This week’s lovely list of family-friendly free or frugal events has some activities that will give you the warm fuzzies – there are so many Valentine’s celebrations around the Pacific Northwest. Just make sure to double-check opening times through the links for all activities before you leave your house because of unexpected weather closures at this time of year-especially if you’re headed to the mountains.
Make sure to check out these winter ideas around the Northwest too
Washington hotels with great indoor pools
Snowshoeing at Mt Rainier
Free Skiing for 5th Graders in Washington
Northwest Weekend Getaways
And if you find 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
The Snowy Day – Seattle $11-20 (reg $22-40)
Washington Bird and Exotic Animal Expo – Puyallup $5 (reg $5-10)
Peppa Pig Live – Seattle $25.58-42.08 (reg $29.50-49.50)
The Boy Who Cried Wolf – Renton $6 (reg $12)
Into the West – Seattle $11-20 (reg $22-40)
Doktor Kaboom!: the Electricity Tour – Seattle $10 (reg $20)
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:
The Tail of Sleeping Beauty– Portland $10.50 (reg $20)
James and the Giant Peach Jr -Portland $7 (reg $14)
Beauty and the Beast Jr – Portland $7 (reg $14)
The Little Mermaid Jr – Portland $7 (reg $14)
Find more Cheap Event Tickets for Portland area on Goldstar HERE.
Things To Do in Seattle Area
Friday, Feb 10th, 2017
Family Movie Night Out: Zootopia – Seattle; 6:30pm; $3 per person. Head to Mount Baker Community Club and watch Disney’s Zootopia with your family. There will be snacks for purchase and the movie will start at 7pm.
Sweetheart Soirée – Seattle; 6:30pm-8pm; $3 per person. Come to an all ages dance at the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center complete with a chocolate fondue fountain.
Meet the Author at Secret Garden Books – Seattle; 7pm; Free. Stop in at Secret Garden Books to hear Kevin Henkes introduce his new book, Egg.
Evening Beach Walk – Seattle; 9pm-11pm; Free. Stay up late and join beach naturalists at Constellation Park to see what the low tide brings in at night.
Saturday, Feb 11th, 2017
Seattle Art Museum Family Saturdays – Seattle; 11am; Free with pre-registration through link. Bring your family to the Olympic Sculpture Park to rock paint mountains and adventure outside. If you bring a box from home, you can transform it into a car that you can ‘drive-in’ and watch Fraggle Rock episodes at 12:30pm.
New Year Celebration – Tacoma; 11am-6pm; Free. Stop by the Tacoma Dome for a free family event from the Asian Pacific Cultural Center featuring Guam and 70 booths.
Valentine’s Collage Making – Seattle; 10am-1pm; Free. Stop by Swansons Nursery to make a Valentine’s themed collage using paper hearts.
Love at the Zoo – Tacoma; 10am-4pm; included with admission. Zoo animals will enjoy heart-shaped treats and other Valentine’s themed enrichments. A full-list of feeding times is listed in the link.
Love Your Community – Auburn; 10am-12pm; Free. Join KidX Club at the Outlet Collection by stopping by Guest Services then join in arts and crafts, stop by a photo booth and meet with local businesses and non-profits to learn about making a difference in the community. Collect stamps from various businesses for a chance to win a prize.
Family Valentine Party – Bainbridge Island; 5 -7pm; $7 for non-members, $4 for members and under 12 months are free. Create love-bug hats and valentine necklaces and other Valentine themed activities at KidiMu after hours. Families are welcome to bring takeout dinner or snacks to enjoy at the museum
MaST Center Discovery Days – Des Moines; 10am-2pm; Free. Check out this free mini aquarium on the pier with touchpools and a 38-foot grey whale skeleton.
Pacific Science Center Show at Spring Free Trampoline – Issaquah; 11am-12pm; Free. Join in the fun at Spring Free Trampoline where there will be a science show put on by Pacific Science Center as well as jumping and snacks.
Woo at the Zoo – Issaquah; 10am-3pm; included with admission. Stop by Cougar Mountain Zoo for fun Valentine’s-themed animal enrichment.
Country Village Chocolate Tasting – Bothell; 2-5pm; Free. Fifteen shops in Country village will be hosting free chocolate tasting during this event- check the listing to see what will be sampled before you go.
Second Saturdays for Families at Crossroads Bellevue – Bellevue; 5-7pm; Free. There will be a kids’ performer on the stage at 5:30pm.
Sunday, February 12th, 2017 ~
Seattle Family Dance – Seattle; 3-5pm; join Seattle Folklore Society at Phinney Neighborhood Center for an afternoon of folk dancing for kids under 10 and their families.
Free Henry Art Gallery – Seattle; 11am-4pm; Free. The Henry Art Gallery is Free to the public every Sunday.
Free public Sail at Center for Wooden Boats – Seattle; 10am-4pm; Free. Sign up in person for time slots at the Center for Wooden Boats starting at 10am on a variety of different boats. The boat rides lasts about 45 minutes.
Things to Do in the Portland Area
Friday, February 10th, 2017
Story Time with Olive and Dingo – Portland; 4-5pm; suggested admission is $5 per child and there is pie and other refreshments for purchase. Come to Pie Spot for a lively storytime with local kids’ entertainers Olive and Dingo.
Pacific Northwest Sportsmen’s Show -Portland; 11am-8pm; $12 for adults and $5 for kids 6-16. There is a $2 off coupon good for Friday only if you fill out a form and kids 12 and under can check out the kids’ trout pond.
Portland Night Market – Portland; 4pm-11pm; Free entry with food and drinks for purchase. Stop by this all ages event for food, drinks and fun local vendors.
Saturday, February 11th, 2017
Pacific Northwest Sportsmen’s Show – Portland; 10am-8pm; $12 for adults and kids 6-16 are $. At the show, kids 12 and under might like to check out the kids’ trout pond.
K is for Kindness Sesame Street Pop up Tour – Portland; 11am-4pm; Free. Stop by Washington Square Mall to meet and greet with some fun Sesame Street characters. There will be live 15 minute shows at 11:30am, 1:30pm and 2:45pm.
Kids’ Storytime at Powells Books – Portland; 11am; Free. (Kids’ story time is every Saturday at 11am!)
Guided Nature Walk at Tyron Creek Park – Portland; 10am-11:30am; Free. Hike is geared for 5 and up but all ages are welcome. This weeks’ theme is “Winter Twig Identification.”
Portland Night Market – Portland; 4pm-11pm; Free entry with food and drinks for purchase. Stop by this all ages event for food, drinks and fun local vendors.
Sunday, February 12th, 2017
Family Tour at the Portland Art Museum – Portland; 12:30-1:30pm; Included with admission and children age 17 and under are free. Explore the museum with a docent on this family-friendly tour.
Wildlife Care Center Open House – Portland; 11am-4pm; Free. Stop by the Audubon Society of Portland for their annual Open House at the Wildlife Care Center. Call ahead and RSVP if you want to join in a behind-the-scenes tour.
Pacific Northwest Sportsmen’s Show – Portland; 10am-6pm; $12 for adults and $5 kids 6-16. Kids 12 and under might like to check out the trout pond.
National Events:
Lego Store Mini Model Build: Sign up on February 15th for next month’s free in-store mini build.
Michaels’ Kids Club – ever Saturday from 10am-noon; $2 for children ages 3 and up with all supplies included. Check your local Michael’s store to see if they are participating in this weeks’ project.
Lakeshore Learning Stores– every Saturday from 11am-3pm there are fun free crafts at Lakeshore Learning Stores for ages 3 and up. Check with your local store to see if they are participating.
Frugal & Free Activities For Kids / Families in the Northwest! 2/10-2/16 is a post from Thrifty NW Mom