List of free (or cheap) activities for Babies & Toddlers in Pierce County

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Update: Because of the pandemic, a lot of places are closed or limited so please check out their website for information. 

Fun isn’t just for the older kids! Babies and toddlers can have it too! There are quite a few free or cheap activities for babies and toddlers in the Pierce County area. Story time, open gym, play to learn were all activities I really enjoyed taking Mason to when he was younger. It’s about time to start taking Piper to all these, especially while Mason’s at school and the park isn’t always an option.

If you are local to the Pierce County area and have young ones at home, please save or at least take a look at the list below. I will try to keep it updated and please if you know of anything I’ve forgotten to add, send me an email or leave a comment. And of course say hello if you see us!

Updated: 10/1/2019

• Fircrest Community Center 555 Contra Costa Ave, Fircrest, WA 98466
  Toddler sized sports equipment for children. Child must be accompanied by an
  adult at all times.
  Days: Mondays & Wednesdays
  Time: 10:30- 11:30 AM
• Lakewood Community Center 9112 Lakewood Drive SW, Lakewood, WA 98499
  Parents are required to supervise their children at all times, maximum of three children per adult. For: Ages 5 & Under
  Days: Tuesdays & Thursdays, October-Mid June
  Time: 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
  Fee: $2 drop-in per child
  (Closed Thanksgiving day)
• Key Peninsula Civic Center Indoor Park 17010 S. Vaughn Road
  Tuesday & Thursdays
  9:30am-11:30am
  Suggested donation: $1.00 per child
• DEFY Tacoma – Trampoline and fun area! Kid Jump (6 & under only) Monday-Saturday mornings 9-10am one adult jumps for free with one paying child
• Tacoma Nature Center – Open 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday-Saturday, go check out the indoor part, like the library there is no room to run but it has a great little quiet play section and a few live animals
• Tacoma Children’s Museum – it’s free but they do accept donations, GREAT way to let your kids run. And to add a little extra fun and save money on parking (except Sundays when parking is free) we park at the Freight House Square(free) and ride the Tacoma link which is free!
• Star Center – Check out the website for more info and prices. The indoor playground is perfect for littles under 5.
• Discovery Village – play all afternoon or day for reasonable price, they have many sensory type play, perfect for young ones.
• Wiggle Works – this one is definitely for the little ones as you have to be under 48″ to play, check their website for more information but admissions is under $10
• Pierce County Library – your child may not be able to run but it is a change of scenery from sitting in your house and it gets you out of the rain. Also check out their calendar for all kinds of fun events and story times they host.
  Summer Reading Programs – they put on a lot of different programs for all ages all summer long, check the full calendar here and don’t forget to sign your child up for the summer reading to earn prizes!
  Story Times – check out the link for locations and times, too many to list.
  Babies – Birth to 24 months, accompanied by an adult. Program length is 20-60 minutes. Join in with your child and enjoy books, action rhymes, knee bounces, songs and more.
  Toddlers – Ages 2-3, accompanied by an adult. Program length is 20-30 minutes. Enjoy simple picture books, songs, fingerplays and movement games.
  Preschoolers – Ages 3-6. Program length is 30 to 60 minutes. Stories, art activities, rhymes, singing and fingerplays are followed by a learning filled playtime for children and caregivers.
  Family/Bilingual – For families with preschool age children. Program length is 30 minutes. Pajamas may be worn to evening story times. Bilingual story times are offered in Spanish and English.
• Defy Trampoline – they have a special jump time for ages 6 and under Monday-Saturday 9-10am $11 and an adult gets to go in free with paying child.
• Odyssey 1 – they have a playground and a designated area for younger ones. They have a preschool deal where you get a pizza, drink and all day play for under $10
• The Curious Bear & Toy Shop – check out there calendar for story times they have at the store that’s completely free and open to the public.

° Play to Learn is a free program for children and their adults to play and learn together. Drop in so no registration is required, 22 different locations. You can find the winter program schedule below or on their site, be sure to check their website for any date changes but I will try to update the list.

MONDAYS
September 23,30 | October 7, 21, 28 | November 4, 18 | December 2, 9

Madison Complex | 10 a.m.
3101 S. 43rd Street, Tacoma, WA 98409
Key Peninsula Civic Center | 9:30 a.m.
17010 S. Vaughn Road, Vaughn, WA 98394
South Hill Library | 1:30 p.m.
15420 Meridian East, Puyallup, WA 98375

TUESDAYS
September 24 | October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 | November *5, 12, 19 | December 3, 10

Puyallup Public Library | 9:30 a.m.
324 South Meridian, Puyallup, WA 98371
*No class November 5
Inclusive Circle Time Only at the Children’s Museum of Tacoma | 10 a.m.
Instruction in American Sign Language and English
Sumner Pierce County Library | 1:30 p.m.
1116 Fryar Ave, Sumner, WA 98390
Salishan Family Investment Center | 4:30 p.m.
1724 East 44th Street, Tacoma, WA 98404

WEDNESDAYS
September 25 | October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 | November *6, 13, 20 | December 4, 11

Parkland/Spanaway Library | 10 a.m.
13718 Pacific Ave S., Parkland, WA 98444
Eastside Community Center | 9:30 a.m.
1721 E 56th St., Tacoma, WA 98404
*No class on November 6
Graham Library | 1:30 p.m.
9202 224th Street E., Graham, WA 98338

Wednesday classes on Joint Base Lewis McChord.
Escape Zone | 10 a.m.
841 Fairway Road, McChord Field
Raindrops and Rainbows | 1:30 p.m.
8197 American Lake Drive, Lewis North

THURSDAYS
September 26 | October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 | November 7 ,14, 21 | December 5, 12

Lakewood Library | 10 a.m.
6300 Wildaire Rd. SW., Lakewood, WA 98499
Bay Terrace Community Center | 10 a.m.
2550 S. G St. Tacoma, WA 98405
Milton/Edgewood Pierce County Library | 1:30 p.m.
900 Meridian E., Suite 29, Milton, WA 98354

FRIDAYS
September 27 | October 4, 11, 18, 25 | November 1, 8, *15, 22 | December 6, *13

Asia Pacific Cultural Center | 10 a.m.
4851 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98409
Key Peninsula Civic Center | 9:30 a.m.
17010 S. Vaughn Road, Vaughn, WA 98394
*No Class at Key Peninsula on November 15 and December 13
Prairie Ridge Recreation Hall | 10 a.m.
14205 215th Ave. E, Bonney Lake, WA, 98391

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