Family calendar

Today

Miniature Playgrounds - Bring your engineering skills to create a miniature playground. Use everyday objects to create simple machines and pendulums to design your ultimate playground. Part of the monthly Kids Explore & Discover Club for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. 4 p.m. Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne Road, Millwood. Free. (509) 893-8260.

Tween Craft Club: Pop-Up Cards - Come by the library to learn how to make these fun cards for the holidays or other special occasions. 4 p.m. Hillyard Library, 4005 N. Cook St. Free. (509) 444-5380.

Spokane Winter Glow Spectacular - “All Dressed Up in Lights,” with more than 25 lighted displays, featuring an Animal Light Zoo and wagon and carriage rides available. Through Dec. 31, begins nightly at 5 p.m. Visit www.spokanewinterglow.com. Riverfront Park, 507 N. Howard St. Free.

Holiday Lights at Gaiser Conservatory - Friday-Dec. 21, 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. The conservatory is decorated with thousands of lights along with poinsettia, mums, and a warm climate. Best viewing is after 4 p.m. An open house takes place Saturday-Sunday from 4:30-7:30 p.m., with refreshments. Manito Park, Gaiser Conservatory, 1702 S. Grand Blvd. Free.

“It’s A Wonderful Life” - Friday-Dec. 21. Performances are Fridays at 7 p.m.; Saturdays at 3 and 7 p.m.; and Sundays at 2 p.m. Theater Arts for Children, 2114 N. Pines Road, Suite 3S, Spokane Valley. $7.25-$9.25. (509) 995-6718.

Friday

The Living Nativity - Watch the Christmas story unfold as you drive on a CD-narrated journey to Bethlehem. You encounter Roman soldiers, Caesar, shepherds, wisemen, a bustling marketplace and live animals. 6 p.m. Amazing Grace Fellowship, 416 W. Betz Road, Cheney. Free. (509) 235-6199.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland - Family-friendly event with a visit from Santa Claus, hay rides, a holiday stroll on the illuminated Swinging Bridge, festive lights in the campgrounds and shelter, campfires and hot chocolate and cookies for sale. Sponsored by the Inland Empire Toyota Dealers. Each night visitors will have a chance to win a pair of lift tickets to 49 degrees North Mountain Resort. 6-8:30 p.m. Bowl and Pitcher - Riverside State Park, 4427 N. Aubrey L. White Parkway. $5, free for children 3 and younger. (509) 465-5064.

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” - In this Christmas classic, the Herdman kids bring something new to the church Christmas pageant. 7 p.m. Spokane Children’s Theatre, 2727 N. Madelia Ave. $8-$12. (509) 328-4886.

Saturday

Make a Paper Plate Snow Globe - Come by during library hours to make this fun craft. Spokane Public Library - Downtown, 906 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 444-5336.; Hillyard Library, 4005 N. Cook St. (509) 444-5380; South Hill Library, 3324 S. Perry St. (509) 444-5385. Free.