Below you will find a list of resources for parents, organized by category. St. Luke’s will make this information available online at www.stlukesfedway.org and will grow this listing as more resources are made available and more importantly, discovered! Please feel free to provide any additional resource material that you find handy to any of the Spring Training team today! Thank you!
DADS
www.fathersnetwork.org - Their mission is to celebrate and support fathers and families raising children with special health care needs and developmental disabilities.
http://seattle.parentzone.com/parentresources.asp?prid=110 - Small collection of web sites for new dad classes and contact info for several Dad’s groups.
www.fathers.com - The National Center for Fathering reaches dads with encouragement and practical tips on a daily basis through this website and a nationwide radio program.
www.theparentschool.com - Parenting support, classes and training!!
SOCIAL SERVICES
www.arcofkingcounty.org – The Arc of King County provides services and support to people with developmental disabilities and their families.
www.metrokc.gov - King County website listing numerous services.
www.lcsnw.org - Lutheran Community Services Northwest is a nonprofit human services agency serving communities throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/ - Washington State Department of Social and Heath Services
BUILDING YOUR CHILD’S CHARACTER
http://www.scouting.org/ - Boy Scouts of America
http://www.girlscouts.org/ - Girl Scouts of the USA
KING COUNTY PUBLIC/PRIVATE SCHOOLS
http://washington.publicschoolsreport.com/county/WA/King.html
http://washington.privateschoolsreport.com/county/WA/King.html
http://www.k12.wa.us - Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
http://washington.educationbug.org/private-schools/county-king.html
www.psesd.org - Puget Sound Educational Service Department
PIERCE COUNTY PUBLIC/PRIVATE SCHOOLS
http://schools.privateschoolsreport.com/county/WA/Pierce.html
HOMESCHOOLING
www.k12.wa.us/PrivateEd/HomeBasedEd/default.aspx
http://www.chossfamilies.org/index.html - Christian Homeschooler of South Sound
PEDIATRIANS/NATUROPATHS
www.seattle.com/pediatricians/business-directory/king-county-suburbs
https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/hpqa1/hps7/Naturopathy/licensure.htm
CHILD SAFETY
http://www.800bucklup.org - Car safety information
www.wa.gov/wsp/ - Washington State Patrol
http://www.nrahq.org/safety/eddie/ - Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program
www.safekids.com - Keeping the internet and technology safe and fun.
www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/grand/12steps/12steps.html - Making your home safe.
www.cpsc.gov - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission lists recalled items.
CHILDCARE
www.childcarenet.org - Childcare resources and referral network.
CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
http://chask.org/ - Christian Homes and Special Kids
http://www.nathhan.com - Christian Families Homeschooling Special Needs Children
www.cshcn.org/resources/Resourceguides.cfm - The Center for Children with Special Needs
COUPLES/PARENTS
www.familiesnorthwest.org - Families Northwest’s vision is to make the Northwest the world's premier place for healthy marriages, family life and children.
http://www.eharmony.com - Offers and online program to make your marriage stronger.
http://www.pepsgroup.org – Program for Early Parent Support, meets weekly in homes.
http://www.loveandlogic.com – Organization for helping raise responsible kids, offers seminars state to state.
www.stepfamily.org - Stepfamily Foundation
www.stepfamilies.info/ - National Stepfamily Resource Center
www.theparentschool.com - Parenting support, classes and training!
NEW MOTHERS
www.mops.org - Mothers of Preschoolers- children from birth to 6, meets at St. Luke’s and other churches.
www.stvincentparish.org/mothersandothers.htm - Mothers and Others program at St. Vincent.
www.pepsgroup.org - Program for Early Parent Support, weekly meetings at homes.
http://www.theparentschool.com/ - Parent support, classes and training!!
CHILDREN’S CONSIGNMENT SHOPS/THRIFT SHOPS
http://waystohelp.seattlechildrens.org/shopping/locations.asp - Children’s Hospital Sponsored stores- the closest is located in Kent.
www.ouac.com -Once Upon a Child – located in Tacoma
www.kidzkaboodle.com - Located in Tacoma
www.heavensentresale.com – Resale store located in Federal Way
FREE FAMILY EVENTS/PLACES TO GO
www.boehmscandies.com/catalog/tours.php - Chocolate store and factory.
www.snoqualmiefalls.com – Beautiful in the spring; fun for picnics all year!
http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=24 - Point Defiance and Five Mile Drive
www.childrensmuseumoftacoma.org – Visit free the first Friday of each month!
www.nwf.org/kids - National Wildlife Federation for kids
www.nwhiker.com – Hiking forum
www.parks.wa.gov – Washington state parks listing
www.metrokc.vog/parks/trails/parkspaces/parkmap.htm - Trail listings and parks
www.cityoffederalway.com – City of Federal Way
www.ci.auburn.wa.us/parks_arts_recreation.asp - City of Auburn Parks and Recreation
www.metroparkstacoma.org/ - Pierce County Parks and Recreation
www.kcls.org - Lists all free events at King County libraries.
www.piercecountylibrary.org - Lists all free events at Piece County Libraries
www.wafarmersmarkets.com - Lists Farmer’s Markets statewide.
www.federalwayfarmersmarket.com – Federal Way Farmer’s Markets
http://www.geocaching.com/ - The official global GPS cache hunt site.
MOVIE REVIEWS
www.christiananswers.net/spotlight/ - Movie reviews from a Christian point of view
FAMILY FINANCES
http://www.gettingfinancesdone.com/blog/ - Getting Finances Done
http://www.thesimpledollar.com/ - Frugal living and Money Tips from The Simple Dollar
http://www.daveramsey.com/ - Dave Ramsey
http://www.savingforcollege.com/ - Saving for College
http://www.crown.org/ - Crown Financial Ministries
FUN FAMILY EVENTS/THINGS TO DO
www.aquasox.com Everett AquaSox (Minor League Baseball)
http://www.seattlethunderbirds.com/index.php - Thunderbirds (Hockey)
www.nps.gov - National Parks Service; Washington state has 3 national parks!
Bowling Bike Rides
Swimming (Your neighborhood)
Camping (Federal Way BPA Trail)
Flag football (Interurban/Green River Trail)
Skating Walk around your neighborhood!
Aquariums Cook with your kids!
Board Games Go fly a kite at a beach or school!
Hiking Zoos
Beachcombing Playground at your local School
Tacoma Trolley Bus ride
Car Games Seattle Center and Monorail
South Lake Union Streetcar
Local High School Plays/Concerts/Sporting Events
FREE/AFFORDABLE ACTIVITIES:
https://www.lowesbuildandgrow.Com/ - All Lowe's locations have free woodworking projects for kids on the 2nd & 4th Saturday of every month from 10-11am. Children earn patches for their aprons (which they receive on their first visit) for each project completed.
Home Depot Kids Workshops – All Home Depot locations have free woodworking for kids ages 5-12 every 1st Saturday of the month from 9-noon (come and go). Children earn pins for their aprons (which they receive on their first visit) for each project completed.
Michael's Kids Club – Micheal’s offers a kids club for ages 5-12, providing periodic craft classes, some free, some not. Project ideas can also be found on their website.
Public libraries offer regular storytimes for children age 0-5 as well as special programs for elementary children during spring breaks and summer. King County: King County Library System and Pierce County both offer programs.
Ikea Seattle - Ikea Kid’s Club members get to swipe their card on each visit for a free prize and receive birthday gifts. Once registered, members will also receive notice of special events for kids.
Olympia Children's Museum - The museum is free the first Friday evening of every month from 5-9pm.
Washington History Museum – Located in Tacoma, the museum is free every Thursday from 5-8pm.
Museum of Glass – Located in Tacoma, the museum is free the 3rd Thursday of each month from 5-8pm.
Museum of Flight – Located in Seattle at Boeing Field, the museum is free the 1st Thursday of every month from 5-9pm.
Kids Quest Children's Museum - Located in Bellevue (inside Factoria Mall), visits are free on Fridays from 5-8pm.
http://www.wrvmuseum.org/ - The White River Valley Museum in Auburn is free every Wednesday and has special activities for kids on Wednesdays in the summer.
http://www.tcafw.com/info/kidsclub.cfm - The Commons at Federal Way (mall) has a free kids club with periodic events.
http://www.supermall.com/go/momtopia.cfm - The SuperMall in Auburn has a free moms club. Their kids' events include free movies Tuesday & Wednesday mornings in the summer
http://www.simon.com/kidgits/ - Tacoma Mall's Kidgets club has an annual fee of $5 but members get a gift for joining and can attend free events.
PARKS/PLAYGROUNDS:
City of Federal Way Parks
King County Parks
Tacoma Parks
Pierce County Parks
City of Auburn Parks
City of Des Moines Parks
City of Kent Parks
Seattle City Parks
FAMILY EDUCATION & ATHLETICS:
Federal Way offers classes both at the Federal Way Community Center and Dumas Bay Center.
Metro Parks Tacoma offers classes at various locations, including including Centre at Norpoint and various community centers.
Boys & Girls Club - Federal Way
The Little Gym:
Gymnastics Unlimited (Federal Way)
British Dancing Academy – Locations in Federal Way and Kent
9th Avenue School of Dance – Located in Federal Way