From the time children are toddlers, they need peer interaction.

But at some point, children begin to want to break away from their parents and get involved with some sport or club on their own.

Joining a club gets kids out of the house and into a safe environment. It gets them away from the television, keeps them out of trouble, helps them meet new friends with similar interests, learn new skills and become more independent.

Here are some clubs in Pierce County to consider:

Tacoma Rainiers Kids Club
2502 South Tyler Street, Tacoma
(253) 752-7700

www.tacoma.rainiers.mlb.com

This is a club for Rainier's fans age 14 and younger. Members of the club can run the bases and meet the mascot, Rhubarb. Club members receive a popcorn bucket and Frisbee, a free refill every Kids Club Sunday and one general admission ticket for Rainiers home games on the first Sunday of each month (6 games) with the purchase of an adult general admission ticket.

Also included is one voucher for a hot dog, chips and soda, which can be redeemed at Group Express at a Rainiers home game. Cost to join is $13 and $2 of the membership fee will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Boys & Girls Clubs
1620 S. 17th St., Tacoma
(253) 502-4631  

www.bgca.org

Formed in 1860, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America was started by a group of women from Hartford, Conn., because they felt that boys who roamed the streets should have a positive alternative. 

Today there are more than 4 million boys and girls served annually through membership and community outreach at more than 4,000 clubs located throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and military installations around the world. 

Programs are available to children in a number of areas including: education, the environment, health, the arts, careers, alcohol/drug and pregnancy prevention, gang prevention, leadership, development and athletics.

Below is a list of branches in the Pierce County area:

D.A. Gonyea Branch
5136 N. 26th St., Tacoma
(253) 502-4640

East Side Branch
614 E. 64th St., Tacoma
(253) 502-4650  

Lakewood Branch
10402 Kline Street SW, Lakewood
(253) 502-4660  

Cheney Family Branch
8502 Skansie Ave., Gig Harbor
(253) 502-4670

South Pierce County Branch
Camas Prairie Elementary
320 176th St. E. (Portable #26), Spanaway
(253) 683-7426  

Metro Parks Tacoma SPARX Club

www.metroparkstacoma.org

SPARX is a youth development program in all 10 of Tacoma's middle schools and the Lincoln Center at Lincoln High School. This program is coordinated by Metro Parks with funding support from the City of Tacoma and facility support from Tacoma Public Schools.

The SPARKX program includes school day support and mentoring, lunch time recreation, 
after school mentoring, tutoring and enrichment programs and field trips on some school holidays and in-service days.

Point Defiance Zoo Kids Clubs
5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma
www.pdza.org

The Point Defiance Zoo offers a variety of clubs for kids as early as age 3.  These clubs offer events and activities that allow children to meet new friends and learn at the same time. The newest program at the zoo is called Discover! Nature Programs. Through this program, children 8 to 14 learn about nature and wildlife through fun and engaging activities and hands-on lessons.  Parents can drop off children for the day. The cost is $60 for zoo members and $70 non-members.