Families looking for a free indoor activity this August have a full calendar waiting at the WET Science Center in downtown Olympia, where themed Saturday programming runs all month alongside outdoor Bubble Festival pop-ups at the East Bay Public Plaza.
Communications Manager Colleen Keltz said the team has planned a different hands-on theme for each Saturday in August: Fractals on Aug. 8, the returning Sharkapalooza on Aug. 15,
Build It Better on Aug. 22, and Nancy Drew Detectives on Aug. 29, featuring codes, secret messages, and puzzles.
Two Friday events round out the schedule. On Aug. 7 and Aug. 21, staff will set up at the East Bay Public Plaza's wading stream for the Bubble Festival, according to ThurstonTalk. The plaza's stream is fed by Class A reclaimed water.
"This popular event always makes the plaza even more fun — because who doesn't love bubbles? We will have all different types of bubble activities to explore," Keltz said.
The WET Science Center will also appear at the Hands On Children's Museum's First Friday Night event on Aug. 7 and will staff a booth at the free Festival of the Stəčəs at Heritage Park on Friday, Aug. 14, from noon to 4 p.m.
Every visit includes coloring and activity sheets tied to the day's theme, and kids can take home a free Liquid Awesome Activity Book.
Volunteers wanted
The center is recruiting for its Water Squad volunteer program. No experience is required. Volunteers help run family crafts, staff special events, and assemble giveaway items, with training provided by center educators.
Jacob Davidson, a Water Squad volunteer who joined after moving to the Olympia area, described a recent Monster Lab Saturday: "Construction paper and cardboard boxes scattered everywhere, it was a sight to behold. Every person was so creative and a few parents' enthusiasm eclipsed that of their children's."
Applications are available at wetsciencecenter.org/volunteer.
Group visits and what's ahead
Summer camps, homeschool organizations, and other groups are welcome but should contact the center in advance at [email protected] or 360-664-2333. Keltz noted the center can accommodate groups that need to shift plans due to weather or air quality.
The center, operated by the LOTT Clean Water Alliance at 500 Adams St. NE, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with no admission charge.
Looking ahead, the center will host Magnificent Microbes + Tour on Saturday, Sept. 19, starting at 1:30 p.m. That event is for ages 10 and up, requires closed-toe and closed-heel shoes, and needs no pre-registration.
