Spring is finally in the air. It’s apparent in the Pacific Northwest with our abundant cherry blossoms and each day we gain more and more sunlight. I don’t know about you, but I am ready for more sunshine! Spring is also a time of change, something our military kids are well accustomed to.

As April is Month of the Military Child, we want to take time to honor the kids who sacrifice right alongside their service member parent/s.

As a mother of two military kiddos, I have seen the sacrifice they have made with repeated moves and missing their parent during deployments, separations and trainings.

These military kids are tough cookies. They are made to be resilient in the face of sacrifice and adversity, and usually do it all with a smile on their face. They are the first to step into a new school and make new friends.

Overcome and adapt; these are the skills military children learn from the get-go. Frequent moves and disruption to schedule. These are the things military children grow to expect. And yet, against the odds, they thrive. These kids deserve to be celebrated for their courage and strength.

In honor of Month of the Military Child, here are some of our favorite spots in and around the JBLM area to get out and about with your kiddos!

Kids Club at Cheney Stadium

If you have not yet been to a Tacoma Rainier’s baseball game…it’s time to grab your baseball hat and head on out! April kicks off baseball season around the nation and the Tacoma Rainiers know how to go BIG! You will find that the Tacoma Rainiers offers many family-friendly themed games, including youth night with discounted tickets, fireworks Every Friday game (and they are amazing), a $10 Kids Club that includes 4 free baseball game tickets (yes, you read that right), a hat, baseball bag and coupons! The Rainiers also love our military and host an Armed Forces night to honor our nation’s finest! In addition to that, there is a special USO Luxury Suite overlooking the field that holds 40 people and is perfect for unit events. Not only that, there is a green space to watch the game from a picnic blanket as well as a kid’s gated playground right by the field for families with littles to play safely while you watch the game! It doesn’t get much better than that! See you there!  www.wertacoma.com/kids-club/

Craft Theory

Craft Theory is a fantastic creative community studio and retail shop located in Lakewood. Owner Meredith Russell offers a range of art classes sure to spark creativity in all age groups. This local hot spot offers family-friendly classes, birthday party and other event hosting, summer camp programs, and a gift shop section that includes bring-home DIY kits and other unique finds!  www.craft-theory.com

Children's Museum at JBLM

BIG NEWS! Downtown Tacoma’s Children’s Museum expanded this past year to open a first-of-its-kind children’s museum on a U.S. military installation in the world! This museum focuses on supporting children’s growth through hands-on exploration and exciting exhibits. You will find water stations, a climbing structure, quiet sensory room and more! It’s all indoors to keep the kids safe and shielded from the rain, and the best part is that it’s all FREE! It’s donation based! Check it out on Fridays for the Play-to-Learn program for early learners! All kids love it there, including my own! www.playJBLM.org

Sunnyside Beach Park

Steilacoom is a quaint little town on the Puget Sound with incredible views! Sunnyside Beach Park is a fantastic park right on the water with multiple playgrounds, direct beach access (with sand…which if you’re familiar with Washington beaches you’ll know how rare that is), and various covered pavilions for event rental space. There’s also a beach volleyball sand pit, and for kiddos who like trains, the train tracks idle the park. Wave as the Amtrak goes by! On a nice day, grab a picnic blanket and lawn games and head there! 2509 Chambers Creek Rd Steilacoom, WA https://townofsteilacoom.org/264/Sunnyside-Beach

Fort Steilacoom Park

You can’t miss this huge park…as it looks like a wooden castle! The kids will love the tire swing, wooden play structures and many hideaways to play in. You’ll find kids kicking around a soccer ball on the fields or flying kites. There’s a nice walking trail around the park so bring scooters and bikes. And if you have a pup, there’s an off-leash dog park with separate sections for large breed dogs and small breeds. https://townofsteilacoom.org/264/Sunnyside-Beach 8714 87th Ave SW Lakewood, WA

The Science Dome at Pierce College

Did you know there’s a planetarium in Steilacoom offering kid-centered shows with activities? You can purchase discounted tickets straight from the website. Enjoy a full dome movie where kids are invited to lay on the ground up front for a full view of the show! Explore the solar system and beyond at the Science Dome! Public shows are every Friday and Saturday and include a live sky talk and a full dome video. www.pierce.ctc.edu/science-dom

With these recommendations, your Spring season is sure to be action-packed and full of adventure!

If your family plans to partake in any of our suggestions, we’d love for you to share your adventures with us!

1. Make sure you have the BaseHubs app downloaded.
2. Snap a picture of your family or surrounding!
3. Tag us on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/BaseHubs/ )/Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/basehubs/ ) with #BaseHubsExplores
4. Lastly, be sure to write a review about your experience on the BaseHubs app!

Got more kid-friendly Spring activities? Shoot us a message on Facebook or email us at info@basehubs.com about your recommendation for a chance to be featured on our community-curated “Best-of Spring Activities” post!

We hope you have a blast and we’re so excited to see your adventures and explore more in the coming months with you!

Happy Exploring from the BaseHubs team!