kids and family

Fri., Aug. 9, 2013

Silverwood Theme Park and Boulder Beach Waterpark Includes admission to both parks with more than 65 rides, attractions and shows. August: open Sundays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Fridays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Waterpark open daily 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Visit www.silverwoodthemepark.com for more information. Silverwood Theme Park, 27843 N. Highway 95, Athol. $43.99/ages 8-64, $22.99/ages 3-7 and seniors, free/age 2 and younger; $5/parking. (208) 683-3400.

Annual Live Exhibit Annual Live Exhibit with our spotted Appaloosa friends, through mid-October. Hours are Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Fridays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Appaloosa Museum, 2720 W. Pullman Road, Moscow. (208) 882-5578.

Free Museum Admission for Military Families Enjoy free admission to more than 1,800 Blue Star museums across America through Sept. 8. The museums are a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 1,800 museums across America who offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families. Participating local museums include: Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 W. First Ave., downtown Spokane, (509) 456-3931; Cheney Historical Museum, 420 First St., Cheney, (509) 235-9015; Post Falls Historical Society, 101 E. Fourth Ave., Post Falls; Museum of North Idaho, 115 Northwest Blvd., Coeur d’Alene, (208) 755-1308.The free admission program is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card, or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card, which includes active duty U.S. military – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, as well as members of the National Guard and Reserve, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps – and up to five family members. The complete list of participating museums is available at www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

Pirates of the Coeur d’Alene Family Cruise Join Captain Calico Jack and his crew for an action-packed interactive family adventure across Lake Coeur d’Alene. It’s interactive fun for the whole family, including swordfights, games, face painting and singing. Departing twice daily from through Sept. 2. Cruise times 11:30 a.m. -1 p.m.; and 2-3:30 p.m. Independence Point, next to Coeur d’Alene City Park, Coeur d’Alene. $32.75/adults; $22.75/ages 3-12; free/ages two and younger. (208) 765-4000, ext. 21.

Living History Walking Tours Museum of North Idaho presents tours of Old Fort Sherman and Historic Downtown Coeur d’Alene on Tuesdays through Saturdays. The tours last 90 minutes, departing from the museum at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Visit www.museumni.org. Museum of North Idaho, 115 Northwest Blvd., Coeur d’Alene. $15, includes parking. (208) 664-3448.

Summer Horse and Carriage Rides Every Friday in August, 5-9 p.m. The rides are first come, first serve. No reservations are required. Each guest will receive a complimentary flower from Peters and Sons Floral as they enjoy the summer sights of downtown Spokane and the clip-clop of the horse hooves as they tour downtown in style. Sponsored by Spokane Teachers Credit Union. Main Ave. and Wall St. Free.

“Happy Tooth & Sad Tooth” Storytime Spokane Valley endodontist Blake McKinley Jr. will read his book covering the importance of tooth brushing, flossing and eating healthy food, followed by a book signing. Saturday, 11 a.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, Children’s Section, 402 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 838-0206.

“Chick ‘n’ Pug Meet the Dude” He’s taller than the Chrysler Building. He drools more than a teething baby sucking on a piece of Jell-o. Dog people will recognize him as a Great Dane. Chick and Pug know him only as The Dude. Join in to see what happens next. Treats follow. Saturday, 11 a.m., Barnes & Noble, 15310 E. Indiana Ave., Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 922-4104.

Make It at the Library Build, craft and create each month this summer. Free. Tuesday, 2 p.m., Fairfield Library, 305 E. Main St., Fairfield, (509) 893-8320; Wednesday, 2 p.m., Otis Orchards Library, 22324 E. Wellesley Ave., Otis Orchards, (509) 893-8390.

Anime The name refers to the ancient Japanese art of awesomeness! Watch some fun movies, eat snacks and hang out. For sixth graders and older. Free. Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Road, (509) 893-8350; Thursday, 4 p.m., Spokane Valley Library , 12004 E. Main Ave., Spokane Valley. (509) 893-8400.

Numbers and Counting Preschool Storytime One book, two books, red book, blue book. Let’s read some books to stretch our math muscles. Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Auntie’s Bookstore, Children’s Section, 402 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 838-0206.

“Ruff! and the Wonderfully Amazing Busy Day” Meet Ruff the Dog. What Ruff wants most is to make some friends. He accidently digs up the house of a little gray mouse. While helping him make a new home, Ruff makes a new friend. Friendly treats afterwards. Wednesday, 2 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 15310 E. Indiana Ave., Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 922-4104.

Looking ahead

National Lentil Festival Aug. 16-17. The festival will celebrate 25 years. Visit www.lentilfest.com. 415 N. Grand Ave., Pullman. Free admission to festival. (800) 365-6948.

Spokane Indians Baseball Aug. 16 at 6:30 p.m. vs. Hillsboro Hops, Avista Stadium, 602 N. Havana St., Spokane Valley. $5-$11. (509) 535-2922.

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