I don't often find myself in Olympia but when I do and I have the family in tow, then this is it!…read moreThis is the family friendly, rain or shine you're going to want to visit. The Museum is quite large with both indoor and outdoor space. There's a cafe area with food and drinks. I was quite impressed about the amount of activities to do from crafts, to science projects to all sorts of ways to flex your creative muscles. This was quite the experience and bonus points for all the seating for adults. I can't wait to come pack!

I was told Hands On Children's Museum is a must do with kids and I'm glad we finally got here…read morebefore we move back east. I think we spent close to 5 hours here and my kids would of stayed longer but I had a few stops to make and saw their was going to be some traffic going home so decided it was time to go. There 2 floors and a decent size outdoor area. It was rainy when we went but that didn't stop by kids from checking out the outdoor area. The art lab was huge. There were so many things to check out my kids were so engaged and didn't want to leave.

If you are looking for a dance studio with a positive learning environment, South Sound Dance is my…read morego-to studio recommendation. Experienced and knowledgeable staff offer a wide variety of dance classes for all ages and levels. As a mature (and I mean mature) adult with two left feet and zero prior dance experience, I moved out of my comfort zone and purchased pair of ballet shoes. No tutu yet but I am enjoying the exercise and comradery I found at South Sound Dance. Each class is an enjoyable learning experience.

Oh My Goodness!! I cannot say enough about this place!…read moreFrom the first time I "enquired" about this business they were PROMPT, not pushy. Persistent but not pushy. Thorough without being annoying. A+ on info and reaching out to answer your questions and encourage you to "try on" a class before you commit. I was new to the area and thought it might be a fun way to establish a routine. As an adult with grown children I wouldn't have thought the dance studio that was a family kind of thing would have been a place for me to thrive as an adult. I'm not competitive and wanted a reason to exercise. I've found a family type of environment, a fun way to exercise with out the pressure to be more than you are (or want to be)... the folks that work here are professionals that welcome any level, positive and encouraging. At 55 I'm having the best time! Thank you SSD!

I visited the Nisqually Reach Nature Center for the first time yesterday. The nature center is…read moreinside a large house. Piles of wet shoes lay outside the entry way. There were tanks filled with sea stars, crabs, and fish on display. A different tank housed a representation of a mud flat. Microscopes lined the perimeter on the inside of the building. Several children were peering into them shouting excitedly that "I saw this HUGE plankton!" "Look at THIS!" After I went outside and sat on the fishing dock, adult volunteers at the Nisqually Reach Nature Center took a group of children to the beach to explore. The volunteer staff at the nature center are excellent with kids. Their strong voices can be heard from a distance giving clear, fun instructions to their charges. I heard later from one staff member the kids were attending a summer camp. I didn't have a lot of time to spend at the nature center yesterday, so I will definitely be back! It's a nice area that has a surprising amount of great blue herons and even more seals. Keep in mind: This is a Discover Pass area. You will need a Discover Pass to park here.

I haven't visited the actual building, I visit the beach at least twice a week to take my dogs for…read morea walk near the beach and play. Great parking area for trailers and visitors, loading ramp for your boat, and nice starting point for kayaking near the nisqually delta...watch for the tide. No issues if you are taking the dog off leash, as long they are not near to the state park, plenty of room to play.

The parking is HORRIBLE pretty much all the time! On a very busy road and it makes it very…read moredifficult to get in or out.

as a mother that had postpartum depression the level of worry i had with sending my son to…read more"daycare" was so high. i was mess and this story starts before covid. I was crying dropping my son off with what felt like strange that is now our extended family. I was having a hard time Ms Angel, and Ms Beth along with all the magical caring staff members cared and helped even if it was a hug and talking time to bond with and my son to put me at easy! okay now let's talk about the butterfly room! My son comes home everyday with a story and a new dance long with a new skill! it brings me to tears how much they have done for our family! ms Marina is incredible and i'm so thankful to have them!

7 year old class instructor did not demonstrate even one skill. Allowed the 5 girls in her class…read moreto stand around, talk, play rock, paper, scissors. No instruction or organization. Waste of time and money.

We were at Black Hills for about a year. I have a 7 year old who has been doing gymnastics for four…read moreyears and a 5 year old who started and stopped gymnastics at Black Hills. On the good side, Maddie at the front desk is overworked but a wonderful and hardworking person. Also, it seems clear to me they are fostering incredible talent with young people. The level of skill for the kids who get attention is impressive. My 7 year old was accepted into Xcel prep team. She made a close friend and really found a passion for bars. Over summer, Coach Conner said she was lacking in focus. Most of the kids were out for the summer. My daughter was camping and attending art, math and sailing camps. Her world view was broadening. Also, I was kind of transient at the time and waiting for my apartment to come through. Our routine was disrupted. While she was happy, she maybe fell out of love with gymnastics for the summer. I thought about my run with soccer as a little girl and I fell in and out of love with it, but was still committed for over a decade. I think that alone is a valuable lesson. Coach C and I set up a system where I knew if she gave 100% during practice and would get her a treat if she did. She refocused but I think Black Hills gave up on her before the fall session. She was separated from her close friend and spent four hours a week doing stretches and beams. She didn't learn new skills and never returned to the bars she loved so much. Coach Conner stayed with a group of more focused children and a wonderful and kind young woman took over with my daughter's new group. My daughter became bored and restless. Her love of gymnastics dipped further than before. First, my youngest asked to take a break from gymnastics (I just don't think it's her thing). Then my oldest asked to take a break. I was terrified her love for gymnastics was forever altered. I asked her to talk to her coach. While young people make great coaches, they don't always know how to inspire the way perhaps an older coach might. The coach kinda shrugged her shoulders and told me my daughter wanted to try other sports. I was hoping maybe my daughter would get more encouragement. Anyway, eventually she asked to try another gym. I think that is the right choice. We had such a positive experience at the gym in Kirkland, I am sorry to see her love and enthusiasm dip. It is a life lesson though! The guest wifi doesn't work most of the time which can result in the commiseration of bored parents in the parking lot. My personal hell is the little room with the cubbies when classes transition. There are so many people and no personal space. I think if your child is ordained by the coaches, it could be an intense but enriching experience. My child, however, doesn't deserve to be left on the sidelines. And not for the same cost in tuition.

USMAC is a great activity for kids! My son loves the tumwater location. He has a blast and I love…read morethat they are teaching respect and to listen to adults!

At this exceptional taekwondo academy, my kids discover new skills, build confidence, and have a…read moreblast, making it an integral part of their weekly routine.