Family calendar

Today

After School Specials (North) - Celebrate children’s book author Jan Brett through stories, crafts, and games. A different author will be celebrated each month. 4 p.m., North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Road. 893-8350. Free.

Preschool Storytime - For children 3-5 years of age. Library locations include: Cheney, 610 First St. 893-8280; Moran Prairie, 6004 S. Regal St. 893-8340; North Spokane, 44 E. Hawthorne Road. 893-8350. 11 a.m. Free.

Preschool Storytime - For children 3-5 years of age. Library locations include: South, 3324 S. Perry St. 444-5385; Shadle, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. 444-5390. 10:30 a.m. Free.

Toddler Storytime - For children 18 months-3 years of age. Library locations include: South, 3324 S. Perry St. 444-5385; Shadle, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. 444-5390. 10 a.m. Free.

Toddler Storytime - For children 18 months-3 years of age. Library locations and times include: 10 a.m., Cheney, 610 First St. 893-8280; Moran Prairie, 6004 S. Regal St. 893-8340; North Spokane, 44 E. Hawthorne Road. 893-8350; 10:30 a.m., Spokane Valley, 12004 E. Main Ave. 893-8400. Free.

Ongoing

After School Camp - Hosted by the Northeast Youth Center. For children age 5-12. Children will be transported from school to the Northeast Youth Center II for a snack, games, computer play, arts and weekly field trips. Schools serviced include: Arlington, Bemiss, Cooper, Lidgerwood, Linwood, Logan, Longfellow, Ridgeview, Regal, Stevens, Whitman and Willard. Held Mondays-Fridays. Runs through June 20. 3-6 p.m., Northeast Youth Center II, 2121 E. Wabash Ave. $53/week. State pay accepted. Scholarships available. 482-0708.

Beginning Ice Hockey - For children age 4-8. Learn the fundamentals. Participants must have a hockey helmet, mouth guard, hockey gloves, shin pads and hockey stick. Runs through Feb. 14. Riverfront Park Ice Palace. $59, includes skate rental and five free public skate passes. 625-6200.

Campbell House Holidays - Visitors can tour the historic house on their own, listen to student pianists live, watch historic cooking demonstrations in the kitchen, and check out the special display of historic artifacts including period dresses, World War I mementos and antique calling card cases. Runs through Jan. 1. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. $7/adults, $5/seniors/students, free/age five and younger. 456-3931.

Christ Kitchen Gingerbread Build-off and Display – Gingerbread structures will be on display 24 hours a day through Tuesday. Iron-Chef-style event features renowned local chefs teaming up with equally renowned local architects to create enormous, impressively stunning, gingerbread structures. Benefits Christ Kitchen, a job-training ministry for Spokane women living in poverty. The Davenport Hotel, 10 S. Post St. Free viewing. 954-0554.

Corbin Art Center Holiday Camps - For children age 3-11. A variety of camps will be offered Monday-Dec. 30. Pre-registration is required. Corbin Art Center, 507 W. Seventh Ave. $14-$29. 625-6677.

Holiday Lights at Gaiser Conservatory – Through Sunday. Manito Park’s conservatory will be decorated with poinsettias, mums and more, with more than 40,000 lights. Conservatory hours are 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Best viewing is after 4 p.m. Manito Park. Free. 456-8038.

Ice Skate Lessons - For children age 4 and older. Learn basic skills. Helmets and outdoor clothing are recommended. Runs through Feb. 14. Riverfront Park Ice Palace. $59, includes skate rental and five free public skate passes. 625-6200.

Ice Skate Parent and Tot Lessons - For children age 4 and older. Learn to skate with your child. Helmets and outdoor clothing are recommended. Runs through Feb. 14. Riverfront Park Ice Palace. $39/parent and child, includes skate rental and five free public skate passes. $18/additional person. 625-6200.

Riverfront Park Ice Palace - Ice skating outdoors. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m.; Fridays, Saturdays and nights before holidays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and 7-10 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Runs through March 1. Riverfront Park. $4.25/adults; $3.25/children ages 3-17 seniors and military; $3/skate rental. 625-6601.

Santa Express - For ages 4-12. Kids can find fun, inexpensive gifts with the help of volunteer elves who also will help them wrap the gifts. Prices range from 50 cents to $7.50. Money raised is donated to the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., through Tuesday. Crescent Building in the skywalk level at corner of Main and Wall streets, just east of Spokane Teachers Credit Union, downtown Spokane. 535-3155.

Tae-Kwon-Do Classes - For all ages. Improve your fitness, flexibility, coordination, strength and learn self-defense techniques. Beginner class offered Mondays and Wednesdays and advanced class offered Fridays. Runs through June 20. 6:30-8 p.m., Cooper Elementary School Gymnasium, 3200 N. Ferrall St. Two cans of food per month. 482-0708.

Women’s and Children’s Free Restaurant - Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 4:15-5:45 p.m. and Fridays, 12:30-2:30 p.m. with take-out from 1-3 p.m. Runs through Sept. 25. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1620 N. Monroe St. (509) 324-1995.

Friday

Carriage Rides - Rides through downtown Spokane to view lights and holiday decorations. Sponsored by Spokane Teachers Credit Union and Downtown Spokane. Friday, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; Wednesday, noon-3 p.m. Runs through Sunday. Corner of Main Avenue at Wall Street. Free. 344-2231.

Preschool Storytime - For children 3-5 years of age. Library locations include: Downtown, 906 W. Main Ave. 444-5356; East Side, 524 S. Stone St. 444-5375; Hillyard, 4005 N. Cook St. 444-5380; Indian Trail, 4909 W. Barnes 444-5395; South Hill, 3324 S. Perry 444-5385; and Shadle, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. 444-5390. 10:30 a.m. Free.

Riverfront Park Ice Palace - Ice skating outdoors. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m.; Fridays, Saturdays and nights before holidays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and 7-10 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Runs through March 1. Riverfront Park. $4.25/adults; $3.25/children ages 3-17 seniors and military; $3/skate rental. (509) 625-6601.

Sons of Norway Christmas Party - Enjoy a potluck with Santa Claus. 5:30-9 p.m., Sons of Norway Tordenskjord Lodge, 6710 N. Country Homes Blvd. 326-9211.

Teddy Bear Teas (Indian Trail) - An annual celebration of a great American icon, the Teddy Bear. Bring your favorite bear and join in the fun during storytime. 10 a.m., Toddler Storytime; 10:30 a.m., Preschool Storytime. Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. Free. 444-5331.

Toddler Storytime - For children 18 months-3 years of age. Library locations include: Downtown, 906 W. Main Ave. 444-5356; South Hill, 3324 S. Perry St. 444-5385; Shadle, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. 444-5390; East Side, 524 S. Stone St. 444-5375; Hillyard, 4005 N. Cook St. 444-5380. 10 a.m. Free.

Saturday

“A Christmas Story” - Ralphie has to convince his parents, teachers, and Santa that a Red Ryder BB gun really is the perfect gift for the 1940s. Rated PG. 3:30 p.m., The Cretin Hop, 1317 N. Howard St. Free. 327-7195.

Auntie Violet Storytime - Reading some of her favorite Christmas stories along with a few yummy cookies. 11 a.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, Children’s section, 402 W. Main Ave. Free. 838-0206.

Carriage Rides - Rides through downtown Spokane to view lights and holiday decorations. Sponsored by Spokane Teachers Credit Union and Downtown Spokane. Friday, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; Wednesday, noon-3 p.m. Runs through Sunday. Corner of Main Avenue at Wall Street. Free. 344-2231.

Come Home for the Holidays - Featuring Ignite! Community Theatre carolers singing round the Campbell House and living history demonstrations. Take a walking tour of Brownes Addition and then warm up with hot apple cider. Children can create popcorn garlands, holiday greeting cards, and historic ornaments and hats. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 W. First Ave.,. $7/adults, $5/seniors and students with ID, free/age 5 and younger. 456-3931.

German Christmas Festival - Mobius Kids will celebrate the holidays with traditional German crafts, treats, stories and songs. 1-3 p.m., Mobius Kids, River Park Square, lower level, 808 W. Main Ave. $5.75/person; Free/children 12 months of age and younger; Senior and military personnel receive a $1 discount. 624-KIDS (5437).

Sunday

“Bringing Christmas Back to the Crescent” - Presented by Madeleine’s Cafe and Patisserie. Enjoy a buffet breakfast, live music and a chance to meet St. Nicholas. 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 707 W. Main Ave. 624-2253 for reservations.

Carriage Rides - Rides through downtown Spokane to view lights and holiday decorations. Sponsored by Spokane Teachers Credit Union and Downtown Spokane. Friday, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; Wednesday, noon-3 p.m. Runs through Sunday. Corner of Main Avenue at Wall Street. Free. 344-2231.

Wednesday

Carriage Rides - Rides through downtown Spokane to view lights and holiday decorations. Sponsored by Spokane Teachers Credit Union and Downtown Spokane. Friday, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; Wednesday, noon-3 p.m. Runs through Sunday. Corner of Main Avenue at Wall Street. Free. 344-2231.