Day-oh! Children’s Day in Lacey is packed with fab free fun for the kiddos. The Bug Chef will be on hand, dishing up samples of his, uh, special treats (deep-fried grubs, anyone?), and The Bubbleman will amaze the crowd with soap-and-water artistry. Stop by the Home Depot Build-it Station to pound some nails, blow off a little steam in the bounce house and pick up a free book. Oct. 10, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Huntamer Park, Seventh and Woodland Square Loop Southeast, Lacey. 360-491-0857, ci.lacey.wa.us (under “Arts and Events”).
Give a hoot. At Northwest Trek’s annual Halloween bash, Hoot ’n’ Howl, you’ll have the unique opportunity to take a tram ride through the free-roaming area to look for park critters – in the dark! Come in costume (no scary masks or face paint on the grownups, please), roam the park, play games and compete for prizes, and dig into special treats. You might want to make reservations for this popular event. Oct. 23-24, 6-10 p.m. $4-$12. Northwest Trek, Eatonville. 360-832-6117.
Scream team. Costumed rock climbing? Sure, why not – but you might want to take off the fake monster hands first. Get duded up a few days before Halloween and head to the Centre at Norpoint, where you can take on the rock-climbing wall — it’ll be blacklit for maximum spookiness — under the supervision of trained staff. Tiptoe down the Trick or Treat Street of Screams, take in live entertainment, and play themed games while you’re there. Best of all, kids, it’s all free. Oct. 29, 6-8 p.m. All ages. Centre at Norpoint, 4818 Nassau Ave. N.E., Tacoma. 253-591-5504.
—Kris Collingridge
