Kids 18 and under can walk into LeMay – America's Car Museum for free on Saturday, August 15, and build baking-soda-powered cars or explore a collection of more than 250 vehicles. No registration required
Free youth admission is funded by a grant from Tacoma Creates, the city's voter-approved Cultural Access Program, which the Tacoma City Council reauthorized for seven more years in October 2025.
What kids do
August's theme is "Blast Off! – Bicarb Cars," according to the museum's education page. Families design and race vehicles powered by baking soda reactions in the Education Studio and Family Zone, two dedicated hands-on spaces inside the museum.
The Family Zone also features a Road Trip Challenge kiosk, a chassis with exposed parts for kids to explore how cars work, pinewood car racing, an oversized U.S. map for kids to "drive" across, and an art station for designing cars and decorating postcards.
Adults still pay regular admission on Family STEAM Days, according to the museum's ticket page: $24.50 for ages 13–64, $22.50 for seniors 65 and older, and $22.50 for active-duty military and veterans. Children 4 and younger are always free.
Tacoma Public Library offers free museum passes covering up to two adults and four children under 18, available first-come, first-served at any of the library's eight branches.
Tacoma residents receiving food assistance (EBT, WIC, or SNAP) can sign up in person at the museum for a free 12-month Museums for All membership, equivalent to a family-level membership. Both programs are funded by Tacoma Creates.
"By reauthorizing Tacoma Creates, the City Council showed its commitment to a program that truly serves our community," Mayor Anders Ibsen said in a city press release announcing the 2026–2027 Tacoma Creates funding cycle.
The museum is open Thursday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last entry at 4:30 p.m. It's closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Parking is included with admission. Visitors can also take the Tacoma Link T Line or Sounder S Line to Tacoma Dome Station, about a half-mile walk east.
The museum's Family STEAM Day program runs the third Saturday of every month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2702 E. D St. in Tacoma.
Rest of 2026
After August, Family STEAM Days continue monthly: Saturday, September 19, 2026 ("Crash-Test Cars"), Saturday, October 17, 2026 ("Not a Box (Cars)"), Saturday, November 21, 2026 ("Bridge the Gap"), and Saturday, December 19, 2026 ("Merry & Bright"). Contact the museum's education department at [email protected] or 253-779-8490.
