Tacoma Kids Weekly - Week of March 10, 2008

Here's a few ideas for the coming week:

1. I missed an idea on last weeks list for tomorrow. It's not too late so I'll mention it now. The WW Seymour Botanical Conservatory is holding its monthly concert tomorrow from 1:00 to 2:30pm. The featured musian is Dan Good who plays Irish Jazz. The event is free; just stop by. While taking the kids to a greenhouse is probably not the mostly likely placed you'd think of to take kids, I can see great opportunities here. I envision it like this. Stop by the Conservatory and enjoy the beautiful variety of plants while listening to the informal concert. Point out particularly interesting plants to the kids, talk about plant varieties, or have them hunt for specific things you might be learning in a unit on plants (they have purple and green shamrocks on display right now in addition to other plants). Or you can focus on the music if you are studying a music unit. Or yet another focus could be the artwork you find; they have an exhibit within the greenhouse. Afterwards, walk down the hill and let the kids play in the playground for a little bit. After they've gotten some playtime in, take a stroll around the park looking at other plants and trees, take some rubbings, and collect some specimens to take home to study further or make crafts with.

2. Monday is the Tahoma Audubon Bird Walk from 12-1pm at the Adriana Hess Wetland Park (2917 Morrison Road W., University Place). It is billed as for all ages. The walk is free. for more information, call them at 253-565-9278.

3. Storyteller, Tom Galt, will be telling Leprechaun tales at the Puyallup Public Library (324 S. Meridian) at 6:30pm on Monday. This library is located in a very nice park; it the weather is nice it would be great to play for a while before and then rest while listening to his stories. The event is free; no registration is required.

4. If you miss the Adriana Hess bird walk, you can also catch another on Wednesday from 9:30am to 12:00pm at Titlow Park. If you join them, you'll be walking the shoreline and wooded portions of the park looking for cormorants, grebes, ducks, and pileated woodpeckers. To register, call the Tahoma Audubon office at (253) 565-9278. No fee was mentioned.

5. Stop by Garfield Book Co. (208 S. Garfield St, Ste 101, Parkland) on Friday evening from 6-7pm and make a St. Patrick's Day kids craft. This bookstore near PLU is both kid-friendly and homeschool-friendly.

6. Friday is the Pt. Defiance Zoo's free day for City of Tacoma residence. If you live in the city limits, all you need to do is bring proof of address for each adult in your group. The cooler weather is a great time to visit the zoo because the animals are usually more active. We went last month and had a great time.

7. Saturday from 10am to 3pm is the Knack Free Family Event at Michaels'. According to the website, you can create three projects for free. (Another place on the website lists the usual $2 fee for the Saturday projects; I'd just print the page you'll find at the link and take it with you in case there's an issue.) It looks like the three projects will be a cute pencil topper, a doorknob hanger, and a homemade card.

8. Saturday is the monthly JoAnn's Fabrics kids craft. This little event is free and great for younger kids who like to make crafts. They set up a table in the kids craft section and an employee helps the kids complete a simple craft.

9. Saturday is also the date for the Tahoma Audubon Discovery Walk through the lower White River in Pacific. According to their website, discovery walks are for families and friends of all ages (but recommended for ages 4 and up). You'll explore the site with an experienced nature guide. This event is free for members or $5 per person. Call (253) 591-6439 to register and get directions.