Everybody’s working for the weekend. So spend it wisely. Here’s your guide to free family fun all around town.
SEATTLE AREA
Meet Santa’s reindeer, plus see a model train layout. “Meet the Reindeer” presentations at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m, Saturday and Sunday. (open at 9 a.m.) Swansons Nursery, Blue Ridge.
Head to the PlayGarden for some playground fun. Staff is onsite to help lead activities today. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Seattle Children’s PlayGarden, Mount Baker. (Saturday)
Watch a cute puppet show about the Gingerbread Man’s adventures. 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Shoreline Branch Library. (Saturday)
Explore an Art Deco firehouse-turned-museum and learn about local history. Native American storyteller and children’s book author Sondra Segundo will perform from 11 a.m. to noon. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Renton History Museum. (Saturday)
Meet the authors of Jolly Trolley at children’s story time. 11 a.m. to Noon. Third Place Books, Seward Park. (Saturday)
Take the kids to see Ponyo. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. SIFF Cinema Egyptian Theater, Capitol Hill. (Saturday)
Celebrate the salmon migration at Piper’s Creek with food music and fun activities. This is one of your last chances to see the salmon action. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Carkeek Park, Seattle. (Sunday)
Play board games with friends and neighbors. Lots of fun games provided, or bring your favorites. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ballard Branch Library. (Sunday)
Set sail around Lake Union on a classic wooden boat – rain or shine! Several trips throughout the day. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Center for Wooden Boats, South Lake Union. (Sunday)
Start celebrating Christmas early. The Festival of Trees Family Celebration has story time, a Christmas choir and designer-decorated trees. 1 to 4 p.m. Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Downtown Seattle. (Sunday)
Lean about book-making to create personal maps of your stories and histories. 1 to 3 p.m. Henry Art Gallery, U District. (Sunday)
EASTSIDE
Dance and sing along with Mariachi Huenachi – a Northwest Folklife performance. 1 to 3 p.m. Crossroad’s Market Stage, Bellevue. (Saturday)
Stroll alongside a beautiful creek as you learn about a local forest from the park ranger. 10:30 a.m. to noon. Lakemont Community Park, Bellevue. (Sunday)
SOUTH SOUND
See Pacific Northwest sea life at the MaST Center’s Discovery Days. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Marine Science and Technology Center, Des Moines. (Saturday)
Watch a family flick on the big screen. Today’s show: Pokemon 4Ever. 10 a.m. to noon. The Grand Cinema, Tacoma. (Saturday)
Enter a world of winter magic at the Snow Queen Story Workshop. Stories, music and crafts inspired by the tales of Hans Christian Anderson. 11 a.m. to noon. Woodmont Branch Library, DesMoines. (Saturday)
Experience Ukrainian culture at this festival filled with art, music, dance and food. Noon to 5 p.m. Karshner Museum and Center for Cultural Arts, Puyallup. (Saturday)
Want more? Check out our Family Events Calendar, searchable by age, location and cost.
