Family events

Today

Freeman Arts Boosters Zumba Party - Registration begins at 7:30 p.m. and Zumba is 7:45-8:45 p.m. Fundraiser supports art, band, choir and drama. Freeman Middle School, Freeman Middle School gym, 14917 S. Jackson Road, Freeman. $8. (509) 291-3135.

Toddler Play and Learn Storytime (Valley) - For ages 18 months-3 years. Enjoy stories, songs and fingerplays that explore the concepts of math, science, art and literacy. Parents and caregivers are asked to join in for the entire 60 minutes. 10:30 a.m., Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave., Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 893-8400.

Tuesday

Family Story Evening - All ages welcome. Children are encouraged to wear pajamas and bring their favorite blanket or stuffed toy. Library locations include: North Spokane, 44 E. Hawthorne Road (509) 893-8350; Spokane Valley, 12004 E. Main Ave. (509) 893-8400. 7 p.m. Free.

Wednesday

Toddler Storytime (Shadle) - For ages 18 months-3 years. 10 a.m., Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. Free. (509) 444-5390.

Preschool Play and Learn Storytime - For ages 3-5. Enjoy stories, songs and fingerplays that explore the concepts of math, science, art and literacy. Parents and caregivers are asked to join in for the entire 60 minutes. Library locations and times include: 10:30 a.m., Deer Park Library, 208 S. Forest Ave. (509) 893-8300; Spokane Valley, 12004 E. Main Ave. (509) 893-8400; Moran Prairie, 6004 S. Regal St. (509) 893-8340; 11 a.m., North Spokane, 44 E. Hawthorne Road (509) 893-8350. 10:30 a.m. Free.

Thursday

Moving Books Series - Showing movies based on books. “Polar Express.” 6 p.m. Free popcorn. Proceeds will be used to enhance the library’s DVD collection. Coeur d’Alene Library, 702 E. Front Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID. $5. (208) 769-2315.

Liberty Lake Winter Festival 2011 - Annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony with free activities including crafts, storytime, mini snow golf, picture with Santa, carriage rides and performances by area choirs and orchestras. 5 p.m., Liberty Lake City Hall, 22710 E. Country Visa Drive, Liberty Lake. (509) 755-6726.

Colfax Lighted Christmas Parade and Fireworks Show - 6 p.m. on Mill St., Colfax. Free. (509) 397-3712.

Friday

“The Nutcracker” - Presented by the State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara, Calif. Today-Sunday at 7:30 p.m., with matinees on Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. $22-$44/general, $16/age 12 and younger. (509) 624-1200.

Saturday

Hayden Lights Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - Parade begins at 5 p.m. and will proceed south on Government Way to Honeysuckle Avenue. Lighting ceremony to follow. Free hot chocolate, cookies and musical presentations by Special Choruses from Atlas and Hayden Meadows Elementary Schools. Appearance by Santa Claus. Hayden City Park and Government Way, Hayden, Idaho. Free. (208) 209-1080.

Mobius Kids Santa Breakfast Fundraiser - Breakfast, festive activities and a visit with Santa. 8:30-10:30 a.m. The Davenport Hotel, Grand Pennington Ballroom, 10 S. Post St. $25 per person (12 months and younger free). (509) 624-KIDS, ext. 0.

Breakfast with Santa - Enjoy breakfast and a variety of children’s games, activities, goody bags and entertainment. Bean bag toss, fish pond prizes, face painting, crafts and a visit from Santa. Hosted by Spokane Valley Rotary Club. Proceeds benefit Rotary scholarship funds and service projects. 9-11 a.m. Centerplace, 2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley. $4/person at the door. (509) 688-0300.

Holiday Open House - Santa arrives at 10:15 a.m. on horseback to pass out sweet treats and talk to young visitors. Santa’s Appaloosa will be available for petting and children can decorate their own delicious Appaloosa cookie. Visitors are welcome to tour the museum, listen to holiday music and enjoy cookies, cider and hot coffee. 10 a.m.-noon, Appaloosa Museum, 2720 W. Pullman Road, Pullman. Free. (208) 882-5578, ext. 279.

Bear and Friends Storytime - Listen to some of Karma Wilson’s fun stories about Bear and his friends, along with activities and coloring sheets. 11 a.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, Children’s Section, 402 W. Main Ave., Spokane. (509) 838-0206.

Carriage Rides in Coeur d’Alene - Sponsored by STCU. Meet at First and Sherman Ave. No reservations needed. Noon-4 p.m., Downtown Coeur d’Alene. Free.

Cora Cole Book Signing - The Coeur d’Alene author will be available to sign copies of her book, “The Adventures of Angel Skylet and Clarence Cloudy.” 1-3 p.m., All Things Irish, 315 Sherman Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID. Free. (888) 361-9473.

Woodland Creature Storytime - Listen to tales featuring bears, raccoons, foxes and other furry, woodland animals. 1 p.m., Auntie’s at the Square, River Park Square on skywalk level, 808 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 456-4775.

Kids Jingle Bell Fun Run - Presented by Pullman Chamber of Commerce. For ages 12 and younger as they run a short course on the Downtown Riverwalk Trail starting at the YMCA office and ending in Pine Street Plaza. Strollers and baby joggers welcome. Register online at www.

pullmanchamber.org. 4 p.m., YMCA - Pullman, 101 NE Spring St., Pullman. $10/child, accompanying adults are free. (509) 334-3565.

Sunday

Annual Christmas Party - Free chili dinner with lots of fun and toys for children from 1-4 p.m., with a visit from Santa at 2 p.m. Open to the public. Blanchard Community Center, 685 Rusho, Blanchard, Idaho. Free. (208) 437-1037.

Caroling with the Chorale - Come join the Spokane Symphony Chorale for a night of festivities. Rehearsal for singers starts at 1:30 p.m., public performance at 3 p.m., reception and buffet at 4:15 p.m. and transportation to nursing homes and hospitals at 5 p.m., The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. $35/singers and buffet, $25/buffet only, $10/concert only. (509) 458-8733.

The Art of Holiday Etiquette and Dining for Children Ages 7-12 - Participants will enjoy a three-course meal while learning the tools of the table, dress and grooming and how to presenting a toast. 3-6 p.m., CenterPlace, 2416 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley. $53. (509) 688-5892.

Ongoing

Christmas Tree Fundraiser - Saturday-Dec. 17. Proceeds will benefit Hutton Settlement programs for children healing from past trauma. Hours: Tuesdays-Fridays, 5-7 p.m. and Saturdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The settlement driveway is a mile east of Argonne on Upriver Drive. Pre-cut, U-cut and live trees for sale. Hutton Settlement Home, 9907 E. Wellesley Ave., Spokane Valley. (509) 926-1027.

Santa Express - With the help of Santa’s elves (volunteers), young shoppers ages 4-12 choose inexpensive gifts priced from 50 cents to $8 for everyone on their list and wrap each gift so it’s ready to go under the tree. Fundraiser for Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, a safe shelter for kids who are at risk of neglect or abuse. Open Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sundays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., through Dec. 23. Downtown on the skywalk level of Crescent building, 707 W. Main Ave. varies. (509) 448-2900.

Starlight Children’s Foundation-Northwest Benefit - Make a minimum donation of $5 and enjoy free appetizers and drink specials. Held every Wednesday in November from 3-6 p.m. All proceeds to benefit seriously ill children and their families. Applebee’s South Hill, 2107 E. 29th Ave. (509) 321-0799.

Send information about events at least two weeks in advance by email to features

@spokesman.com; by fax to 509-459-5098; by mail to Our Kids Calendar, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; or submit online at www.spokane7.com/

events/submit.