/23/2008 - 08/29/2008 Ages: Ages 6 and up Cost: Free Event Info: 425-430-6700
Club North Highlands Activities
Fill out a registration form, then drop the kids off for daily activities at the North Highlands Neighborhood Center. Kids can come and go; no childcare provided. Mondays: group games Tuesdays: game day. Wednesdays: arts & crafts. Thursdays, kids' choice. Fridays: teen basketball. Renton Parks advises that the schedule is subject to change without notice. No program July 23. 3000 N.E. 16th St., Renton.
Date: 06/23/2008 - 08/29/2008 Time: Mondays-Thursdays 5:30-6:30 p.m., Fridays 7-9 p.m. Ages: Ages 6 and up Cost: Free Event Info: 425-430-6700
Odyssey I Jungle Gym Park
The Jungle Gym is a soft play park for climbing, jumping and bouncing through tunnels and toys designed especially for the younger kids. They can romp and roam for hours and never discover all the wonders. Date: 07/09/2008 - 12/31/2008 Time: Sundays-Thursdays 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Location:Odyssey I, Tacoma | Map It Ages: All ages Cost: $4.95/2 and up, $1.95/2 and under, free for supervising adults Event Info: 253-566-3233 | Web site
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