Oh what fun we’ll have: Keep kids occupied during winter break
The kids are on winter break. Looking for ways to keep them occupied? We’ve got options.
Free carriage rides
This is the last weekend to ride around downtown in style. Board at the corner of Spokane Falls Boulevard and Wall Street. Trips are first-come, first-served. Hours: 3-8 p.m. Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturday and noon-3 p.m. Sunday. Info: http://downtownspokane.org/carriage-rides/
Ice ribbon
Take a spin on downtown’s newest attraction. Admission is hourly; $4.50 for children 2-12; $6.50 for adults; $5.50 for seniors, military and college students; plus $4.50 for skate rental. Unlimited admission passes are $25 for children and $30 for adults, so if you think you’ll visit a few times, that may be the way to go. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays (closed Christmas Day). Info: https://my.spokanecity.org/riverfrontpark/attractions/skate-ribbon/
Mobius
There are two options – the Children’s Museum or the Science Center. Both offer fun and educational things to do. At the Science Center, 331 N. Post St., there will be Winter Break Labs on weekdays, including Cow Eyeball Dissections (extra charge, registration required), or test your ship-building skills at Sail Away and learn about the physics of flight at Friday Fliers. Check the website for schedule information. The Children’s Museum is in the basement of River Park Square, 808 W. Main Ave. Exhibits include Bubbleology and Build It. Both sites are open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. They’re usually open noon-5 p.m. Sundays, but will be closed on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Admission is $8 for one, $12 for a bounce pass to visit both; children younger than 1 get in free. Senior, military and hotel discounts available. Info: http://mobiusspokane.org/
Last-minute shopping
Little elves ages 4-12 can shop for everyone on their lists at Santa Express. Gifts range in price from 50 cents to $8. Volunteers are on hand to help children shop and wrap their gifts while chauffeurs (aka parents, grandparents or guardians) shop at the Santa Express Boutique in the front of the store. The proceeds from the store benefit the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. The shop is on the second floor of River Park Square, next to Urban Outfitters. Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday. Info: (509) 496-9935.
Totally Tubular Tuesdays
The Garland Theater’s Tuesday night shows are just $2.50. For the day after Christmas, “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” will screen. On Jan. 2, it’ll be “Castle in the Sky.” Showtime is 7:30 p.m. The theater is at 924 W. Garland Ave. Info: (509) 327-1050 or http://garlandtheater.com/.
Holiday lights
Take a walk or go for a drive to check out the lights. One don’t-miss spot is Winter Glow in Cowley Park at Sixth Avenue and Division Street, just below Sacred Heart Medical Center (https://spokanewinterglow.com/). Or, plot your own route using The S-R’s holiday lights map: www.spokesman.com/maps/holiday-lights-2017/.