Where to take the a 9yr and 7yr old

[Deliverance1985]

Besides buying grocery a and maybe shopping for clothes for them.  I have no idea where to take them.  I believe it's about time to get them into fishing and hunting .  I'm in lv so I have the whole weekend with them. Gunna head to radio shack and pick up a speaker for my coyote call app on my phone maybe I'll get lucky this coming week and Wack a yote with my bow and a Racoon issue a friend is having.  Besides that I'm open to ideas .  I'm in Lacey. So full free to send suggestions my way. Always was told get them into fishing and they won't have time for drugs .  No I'm a single every other weekend dad

[JDHasty]

Not necessarily fishing or hunting, but keep these arrows in your quiver:

Olympic Game Farm
Northwest Trek
Mineral Lake for Lowland Trout Opener - reserve ahead for boat opening weekend, not necissary other weekends
Nahwatzel Lake - Open year round
Goldendale Observatory - go to the Observatory first and get coupon for motel discount - plan ahead and be flexible for weather and/or moon phase
Dirt track Sprint Car Racing @ Gray's Harbor Race Way , paved oval at South Sound

[Deliverance1985]

Difanetly psting those to my trip planner.  But daddy's in a tight budget .  No boat but still want them out doors . Momma takes them to places to do things . Id like to introduce them to the hunting world .  Oops   Sorry. I get them every other weekend . That should some a lot of questions up . Thanks for the information

[lokidog]

Lake St. Claire on the south side of Lacey can be fun.  If you have a boat, that's the best, but guys catch perch and trout from shore near the boat launch.  With a boat, just start soaking worms or crawlers under a bobber/float. You can pull up perch, blue gill, rock bass, largemouth bass and rainbows.  My first time fishing it, i caught a 23" rainbow that had meat the color of sockeye.  The pale colored trout taste like planters, but the more vibrantly colored ones taste great. If you decide to do this, PM me for more exact fishing spots.

I see you have no boat now.  Someone might be willing to loan out a rowboat.

[Deliverance1985]

I'm good without a boat.  Tonight I'll fix ther zeco rods I got off a buddy who went to Korea . They saw them and wanted to go . So that's on the list for this weekend . I'm thinking Sunday after there party so sat night I'll pm ya.  Cause I'm gunna break down and find them a used rifle for hopefully 200 for yote. I appreciate the information this site is awesome

[Deliverance1985]

The only think I have to offer in return is an area where I'm hoping it's a buck but the prints I've been finding are huge . and if ya on jblm well I'm tracking elk for early archery so that's all I can offer at the moment my fishing skills ain't top notch . 

[WapitiTalk1]

On JBLM?  If you call the NWAC, 967-6263, they'll tell you which docks are open on American Lake (I think there's one right by the center).  If your crumb snatches are under 12, they can fish for free (no license required if I remember correctly).  That may be a good choice and the price is right.  I also think taking kids to the Northwest Trek is a very good idea.. they have military rates and you could probably go there and pay around 40 bones for all three of you.  It really is very cool.  Good luck whatever you decide! 

[JDHasty]

Difanetly psting those to my trip planner.  But daddy's in a tight budget .  No boat but still want them out doors . Momma takes them to places to do things . Id like to introduce them to the hunting world .  Oops   Sorry. I get them every other weekend . That should some a lot of questions up . Thanks for the information

Most of these are pretty affordable, about a tenth or less the cost of a Seahawks game or something like that.  Tacoma Rainiers, when in season is also a good affordable activity.  Ft Lewis is your friend if you have kids and want to pursue outdoor activities, if you have access boat rental, fishing and hunting on post.  MWR- Northwest Adventure Center, look it up via internet search.     

[jackelope]

Take them for a hike. Bring some binoculars. Look at birds, bugs, critters, whatever comes up. That's pretty much free.

[JDHasty]

Take them for a hike. Bring some binoculars. Look at birds, bugs, critters, whatever comes up. That's pretty much free.

They are pretty close to Capitol Forrest and there is a lot of fire road and single track for hiking and biking. I was at Popeyes yesterday and a really nice bike was like $50 at the pawn shop next door and they had a whole selection.   

[pianoman9701]

Take them to an animal shelter and let them play with the dogs and cats. Our daughter loved doing that and it's free.

[Deliverance1985]

That's a good idea on the shelter. Never thought about that one. Thank you for all the help everyone

[M_ray]

Take them for a hike. Bring some binoculars. Look at birds, bugs, critters, whatever comes up. That's pretty much free.

Did this all the time with my girls when they were little ... now they are 14 & 16 and still ask me to go on hikes!  another thing they liked to do that was free was go into Cabelas and look at the taxidermy and the stream ... now there is Bass Pro Shops that also has lots to look at. We always went fishing which they also beg me to do still ... I would pack a picnic basket and would eat lunch or dinner on the shore, sometimes we were in the boat but sometimes we bank fished so you should be able to find some shore for them somewhere.

I took them scouting with me and on overnight camp outs, they really enjoy looking for critters of all types and like Jakelope suggested they enjoy identifying birds for cheap you can pick up game or bird identifying books and they can check off the critters they find ... They learn a lot from finding birds and animals. They get into googling them and learning the migration and the sounds they make. If you have a GPS for hunting you can also Geocache with them, it introduses them early how to handle and work a GPS! 

Good luck

[JackOfAllTrades]

Dude's and dudet's... They're 7 and 9... Both boys? Girls? Not likely ready for Yote hunting in this weather. Plus, they need a hunting license just like we do. Hunter -ed.  So, if you outfit them to be warm enough for an outdoor experience, they'll grow out of the clothes before you know it. (at least the younger one might be up for the hand-me-downs) 

At that age, let them be kids. They should be out riding bikes with friends on a closed street. Playing cops and robbers or Cowboys and Indians.  OK... Militia and ISIS! Realize the attention span of a 7yr old.

Soccer, Basketball and hockey programs local to both mom and dad's homes. Yes, start them at a young age.
The Nisqually river delta used to have a nature trail.
Northwest trek.
Yes, fishing, but let it get warmer and for the lakes opener after they're stocked. It's so much funner when they're actually catching fish.
Find a buddy with a farm. Show them what it's like to live there.
Every kid should learn to roller and/or ice skate at a young age. (Sprinker in Spanaway, Skateland in Lacey)
Find a salt beach. Clamming and crabbing (check the regs and red tide warnings), or just exploring, turning over rocks. 

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/crab

7 & 9, (yes, I keep iterating ages)  Build something together. -No, they don't get to use power tools yet.  Fly kites.

What did your dad do with you at ages 7 & 9?

Well, my folks were divorced when I was that age.. Dad took me camping and fishing but he had a camper and a bay boat. Both had heat. Not to whimp out.. But an open aluminum boat on American lake this weekend would be pretty miserable. They aren't big enough to go hit the Hoh river for steelhead yet and the Staircase trail above lake Cushman is a bit too grueling for youngn's.  7 & 9? Great Lodge is just down the road from you.

What does mom do with them now?

As a part time dad, changing their common routine may be great, but it also might not be the best decision.  First thing is, if you don't know your children, (please don't take that wrong), get to know them.  Let 'them' teach you something.

Oh and every kid that age likes Denny's waffles and pancakes or pie and icecream. Dairy Queen too.

Snow ski lessons.

-Steve

[M_ray]

Jack I understand what you are saying but the guy asked for some low cost solutions, skiing, soccer and some of the other things you suggested are very expensive ... I for one did not suggest Yote hunting but I will add that I took mine out year round and hiked and scouted and fished even at those ages, we also went sledding in the snow! I have had friends that didn't do these things with their kids and all I can say are mine are pretty well adapt to all things and always have been. They don't whine about the cold or gooey worm guts on their fingers and are tougher in these conditions than most the boys their age. Besides you live in WA there's nothing like teaching them young that if you wait til it's warm and dry out you'll never do anything    so bundle them up teach them how to layer themselves and be prepared for the conditions ... replace their school work in their packs for a day with a rain coat a warm shirt, pair of gloves some snacks and a small first aide kit and you'll be doing them a great service by teaching them some basic survival instincts