Arts & Entertainment Community

Introducing Two in Tow’s Kid Picks

Arts & Entertainment Sponsor

Arts & Entertainment stories are made possible in part by the Gig Harbor Film Festival, a proud sponsor of Gig Harbor Now.

🎉  Today I’m introducing: Two in Tow’s Kid Picks! 🎉  

This new feature flips the script on my regular column where I recap cool places I’ve taken the kids in and around Gig Harbor. Instead of writing about where we’ve gone, Kid Picks shares a curated roundup of the coolest-sounding events in the kid niche before they happen. So you can go, too. These listings will even contain many of the same standout events I’ve scouted for our own weekend plans —listings that made me pause and think, “Oooh, that looks fun!”

And, while we might not make it to all – or even some of them (there’s only so much time — and coffee!) – I don’t want you to miss out on anything with your kids or grandkids just because we couldn’t go to cover it.

A little background on this topic: you’ll often find me on the hunt for things to do with Clara and Wyatt — whether it’s for the column or just to shake off the stir-crazy of being stuck inside the house. That search often turns into a printed “top picks” list the kids use to choose their weekend adventures in a visual way. Then those lists get tossed. Such a waste, right? I’d much rather share them with you guys.

Expect quirky storytimes, hands-on museum days, cool classes, and can’t-miss outdoor fun — all within about a 45-mile radius of Gig Harbor. I venture out a little farther for planned outings — since the distance is just enough to keep things fresh without needing a whole road trip scenario to make it happen. I love this approach to adventuring because it usually brings us to new South Sound spots haven’t visited before.

So keep an eye out for new editions of Kid Picks! in the coming months. And here’s to more great family adventures:

Jordan World Circus  

📅 When: Friday, March 28 at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 29 at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; and Sunday, March 30 at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Each show is 90 minutes. Doors open 1 hour before showtime.

High-flying fun is coming to the Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This traveling circus, which hails from Las Vegas, promises aerial acts, clowns, glittering stunts and general circus celebrations before packing up and heading to Oregon. 

📍Where: Puyallup

Cost/Tickets: $20/adult; $10/child (ages 3–12); or $34.99 for a “Family 5 Pack” that’s for sale online only, but not available on the day of the show. Kids age 2 and younger are free. 

💡TIP: On Wednesday, March 26, I found a small flyer on display at the cash register at Thai Hut, 4116 Harborview Drive. The flyer is labeled as a Jordan World Circus “Free Child Pass” and admits one child age 12 or younger for free with one paid adult ticket. It might be worth a little lunchtime visit to the Thai restaurant to see if they still have passes before you go! Being a gluten-free person, I’m happy to report that Thai Hut has gluten free options 🙂

Skate Key Peninsula Civic Center

When: 📅  Friday, March 28, 2025;  6 – 7 p.m. for kids in grades K-3; and 7 to 9 p.m. for kids in grades K-8

Skating, music, games, food, and fun. Skate Night at the Key Peninsula Civic Center is a longstanding tradition for local kids. Geared for elementary through middle school aged children, Skate Night is hosted every Friday night from September to June. The venue follows the Peninsula School District’s schedule of holidays and breaks. Families are welcome. Once children are in the building, they can’t exit without a parent or guardian.

📍Location: 17010 S. Vaughn Road NW, Key Center
Cost: $6 with skate rentals included, cash only; adults are free when accompanied by a participating child.

Historic Fort Steilacoom’s Living History Swap Meet

📅When: Saturday, March 29, 2025

🕰 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

For sale will be historic clothing, military gear, period accessories, crafting supplies, vintage tools, books, and more. Whether you’re a re-enactor, history buff, or just love unique finds, there will be something for everyone there. Highlights include Civil War-era items, WWII uniforms, vintage sewing machines, period shoes, trade beads, and living history props. Members of the 20th Maine (the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Co. G.) will be there doing Civil War demonstrations and answering questions.

📍Where: Fort Steilacoom, 9601 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W., Lakewood

Cost: Entrance to the event is free for shoppers. All proceeds support the Historic Fort Steilacoom Association, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the fort’s four original 1857-8 buildings.

Planetary Explorers: Children’s Planetarium Show at the Pierce College Science Dome

💡TIP: The planetarium show makes the room dark, so it’s not recommended for children younger than 3 years old.

RELATED >>> Read Meet Roomba, Harbor Wild Watch’s new Pacific red octopus article in Gig Harbor Now’s Jan. 15, 2025 edition.

Historic Fort Steilacoom’s Living History Swap Meet

📅When:  Saturday, March 29, 2025

🕰 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

For sale will be historic clothing, military gear, period accessories, crafting supplies, vintage tools, books, and more. Whether you’re a re-enactor, history buff, or just love unique finds, there will be something for everyone there. Highlights include Civil War-era items, WWII uniforms, vintage sewing machines, period shoes, trade beads, and living history props. Members of the 20th Maine (the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Co. G.) will be there doing Civil War demonstrations and answering questions.

📍Where: Fort Steilacoom, 9601 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W., Lakewood

Cost: Entrance to the event is free for shoppers. All proceeds support the Historic Fort Steilacoom Association, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the fort’s four original 1857-8 buildings.

Pierce County Library’s Poetry Walk 

📅 When: Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Celebrate National Poetry Month with a stroll along Spire Rock trail by the Bresemann Forest in Parkland. The trail will be outfitted with poetry signs that pay tribute to poets from around the world. The poems featured are from “Out of Wonder” by Kwame Alexander. Suitable for all ages.

🕰: This is an all-day event, planned within the park’s day use hours detailed here

📍 Location: This event takes place along the Spire Rock trail at Bresemann Forest, 521 Military Road South. Enter the forest through the gate on the west side of the Sprinker Recreation Center parking lot near Spire Rock.

RELATED >>> Make sure to check out Gig Harbor Now’s Calendar to see all local events

Harbor WildWatch Feeding Frenzy

Roomba, Harbor WildWatch’s new Pacific red octopus, will live in a small tank at the Marine Life Center for now. When she grows a little bigger she will be transferred to a larger tank in the center, and staff hope to have her there until she shows signs that she is ready to lay eggs. Photo courtesy of Rachel Easton, education director for HWW.

📅 When: 30-minute sessions every Wednesday to Sunday

Harbor WildWatch aquarists (the folks who care for aquatic animals in captivity) showcase their animals’ daily feeding sesh inside the Marine Life Center on Gig Harbor’s downtown waterfront. And apparently, it’s quite entertaining to boot! Organizers say their hermit crabs scramble for the snacks while the shiny oval surfperch fish race to grab a bite. The group’s octopus may even make a showing.

🕰: 4 to 4:30 p.m.

📍Where: Harbor WildWatch’s Marine Life Center, 3207 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor

Cost: Free; with no RSVP required; but donations are welcome

Note: The event listing says Feeding Frenzy is not a drop-off program, and all children must be supervised by an adult

Planetary Explorers: Children’s Planetarium Show at the Pierce College Science Dome

💡TIP: The planetarium show makes the room dark, so it’s not recommended for children younger than 3 years old.

RELATED >>> Check out the two Skate Night time slots here and here in the Gig Harbor Now Events Calendar.

See ya out there!

– Tonya Strickland

@two.n.tow