Family events
Today
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. Vanessa’s Village, located in the entry of Santa Express, welcomes shoppers of all ages and reasonably priced. Fundraiser for Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, a safe shelter for kids who are at risk of neglect or abuse. Open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. today through Friday. Downtown on the skywalk level of Crescent building, 707 W. Main Ave. varies. (509) 448-2900.
Corbin Kids Camps for the Holidays - For children ages 3-11. Enjoy a variety of art projects and games offered today-Dec. 29. Pre-registration is required. For more information, visit www.spokaneparks.org. Corbin Art Center, 507 W. Seventh Ave. $16-$34. (509) 625-6677.
Winter Family Game Fest - Enjoy an afternoon of Nintendo Wii and board games. Bring any Wii or board games you’d like to share (rated E for everyone, please). All ages are welcome to attend, but children ages 6 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. 1:30 p.m., Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne Road, Millwood. Free. (509) 893-8260.
Tuesday
Christmas Cheer at SSSC - Enjoy a day of Christmas crafts, movies, snacks and free Santa pictures. Pictures times will be from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., South Side Senior Center, 2934 E. 27th Ave. Free. (509) 535-2301.
Winter Family Game Fest – Enjoy an afternoon of Nintendo Wii and board games. There will be some snacks. You’re welcome to bring any Wii or board games you’d like to share (rated E for everyone, please). All ages are welcome to attend, but children ages 6 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. 1:30 p.m., Moran Prairie Library, 6004 S. Regal St. Free. (509) 893-8340.
Spokane Valley Tween Book Club - For children in grades 4-6. If you’ve read the book, seen the movie, read something else by the author, or haven’t done any of the above but don’t mind the occasional plot spoiler, join in discussing and recommending books, playing games, eating book-related snacks. This month’s book is “Skellig,” by David Almond. 4:30 p.m., Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave., Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 893-8400.
Family Story Evening - All ages are 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
G.I. Holiday Jukebox - USO tribute show presented by Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre. Shows today-Friday at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.cdasummertheatre.
com. Coeur d’Alene Resort Theatre, Coeur d’Alene. $20/adults, $25/premiere, $18/children. (208) 769-7780.
Winter Family Game Fest - Enjoy an afternoon of Nintendo Wii and board games. Bring any Wii or board games you’d like to share (rated E for everyone, please). All ages are welcome to attend, but children ages 6 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Library locations and times include: 1 p.m., Medical Lake Library, 321 E. Herb St., Medical Lake. (509) 893-8330; 1:30 p.m., Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave., Otis Orchards. Free. (509) 893-8390.
After School Specials - “Winter Wonderland.” For children in grades K-5. Library locations include: Argonne, 4322 N. Argonne Road (509) 893-8260; Deer Park, 208 S. Forest Ave. (509) 893-8300. 4 p.m. Free. (509) 893-8330.
Thursday
Play and Learn Storytime - For ages 2-5. 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. 10:30 a.m. Library locations include: Otis Orchards, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave. (509) 893-8390; Airway Heights, 1213 S. Lundstrom St. (509) 893-8250. Free.
Baby Lapsit - Enjoy nursery rhymes, songs, and stories. For children up to 18 months of age. Library locations include: Moran Prairie, 6004 S. Regal St. (509) 893-8340; Deer Park, 208 S. Forest Ave. (509) 893-8300. 10:30 a.m., Moran Prairie, 6004 S. Regal St. Free. (509) 893-8340.
Winter Family Game Fest - Enjoy an afternoon of Nintendo Wii and board games. Bring any Wii or board games you’d like to share (rated E for everyone, please). All ages are welcome to attend, but children ages 6 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Library locations and times include: 1 p.m., Cheney Library, 610 First St., Cheney. (509) 893-8280; 1:30 p.m., Fairfield Library, 305 E. Main St., Fairfield. Free. (509) 893-8320.
Friday
Free Horse and Carriage Rides - Presented by the Downtown Spokane Business Improvement District and Spokane Teachers Credit Union. Riders will receive free candy canes. Today from 3-8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. First-come, first-served, no reservations required. Corner of Wall St. and Main Ave. Free. (509) 456-0580.
Baby Lapsit - Enjoy nursery rhymes, songs, and stories. For children up to 18 months of age. Library locations include: Spokane Valley, 12004 E. Main Ave. (509) 893-8400; Cheney, 610 First St. (509) 893-8280. 10:30 a.m. Free. (509) 893-8400.
Winter Family Game Fest - Enjoy an afternoon of Nintendo Wii and board games. Bring any Wii or board games you’d like to share (rated E for everyone, please). All ages are welcome to attend, but children ages 6 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. 1:30 p.m., Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave., Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 893-8400.
Saturday
The Grinch Christmas Storytime - Listen to a reading about the Grinch’s eventful night and work on some activity pages. 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. No reservations needed. Noon-4 p.m., Coeur d’Alene. Free.
Sunday
Christmas Day Community Dinner - 41st annual holiday dinner, sponsored by Bonner Gospel Mission and local churches. Participants receive a meal and gift bag. Noon-3 p.m. Free. (208) 263-0869.
Athol Community Christmas Dinner - All are welcome to share this special meal with others. 1-5 p.m., Athol Community Center, behind Athol Library, Athol, Idaho. Free. (208) 691-7961.
Ongoing
Appaloosa Museum and Heritage Center - “The Thorny Fence: The History of Barbed Wire,” through March 2, 2012. Appaloosa Museum, 2720 W. Pullman Road, Pullman. Free. (208) 882-5578, ext. 279.
Campbell House Holidays - Part of the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, admission tickets includes the exhibit galleries and a tour of the house. Guests can tour the house at their leisure from noon-4 p.m., this Wednesday-Saturday, Dec. 28-31 and Jan. 1. Regular guided Campbell House tours will be available on other December dates the museum is open. Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. $7/adults, $5/seniors and students. (509) 456-3931.
Christian Youth Theater-North Idaho Winter Classes - Now registering ages 6-18 for 10-week classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:15-6:15 p.m. to begin on Jan 3 and 5. Students age 8-18 will have the opportunity to audition for the theater’s upcoming production of “Annie.” Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1700 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Coeur d’Alene. $150-$175 for 22 hours of instruction. (208) 765-8600.
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.