Labor Day weekend marks the completion of summer for many Olympia-area families. Sure, beautiful weather continues well into September. (Doesn’t it seem to be the highest summer temperatures during the first week of school?) But, schedules are re-written on Tuesday, post-Labor Day.
With an extra day off, you can skip the routine of errands, grocery shopping, and house cleaning. Instead, grab the family or entertain out-of-town visitors for a “last hurrah” of summer.
Use this guide for family-friendly activities in Thurston County during Labor Day weekend. Plenty of these ideas are things you can do year-round, but we’re summarizing ideas into a quick reference guide. Open it up again to plan future weekend activities.
Wind Up at the Park
What kid doesn’t love the opportunity to play with toys and games in the park? And, what parents doesn’t love the price tag of free! “Wind Up Here and Alpine Experience will be frolicking in the field with lots of activities and games for all ages to enjoy,” says Brekke of Wind Up Here. Swing by Sylvester Park on Friday between 4:30 – 7:00 pm and set your kids loose with free games and activities.
Blow bubbles. Draw with chalk. Play with launching and target toys. Strategize with a giant game of chess. Bounce a ball in foursquare. Great outdoor fun!
Olympia Harbor Days
A complete write-up of the weekend activities can be found here. But, a quick summary for parents – pick a time block during Labor Day weekend, beginning on Friday at 5:00 pm and head over to Percival Landing.
Harbor Days is an annual tradition in downtown Olympia during Labor Day weekend. The annual event celebrates maritime heritage and tugboats. The popular Harbor Days Tugboat Races hit the water at noon on Sunday.
Families will enjoy the ample activities along Percival Landing. While visiting the area, check out the Percival Plinth project – an opportunity for the community to select their favorite sculpture. While voting ends on Friday, you can still stroll along the boardwalk and admire the artwork. More information about Percival Landing and the sculpture project, can be found by clicking here.
Summer Shoreline Walk
If your family prefers outside activities, join a leisurely 1.5 mile walk through downtown Olympia. The free walk, led by trained volunteer docents begins promptly at 10:00 am on Saturday at the 4th Avenue Bridge, near Bayview Thriftway. The loop takes about one hour.
Olympia Waterfront Public Art Tour
If you miss the shoreline tour, or your education preference leans towards art rather than sea life, join a free guided tour along Olympia’s waterfront. The tour leaves at 11:00 am on Saturday from the bell in front of the Olympia Farmer’s Market. Docents educate travelers (and locals!) about public art in the downtown core. Tours last approximately one hour and return to the Farmers Market, a great place to grab local produce. Visit this link to learn more about some of the farmers selling produce at the Olympia Farmers Market.
Spend The Day In Downtown Olympia
After a walk, grab a picnic lunch from Bayview Thriftway and take it to a nearby Olympia park. Alternatively, pull up a chair in the store’s deli and enjoy the expansive view. Following lunch, take a spin around Capitol Lake. The flat path is perfect for trikes, strollers, and walking feet. Work up your appetite to visit one of Olympia’s delicious ice cream shops.
Make Olympia Street Market
Local craftspeople join together to create a street market that rivals any major city. Swing by the Artesian Well (located at 415 – 4th Ave E in downtown Olympia) on Saturday between 11:00 am – 5:00 pm. The small market gives shoppers a chance to meet vendors, ask questions and learn about the vendor’s passion. Sellers also appreciate collecting feedback from customers. The convenient location, and focus on shopping local, benefits all in the community.
East Bay Public Plaza
Take this chance, before the weather turns for good, to visit the outdoor space titled East Bay Public Plaza. Located directly in front of the New Hands On Children’s Museum, the public space has quickly become a favorite for families. Kids (of all ages!) dip their toes in the trickling stream. Locate beautiful bronze sculptures and view mosaics centered around water. Educate your children about where drinking water comes from and how we can all protect our water sources. For more information about the East Bay Public Plaza, click here.
Hand On Children’s Museum – last weekend at the current location
When the Museum closes for the night on Monday, the crew starts packing up for the big move to the new location. Still, there is plenty of fun happening at the current site over Labor Day weekend, including an extra activity in the art studio for guests. On Saturday, visitors have the opportunity to make Monkey Hats from 10:30 am – 2:30 pm. And, on Sunday, Funny Face Necklaces from 12:30 – 3:30 pm. Wing Wands will be the craft project on Monday. Stop by and say goodbye! The next time your kids play at the Museum will be in November at the beautiful new space.
ThurstonTalk’s Activities section is jam packed with more ideas to entertain your family and friends over Labor Day weekend. Take a peak at articles about kayaking, paddle boarding, cycling, camping, and all sorts of other topics related to enjoying the outdoor spaces around Olympia.
For Olympia area kids, Labor Day weekend may mark the (un)official end to summer, but it doesn’t have to be the end of family fun. Save dollars in your pocketbook for school supplies and enjoy any of the above, free activities, during Labor Day weekend.
Thrifty Thurston highlights inexpensive family fun in Thurston County. The weekly series focuses on family-friendly activities throughout our community. If you have a suggestion for a post, send us a note at submit@thurstontalk.com. For more events and to learn what’s happening in Olympia and the surrounding area, click here.
