Family Calendar

Today

Peeps Science - A Fun Family Learning Event - Love Peeps or hate them, these marshmallow treats can help us learn about science. Children younger than 6 must be accompanied by an adult. 4 p.m. South Hill Library, 3324 S. Perry St. Free. (509) 444-5385.

Origami Paper Flowers - This month the Tween Craft Club will learn how to make origami flowers for that special person in your life. For fifth- through eighth graders. 4 p.m. East Side Library, 524 S. Stone St. Free. (509) 444-5375.

Ongoing

Spokane Vintage Swing Festival – Friday through Sunday. Commemorate Jazz Appreciation Month with three days of music and dancing. Friday: Welcome to Spokane Dance, Johnny J & the Flat Foot Floogies with dance lesson from 8-9 p.m. and concert from 9 p.m.-midnight at Chateau Rive, 621 W. Mallon Ave., $15/advance, $20/door; www.vintageswingspokane.com/#!shop/c1nw4. Saturday: Big Party with Johnny Boyd, with dance lesson from 8-9 p.m. and concert from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. at Moran Prairie Grange, 6106 S. Palouse Highway. “Vintage Prom” theme, wear your vintage best, $20; www.vintageswingspokane.com/#!shop/c1nw4. Sunday: “This is not Goodbye” dance from 1-4 p.m. with a barbecue, free. (509) 919-9162.

Friday

Author Christina Lewis - Signing of “The Cheese Pirates: Cheddar Island,” about a mouse, Captain Pepper Jack, who must save Tillamook Bay from PiRats. There will also be a cheese sampling and root beer party. Call (509) 590-3419 for reservations. 1-3 p.m. Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave., Spokane Valley. $2/person; $5/family. (509) 893-8400.

Saturday

Dancefest - Performances of modern, Appalachian clog, folk, jazz and Highland dance. Dancers will fill the stage with classical ballet, tap, hip-hop, traditional Mexican and German dances. This festival includes workshops for people of all ages and abilities. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. West Valley High School, Auditorium, 8301 E. Buckeye Ave., Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 927-0972.

Youth Poetry Slams - A kids slam and a middle school slam will be held. For the kids slam, they will perform one poem, and instead of being scored, they’ll receive verbal feedback from the judges on what was interesting/exciting/smart/cool about the work they presented. For the middle school slam, it will be structured more like a traditional slam: two rounds, scores from three judges, etc. Register at 3 p.m., start time is 4 p.m. Part of the 2015 Get Lit Festival. Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main Ave. Free. (509) 828-1498.

Steps for Autism 5K Walk/Run - Walk or run with family and friends to raise money and awareness for Autism Spectrum Disorders. All ages and ability levels welcome. Funds raised will remain local. Contact Northwest Autism Center to register. 8 a.m. Mirabeau Point Park, Centennial Trail, Spokane Valley. $25. (509) 328-1582.

Paint a Helmet - Spokane Kiwanis Clubs - Division 46 Kiwanis Clubs presents the annual event. Each child, 3-16 years of age, attending will receive a free white bike/recreational safety helmet that they can custom decorate at the event. Helmets will be properly fitted to each child, too. Quantities are limited so first come first served. 9 a.m. Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, Ag Building C, 404 N. Havana St., Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 953-8696.

My Life, My Money Camp - For grades 6-8 (ages 11-14), you can attend Spokane Teachers Credit Union’s camp to get the tools you need to make the most of your money. Want to know how to avoid getting ripped off by high credit card rates? Interested in becoming a millionaire before you’re 30? Learn tons at MLMM Camp. 10 a.m. Moran Prairie Library, 6004 S. Regal St. Free. (855) 753-0317.

Make a Beaded Pendant - We’ll use needles and thread to transform seed beads and accent beads into a medallion pendant based on a design by Deborah Roberti. For ages 12-adult. Sign-up highly recommended. Please allow two hours for this class. 2 p.m. Hillyard Library, 4005 N. Cook St. Free. (509) 444-5380.

Sunday

2015 Lilac Century Family Fun Ride - Fun, scenic and challenging tours for every level of rider. All proceed to benefit local charities supported by the Spokane Aurora Northwest Rotary Club. All riders will receive a deluxe collector’s long sleeve performance sports jersey, healthy snacks and beverages at all stops, a great baked potato feed at the finish line, route map and packet full of goodies. Late registration on Saturday, 5-7 p.m. or on Sunday before each ride begins. 6:45 a.m. Spokane Falls Community College (meeting place only), 3410 W. Fort George Wright Dr. $50 for 100-, 66-, 50-mile rides, $40 for 25-, 15-, and family fun rides. (509) 466-6756.

Tsutakawa Japanese Garden Festival (Japan Week) - Suzaku Taiko (dynamic drumming); Aikido (adapted from samurai combat arts) by Akido Bushin Gene; Japanese Sumi-e hands-on activities; Inland Empire Bonsai Society demonstrations; Inland Empire Water Gardens and Koi Society; KuroNekoCon Cosplay Chess demo; Ikebana demo; and flutist Todd Milne. 2-4 p.m. Manito Park, Nishinomiya-Tsutakawa Gardens at Manito Park, 21st Avenue at Bernard Street. Free. (509) 251-803591.

Hiking Steptoe Butte Sunset - Ages 8 and older. Activity code: 31168. This mountain has a very interesting history that can be explored when you reach the summit and hike around. Don’t forget your camera. Additional information emailed after registration. 4-8 p.m. Mountain Gear (meeting place only), 2002 N. Division St. $36. (509) 625-6200.

Spokane Youth Symphony - “Promise of Spring,” exploring music’s power to tell a story through four favorites, including the Berceuse and Finale from Stravinsky’s The Firebird, DeFalla’s Spanish Dance No. 1, Saint-Saens’ Samson & Delilah Bacchanale, and Grieg’s incidental music for Ibsen’s play Peer Gynt. 4 p.m. Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. $16/adults, $14/seniors, $12/age 17 and younger. (509) 624-1200.

Monday

Pokemon Club - North Spokane - Whether you’ve played before, or just beginning, we think you’ll enjoy this math and strategy game. We play for fun, not for keeps. You can bring your own deck, or we will have some to share. Held fourth Monday of the month, 4-5 p.m., from October-May. All ages are welcome. (Children 6 and younger should be accompanied by an adult.) North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Road. Free. (509) 893-8350.

Marvelous Moon: The Moon Formation Event for Kids - Want to learn about the mysterious, dramatic event that gave Earth its moon? Astronomer Dan Bakken will show us how it happened, followed by hands-on activities, such as simulating the event with play-dough and making rice-crispy treat moons. This event is for third- through eighth-graders. Parents should accompany younger children. 6:30 p.m. Shadle Library, 2111 W. Wellesley Ave. Free. (509) 444-5390.

Tuesday

Wee MAC! Pre-K Fun - Creative, playful and child-centered pre-K program, ages 4-5. Activities foster exploration and social development in preparation for kindergarten. Children will develop creative thinking, artistic vocabulary and fine motor skills as they discover animals, bugs, weather, colors and shapes. Engage in art viewing, art making, campus walks, songs, games and story time. Please note: Each child must be accompanied by a parent, grandparent or caregiver. Held Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m., through June 9. Register at www.northwestmuseum.org. Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. $5 for one child and one adult. (509) 456-3931.

Too Fun Tuesday - Spokane Valley - Fourth Tuesday Art Club - bring the creativity, supplies provided to make your artistic masterpiece. Feel free to bring a smock. All ages are welcome; age 6 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. 4 p.m. Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave., Spokane Valley. Free. (509) 893-8400.

Scenic Family Hikes in the Spokane Area - Join us as we learn about family hikes in Spokane. We’ll also discuss tips for hiking with children, a list of short family hikes, and how to access a website offering free, guided hikes in the area for all ages. 6:30 p.m. Hillyard Library, 4005 N. Cook St. Free. (509) 444-5380.