15 days of fun

‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through the house, the kids became restless and started to grouse. The calendar was hung by the refrigerator with care, full of activities that answered our prayers.

Need ideas to keep the kids busy over winter break, which runs through Jan. 1? Here are some ways to avoid the “There’s nothing to do” syndrome.

Saturday: “My Teacher Took My iPod…”

And other humorous poems will be presented by local children’s writer Kenn Nesbitt, after the KPBX Kids Concert featuring the Miller’s Tale Trio.

The free concert begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, second floor auditorium, at Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. For more information, call 838-0206.

Sunday: No dim bulbs allowed

Last day to view the holiday lights at the Gaiser Conservatory at Manito Park. More than 20,000 lights, poinsettias, mums and other plants will be displayed.

Admission is free. Hours are 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. with best viewing after 4 p.m.

For more information, call 456-8038.

Monday: That dude is so phat

Get pictures taken with Santa. He’ll be at NorthTown from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, call 482-4800.

River Park Square’s Santa will be listening to wish lists from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, except Christmas Eve, when he’ll leave at 5 p.m. to get his reindeer ready to go.

For information, call 363-0304.

Tuesday: Be a Bigfoot

Learn a new sport. Snowshoeing is becoming increasingly popular. Dave at REI says there’s a very short learning curve. If you can walk from the store to your car, you’ll be able to snowshoe. Neighborhood parks are a good place to get started.

REI, 1125 N. Monroe St., rents adult snowshoes for $15 the first day and $7.50 for consecutive days; for the kids it’s $10 for the first day and $5 after that. For more information, call 328-9900.

Wednesday: Get a lift

Pack up the kids and the car and make the trek to Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park.

The chairlifts will be operating from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Jan. 1, weather permitting. Lift tickets are $35/adult (ages 18-69); $29/youth (ages 7-17); $17/seniors (age 70 and up) and children 6 and under ski free.

Afternoon-only lift tickets, good from 1 to 4 p.m., are $32/adults and $26/youth. Senior and children’s tickets are the same price as day tickets.

Night sessions, from 4 to 9:30 p.m., will be offered Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 28-31. Tickets are $19/adult and youth and the same as day tickets for children and seniors.

Tickets for chair five only are $15 for all ages.

If you want to send the kids by themselves or don’t want to drive, take the bus. It leaves at 7 a.m. from Yoke’s, 9329 E. Montgomery Ave. and at 7:45 a.m. from Yoke’s at 14202 N. Market St. The bus leaves the mountain at 4:30 p.m. Cost is $10 roundtrip.

Skis and snowboards are available to rent. For rental information, call 238-2220, ext. 216.

Next Thursday: Enlist an elf

Visit the Santa Express, downtown, skywalk level, west of Macy’s. Kids ages 4-12 can find inexpensive gifts with the help of volunteer elves who will also help them wrap the gifts.

Prices range from 50 cents to $7.50. Proceeds will be donated to the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Open through Dec. 23. For more information, call 535-3155.

Dec. 23: Get unbalanced

Sharpen up the skates and head to the Ice Palace at Riverfront Park. Public skating hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and holidays; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays, except this Sunday, when it is will also be open from 7 to 10 p.m.

Admission: $4/adults and teens, $3/children, seniors and military. Skate rental $2.75. For more information, call 456-4FUN or visit www.spokaneriverfrontpark.com.

Dec. 24: Bring a cape and tophat

Experience an old-fashioned holiday horse and carriage ride through downtown. The free rides are presented by the Downtown Spokane Business Improvement District and the Spokane Teachers Credit Union. Riders will receive free candy canes and coupons for coffee or hot chocolate specials at participating downtown coffeehouses. Pickup is at Main Avenue and Wall Street. Hours: 3 to 8 p.m. Fridays noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. noon to 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Christmas: Flying saucer ride

Dig out the sleds and flying saucers and head to Manito Park or a local golf course for a sledding party. Note to parents: The city of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department neither condones nor discourages potentially dangerous sledding adventures. Go at your own risk.

Dec. 26: Furry friends, creepy crawlers

Visit pets at Northwest Seed and Pet, 7302 N. Division St. (484-7387) and 2422 E. Sprague Ave. (534-0694). Check out the puppies, snakes, lizards and other weird pets you don’t normally see.

Dec. 27: Hang out in the alley

Bowling is always an option. Knock down pins at North Bowl, 125 W. Sinto Ave. (328-7090), or Lilac Lanes, 1112 E. Magnesium Road (467-5228) on the North Side or Big Daddy’s, 3023 E. 28th Ave. (535-2961) on the South Side.

Dec. 29: It’s a wide world

Check out the IMAX Theater. Any movie is more exciting seen on a humongous screen. For current movies and show times, call 625-6686 or visit www.spokaneriverfrontpark.com.

Admission for regular features: children 3-12, $5.50; teens 13-17, seniors and military $6.50; and adults 18 and older, $7.50.

Dec. 30: Nice kitty, pretty kitty

Visit Cat Tales Zoological Park. You can also see leopards, jaguars, servals, caracals and pumas, plus birds, reptiles and more.

Open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 17020 Newport Highway. Admission: $6/adults; $5/seniors and students and free for children 12 and under through December. For more information, call 238-4126.

Dec. 31: Street party

First Night Spokane will again pack people into downtown Spokane. Meet friends and neighbors for a celebration of the arts and entertainment.

The IMAX Theater and Carrousel will be open from 7 p.m. to midnight. The annual fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. in Riverfront Park. For more information, call 252-5027.

Jan 1: Just chill out

Get the family together, bundle up and play in the snow. Build a snowman or snow fort, and don’t forget the snow angels. Warm up afterwards with a fire in the fireplace and some hot cocoa. Put some extra marshmallows in the cocoa to ease the pain of kids facing their last day of vacation.