A couple of weeks ago, on a lazy summer weekend morning — you know, the kind where even though you’ve been up since 6:30, you don’t get out of bed until after 10 — I came across a reminder of a free, fun event at Home Depot. Without signing up, the kids got to show up, get a free Home Depot apron, and build a fun craft with a hammer, nails, and “washable” paint. There seem to be a few of these kinds of events around town that while fun, seem to be impossible to keep track of. So I rounded up info on a handful of events I seem to stumble across when they’re are all filled up or already happening.

First, let me tell you about the Home Depot Kids Workshops. They are on the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon. While you don’t HAVE to sign up, they ask that you do so they can plan ahead and have enough for everyone. Kids who attend the workshop start off by getting their very own Home Depot Apron and a pin, to go on said orange attire, commemorating the build. Kids, ages 5 to 12, also get a kit that they get to build — in our case it was a framed chalkboard. If you can imagine a group of kids in an echo-y warehouse being loud, imagine if they were all simultaneously hammering. One group, in a veteran move, brought ear protection for their little girl. The next Home Depot Kids Workshop is Saturday, Sept. 5. Kids will get the chance to build a football toss game from 9 a.m. to noon, or whenever they run out of supplies. We were there before 11 and there were still enough for us and the kids after us. While it appears all the local Home Depots participate, we went to the one next to Costco, in Aurora Village, 1335 N. 205th St. You can pre-register on Home Depot’s Kids Workshop page and call the Aurora Village store at 206-546-1900 for more information.

Lowe’s also does a similar event, and while their “Build and Grow” Free Kid Clinics require registration, I found out the Lynnwood location makes some special arrangements. I just got off the phone with the nicest lady at the Lynnwood Lowe’s, probably known to you now as the one on 196th Street behind the Chik-Fil-A, and she told me that they get extra kits for those who haven’t registered. She explained that if you do come without being registered, just show up right at 10 because the extras are on a first come first served basis. Those attending a Build and Grow event get an apron, goggles and the kid to build. The next event is Aug. 22 at 10 a.m., where kids can build “Thor’s Chariot.” The next two events, which open registration the Monday, two weeks before the workshop day, are a “Firetruck” on Sept. 26 and a “Haunted Birdhouse” on Oct. 10. Different locations may be strict on their registration policy, but the Lynnwood store does their best not to turn anyone away. For more information you can visit Lowe’s “Build and Grow” page or call the Lynnwood location at 425-744-8411.

I was also lucky enough to find out about the Alderwood Mall Lego Store’s Monthly Lego Mini Model Builds this summer. Each month, the brightly lit, brick filled, kid-paradise shows kids how to build a small Lego set, that gets to come home with them for FREE! Now, when we were participating at the August’s Mini Model Build, parent after parent was asking how to get in on the event. The real deal is everyone at the little tables getting step-by-step instruction on how to build their new Lego Kangaroo and Joey had someone likely set an alarm to sign up for the free fun. I happen to work early and the 6 a.m. sign up time was easy to take care of, with the help of a Google Calendar appointment of course. I can help you sign up for the next build, and by next I mean October’s, September’s was full by the end of the first day of sign-ups. It could have been full by mid-day, but I didn’t check again until that night. I spoke with an employee at the Lego Store and he told me that there are new rules to sign up. On the 15th of each month, starting at 6 a.m., you can go to the Alderwood Lego Store website and click the link for the upcoming event. For more information you can call The Lego Store at 425-640-2281.

The Edmonds PCC Store, 9803 Edmonds Way, often has cooking classes going on. We seem to have a knack to only show up at PCC to eat pizza slices, with free pieces of fruit for the kids, when there are fun cooking classes happening. The good news is you can go sit at the bar/table in the produce section and the bad news is you’ve missed another chance to have someone else tell your kid to eat something that grows out of the ground. I called PCC to ask them first-hand just how to get a leg up on their cooking class schedule. They told me that all of the classes were listed on PCCCooks.com and that there is an e-newsletter you can subscribe to which is a perfect way to get reminders if you feel behind the 8 ball on this. PCC Cooks also has a Facebook page and the Edmonds location can be reached for 425-275-9036 for more information.

I can’t seem to go one column without mentioning the library, but the deal is, there are a ton of great events at the library! The library has an easy to use website where you can check out the Mountlake Terrace Library calendar for stuff to do. You can also sign up for the cleverly named “Check It Out” newsletter so that you can get reminders of the nearby events come right to your inbox. For more information you can head to the library at 23300 58th Ave. W. or by calling them at 425-776-8722.

— By Jennifer Marx

Jen Marx, an Edmonds Mom of two young boys, is a traffic reporter by dawn and writer and PBJ maker by day. She is always looking for a fun place to take the kids that makes them tired enough to go to bed on time. You can find her trying to make sense of begging kids to ” just eat the mac n cheese” at jen_marx. If you have a kid-friendly event you’d like to share, email her at play@myedmondsnews.com.