🥪 Free Summer Meals & Activities for Tacoma Youth Are Back

12 parks. 10 teen centers. Dozens of ways for kids to eat, play, and stay safe all summer long

As the school year winds down, Tacoma is ramping up its free summer programs for kids and teens — making sure every young person has access to food, fun, and community all summer long.

Thanks to Metro Parks Tacoma, multiple local partners, and school sites around the city, free meals and activities are available five days a week starting June 23 through August 29 (excluding July 4).

📍 Where to Go for Free Lunch + Activities
Families can head to any of the 12 participating park sites where kids 18 and under can enjoy:

🎨 Morning activities from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
🥪 Free lunch from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

Activities may include art, games, crafts, and more — and no registration is required.

🛝 Full list of participating parks:

• Edna Travis Park – 2301 South J St.

• Franklin Park – 1201 S. Puget Sound Ave.

• Lincoln Park – 801 S. 37th St.

• Manitou Park – 4408 American Lake Blvd.

• Northeast Tacoma Playground – 5520 29th St. NE

• Roosevelt Park – 3601 E. Roosevelt Ave.

• SERA Campus Playground – 6002 S. Adams St.

• Stewart Heights Park – 5715 Reginald Gutierrez Lane

• Titlow Park – 8425 6th Ave.

• Verlo Playfield – 4321 McKinley Ave.

• Wapato Park – 6500 S. Sheridan Ave.

• Wright Park – 501 South I St.

🌙 Teen Late Nights Are Also Back
Starting June 23, teens can spend their evenings at one of 10 different Late Night locations from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

These teen nights include:

• 🎨 Arts & music

• 🥘 Free dinner

• 🧑🏽‍🤝‍🧑🏾 A safe space to hang out

📍 Teen Late Night Locations:

• Al Davies Boys & Girls Club – 1620 S. 17th St.

• Baker Middle School – 8001 S. J St.

• Eastside Community Center – 1721 E. 56th St.

• Giaudrone Middle School – 4902 S. Alaska St.

• Mason Middle School – 3901 N. 28th St.

• Meeker Middle School – 4402 Nassau Ave. NE

• Morgan Family YMCA – 1002 S. Pearl St.

• Stewart Middle School – 5010 Pacific Ave.

• Henry T. Schatz Boys & Girls Club – 3875 S. 66th St.

• Truman Middle School – 5801 N. 35th St.

📝 What Parents Should Know

• Pre-registration is encouraged but not required

• All Tacoma-area youth are welcome — no school district limitations

• Teens must bring ID showing date of birth for Late Night access

🧭 Final Thoughts
In a time when summer childcare and youth activities can get expensive fast, Tacoma’s free programs are a game-changer. Whether you’re a parent looking for options or a teen looking for something to do, the city’s got you covered — breakfast to bedtime.

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🔗 For the full list of parks, events, and registration info, visit southsoundreport.com and follow @aaronthomaspnw for weekly updates across the South Sound.