It can be tricky finding things to keep the whole family cool and entertained during the dog days of summer. Especially if you want to combat summer brain drain and infuse that activity with educational, creative or hands-on components.
Thankfully, downtown Olympia’s WET Science Center is a free water-themed learning space with exhibits, displays, games and activities for visitors of all ages. Check out their July offerings and fill up your summer calendar today.
Hands On Summer Fun for All Ages at The WET Science Center
Colleen Keltz is Communications Manager with LOTT Clean Water Alliance. Keltz says that families can find plenty of activities for July and beyond in a variety of ways. The Center maintains a monthly event calendar, provides quarterly newsletters via email or print and frequently updates both their Facebook and Instagram profiles.
Keltz explains that The WET Science Center “is a small, interactive science museum all about water. We are run by LOTT Clean Water Alliance, the wastewater utility for the area. We have exhibits appropriate for toddlers all the way up to adults, and there’s even a scavenger hunt with prizes.”
Visting the Center and attending their events is always free and no RSVP is required. The majority of activities are open to all ages, but if there is an age limit it will be clearly stated, says Keltz.
The WET Science Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. but they try to make sure Saturdays are extra special for everyone with themed events. Keltz says this may include crafting, games, sensory activities or even a recent fan-favorite Native Plant Tea Party.
Free Events Like Boat Building, Board Games and Water Birding Await in Downtown Olympia
With activities all year round, The WET Science Center is your go-to spot for fun and learning.
Consider starting your adventures with one of the museum’s informational indoor exhibits like a giant calculator which can add up how much water you use each day. From there, build a reclaimed water pipeline or map your favorite locations to see where they fall on the water treatment cycle.
On July 11, the Center hosts Wonderful Water Birds, a presentation and crafting workshop lead by the South Sound Bird Alliance. Families can experiment with bird beaks, build a beach nest and make crafts to learn about different water birds.
July 18 is Board Game Day from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. But these aren’t your normal board games! Navigate a water drop through a pipe maze, play a game of chance in the sewers or build a tumbling tower of poop (don’t worry, it’s not real).
The City of Olympia Park Stewardship program helps visitors make a bug hotel during the Busy Bugs event on July 25 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Using recycled materials, you can make and take a bug hotel and learn all the ways our flying, creeping and crawling friends help out.
Then head outside to the interactive, water-themed East Bay Public Plaza, with its iconic winding reclaimed water stream. The team has planned special Friday events for July 10 and 24 from noon until 3 p.m. there will be a Plaza Pop-Up to build boats and set them afloat. The Plaza itself is open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. everyday this summer. Follow their Facebook page for closures or other logistics.
Get WET and Splash Away Summer Brain Drain at The WET Science Center
Many events are hosted with community partners, like the Olympia Parks Department and South Sound Bird Alliance. They even recently welcomed OlyRobots “where they brought the robots they have designed and built, taught visitors about robotics and let visitors operate the robots,” says Keltz. “It was a big hit!”
If you can’t visit this summer, never fear. Keltz says they host a family-friendly event every Saturday, year-round (holidays excluded) with a selection of crafts, games and activities based on a unifying theme. That topic changes every Saturday so there’s always something new to explore.
The Center also offers quarterly public tours of the wastewater treatment plant for ages 10+ and in the summer East Bay Public Plaza is a continual draw. “We are very proud to be able to provide a safe and fun place for anyone to play in the water and see firsthand how incredible reclaimed water is,” says Keltz. “Catch us in the summer at one of our Friday Plaza Pop-Up events—like boat building and bubble parties—bringing you additional fun, free activities right in the Plaza.”
Local students are hosted for field trips from many regional schools and Keltz estimates that they welcome 3,000 each year.
Anyone 16+ can sign up to become a volunteer. The Water Squad helps with Saturday events and there are options galore. “This is a great opportunity for people who need volunteer hours or are interested in science communication, education and community service,” says Keltz.
The WET Science Center is located at 500 Adams Street NE in downtown Olympia, with a free parking lot for visitors on Thurston Ave. They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Reach out directly for information about group visits or their field trip programs. Contact their team with questions then head over for an afternoon of all-ages family fun with a lively splash of learning.
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