Plenty of indoor fun, candy for kids on Halloween

Halloween is coming up, causing visions of sugary goodness to dance in children’s heads (while parents worry about expensive cavities). But it’s dark and cold outside – what’s a ghoul to do? The answer, of course, is the massive indoor trick-or-treating extravaganzas hosted by the local malls and the Boys and Girls Club of Spokane County. Kids are inside, can wear their costumes without bundling up and parents get a little peace of mind. Kids love it because of the free candy. Lots of free candy. Bring a big bag.

•The Boys and Girls Club at 544 E. Providence Ave. will have pumpkin painting, a cupcake walk, costume contest and truck-or-treating from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Admission is free, so bring the kids by for a fun evening.

•The Halloween Carnival at the NorthTown Mall will run from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be games and a costume contest. Participating merchants will be handing out candy.

•Activities at the Spokane Valley Mall will be from 6 to 8 p.m. They will also have games, costume contest and free candy.

•In Coeur d’Alene, merchants on Sherman Avenue downtown will be handing out free candy from 4 to 6 p.m.

And don’t forget to brush your teeth before you go to bed.

Family art day

The Museum of Arts and Culture is planning another Family MACFest on Nov. 10. There will be a variety of artists there to help kids create their own masterpiece in whatever medium they prefer. The event is from noon to 3 p.m. at the museum at 2316 W. First Ave. Admission is $10 per family, which includes admission to the exhibits. Call (509) 456-3931 for more information.

Cooking up a story

The Northeast Youth Center and the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department are mixing stories and cooking to teach kids age 4 and 5 about counting and measuring. The youth center will host a series of four classes beginning Nov. 7 to teach kids how to make tasty creations they can eat themselves. Sessions are from 10 to 11 a.m. on Nov. 7, 14, 21 and 28 at the center at 2121 E. Wabash Ave. The cost is $7 per session or $20 for all four weeks. Call the center at (509) 482-0708 for more information or call (509) 625-6200 to register.

Storytime

Author Jon Scieszka will read from his new book “Cowboy and Octopus” at 11 a.m. Saturday at Auntie’s, 402 W. Main Ave. He will also read from his previous books “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs” and “The Stinky Cheese Man.” All ages are welcome.