Frugal & Free Activities For Kids / Families in the Northwest
Week Of 01/15 – 01/21
Here is this week’s list of family-friendly free or frugal events to do with kids for around the Northwest, as well as some events going on around the country. We have decided to go back to the list format as the calendar feature did not turn out to be as user-friendly as we had hoped. Hopefully this list feature will be more helpful for you to find the events quickly that you are interested in! Let us know how you like it & if you have any more feedback on how the Event list is working for you!
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.
Cheap Event Tickets for Seattle Area
Head to Goldstar and select Family events to easily find these:
Hana’s Suitcase – Seattle – $11-$20 (reg $33-$40)
The Cat in the Hat – Everett – $7.50 (reg $15)
Seattle University Men’s Basketball – Key Arena – $10 (reg $10-$20)
Brooklyn Bridge – Seattle -$8.80-$16 (reg $22-$40)
Junie B. Jones – Tacoma Musical Playhouse – $7.50 (reg. $15)
Seattle Magic Show – Seattle – FREE Comp tickets (reg. $5)
The I Hate Children Children’s Show – Seattle – $7.50-$17.50 (reg. $18-$35)
Find more Cheap Event Tickets for Seattle area on Goldstar HERE.
Cheap Event Tickets for Portland Area
Head to Goldstar and select Family events to easily find these:
Geronimo Stilton: Mouse in Space – Portland $7-$14 (reg. $14-$28)
Cirque Alfonse: Timber – Portland $10-$21 (reg $26-$42)
Glorious! – Milwaukie $9 (reg $18)
Find more Cheap Event Tickets for Portland area on Goldstar HERE.
Don’t forget to check out our Seattle Staycation for more ideas on many local activities and events, if you are looking for a specific event and want to save some money!
Things To Do in Seattle Area
Friday, January 15, 2015 ~
Family Movie Night – Seattle; 6:30pm-9:30pm; $3/person. Enjoy a showing of Inside Out. Concession bar will offer snacks, popcorn, beer and wine.
Discovery Portal Open House – Seattle; 3:00pm-6:00pm; FREE. Explore the work of Seattle Children’s Research Institute, where they are developing cures, clinical advances, and health issues affecting children and families globally. This event is recommended for ages 10 and up, but all are welcome when supervised by an adult.
Seahawks Rally – Monroe, Kirkland, Bellevue; 10:00am-2:00pm; FREE. The Blue Friday Bus tour makes three stops with appearances by former Seahawks, the Sea Gals, Blue Thunder and Blitz, and a ceremonial raising of the 12th Man Flag. Fans will be able to sign the flag which will be presented to the Hawks at their playoff game Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.
The Wizard of Oz – Seattle; 7:00pm; FREE, donations accepted. Featuring actors in grades 5-8, the Seattle Public Theatre presents the beloved story of the Emerald City and the characters of Oz. Tickets available an hour before showtime.
FREE Friday Night at Imagine Children’s Museum – Everett; 5:30pm-9:00pm; FREE. Free admission to the museum every third Friday of the month.
Saturday, January 16, 2015 ~
Kindiependent Rock Series – Seattle; 10:30am; $15/family or $5/person. Pacific Northwest musicians passionate about creating a vibrant family music scene have come together for this special concert series just for kids. This week: Johnny Bregar.
Winter Adventure Hike – North Bend; 1:30pm-3:30pm, Saturday/Sunday; FREE. A naturalist guides families on a winter hike to explore Rattlesnake and Christmas Lakes.
Tree Planting – Carnation; 9:00am-3:00pm; FREE with sign up. Partner with the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe and King County Parks to celebrate MLK weekend in planting native shrubs and trees at Told McDonald State Park.
Free Family Flick at the Grand Cinema – Tacoma; 10:00am; FREE. On the 3rd Saturday of each month, catch a free family film at the Grand Cinema. Only 100 folks are admitted, and seating is first-come, first-served. Doors open at 9:30am and the show starts at 10:00. All children under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult. This month’s movie is Paddington.
Family Nature Walk – Tacoma; 10:00am; FREE. Explore Tacoma’s Parks during this free naturalist-led walk. Discover amazing plants and animals and how they adapt to the seasons. Walks are organized and led by Tacoma Nature Center staff. Not recommended for strollers or children under 3. Pre-registration is required.
Sunday, January 17, 2015 ~
Free Day at Washington State Parks – Sunday/Monday; FREE. On Martin Luther King, Jr Day, all Washington State parks are offering free admission free of charge, with no Discover Pass. This applies to day use only.
Winter Adventure Hike – North Bend; 1:30pm-3:30pm; FREE. A naturalist guides families on a winter hike to explore Rattlesnake and Christmas Lakes.
Skagit Eagle Festival – Rockport; 10:00am-2:00pm, Saturday/Sunday; FREE. Take a forest tour after exploring the Discovery Center with crafts, wildlife displays, books, games, and popcorn by the fire.
If you’re looking for more things to do in the South Sound, be sure to check out Sounds Fun Mom’s Weekend Kids’ Calendar and their post What to Do With the Kids on Martin Luther King Day- South Sound Ideas.
Things To Do in Portland
Friday, January 15, 2015 ~
United Way MLK Day of Service – various locations; Friday-Sunday; FREE. Partner with United Way of the Columbia-Willamette and Hands On Greater Portland to give back to your community in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, and Clark Counties through volunteer service. There are a variety of opportunities open to differing age levels.
$5 Fridays, Portland Art Musuem – Portland; 5:00pm-8:00pm; $5 per person. After 5:00pm on Fridays, admission is only $5. Enjoy the museum in a relaxed and interactive environment
Family Music Circle – Portland; 6:00pm-6:45pm; FREE. The whole family is welcome to join in on a family sing along time.
Irish Ceili Dance – Portland; 7:30pm-11:00pm; $12/general admission, $8/under 18. Take part in an Irish dance lesson, where no experience or partner is needed! Recommended for ages 8 and up. Live music and dancing begins at 8:00pm, lesson at 7:30pm.
Messy Art Drop In – Portland; 9:00am-12:00pm; $7/1 hour. Kids ages 2-5 are welcome to come down to the Sparks Art Studio and make a mess creating art!
Saturday, January 16, 2015 ~
Guided Nature Walk – Portland; 8:00am-11:00am; FREE. Join a naturalist in a 2 mile long walk around Virginia Lake and learn about local natural and cultural history.
Beginning Ballet FREE Series – Portland; 12:30-1:30pm; FREE. Dancers ages 6-9 are invited to this 4 class series that introduces them to the foundations of ballet.
Toy Trains Band Concert – Portland; 4:00pm-5:00pm; $5/adults. Enjoy a 6-piece rock band in concert.
Great Train Show – Portland; 10:00am-4:00pm, Saturday/Sunday; $9/adults, FREE/children 11 and under. Enjoy over 300 tables of trains for sale, over 40 exhibitors, including a 20’x60′ LEGO train layout.
Opera to Go – Newberg; 7:00pm; $5/person. Introduce your kids to the opera, in this perfect for kids 50 minute English language version, The Elixir of Love. This is a sweet and charming comedy produced with kids in mind!
Vancouver Barracks Lantern Tour – Vancouver; 7:00pm; $10/adults, $7/15 and under. Rangers lead visitors through the grounds of Vancouver Barracks, telling about the park’s history via thematic storytelling.
Sunday, January 17, 2015 ~
Preschool Story & Stroll – Portland; 10:00am-11:15am; FREE. Explore Tryon Creek Park with your preschoolers ages 2-6. The program centers are nature exploration, art, literature, movement and outdoor play.
Family Open Play – Portland; 12:00pm-1:30pm; $5/child. Children ages 0-5 are welcome to play in a padded environment with lots of toys and things to explore.
NATIONAL EVENTS:
Free National Parks Day – On Martin Luther King, Jr Day, all national parks are offering free admission.
Babies R Us Registry Party – Saturday; 11:00am-12:00pm; FREE. Enjoy games, giveaways, and raffles as you mingle with other parents to be and update your registry.
Barnes and Noble – Saturday; 11:00am; FREE. Storytime and activities to the theme of Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes.
Guitar Center – Saturday; 10:15am; FREE. Group ukulele lesson at local Guitar Center locations.
Free Craft Activities at Lakeshore Learning Stores – Saturdays; 11am to 3pm. Kids can come to this free craft time each week for a new craft. This week: Wacky Scientist Headband.
Williams-Sonoma Junior Chef Classes – Saturday; 10:00am; FREE; ages 5-13. Your little helper can learn how to make sweet and savory crepes.
Michael’s Kids Club – Saturdays; 9:00am-3:00pm; Kids can make and take a snowman mobile. At just $2 per child, they get 30 minutes of creative craft fun, supplies included. Ages 3 and up. Sessions start every half hour from 10 AM – 11:30. See a store associate to sign up.
Free National Park Admission for 4th Graders – As part of the Every Kid in a Park initiative, all 4th graders and their families have free admission for a year to America’s national parks.
Ski Passport for 5th Graders – 5th graders can ride or ski for free at participating locations in Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington.
Frugal & Free Activities For Kids / Families in the Northwest! is a post from Thrifty NW Mom