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.
Don’t forget to check out Goldstar for Discount Tickets on many local activities and events, if you are looking for a specific event and want to save some money!
Les Misérables: Intimate, Immersive Production of the Musical Phenom (Seattle; 9/12 – 9/27 select days; tickets start at $12.50 plus service fee)
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: Fully Charged, Gold Edition (Portland; 9/14; tickets start at $12 plus service fee)
Great A Cappella Singing & Dinner at the Spaghetti Spectacular (Portland; 9/15; tickets start at $10 plus service fee)
Comedian Ben Bailey: Host of TV’s Cash Cab (Seattle; 9/19 – 9/21; tickets as low as FREE plus service fee)
Riders In The Sky: Grammy-Winning Country Western Band (Portland; 9/21; tickets start at $11.75 plus service fee)
Travel Guru Rick Steves Leads Discussion on Spiritual Journeys (Seattle; 9/22; tickets start at $14.50 plus service fee)
James and the Giant Peach: Enchanting Family Musical Gives Warm Fuzzies (Portland; 9/28 – 10/19 Saturdays; tickets start at $11 plus service fee)
ComedySportz Kids & Family Matinee (Seattle; 9/28 & 10/26; tickets start at $4 plus service fee)
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, September 13th :
*Washington State Fair (formerly the Puyallup Fair) – Puyallup; 9/13 – 9/22; Farm animals, agriculture, home arts, rides, exhibits, kids’ activities, food, rodeo shows (Sept. 6-8) and concerts. Fiestas Patrias Latino Celebration, noon to 9 p.m. Sept. 15. SillyVille includes train rides, food court, rides and more. 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays (9 a.m. today), 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays through Sept. 22. $12.50, $9 ages 6 to 18 and seniors, free ages 5 and younger, free 9 a.m. to noon today with non-perishable food donation. Kids free Sept. 7 and 8 with coupon (www.becu.org/freekids). Rodeo, Luminasia exhibit and concerts priced separately. Packages available. Parking $10 to $12.
*Paint Me a Story - Bellevue; 9/13; 10:00am – 10:30am or 10:30am – 11:00am; Join us for this popular weekly story time and painting activity. Ages 2 and older. Please check website for current schedules. No registration required. FREE
*Story and Craft Time – Bothell; 9/13; 10:00am – 11:00am; Kids will enjoy a themed story time followed by a craft relating to the stories.
Story time provided by Little Explorer Preschool. Happens regularly on the second Saturday of each month.
*Kruckeberg Garden Tots – Shoreline; 9/13; 10:00am – 1:00pm; Drop in to the Kruckeberg Botanic Garden with your young children every Friday through September for a fun nature exploration in this unique, naturalistic garden. Each week we offer a simple plant activity, a themed garden exploration, and a craft project. $7 family, free for members.
*Touch-A-Truck – Marysville; 9/13; 10:00am – 1:00pm; Climb, sit in and honk horns of dump trucks, a backhoe, vactor truck, police vehicles, street sweeper, fire rigs and a garbage truck, plus enjoy kids’ activities and treat vendors. FREE
*Skykomish Mini-Train Ride – Skykomish; 9/13 & 9/14; 10:00am – 4:00pm; The Great Northern & Cascade Railway will offer free rides on a mini train to the public as well as a railroad education program. Parking lot is on the left after crossing railroad tracks. FREE, donations welcome.
*Nature Alphabet – Tacoma; 9/13; 10:30am – 11:30am; Preschoolers explore different nature topics through stories, hands-on activities, nature walks and crafts. Note – two location options: Tacoma Nature Center and Center at Norpoint. Adult participation is recommended, children younger than age 4 require an adult present. Space is limited, advance registration required. $6.
*Free Tête-à-têter At Frye Museum – Seattle; 9/13; 11:00am – 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.
*Pay-What-You-Can at Seattle Symphony’s “Soundbridge”- Seattle, Beneroya Hall; 9/13; 12:00pm – 4:00pm; Soundbridge is a music discovery center and Friday afternoons are “Pay What You Can” entrance- suggested donation $5 – $15 per family; Ages 2-5, 30 minute interactive storytelling with song & rhythm, dance & musical instruments at 1:45pm.
*St. Demetrios Greek Festival – Seattle; 9/13 – 9/15; Traditional music and folk dancing, freshly-made Greek food, marketplace, kids’ area and more. Noon to 9 p.m. Sept. 13, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 14, noon to 7 p.m. Sept. 15. Free shuttles from Seattle Prep and Montlake Elementary School Sept. 14-15. FREE
*Great Wallingford Wurst Festival – Seattle; 9/13 – 9/14; Food, rides, games, craft vendors, book sale, entertainment and more. 4 to 10 p.m. Sept. 13, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 14. FREE
*Twirl Café Movie Night Social – Seattle; 9/6; 5:00pm – 8:00pm; Grab your kiddos and join us for pizza and a movie with friends or family. With a rotating pizza special each Friday and $4 cheese pizzas, celebrating the weekend is easy to do! Free to attend; food, beer and wine available for purchase. R.S.V.P. online and get entered into our monthly drawing.
*Seattle Art Museum Free To Teens – Seattle; 9/13; 5:00pm – 9:00pm; The Seattle Art Museum is free to teens 13 to 19 with school ID on the second Friday of each month.
*FREE Friday Night Live at Imagine Children’s Museum – Everett; 9/13; 5:30pm – 9:00pm; Imagine Children’s Museum offers FREE admission on the third Friday of each month, 5:30 to 9 p.m. All ages.
*Northwest Seaport Chantey Sing – Seattle; 9/13; 8:00pm – 10:00pm; Sea chanteys and other maritime songs are fun and easy to sing for all ages. Pub and maritime singer Helen Gilbert will lead the sing-a-long. FREE
Saturday, September 14th :
*Tales & Trails for Little Tykes – Seattle; 9/14 & 9/18; 10:00am – 11:00am; Introduce your toddler to nature with story time, songs, and fun activities inside, followed by exploration along the trails of Seward Park. Walks are easy and less than one mile in length. Pre-register, space is limited. Recommended for ages birth to 3. Cost: $2 per person.
*Family Wetlands Walk – Seattle; 9/14; 10:00am – 11:30am; Join Magnuson Nature Educators for a 90-minute guided tour of the Magnuson wetlands. Each month features hands-on activities and exploration, focused on the seasonal changes of plants and animals that live in this beautiful natural area. Binoculars, field guides, and science tools provided for all. Park in lot E-5 and meet at the wetlands entry trail. All ages. $3, $7 family.
*Festival of Fruit – Seattle; 9/14; 10:00am – 2:00pm; Enjoy tours of the orchard, apple tasting, apple cider press, talks about fruit tree care, music, crafts and an apple pie contest.
*Hummingbird Super Saturday – Seattle; 10:00am – 3:00pm; Celebrate these tiny wonders that flit and zip through the air with amazing speed! Some hummingbirds–like the Rufous–take epic journeys from Alaska to Mexico while others–our Anna’s–are year round residents in Seattle. Discover how to help protect hummingbirds, provide them with sanctuaries in our parks and your back yards and explore why they are so adorable! Arts, crafts, games, and activities will entertain and educate hummingbird enthusiasts of all ages.
*Seattle Fiestas Patrias Parade and Fiesta – Seattle; 9/14 & 9/15; 11:00am; Parade begins at S. Henderson Street in South Park, ending at South Park Community Center (8319 Eighth Ave. S.). Afterward, a fiesta takes place at Sea Mar Plaza (9635 Des Moines Memorial Drive) with food, dancing, music, horse show and information booths. 11 a.m. parade, 12:30 p.m. horse show, 1 p.m. fiesta.
*Recess Monkey Performance – Tacoma; 9/14; 11:00am – 12:00pm; Hear a concert from Recess Monkey, including songs from their new album Deep Sea Diver. Concert is free and open to the public, and held on the Lower School lawn.
*Salmon SEEson in Issaquah – Issaquah; 9/14 – 11/10 Saturdays & Sundays; 11:00am & 1:00pm; See salmon return to Issaquah Creek, where you can view spawning from the bridge or through viewing windows. Trained docents from Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (FISH) will give tours at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, September 7 to November 10.
*Crafts of the Past – Tacoma; 9/14 – 9/29 Saturdays & Sundays; 11:00am – 5:00pm; Crafts of the Past will feature a different artist each weekend who will display and demonstrate a specific 19th century art or craft such as Native American beadwork, textile arts, woodworking and more. Visitors are invited to participate in a hands-on activity to discover just what it takes to produce the various art forms. Saturdays and Sundays, May 4 through Sept. 29. Included with admission. $6.50, $5 seniors, active military and students, $4 ages 4 to 17, free ages 3 and younger, $22 family.
*Pirate Day – Bothell; 9/14; 12:00pm – 4:00pm; Fun, food and a visit from the Pirates of Treasure Island. FREE
*Good Fest – Redmond; 9/14; 12:00pm – 5:00pm; Join us for the biggest kid’s festival on the Eastside – Good Fest! We will be featuring exciting games, activities, giveaways and live entertainment from Disney, plus kids’ train rides, face painting, crafts, retailer discounts, a mall-wide Disney Scavenger Hunt and tons of cool prizes. You can also take in a live performance from Recess Monkey!
*Bellevue Art Museums Get Crafty Saturday – Bellevue; 9/14; 1:00pm – 3:00pm; Free craft time for kids each Saturday. $2 material fee or free with admission.
*Frog Frolic – Renton; 9/14; 1:00pm – 5:00pm; Bog tours, live music, interactive activities for kids and adults, silent auction and potluck.
*Nature Walk at Lake Hills Greenbelt – Bellevue; 9/14; 2:00pm; Explore Lake Hills Greenbelt with a park ranger. Learn the history of the park, tour community gardens, and learn about local wildlife. All ages. 2 p.m. Saturdays. $1 suggested donation per person.
*Mercer Slough Nature Walk – Bellevue; 9/14; 2:00pm-3:00pm; Meet a Mercer Slough park ranger at the visitor center for a free guided tour and learn about the fascinating flora, fauna and history of the Mercer Slough Nature Park. Please dress for weather. No registration is required. FREE.
*Community Block Party – Kirkland; 9/14; 3:00pm – 7:00pm; Community Block Party features two bike rides for all ages, music, inflatables, games, food, community awareness, and a great time for people of all ages at no cost!
*Monroe Swift Night Out – Monroe; 9/14; 5:00pm; Celebrate the arrival of one of the largest roosts of Vaux’s Swifts in America. Watch thousands of these birds swirl into a 4-ft chimney in just minutes. Information booths, kids’ activities, spaghetti feed and bird experts. 5 p.m. to dusk.
*Crossroads Bellevue 2nd Saturdays – Bellevue; 9/14; 5:00pm – 9:00pm; Enjoy a family-friendly evening the second Saturday of every month. Activities can include game times, snacks, concerts and more.
*The Park in the Dark – Seattle; 9/14; 7:00pm – 8:30pm; Explore the Arboretum at night and learn how animals adapt to the dark. Bring your own flashlight. Recommended for ages 6 and older. $6, free for kids. Register by phone or online.
Sunday, September 15th:
*Bicycle Sundays – Seattle; 9/15; 10:00am – 6:00pm; The four-mile stretch of Lake Washington Boulevard between Mount Baker Beach and Seward Park is closed to motorized traffic 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. several Sundays through September.
*New Zealand Forest Opening Celebration – Seattle; 9/15; 11:00am – 2:00pm; Ribbon cutting of the New Zealand Forest area within Washington Park Arboretum’s Pacific Connections Garden, plus tours, refreshments, music, family activities, Maori dance performances and more.
*Cast Off! Free Public Sailing – Seattle; 9/15; 2:00pm; Our Cast Off! program allows visitors the chance to sail in classic boats. Before and after your sail take a walk on the docks and discover the boats. Watch the volunteer crews rigging the boats. They’ll be happy to answer any question you might have, and you may even have a chance to help with the rigging! They sail rain or shine, but wind conditions may keep us at the dock. Reservations are taken day-of-sail only at the CWB front desk. This is a popular activity so please arrive early to reserve a spot, we open at 10 a.m. Rides are always at 2 p.m., and sometimes also at 3 p.m. FREE
Monday, September 16th:
*Masterpiece Monday - Bellevue; 9/16; 10:00am – 10:45am; Create a special art project each week to take home during this fun drop-in class. Activities vary from painting to collage and mosaics. Ages 3 and older. Most Mondays 10 to 10:45 a.m. $2 supply fee per class. Please check website for current schedules. No registration required.
*Evening Family Story Time – Shoreline; 9/16; 7:00pm – 7:30pm; Put on your PJs and enjoy stories, rhymes, music and movement. Lots of
wiggling and giggling guaranteed! Best for kids ages 3 to 6 and their families.
Tuesday, September 17th:
*Village Playdays – Seattle; 9/17; 10:00am – 11:00am; Kid-friendly storytime, crafts and activities at a different University Village store or restaurant each Tuesday. Parents receive discounts and offers for that day. Check website for details.
Wednesday, September 18th:
*Tales & Trails for Little Tykes – Seattle; 9/18; 10:00am-11:00am; Introduce your toddler to nature with story time, songs, and fun activities inside, followed by exploration along the trails of Seward Park. Walks are easy and less than one mile in length. Pre-register, space is limited. Recommended for ages birth to 3. Cost: $2 per person.
*FREE Drop-In Playgroup – Seattle; 9/18; 10:00am – 12:00pm; Join kids ages birth to 5 and their parents/caregivers every Wednesday and Friday for a drop-in playgroup! Have fun playing with other families, reading, and singing. First-time families will be asked to fill out a registration form. FREE
Thursday, September 19th :
*Kids Co. Play and Learn – Seattle; 9/19; 10:00am – 11:30am; Come play and learn with us! Snack is included and an outside play area is available. Newborn to age 5 with caregiver – come for all or just part of the time! FREE
*What the Griot Said: Stories at NAAM – Seattle; 9/19; 11:00am – 12:00pm; Children of all ages are invited to experience the art of storytelling and the power of stories with a gifted griot (storyteller). FREE, pre-register.
*Half Priced Admission Imagine Childrens Museum – Everett; 9/19; 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. is half priced ( $3.88)
*Tacoma Art Walk – Tacoma; 9/19; 5:00pm – 8:00pm; Visit Tacoma’s downtown galleries during the third Thursday artwalk. FREE, includes the Museum of Glass, Washington State History Museum (free 2 to 8 p.m.) and Tacoma Art Museum.
*FREE Third Thursdays at KidsQuest – Bellevue; 9/19; 5:00pm – 8:00pm; Enjoy free admission 5 to 8 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month.
For more lists of local events in WA check out these websites::
*Sounds Fun Mom - Maegen always has a great list of events local to the South Sound area of WA
*Grays Harbor Deals - Annaliese lists some great events each weekend for Grays Harbor county (Long Beach, Hoquiam, Aberdeen, Moclips, Ocean Shores, Raymond, Elma & more!)
PORTLAND AREA:
Here’s our list of weekly events for the Portland area.
Friday, September 13th :
*Ladybug Nature Walk: Creston Park – Portland; 9/13; 10:00am – 11:00am; Naturalist led stroll. Ages 2-5, with grown-up. Stroller-accessible. Cost: $4 per child
*Red Yarn at Warehouse Cafe – Portland; 9/6; 10:00am; Red Yarn is a dynamic Portland family performer. Weaving together energetic live music, puppetry and storytelling, he teaches positive values while reviving American folklore for a younger generation. Join Red Yarn & his lovable critters every Friday morning at Warehouse Cafe. Audiences will sing, dance, act, and experience the joy of community during Red Yarn’s interactive shows. This show is hosted by Warehouse Cafe, a coffee shop, market and community space committed to healthy food at fair prices. http://knowthyfood.com. Cost: $5 suggested donation
*The Main St. Art & Craft Fair in SE PDX – Portland; 9/13; 10:00am – 4:00pm; The Main St. Art & Craft Fair is an outdoor fair, where local live music, food and crafts come together for a two day event of culture and community. The fair is nestled in the Sunnyside Neighborhood at the base of Mt. Tabor between Hawthorne and Belmont on 45th and Main.
*Music From Mr. Hoo from The Alphabeticians – Portland; 9/13; 11:00am – 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.
*The Standard’s Volunteer Expo at Pioneer Square – Portland; 9/13; 11:00am – 2:00pm; The Standard’s Volunteer Expo returns to Pioneer Courthouse Square. The Volunteer Expo is the largest event of its kind in Oregon, connecting more than 125 regional nonprofit organizations with thousands of Portlanders eager to make a difference in their community. Representatives from a diverse range of community-based organizations will be on hand to showcase their volunteer and advocacy opportunities so that attendees can find service and donation opportunities that match their skills and interests – ranging from one-time projects to longer-term commitments.
*Mt. Angel Oktoberfest – Mt. Angel; 9/13 & 9/14; 11:00am – 12:00am; Four stages live music, Fri. and Sat. night street dance, Kindergarten with rides and shows, food, crafts, car show, glockenspiel. Biergarten and Weingarten. See web page for detailed schedule. Most events free.
*Story and Stroll at Tryon Creek – Portland; 9/13 1:00pm-2:15pm; This program integrates nature exploration, art, literature, music, movement, and outdoor play. It is geared toward families with young children (preferably ages 2-6 but all are welcome.) For more specific information, call (503) 636-9886 ext. 225. FREE.
$5 Friday Artshop at Art a la Carte – Portland; 9/13; 3:30pm – 5:00pm; All ages and all skill levels welcome. Every Friday we do a simple but fun project for the whole family. Cost: $5
*Swift Watch at Chapman School – Portland; 9/13 – 9/16; 6:00pm – 8:00pm; Watch thousands of Vaux’s swifts swirl into the chimney at Chapman School. Audubon Society has info table most nights. Be courteous guests! Parking is very limited.
Saturday, September 14th :
*Kid’s Day at the Hollywood Farmers Market – Portland; 9/14; 8:00am – 1:00pm; Join us for Kid’s Day at HFM to celebrate the end of the summer with music, a face painter, a kid’s cooking demonstration, a recycling craft and a special sample table so you and your family can try the best of the summer’s bounty. Come and boogie down with Mo Phillips from 9am – 10:30am and play along with Recycle Man from 11- 12:30. For you market sprouts out there, now is the time to turn in your Sprouting Stories books and get a $5 market token for completing 12 activities.
*Red Yarn Musical Puppet Show in St. Johns – Portland; 9/14; 10:00am – 11:00am; In this musical puppet show audiences venture into the Deep Woods, a magical forest inhabited by the animals of American folklore. 3 members/$5 non members suggested donation. Cash only, please. After the show join us downstairs at Swapnplay for a free session of open play. The puppet show is from 10:00-10:45 & open play afterwards until noon. Snacks will be available for $1 each (suggested donation, 100% of snack proceeds to Swapnplay Community Sharing Inc.).
*Guided Nature Walks at Tryon Creek – Portland; 9/14; 10:00am – 11:30am; Free guided nature hikes exploring the forest and stream ecosystems and natural history at Tryon Creek State Natural Area. Topics will vary from week to week but will be appropriate for all ages. Parents must accompany kids on all hikes.
*Free Family Day at Washington County Museum – Hillsboro; 9/14; 10:00am – 1:00pm; This year’s theme for Family Day is “Our Community, Our Museum.” Join Museum staff and volunteers for free hands-on history and art activities for the whole family. Bring the kids and create a project to take home, enjoy stories, see and touch artifacts, learn about local history and more.
*Safety Saturday at the Historic Belmont Firehouse – Portland; 9/14; 10:00am – 3:00pm; Head to the Firehouse for a monthly open day of operation. Drop in during open hours to see the exhibits and learn about safety for you and your family. No appointment is necessary.
*Carnivorous Terrarium Day at Birds & Bees Nursery – Portland; 9/14; 10:00am – 6:00pm; Come in anytime during the day and make a terrarium using carnivorous plants. Great idea for you new teacher!
*Ruckus in the Lobby at Artists Rep Theatre – Portland; 9/7; 10:30am – 11:15am; Traveling Lantern Theatre Company presents “Ruckus in the Lobby”. A series of plays for children, in the lobby at Artists Rep. All performances are interactive and geared for the K-6th grade age group and their families. The shows include a Q&A with the cast following the performance. Tickets can be purchased at the door or at: www.artistsrep.org. Cost: $5
* Kids Saturday Morning Skate Session At Oaks Park – Portland ; 9/14;10:30am to 12:00pm; For $6 children 10 and under can skate (skates included). Parents free with paid child admission.
*Family Fun Day in NE PDX – Portland; 9/14; 11:00am – 3:00pm; This event is free to all who come and registration is not required. We will be hosting games, food, face painting, bounce houses, a rock wall, and more. Free school supplies and clothes for kids and families that have been donated will also be distributed to those who ask (while supplies last).
*Community Day at Oregon Historical Society - Portland; 9/14; 11:00am – 3:00pm; Fall Community Day in honor of the exhibit “American Heroes: Japanese American World War II Nisei Soldiers and the Congressional Gold Medal.” Both the Oregon History Museum and Oregon Nikkei Endowment have free activities planned throughout the day relating to this traveling Smithsonian exhibit. Both organizations will invite visitors create their own medal to present to others exemplifying the character traits of the veterans: courage, perseverance, citizenship, compassion, humility and respect.
*Oregon Pacific Railroad Train Rides – Portland; 9/14 – 9/28 Saturdays; 12:00pm – 6:00pm; The Oregon Pacific Railroad is continuing to offer passenger train rides on Saturdays between Oaks Amusement Park and East Portland (near OMSI) and back. Round trip rides last approximately an hour and take guests along the Willamette River, through the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. Cost: $5 round trip or $10 to ride in the cab of our locomotive, limited space available for locomotive cab rides. We’re the only full size passenger excursion train in the Portland area. See our website for scheduling info and more details.
*Belmont Street Fair - Portland; 9/14; 12:00pm – 7:00pm; Music and fun. Kid’s activities at 34th St. Belmont between 33d and 39th St.
*Second Saurday at Vancouver’s Water Center - Vanouver; 9/14; 1:00pm – 3:00pm; This is a fun partnership event and part of the Columbia Flyway Show. Second Saturdays at the Water Resources Education Center are not only fun, they’re free! Each second Saturday of the month, from 1 to 3 p.m., kids and their families are invited to explore a different topic through hands-on activities, games and stories. Create bird feeders and other crafts to welcome wildlife to your backyard! Learn about the amazing world of bubbles! Make a piece of art from reused materials! There’s always something new waiting at Second Saturdays! Please note: Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
* Free Family Swim At Marshall Community Center - Vancouver; 9/14; 4:45pm – 6:30pm; Bauman Chiropractic is sponsoring free family swims at Marshall Pool Saturday evenings.
*Movie at Steamers & Screamers – Portland; 9/14; 5:00pm; Enjoy a movie every Saturday night. FREE
Sunday, September 15th:
*Oodles 4 Kids’ Birthday Bash – Portland; 9/15; 11:00am – 5:00pm; A whole day full of fun activities, prizes, and, of course, birthday cake!
*Kids Karaoke at Pink Feather Restaurant and Lodge – Portland; 9/15; 1:00pm – 4:00pm; The Pink Feather Restaurant and Lounge is now hosting the Emma Rose Kids’ Karaoke Hour every other Sunday from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Emma Rose, nine years old, is an extraordinarily talented singer herself and will be emceeing the event. Kids Menu, as well as Happy Hour appetizer prices for parents, available for the full three hours.
Monday, September 16th :
*Music Class with Johnny Keener at The Treehouse – Portland; 9/16; 10:00am; He will craft music for kids that is exciting and fun, as well as artistically satisfying. He is committed to inviting kids into the musical process providing them with a musical experience they won’t forget! Best for ages 0-6. Cost: $5 per child
*Storytime with Olive Rootbeer and Dingo at Laurelhurst Cafe – Portland; 9/16; 10:00am – 11:00am; Join Olive and Dingo for stories, balloons and songs at Laurelhurst Cafe, a quaint restaurant serving organic local high quality meals. (Gluten free and kids menu options too.). $5 suggested donation.
*Tallulah’s Daddy at Rain City Coffee – Portland; 9/16; 10:00am – 11:00am; Come sing, dance and play with Tallulah’s Daddy as he plays guitar, bass and cajon. Tallulah’s Daddy plays fun, energetic acoustic music for your little ones, and you can grab some coffee, tea or a snack. We start with musical storytime, then sing songs, and we leave a little bit of extra time for the kids to get their hands on some percussion instruments! No cover charge, donations appreciated.
*Washington County Museum Free Admission – Portland; 9/16; 10:00am – 4:30pm; Admission is free to this museum every Monday.
*Mondays On The Mall – Portland – Downtown Central Transit Mall; 9/16; Various Times; Free events all day including Wii play, caricatures, the original photo booth and entertainment.
Tuesday, September 17th :
*Preschool Play and Skate at Oaks Park – Portland; 9/17; 10:00am – 11:30am; This special roller skating session is just for your littlest skaters. Children 6 and under enjoy games, songs, blals, a 15 minute group lesson, snack time, and more. Conventional skate rental included. Shoes and strollers welcome on the skating floor. Adults free with paid children’s admission. Cost: $6.00
*Tuesday Art Time at the Treehouse Children’s Boutique – Portland; 9/17; 10:30am – 11:15am; Join us at 10:30 every TUESDAY for an an hour of art, music, stories, bubbles, chalk, and messes at the Treehouse Children’s Boutique! We have a wonderful new auditorium space! $6.00/child.
*Storytime at Green Bean Books – Portland; 9/17; 11:00am – 11:30am; Get ready to get immersed in the world of books! FREE
*Mommy Matinee at the Kennedy School – Portland; 9/17 & 9/18; 2:30pm – 4:30pm; Tuesdays & Wednesdays moms, dads, grandparents, nannies and their babies are welcome. Let the kids fuss – we don’t mind! Click here for today’s movie. Cost: $3 pp
Wednesday, September 18th :
*Visit the Historic Belmont Firehouse – Portland; 9/18; 9:00am – 3:00pm; Drop in any Wednesday to see the exhibits and learn about safety for you and your family. No appointment is necessary.
*Music Class at the Treehouse with Mr. Ben – Portland; 9/18; 10:00am; Enjoy music with kindie favorite Mr. Ben. Cost: $5 per child
*Honeybee Hikess at Leach Botanical Gardens – Portland; 9/18; 10:00am – 11:00am; Weekly nature-related activities for young children and their adult caregivers. Discover the secrets of the Garden and its critters through stories and outdoor explorations. Dress for the weather and wear good walking shoes for unpaved, uneven walkways that could be muddy. Strollers limit where we can explore, so carriers are ideal for little ones. No pre-registration required. Best for ages 1-6. Cost: $2 per child
*Ladybug Theater at the SMILE Station – Portland; 9/18; 10:30am; Charming play, some with puppets, every Wed. Best for ages 2+ with good theatre manners. Cost: $4
*Storytime at Steamers & Screamers – Vancouver; 9/18; 11:30am – 12:45pm; Enjoy a story in the play area every Wednesday with play space admission. Wear socks! Cost: $4.95 per child
*Mommy Matinee at the St Johns Theater- Portland; 9/18; 1:00pm – 2:30pm; Parents, nannies, grandparents and caregivers, bring your babies to these films, from G to R ratings. Let the wee ones fuss, they don’t mind. Every Wednesday, first showing, unless an event has been booked. Check movie listings for showtimes or call 503-249-7474. Cost $3.00
*Family Day at the Washington County Museum - Portland; 9/18; 2:00pm – 4:00pm;
Thursday, September 19th :
*Children’s Happy Hour in NE PDX – Portland; 9/19; 9:00am – 12:00pm; Kid’s play in the garden, adults relax and sip tea. $1.50 snack and drink combo for kids (with adult purchase). Gluten free options.
*Music and Puppetry with Red Yarn at the Treehouse – Portland; 9/19; 10:00am;Red Yarn a dynamic children’s performer, weaving live music, puppetry and interactive storytelling into engaging shows for family audiences. Whether performing solo or with the Red Yarn Puppet Band, the red-bearded bard teaches positive values while reinvigorating American folklore for younger generations. $5 per child
*St Johns Swapnplay Playspace Open Play - Portland; 9/19; 10:00am – 12:00pm; Free to all! This is a chance to come learn, play and grow. Free toddler/preschooler art class from 10-11. First come first served as we run out of materials after 15 students. Open Play is an open time for non-members to enjoy the space. This is also a great time to learn about membership should you be interested.
*Storytime at A Children’s Place Bookstore – Portland; 9/19; 10:30am – 11:00am; Enjoy this free weekly storytime at the lovely A Children’s Place Bookstore. A variety of books for different age ranges will be read. FREE.
*Storytime with Olive and Dingo at Another Read Through – Portland; 9/19; 3:00pm; Olive Rootbeer and Dingo will read stories, sing songs, make balloon animals, and generally entertain and whoop it up with any kids and grownups who stop by. Donations welcome.
*Puppet Show Returns to Green Bean Books! – Portland; 9/19; 3:30pm – 4:00pm; We’re pleased to welcome back Heart in Hand’s Preschool Puppet Show. They’ll do a delightful adaptation of a Russian or Slavic fairy tale The Giant Turnip.
For more lists of local events in western OR check out::
* PDX Kids Calendar - this is a comprehensive events-based website for families in the Portland area.
NATIONAL EVENTS:
*Free Craft Activities at Lakeshore Learning Stores– Sat. ; 11am to 3pm; Kids can come to this free craft time each week for a new craft (plus print a $5 off $25 coupon).
*Pottery Barn Kids Book Club- Tuesday 1/22; 11-11:30am; Kids of all ages can attend storytime every Tuesday. Members receive an official Book Club Passport and a special gift after attending 5 storytimes.
*Barnes and Noble Free Storytime - Times and events vary by location. Check your location for specific story’s available this weekend.
Fun & Frugal Family Events 9/13 – 9/19 is a post from: Thrifty NW Mom
The post Fun & Frugal Family Events 9/13 – 9/19 appeared first on Thrifty NW Mom.