For additional information about all of our programs, contact Crystal Smith at csmith@playtacoma.org or 253.627.6031 ext 221.

Click here to download our Summer Program Quarterly Flier

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Paint to Learn

What happens when art and math collide? Join us for a session of Paint to Learn for a creative exploration of math concepts and a time of bonding with your child through the artistic process. Enjoy 30 minutes of play time in the Museum before the painting event. Light snacks and beverages will be provided. Each person will go home with a one of a kind work of art!

Paint to Learn is provided in partnership with KBTC, Tacoma Public Schools, Project Child Success, Childcare Resources, Pierce County Library, and Boeing.

Registration is required. Please register for July 19 here, and August 16 here.

Who: Children ages 2-5 and their adult
When: Thursday, July 19th 4:30 pm - Shapes
Thursday, August 16th 4:30 pm -Numbers
Where: Children's Museum of Tacoma
Cost: Pay as You Will admission

Tuesday Play Days

Every Tuesday morning from 10 - 11:30 a.m.

The Museum is open every Tuesday morning* exclusively for families with children who have special needs. This family program is drop in, with no reservation required. Admission is Pay As You Will. For more information, contact Miranda Owen at mowen@playtacoma.org or 253.627.6031 ext. 228.

Watch Northwest Now on KBTC and learn more about the program.

Daily & Weekly Activities

STEAM Activity

Children of all ages and abilities will be able to explore these science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics activities lead by a PlayGuide.
Daily at 11 a.m.

Bubble Time
PlayGuides will lead bubble play just outside the museum's main entrance at 1 p.m. daily. 

Art Activity

Join us for an art activity in the Museum that celebrates your creativity!
Daily 3 - 4 p.m.

Museum Fun Days

While every day at the Children’s Museum is fun and engaging, join us as we celebrate whimsical national holidays, layering a silly invitation to your playful experience.

These events are available during regular Children’s Museum of Tacoma hours. This program is Pay As You Will admission.

July 18-24 – National Parents Day

We celebrate the parent's or special adults in your life by creating a one of a kind card, designed and printed by you.

August 1-7 – International Day of Friendship

Make a play date with a friend to come down to the Children’s Museum and create a friendship necklace in Becka’s Studio! The International Day of Friendship was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.

September 17-24 – International Dot Day

A favorite children’s book among our staff and beloved by children around the world, The Dot tells the story of Vashti, a girl who begins a journey of self-discovery after her teacher challenges her to make her mark. Join us for International Dot Day, celebrated annually on September 15-ish, as we create collaborative dot inspired artwork, and read the story every hour, and possibly even wear dotted clothes.

Exceptional Families Parent Workshops

Exceptional Families will return this October!

PBS Play Date

Second Saturday of each month from 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Join us as we partner with KBTC each month for fun and learning around a selected PBS Kids television show. This is a free, drop in program. Costumed characters do not make an appearance during this program.

*PBS Play Date programs are presented in partnership with KBTC and are funded by a Ready To Learn grant (PR/AWARD No. U295A100025, CFDA No. 84.295A) provided by the Department of Education to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Programs in association with KBTC are FREE to all participants. The PBS KIDS logo is a registered mark of PBS and is used with permission.

Upcoming Themes:

July 14 - Odd Squad
August 11 - Wild Kratts
September 22 - Daniel Tiger
October 13 - Curious George

HopeSparks: Relatives Raising Children Group

Upcoming Dates: July 11 | August 1 | September 5

Times: 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Come meet other caregivers who are raising relative children not theirs by birth. Share a snack, learn about resources, talk about challenges and opportunities while the kids play at the Children’s Museum of Tacoma.

Kinship Caregivers include grandparents, aunts & uncles, siblings, cousins, godparents, stepparents, and fictive kin.

For more information or to register please call Rosalyn Alber 253-565-4484

Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence:
Caregiver Continuing Education

Upcoming Dates:

July 26 - I-LABS 2: Why the First 2,000 Days Matter: A Look Inside the Brain

August 23 - I-LABS 3: The Importance of Early Interactions

September 27 - I-LABS 4: The Power of Learning Through Imitation

Times: 6 - 8 p.m. The trainings will be one hour in duration followed by one hour of support group.

All children deserve the best start in life and new scientific discoveries deepen our understanding of how to create the best environments for children. The Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences at the University of Washington (I-LABS) is an interdisciplinary center dedicated to discovering the fundamental principles of human learning, with a special emphasis on early learning and brain development.

The Children’s Museum of Tacoma is excited to partner with the Alliance and I-LABS in order to offer training modules to caregivers and provide childcare during the trainings at the museum. Each I-LABS module explores a particular topic in child development, such as brain development, language acquisition, or imitation. Modules share evidence-based information about how young children learn. The modules are useful for understanding everyday interactions with children and cover a variety of relevant topics such as a child’s first days, early interactions, learning, emotions, language, attachment, temperament, race and equality, music, literacy and more.

Limited child care is available for children 3-12. Registration is required. Stalls 1-10 adjacent to museum can be used if vacant, otherwise, use street parking. Signs will be posted directing you to the training room. Feel free to bring a meal or other refreshments.

For more information or to request the childcare paperwork please contact Stephanie Rodrigues at 206-321-1721 or steph75@uw.edu.

In Becka's Studio

Steam Studio

Ongoing in Studio B
Within the STEAM Studio visitors are invited to make, tinker, and create. Hoppers brim with recycled materials and workstations are equipped with authentic tools. Children and adults playfully engage in designing, engineering, and building as they bring a plan into 3-D form. Start with a blueprint, or create a plan of your own. Collect all of the needed materials and tools and set to work. Experimenting and problem solving skills will be honed as curious builders imagine materials in a new light and envision sequential steps to complete their project.

To ensure that our material hoppers are brimming with creative potential, we need your help to save and bring in the following recycled materials mentioned above! You are welcome to place them in the donation hopper located in the Museum's Lobby.

Shapes!

Now - September 2
Experience shapes both abstract and geometric in Becka’s Studio. Use colorful shapes to build a three-dimensional sculpture. Try launching paint at a wall to create unique abstract splatter shapes. Assemble geometric shapes together to create an entirely new shape. What will you create with shapes this summer?