39th Annual Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival with free boat rides, pond boat sailing, pirate story time, boat tours, music, fireworks and more in Seattle - Friday through Sunday, July 3rd - 5th 2015 - from 10am-6pm each day! Fireworks at dusk July 4th!

For more info. go here.

Vigor Seattle Maritime Festival Family Fun Day at Lake Union Park in Seattle - Saturday, May 9th 2015 from 11am-5pm

Highly recommend this one!

" Don’t miss the boat at Seattle’s largest maritime industry celebration! It’s the Vigor Seattle Maritime Festival, sponsored by the Seattle Propeller Club with the Port of Seattle.

Free family fun includes WorkBoat Parade, Lake Union/Ship Canal Tours presented by the Port of Seattle, Workboat World Invitational Boat Building Competition, Fireboat Display, Tugboat Demonstration and Ballet, Abandon Ship Demonstration, Coast Guard Sea-Air Rescue Demonstration, historic, government and workboat tours, Survival Suit Races, free kids boating building by The Center for Wooden Boats, fun bounces, face painting, displays, music and food!

Please note that due to significant construction on the Seawall and Tunnel projects, all Family Fun Day activities will shift to South Lake Union. The move forces the cancellation of this year’s tugboat race and chowder cook-off. However, a spectacular WorkBoat Parade and our usual popular maritime activities should attract thousands to South Lake Union. "

For more info. here.

Reminder: LEGO Mini-Build happens 1st Tuesday of the Month at your local LEGO Stores - Free event and up to 250 free builds per store - First Tuesdays - January 6th 2015 at 5pm

Join in the LEGO® Store Monthly Mini Model Build!

Upcoming Mini Model Build

: 

LEGO® Alien and Space Dog: Tuesday, January 6 beginning at 5:00 pm until supplies last.

Visit your local LEGO Store on the first Tuesday of every month and you can learn how to build a cool mini model, and take it home – for free! Quantities are limited and offer is good while supplies last only. Models are not for sale and cannot be purchased. One free per child. Event is open to children ages 6 to 14 only. Ask a Brick Specialist for details.

For more info. go here.

Fauntleroy Fall Festival with climbing wall, mechanical bull, pony rides, petting farm and lots more in Seattle - Sunday, October 19th 2014 from 2-5pm

Sounds like fun!

" This year’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival is on Sunday, October 19 (2–5 p.m.) at The Hall at Fauntleroy, Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, and Fauntleroy Church and parking lot. This family-friendly community celebration is open to all!

Special activities include a climbing wall, pumpkin decorating, birdhouse construction, a mechanical bull, environmental corner activities, an inflatable obstacle course, pony rides, and a petting farm—bunnies and chickens and foals. Oh my! "

For more info. go here.

3rd Annual Cardboard Challenge at the Boys and Girls Club in North Seattle - Saturday, October 11th 2014 from 10am-2pm

For more info. go here.

Kenmore Play Day with FREE Lunch, building, kite making, tug-of-war, jump rope demos, arts and crafts, storytime and more at Rhododendron Park - Saturday, August 9th 2014 from 10am-2pm

For more info. go here.

Community and Family Day with tons of free fun at the FRYE Art Museum in Seattle - Today, Saturday, August 2nd 2014 from 11am-4pm

Received this in an email...great, fun and free family event happening today! 

COMMUNITY + FAMILY DAY  Saturday, August 2, 11 am–4 pm FREE Inspired by themes of community activism, social justice, and play, Community + Family Day celebrates the work of artists Curtis R. Barnes, Maikoiyo Alley-Barnes, Nicholas Galanin, and Nep Sidhu. Build a giant fort, learn to breakdance, take an improv class, listen to live music, plant a garden, and more! Throughout the day Build a Fort Bobby Hughes Art Studio Plant a Pollinator Garden Pollinator Pathway and Seattle Tilth Cherry Street planting strip Create a Window Mural Nep Sidhu and Moni Tep Foyer 11 am Small Frye: Storytelling in the Galleries Seattle Children’s Theatre Large Greathouse Gallery Gallery Tour Maikoiyo Alley-Barnes and Moni Tep Rotunda 11:30 am Live Music Eduardo Mendonça Large Greathouse Gallery 11:45 am Acting and Improv Workshop Mike Cherry Auditorium 12:30 pm Garden and Pollinator Talk Sarah Bergmann and Laura Matter Cherry Street planting strip 1 pm Breakdancing Performance and Workshop Vicious Puppies Large Greathouse Gallery 1:30 pm Artists in Conversation: Part 2 The Resurgence of the ShaMEN Maikoiyo Alley-Barnes, Nicholas Galanin, Nep Sidhu. Moderated by Negarra A. Kudumu Auditorium 3 pm Hip-Hop Performance Cavalier and OCnotes Large Greathouse Gallery

For more info. go here.

Smith Tower's 100th Anniversary Celebration with admission for a quarter (.25) all weekend in Seattle - Friday, July 4th-6th 2014 from 10am-7:00pm - "Less than a Latte"

Tickets are normally $7.50 each for adults but this weekend in celebration of being 100, the iconic Smith Tower will be charging it's original admission price of $.25 like it was when it opened in 1914! 

 

This would be a great, historic Seattle building to check out and this weekend would be the perfect time to do it!

" Celebrate Smith Tower’s 100th Anniversary by visiting the 35th-floor Chinese Room observatory and open-air Observation Deck! We will be offering opening-day admission of only $0.25 for all guests. "

" The Chinese Room & Observation Deck at Smith Tower, once the tallest building on the West Coast, have offered Seattle’s best views to the public for 100 years.  Our elevator operators will whisk you in an old-fashioned copper and brass elevator car to the 35th floor where you’ll step into the past as you explore the historic Chinese Room.  Engross yourself in the newspaper headlines of 1910 when Smith Tower was just a lofty idea, or soak up the good luck of the room by taking a seat in the Wishing Chair.  Guests are welcome to enjoy the sights of Seattle from inside – just in case you arrived on one of our famous Seattle rainy days – or outside on the Observation Deck that provides 360° views of the city.  From every angle you’ll see the best of Seattle, including the Space Needle, Great Wheel, Columbia Center, sports stadiums, Pioneer Square, and the International District, as well as our natural surroundings, including Mount Rainier, the Cascade Mountains, the Olympic Mountains, and Puget Sound. "

Ticket sales close 20 minutes prior to posted closing time.

And on their FB page:

" Join us this weekend for $0.25 admission to the Chinese Room & Observation Deck in celebration of the Smith Tower's 100th Anniversary! Opening-day admission prices are available from 10:00am - 7:00pm, July 4 - 6. #tbt #throwbackthursday #100grandyears "

For more info. go here.

Vigor Maritime Festival Family Fun Day at South Lake Union Park in Seattle - Sunday, May 11th 2014 from 11am-5pm - Some activities free, some for a fee.

Family Fun Day is produced by Northwest Seaport

Highlights:

Quick and Dirty Boat Building

Survival Suit Races

Vessel Tours

Ship Canal Tours

Remote Control Boats

Kids Boat Building

South Lake Union Chowder Cook-off

Exhibits and Displays

Sea Chantey Concerts

and more!

" Vigor Seattle MARITIME FESTIVAL Family Fun Day in Lake Union Park, 11a.m. – 5p.m. Lake Union/Ship Canal Tours– 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Presented by the Port of Seattle Discover the working waterfront in South Lake Union and on the Ship Canal. Learn about the Centennial of Fishermen’s Terminal. Board at Lake Union one-half hour prior to each departure. There is a limit of 400 guests for each tour. There is a limit of four tickets per adult, 18 years or older. VESSEL TOURS – Scheduled to Participate: M/V Lady Mary, Argosy Cruises, 98 feet, North Seawall (Departing at 1p.m. and 3p.m.). Free M/V Fremont Avenue, Seattle Ferry Service LLC, Historic Ships Wharf (Departing hourly). $ M/V Propeller, Sea Scout Ship, 65 feet, West Seawall R/V Liberty, King County Dept. of Natural Resources & Parks, 48 feet, West Seawall F/V Loki, Loki Fish Company,  38 feet, West Seawall Vessel Assist Seattle, Lake Union,  22 feet, West Seawall Dragon Boat, Seattle Flying Dragons, 45 feet, Lake Union Park Lawn Calderdale, Ocean Rowboat of Erden Eruc, 23.4 feet (trailered), Historic Ships Wharf M/V Skillful, Private, Historic Ships Wharf M/V Fremont Avenue, Seattle Ferry Service LLC, Historic Ships Wharf Virginia V, The Virginia V Foundation, 125 feet, Historic Ships Wharf Arthur Foss, Northwest Seaport, 111.6 feet, Historic Ships Wharf Lightship No. 83 “Swiftsure,” Northwest Seaport, 129 feet, Historic Ships Wharf Duwamish, The Puget Sound Fireboat Foundation, 120 feet, Historic Ships Wharf R/V John N. Cobb, Seattle Maritime Academy, 95.5 feet, Historic Ships Wharf M/V Lotus, M.V. Lotus Heritage Foundation, 92 feet, Historic Ships Wharf KIDS ACTIVITIES Free kids boat building with The Center for Wooden Boats Five fun bounces from Clowns Unlimited – $5 ticket allows unlimited rides! Theodore Tugboat Sails Again with storyteller, Sue Kimpton, Hourly aboard tugboat Arthur Foss Genii Blue Face Painting croppedFace Painting with Genii Blue, Aboard tugboat Arthur Foss, $fee. Seafarer’s Activity Station, Lake Union Charters and Adventures Play Rain Gutter Regattas, What Floats and Tug-O-War–sailing style. Signal Flag Necklace Making Using One’s Name. Organized by Discovery Modelers Education Center. Aboard the Virginia V. FREE MUSIC (Historic Ships Wharf)*: 11:00 – 12:30, Watch the Sky has been a consistent maritime musical presence in Seattle bringing celtic verve and tight harmonies to traditional, contemporary and original sea songs. 12:45 – 2:00, The rollicking folk duo Spanaway Bay, also known as Carol and Kent Mesford, engage audiences with humorous songs and captivating sing-along choruses. 2:15 – 3:30, The Phinney Ridge Rum Runners perform exciting maritime music with Trapper Graves-Lalor’s lively soprano voice and the blues-tinted vocals and hot guitar playing of Steve Lalor. 3:45-5:00, Dan Roberts is a master shanty singer and balladeer with a musical presence that captivates as he sings maritime songs past and present. *NOTE: Maritime music orchestrated by Maritime Folknet FESTIVAL PROGRAMS Workboat World Invitational Boat Building Competition 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Survival Suit Races presented by Compass Courses Maritime Training 1 p.m. Seattle Flying Dragon BoatDragon Boat Exploration Day 11a.m. – 5p.m. Hourly Dragon Boat Rides & Paddling, Pebble Beach. 10 guests/boat ride with preregistration. PFDs provided. Lake Union Charters and Adventures Sail aboard 62ft Circe , a 1930 wooden sailboat, $25 preregistration. Mother’s Day Tea aboard M/V Lotus, Hourly Seating* $Fee “Women of the Salish Sea at the Turn of the Century” Susan Parish Presentation at 2:00 p.m.* *At Historic Ships Wharf. Preregistration encouraged, call 425.243.9641. ACTIVITIES IN MOHAI Documentary screening: Arthur Foss: Iconic Tugboat of the Northwest* Take a 125 year voyage aboard Northwest Seaport’s tug Arthur Foss. 1-4 p.m. in MOHAI 2nd Floor Theater. Maritime Seattle in MOHAIMaritime Seattle, Exhibit* In partnership with Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society, this exhibit celebrates our community’s long relationship with water and illustrates how our aquatic and industrial activities have ultimately shaped what we’ve become. *Included with regular MOHAI admission ($14; $12 seniors/students/military; Free for children 14 and under). Activities at The Center for Wooden Boats New Exhibit & Kids’ Activities: View CWB’s newest exhibit HIGHLINERS: Boats of the Century. This exhibit presents the story of the historic power-schooners of Seattle’s longline fleet, many of which are 100 years old and still actively fishing. Many of these unique vessels were built here, on the shores of Puget Sound, as Seattle was coming into its own as a city. Although less than 20 remain from a fleet that numbered over 150 in its heyday, the vessels and fishermen are still a vital part of Seattle’s maritime economy. The Activity Cart (available all day) features paper boats and halibut stick puppets, and from 3-5pm there will also be a station for Mother’s Day card-making and sailboat origami. Free! Pond Boat Sailing in Lake Union Park: Rent a Pirate Pond Boat to sail on Lake Union Park’s Model Boat Pond. These 39-inch pond boats are scale models of the R-Boat Pirate, which is on exhibit on CWB’s docks at South Lake Union. Sailing these miniature racing yachts is a great way to learn the basic concepts of sailing while enjoying time at the park. CWB’s fleet of Pond Boats will be available 11am – 2pm.  $5 Suggested Donation DISPLAYS Check out industry displays by the Port of Seattle, NOAA, Northwest Seaport, the US Coast Guard and others. FOOD AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE Ballard Brothers Seafood and Burgers Hot Dog Stop " For more info. go here, here and especially here. :-)

"Passport to Imagination" with creation and building stations using multiple materials at Northgate Community Center in Seattle - Saturday, February 8th 2014 from 10am-2pm

Sounds like fun!

" Come by tomorrow Saturday February 8th from 10am- 2pm for our PASSPORT to IMAGINATION!!! Bring your children to build, explore and create wonderment with Lowe's, Imagination Playground, Legos, and more... "

For more info. go here.

"Build It" Lego Building Event featuring Dan Parker, LEGO Artist at Sammamish City Hall - Saturday, February 1st 2014 from 11am-3pm - Competition Registration is Closed, however I believe Open Play and Viewing is still available!

For more info. go here.

Free Kids' How-To Clinics at McLendon Hardware Stores - Saturday, December 14th 2013 at 10am - Various locations still available - "Build a Treasure Chest"

These are free how-to clinics for kids and recommended for ages 5-10! This week (Dec 14th 2013) the kids can build a treasure chest!

If your town is listed then there is space available!

For more info. and to register go here and click on your local town's tab!

Seafair Milk Carton Derby on Green Lake on Saturday, July 14th 2012 from 10am-4pm

Also on the newsletter...have you subscribed yet?  I wish I could do all 5 events this weekend that were on the newsletter...they are all going to be super-fun!

Image courtesy of Seafair

Seafair Milk Carton Derby

Features:

• Milk Carton Build and Races
• Interactive Displays and Exhibits 
• Special Appearances  
• Autograph & Photo Opportunities  
• Family-fun Activities  
• Hydroplane Build and Tow
• Hula-hoop Contest
• Moo-ing Contest
• Food Booths
• and more!

For more info. go here.

International Migratory Bird Day Super Saturday at Seward Park Environmental and Audubon Center - Saturday, May 12th 2012 from 10am-3pm

Kids can enjoy another Super Saturday event where they can make bird puppets, see birds up close, look at the nesting eagles through the scope, and even build a feeder for their new feathered friends!


For more info. go here.

"B'Earth Day!" - The Center's 4th Birthday and Earth Day Celebrations at Seward Park Environmental and Audubon Center - Saturday, April 21st 2012 from 10am-3pm

Another great, free event! Join in as the Seward Park Environmental and Audubon Center
celebrates their 4th birthday and Earth Day all at the same time! There will be face painting, bird house building, arts & crafts and more. And in honor of their namesake, John James Audubon, they are offering free guided excursions to the eagles nest (as mentioned in this post this morning!-see details). Plus, they will have free cupcakes and cupcake decorating too -Yum!



For more info. go here.

Lowes "Make and Take" event – Saturday, April 9th from 9am-12pm - Sports Pinball Game

Want your kids to do a fun event and then have something to take home and play with afterwards? Sign them up for Lowes "Build and Grow" event here.  This Saturday's project is a Sports Pinball Game.

From their website:

Spring sports are just starting up! Bring your child to Lowe’s and they can build this awesome Sports Pinball game!