Events Calendar

It’s a special time of year. Local salmon are finishing up their long, tiring journey and returning to their home streams to spawn. Come honor this amazing fish by creating salmon-inspired artwork to take home. Create fish prints, make a salmon button or hat, and more!

Fall Arts Walk is here! We’re open 10 am-8 pm on October 5 and 10 am-4 pm on October 6. Enjoy art activities and view student artwork on display both days. Join us 6-8 pm on Friday evening for an art reception with musical performances by Olympia Piano Studio, Pacific Lutheran University’s Opera Program, and jazz with Denise Daverso & Jennifer Bowman. Light refreshments provided.

Come celebrate National Apple Month! Washington State produces 2.5 million tons of apples a year. Where did our love for apples come from? Dive into the world of apples at a 2 pm presentation to have a fruitful experience. We’ll taste test a variety of apples and learn about the fascinating history of apples. Apple related crafts and activities all day.

Ever wonder what those red and yellow signs you see at the beach sometimes are? Why are there times of the year when it isn’t safe to eat shellfish? Join the Puget Sound Estuarium for a 7 pm presentation with Audrey Coyne from the Washington Department of Health, who will explain the mysteries of marine biotoxins. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

At 1 pm, attend a program about water in our lives and what happens to the dirty water you send down the drain. Then take a behind the scenes tour of LOTT’s Budd Inlet Treatment Plant to see how water is cleaned and restored. Tour participants must be 10 or older and wear sturdy closed shoes. Throughout the day, create water-inspired works of art.

Some of earth’s spookiest creatures live in the deepest parts of the ocean. Throughout the day, get inspired by enchanting photos and videos of mesmerizing bioluminescence. Then get creative and make anglerfish hats and other bioluminescent crafts that are perfect for Halloween.

Join City of Olympia Park Stewardship staff for a 2 pm presentation on getting to know your local parks. Cool trails, beautiful beaches, volunteer opportunities, and more! Did you know that you can find five species of owls locally? Make a pinecone owl to take home….it’ll be a hoot!

November is Olympia’s wettest month of the year! Escape the rain and participate in rain-inspired crafts and activities all day.

In observance of Veterans Day, the WET Science Center is closed November 12.

Join the Puget Sound Estuarium and Lieutenant Lindsey Neumann for a 7 pm presentation about how the Coast Guard conducts search & rescue. How do they stay safe and how can you? Get safety tips that could save YOUR life some day! Doors open at 6:30 pm.

Come hang out with bird nerds to learn about birds of the Puget Sound region. Check out amazing taxidermy specimens and learn all about bird identification and natural history. Join us for a bird workshop 1-2 pm followed by a birding walk. Great for ages 8 and up.

In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, the WET Science Center will be closed November 22-25.

The holiday season is full of consumerism and waste. Join us for a 2 pm presentation to better understand the story behind the things we buy, use, and toss to help us make more informed purchases. Leave with tips on how to host a waste-free holiday. Waste-free holiday crafts and activities all day.

Come build, invent, and “think with your hands”. These drop-in activities seek to inspire the next generation of inventors, engineers, and tinkerers by engaging visitors of all ages in fun, hands-on design challenges. The supportive environment encourages out-of-the-box creations.

In partnership with the Hands On Children’s Museum and the Exceptional Families Network, we’re offering a comfortable environment for kids and adults with sensory differences. Visit the Children’s Museum next door 9-11 am. Then 11 am-1 pm, visit the WET Center to enjoy a variety of activities, crafts, hand fidgets, a book nook, quiet spaces for taking a break, and all of our hands-on exhibits. You can also connect with Exceptional Families Network at their resource table.

Delicious. Sweet. Irresistible. Come explore the complex world of chocolate during a 2 pm presentation. We’ll have plenty of samples to try. Leave with a mind full of science and mouthful of chocolate. Related crafts and activities all day.

The Reptile Zoo is bringing live animals to touch and learn about! Join us at 1:30 pm for a special reptile presentation. After the show, you’ll have an opportunity to handle the animals. Related crafts all day.

In observance of Christmas, we are closed December 25.

What are your New Year’s traditions? Take a closer look at cherished traditions from around the world. Find out why people wear polka dots, eat 12 grapes, and more. Create a variety of New Year’s Eve crafts such as noisemakers and hats!