‘Splat the Cat’ program coming to Yakima Valley Libraries in April

He rhymes with bat. He doesn’t usually wear a hat, and – oh! – we could go on about that.  It’s Splat the Cat!  And Yakima Valley Libraries around the valley will host programs based on the character.

Made famous in Rob Scotton’s “Splat the Cat” books, the cuddly feline is the focus of “Pat Splat the Cat” programs offered this April. Activities include stories, rhymes, crafts, songs and games.

Here’s the schedule for YVL’s “Pat Splat the Cat” offerings:

• April 19 at 10:30 a.m.: Sunnyside Library, 621 Grant, Sunnyside; 509-837-3234.
• April 22 at 11 a.m.: Moxee Library, 255 W. Seattle, Moxee; 509-575-8854.
• April 23 at 10:30 a.m.: Yakima Central Library, 102 N. Third St., Yakima; 509-452-8541.
• April 23 at 3:30 p.m.: Naches Library, 303 Naches Ave., Naches; 509-653-2005.
• April 24 at 10:30 a.m.: West Valley Library, 223 S. 72nd Ave., Yakima; 509-966-7070.
• April 24 at 1:30 p.m.: Selah Library, 106 S. Second St., Selah; 509-698-7345.
• April 25 at 10:30 a.m.: Terrace Heights Library, 4011 Commonwealth Drive, Yakima; 509-457-5319.
• April 25 at 3 p.m.: Granger Library, 508 Sunnyside Ave., Granger; 509-854-1446.
• April 26 at 10:30 a.m.: Toppenish Library, 1 S. Elm, Toppenish; 509-865-3600.
• April 26 at 4 p.m.: Wapato Library, 119 E. Third St., Wapato; 509-877-2882.

Allied Arts continues art programs this spring

Kids have been shut indoors for too long by now, leaving parents wondering just what to do with them. It’s time to get artsy.

Allied Arts of Yakima has several new art programs lined up in the next few months.

Fly Your Kite & Rock Your Banner. 9:30-11 a.m. Thursdays through March 28. Instructor Mindy Clark helps kids create kites and banners using markers and watercolors on recycled materials, emphasizing shape, color, value, line and pattern. Cost: $10 per person; register at Allied Arts of Yakima, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima; 509-966-0930. Classes are held at the Selah Library, 106 S. Second St., Selah.

Magazine Beads. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays through March 30. Instructor: Diane Smith. Cost: $10 per person. Drop-ins welcome. Classes held at Allied Arts of Yakima, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima; 509-966-0930.

Open Studios. 12-3 p.m. Saturdays through April 27. Open, drop-in studio. Art teacher on-hand to facilitate projects. Cost: $5 for one adult and child together; $2 each additional child. Art supplies included in cost. Classes held at Allied Arts of Yakima, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima; 509-966-0930.

Pop Art Portraits. 9:30-11 a.m. Thursdays, April 4-25. Clark teaches students to create portraits using markers, glue, oil pastel, printing and collage to study line, color, pattern and balance. Cost: $10 per person; register at Allied Arts of Yakima, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima; 509-966-0930. Classes are held at the Selah Library, 106 S. Second St., Selah.

Collage with Rausenburg and Beardon. 9:30-11 a.m. Thursdays, May 2-30. Instructor: Mindy Clark. Cost: $10 per person; register at Allied Arts of Yakima, 5000 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima; 509-966-0930. Classes are held at the Selah Library, 106 S. Second St., Selah.

Embrace winter for sports, inside and outside

“Baby, it’s cold outside…” Yep, and in places there’s lots of snow still. What are you and your family going to do about it? Sure, snow angels can get you so far, but if you want real adventure, look no further.

SOCCER

IKE HOSTS SPRING BREAK SOCCER CAMP Your kids will get a kick out of Ike’s Spring Break Soccer Camp, which runs two days in April. The camp, at Gilbert Elementary, is from 9-10:30 a.m., April 2-3.

The soccer camp is designed for boys and girls, grades K-6. Kids will work with the Ike soccer players to learn soccer skills and have fun. The cost is $20 per child. Registration begins March 1. To register, contact Coach Tyler Suhm at 509-573-2672 or by email at suhm.tyler@yakimaschools.org.

INDOOR TINY TYKES SOCCER. Boys and girls, ages 4-5. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays, Feb. 5-21. Indoor soccer teaches kids passing, dribbling, shooting, teamwork and sportsmanship. Cost: $28/$34, depending on residency; includes T-shirt. At Roosevelt Elementary. Yakima Parks and Rec: 509-575-6020.

ITTY BITTIES INTRO TO SOCCER. Boys and girls, ages 3-4. 6-6:45 p.m. Thursdays, May 10-31. Kids learn dribbling, passing, shooting and basic motor skills. Cost: $40/$48, depending on residency; includes T-shirt. At Chesterley Park. Yakima Parks and Rec: 509-575-6020.

PEE WEE SOCCER LEAGUE. Boys and girls, ages 5-6. 6-7:15 p.m. Thursdays, April 5-26. Fundamentals of dribbling, passing and shooting learned with non-competitive games. Cost: $40/$48, depending on residency; includes T-shirt and ball. At Chesterley Park. Yakima Parks and Rec: 509-575-6020.

SELAH FC. Boys and girls, grades K-6. Games played Saturdays and weekday evenings, March 9-April 27 (no games held March 30-April 6). Cost: $46.53/$57.35/$68.17; fee includes uniform. Registration: Jan. 2-Feb. 20, with $4 late fee if registered after Feb. 5. At Lince Fields in Selah. Selah Parks and Rec: 509-698-7300.

TINY TOTS SOCCER (SELAH). Boys and girls, ages 3-5. Play: Saturdays, March 9, 16, 27 & April 13, 20 & 27. Registration: Jan. 2-March 8. Introduction to soccer, including basic fundamentals, new skills and sportsmanship. Cost: $35/$45/$55, depending on residency; fee includes T-shirt. At Lince Play Field across Naches Ave. from Lince School in Selah. Selah Parks and Rec: 509-698-7300.

YMCA ITTY BITTY SOCCER. Boys and girls, ages 3-6. Soccer basics, plus teamwork and sportsmanship. Season begins: TBA. Registration: Opens in mid-April, closes in May. Cost: $45/$55, depending on membership. Yakima Family YMCA, 5 N. Naches Ave., Yakima; 509-248-1202. Contact: Doug Berndt, Youth Programs Director: 509-972-5273, or dberndt@yakimaymca.org. yakimaymca.org

FOOTBALL

SELAH FLAG FOOTBALL. Boys and girls, grades 2-6. Divisions by grade. No-tackle, pass-only league. Cost: $47.61/$58.43/$69.25, depending on residency; fee includes T-shirt. Registration: Jan. 2-April 12. League play: April 30-June 6. At Lince Fields in Selah. Selah Parks and Rec: 509-698-7300.

YMCA FLAG FOOTBALL. Boys and girls, ages 5-12. Cost: $65/$75, depending on membership. Season starts May 20; registration runs March 15-April 30. Yakima Family YMCA, 5 N. Naches Ave., Yakima; 509-248-1202. Contact: Doug Berndt, Youth Programs Director: 509-972-5273, or dberndt@yakimaymca.org. yakimaymca.org

T-BALL

BEGINNER PEE WEE T-BALL. Boys and girls, ages 4-5. Four-game season: 6:15-7:15 p.m. Wednesdays, March 20-April 10. Register by March 8. Cost: $15/$20, depending on residency. Games played at Gateway Sports Complex or Kiwanis Park. Yakima Parks and Rec: 509-575-6020.

SELAH T-BALL. Boys and girls, ages 5-7. Teams play once a week, plus one or two practices per week. Cost: $38.92/$49.77/$60.59, depending on residency; fee includes T-shirt. Registration: March 1-April 9. League Play: Tuesdays & Thursdays, April 30-June 6. At Lince Fields in Selah. Selah Parks and Rec: 509-698-7300.

BASKETBALL

ITTY BITTY BASKETBALL. Boys and girls, ages 3-6. 5:30-6:20 p.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays (ages 3-4), and 6:30-7:20 p.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays (ages 5-6). First practice starts March 5. Registration closes Feb. 18; $10 fee added after deadline. Cost: $45/$55, depending on membership. Yakima Family YMCA, 5 N. Naches Ave., Yakima; 509-248-1202. Contact: Doug Berndt, Youth Programs Director: 509-972-5273, or dberndt@yakimaymca.org. yakimaymca.org

ICE

Learn to Skate and Beginner Hockey classes at Yakima Ice Rink Ice skating and hockey do have a place in Yakima, and your child can learn how to do one — or both! The Yakima Ice Rink, 1700 Beech St. in Yakima, offers Learn to Skate lessons each Monday, 6-6:45 p.m. for tots as young as 3 and other brand-new skaters, and at 6:45-7:30 p.m. for beginners. Figure skating lessons are Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and 6:30-7:30 p.m. Public skating sessions take place each Friday, 6-9 p.m. and Saturday, 5-8 p.m. The cost is $6 per person, with an additional $1 fee for ice skate rental. Call the rink at 509-469-0597 or visit yakimaicerink.com for more info.

Chalet Place Ice Rink. Open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays, this new ice skating rink is made from sheets of polyethylene, which isn’t as cold as ice and doesn’t require refrigeration or electricity. That means this outdoor rink could potentially be open year-round.  “Come July,” says Frank Hieber, co-owner of Incline LLC, which operates Chalet Place Ice Rink, “you might see people in shorts and tank tops skating next to the shaved ice area.” The cost is $5 per person, including a skate rental, or $4 if visitors bring their own skates. Once on the “ice,” patrons have an unlimited amount of time within the hours of operation. The Chalet Place Ice Rink is located in the Chalet Place shopping center at 56th and Summitview avenues in Yakima.

…AND SNOW

White Pass Kids’ Clinic continues through March The dates are set, and more kids’ clinics will be offered at White Pass in February and March. Boys and girls ages 5-12 can experience full-day skiing or snowboarding clinics with specialized children’s instructors.
The remaining sessions offered are Feb. 23-24, March 9-10 & March 23-24. Registration takes place from 8-9:15 a.m. on those dates in the Talus Room. Clinic participants meet at The Learning Center at White Pass at 9:30 a.m. each day. The cost is $90 single day, $130 weekend; includes lunch, snacks and lift tickets.

The Ski 4 Kids Race Weekend is scheduled for March 2-3 in conjunction with the Winter Carnival. These races are open to intermediate skiers and riders, ages 6-12. All-day training takes place Sat., March 2, and races commence Sun., March 3, followed by an awards ceremony and hot dog banquet. Register for either program with The Learning Center at White Pass, 509-672-3101, and check out skiwhitepass.com for more info.

EZ Ski/Ride 1,2,3. 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 21, Feb. 15 & Feb. 21. Yakima Parks and Recreation leads groups to White Pass to teach kids an introduction to snow sports, including skiing and snowboarding. Cost: $140/$147, depending on residency; fee includes transportation and three days of lift tickets. Transportation only fee: $15/$17, depending on residency. Yakima Parks and Rec: 509-575-6020.

YAKIMA LITTLE LEAGUE. Ages 4-14. League play: April 8-June 7. Registration: 5:30-8 p.m. Feb. 19 & 21 at Big 5, 2801 W. Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima; 5-7 p.m. Feb. 26 & 28 at Kimmel Athletic Supply, 2105 W. Lincoln, Yakima. Also register by calling Mike Saxton at 509-952-1716 or Nicole Delp at 509-910-5248. Cost: $65 T-Ball (4-6 years); $75 Farm League (6-8 years); $105 Minor League (8-10 years); $105 Major League (11-12 years); $150 Junior League (13-14 years); cash and check accepted, and debit for a small fee.

Family Open Gym in Selah
So you want to get exercise with your family without going broke? Try the free Family Open Gym at Sunset Gym in Selah. The gym is open to families only 4-6 p.m. the first and third Sundays of each month through March. Sports activities include basketball, wiffle ball, volleyball and more. Selah Parks and Rec: 509-698-7300.

Halloween, Harvest & Fall Fun

Whether it’s Halloween or other harvest fun, here’s the lowdown on what’s in store for you this fall:

MULTIPLE DAY EVENTS

APPLE AND PUMPKIN FESTIVAL. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays, Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26 & Saturdays, Sept. 22, 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27. U-pick/we pick pumpkins and apples, make your own cider, warm apple cider donuts, pony rides, hay rides, barnyard hay rides, fire pit and marshmallows, live music, all-American food, demonstrations and classes. Bill’s Berry Farm, 3674 N. County Line Road, Grandview; 509-882-3200. billsberryfarm.com

BARNYARD MYSTERY CORN MAZE AT BILL’S BERRY FARM. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays, Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26, & Saturdays, Sept. 22, 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27. Farmer Bill has gone missing … what a mystery! Help figure out which barnyard animal kidnapped him by navigating a 7 1/2-acre corn maze, plus nearly four miles of trails. Bill’s Berry Farm, 3674 N. County Line Rd., Grandview; 509-882-3200. Billsberryfarm.com

BLACKBERRIES JUBILEE. 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, through Oct. 13 (Friday-Sunday by appt.). U-pick blackberries. Take your pick of blackberries on the half-acre vineyard. At 600 Arrowsmith Road, Sunnyside.

GRANDVIEW’S ANNUAL HAUNTED HOUSE. Oct. 26-27, 5:30-10 p.m. Haunted house, games, food and more. Cost: $4 age 13 and older, $3 ages 12 and younger and seniors. Sponsored by Miss Grandview Program and Grandview Music Boosters. 135 Division St., Grandview; 509-882-3198. visitgrandview.org

FIFTH ANNUAL HAUNTED TRAIN AND DEPOT. Oct. 27-28 & Oct. 30-31. Schedule: 7-11 p.m. Oct. 27; 7-10 p.m. Oct. 28, 30, & 31. Come see ghosts, goblins and other scary surprises at two haunted trains. Cost: $5 per person (recommended age is 13 and older). Northern Pacific Railway Museum, 10 S. Asotin Rd., Toppenish; 509-865-1911. nprymuseum.org

JONES FARMS STRAW MAZE AND STRAW MOUNTAIN SLIDE. Sept. 15-Oct. 31. Straw maze and straw mountain slide. Free. Jones Farms, 2020 Thacker Road, Zillah; 509-829-6024.

OCTOBER HARVEST DAYS. Oct. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, & 27-28. Old-fashioned cider squeeze, hay rides, hay maze and pumpkin patch. Washington Fruit Place at Barrett Orchards, 1209 Pecks Canyon Rd., Yakima; 509-966-1275.

SCHELL’S MASSIVE CORN MAZE & FALL HARVEST FUNLAND. Open in October: 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sundays. Ten-acre corn maze, and a 2-acre maze with no dead-ends for kids, straw pyramid with slides, hay rides, pumpkin patch, petting zoo, pumpkin chucker, haunted house, bonfire pits and barbeques. Admission includes carving pumpkin: $9.50 adults/$6.50 children ages 3-10 and seniors 65+/children ages 2 and younger free with paid adult. Schell’s Produce. Two locations: 3213 Tacoma St. in Union Gap, 509-453-3200; and three miles east of Toppenish on Highway 22 at Harris Road, 509-865-4511.

DAILY EVENTS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20

HARVEST MARCHING BAND FESTIVAL. 4:30 p.m. Finals at 6 p.m. Cost: $15 adults for all-day pass, $10 for finals only; $10 for students and seniors. Zaepfel Stadium, 40th Avenue and Tieton Drive. harvestbands.org

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21

YAKIMA ADVENTIST FALL FESTIVAL. 12-3 p.m. Hay ride, bounce houses, dunk tank, toddler pumpkin patch and games. Hosted by Yakima Adventist Christian School and Washington Fruit Place & Gift Shop. Yakima Adventist Christian School, 1200 City Resevoir Rd., Yakima; 509-966-1933. yacsschool.org

 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27

ANNUAL PUMPKIN RUN. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 27. Family-friendly event includes caboose and pump car rides and museum tours. Each child gets a free pumpkin. Cost: $5 adults, $3 for children 12 and under. Northern Pacific Railway Museum, 10 S. Asotin Road, Toppenish; 509-865-1911. nprymuseum.org

MINI PUMPKINS COME TO LIFE. 10-11 a.m. Oct. 27. Master Gardeners host this class to teach children how to decorate pumpkins. Free. Ahtanum Youth Park Barn, 1000 Ahtanum Rd., Union Gap.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS. 12-5 p.m. Sugar skulls, sand painting and crafts for the entire family. Festival also features food and music. Cost: $3 suggested donation. Mighty Tieton Warehouse, 608 Wisconsin Ave., Tieton; 509-847-3034. mightytieton.com

HARVEST FESTIVAL. 3-5 p.m., Oct. 28. Fun child-centered event, particularly for kids ages 2-8. Photo booth, games, arts and crafts, bake sale, prizes and more. Children are encouraged to wear their costumes. The festival also serves as a school fundraiser, and open to the community. Cost: $5 per person. The Montessori School of Yakima, 511 N. 44th Ave., Yakima (on the corner of Englewood and 44th avenues). For more info, call 509-901-2031.

TRUNK-OR-TREAT EVENTS

Selah Civic Center. 6-8 p.m., Oct. 31. Harvest Community Church (and local area merchants) is hosting the Selah Community Halloween Party. Kids birth-10 years. Kid-friendly costumes welcome.

New Hope Community Church. 5:30-8 p.m., Oct. 31. Located at 29 Channel Drive, Yakima.

Wesley United Methodist Church: 6-8 p.m., Oct. 31. Food, costumes, games. Free, open to the public. Located in church parking lot, at 14 N. 48th Ave., Yakima.

Westminster Presbyterian Church: 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 31. Halloween-themed carnival games and more. Free, open to the public. Located in the church parking lot, at 6015 Summitview Ave. Yakima.

Indoor Play Places

When cooler weather blows into town, we start to spend less time outdoors. At my house, this means the kids are bouncing — quite literally — off the walls. Don’t install padding. Instead, try one of these indoor places to play.

NOTE: Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and prices. We try to stay current, but gosh it’s hard…

BURGER KING, four locations in Yakima: 5905 Summitview Ave.; 2611 W. Nob Hill Blvd.; 2113 S. First St.; and 1605 E. Yakima Ave. (across from Wal-Mart).
Yup, they all have indoor playgrounds. Hail to the King!
Cost: Varies with appetite.

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY MUSEUM, 118 E. Fourth Ave., Ellensburg; 509-925-6789. Hands-on fun includes themed play areas, the vortex machine and a reading nook. Preschool program, party rentals and field trips available. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; noon to 7 p.m. Thursdays. Cost: $4.25 per person; family pass is $14.50.

CHILDREN’S UNDERGROUND inside the Yakima Valley Museum, 2105 Tieton Drive, Yakima. 248-0747.
Dress-up clothes, puppets, a climb-on pony cart and a hands-on general store. Also, tour the museum’s collections, covering Valley history from mammoths to modern times.
Underground hours: 1-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
Cost: $5 adults, $3 students and seniors, or $12 family.

THE ICE RINK, 1700 E. Beech St., Yakima. 469-0597 during public sessions, or 949-6669.
Chill out inside the Valley’s only ice skating rink, managed by volunteer members of the Yakima Amateur Hockey Association. Remember to dress warmly — it’s freezing in there! (Skating and hockey lessons available, youth hockey league)
Public sessions: 7-9 p.m. Friday, 5-8 p.m. Saturday during winter season.
Cost: $5 admission; $1 skate rental, sizes toddler and up. Concessions available.

INDOOR PRESCHOOL PLAYTIME, Selah Civic Center, 216 S. First St. 698-7300.
Bring trikes, ride-on toys, balls to open gym.
Hours: 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays in winter. Call ahead to verify.
Cost: Free.

KIDS CASTLE, inside Gymnastics Plus, 2121 W. Lincoln Ave., Yakima. 453-8126.
For kids, there’s a colorful jungle gym of tubes, ball pits and slides. For adults, there’s lots of tables, a snack bar and a stack of magazines (though, sadly, not ours).
On weekends, there’s also an open gym with trampolines, a foam pit and inflatable bounce houses. Clean, dry socks are required and parents must remain on the premises.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 12-6 p.m. Sunday.
Cost: Weekdays — $2.50/unlimited for toddlers 2 and younger, $5.25/hour or $8/unlimited for children 3 and older. Two children play for the price of one on Wednesdays. Weekends — $3/hour or $4.25/unlimited for toddlers 2 and younger, $6.50/hour or $9/unlimited for children 3 and older. Save a few dollars with the purchase of a 10-visit coupon book.

KIDS’ GYM AT THE YMCA, 5 N. Naches Ave., Yakima. 248-1202.
Bouncing off the walls (or, at least, tumbling on the floor) is more fun in this room with mats and Tiny Tykes toys for young children.
Cost: $1 per child, or free with YMCA membership ($18/year for youth up to 13).

LIONS POOL, 509 West Pine St., Yakima. 575-6046.
Public indoor swimming pool, offers year-round swim lessons and special swims for toddlers.
Cost: $1.75 youth, $3.25 adults, or $8.75 for a family of up to two adults and four children.

McDONALD’S PLAYPLACE, 40th and River Road, Yakima. 576-8000.
Climbing tubes and slide, air hockey.
Cost: Probably a Happy Meal.

MEADOWBROOK FAMILY FUN CENTER, 7200 W. Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima. 966-3836.
Arcade and Pizza Cafe. (In the summer, there’s also outdoor batting cages, miniature golf, bumper boats and go-carts.)
Winter arcade hours: 1-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 1-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. The Pizza Cafe closes one hour earlier.
Cost: Arcade tokens are 25 cents.

SELAH GYM KIDS, 709 North Park Center, Selah. 698-5437.
Fun Friday. 6-9 p.m. most Fridays. Drop off kids ages 3-10 for supervised recreation and pizza. Parents can go out alone!
Cost: $17 first child, $15 siblings. Reservations not necessary.

SKATELAND FUN CENTER, 2506 Old Town Road, Union Gap. 575-6442.
Public sessions: 7-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Cost: $6.75. Also, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Cost: $5.75.
Bargain Night ($5.50) is 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesday. Valley Church Night is held from 6:30-9 p.m. the third Monday of each month. Cost: $5.50.
Admission fees include regular skate rental; In-line skates are $1.50 extra. Tiny Tots, or children’s skate sizes 6-13, are always $4.75. Cash only.

THREE RIVERS CHILDREN’S MUSEUM in the Broadmoor Square Mall, 5274 Outlet Drive, Pasco. 509-543-7866.
In the mood for a day trip? Hit the highway and head 85 miles southeast of Yakima to explore this 3,000-square-foot kid zone in the Tri-Cities. Kids can climb aboard the U.S.S. Friend-Ship, step inside a kaleidoscope, or serve up some fun in the kid-size kitchen.
Winter hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, and 12-5 p.m. Saturday.
Cost: $3 per person, ages 12 months and older.

VALLEY MALL, 2529 Main St., Union Gap. 453-8233.
A small play area upstairs near the food court. (Hey, it’s free.) Recommended for children under age 3.
Hours: 10 a.m.-9p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

YAKIMA FAMILY YMCA, 5 N. Naches Ave., Yakima. 248-1202.
Family swim: 7:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Open swim: 8-9:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 3-5:30 p.m. Saturday, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday.
Cost: Free for YMCA members. For nonmembers, admission is $5 for youth, $10 for adults or $15 per family.