Author: Donica Kaneshiro

I have only 6,575 days from my kids' birth until their 18th birthday, and I’m trying to make the most of every day.

Dave and Busters Halloween breakfast

Dave and Busters is hosting a Spooky Breakfast 8 to 10:30 a.m. Oct. 27. After the  breakfast buffet, kids can go trick or treating, have their face painted, get a balloon animal, watch magic tricks, participate in a costume contest, take a picture with Frankenstein, and play with their free Power Card. For tickets, click here.

Open your heart (and wallet) for art

The Art Explorium is looking to raise some funds to keep their creative programs going with the Art with heART fundraiser 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 14. Mini art workshops offered include canvas painting, screen-printed tote bag, succulent planter, Shippo charm and custom party hat. Plus there will be pupus and a raffle. Bring keiki ages 5 and older. $125 per ticket, but these workshops usually cost about $20 a piece. Visit https://artexplorium.org/art-with-heart/

Calling all kid inventors

ChiTAG’s 12th Annual Young Inventor Challenge is looking for kids ages 6-18 with ideas for the next great toy. The Chicago Toy and Game Group is Hopi g to inspire creativity in the next generation. The deadline for online submissions is Oct. 31. Prizes total $10,000 in scholarships plus then opportunity to have your idea produced. Entrants will be divided into two age groups (6-10 and 11-18) a winner for each age group will be selected in each of the following categories: Most Creative Concept, Best Ride-On or Wheeled Concept, Best Game Concept, Best Playful Learning Concept, Most Marketable, and Best Presentation. Winners will be announced Nov. 17.

For details, visit https://www.chitag.com/yic

Cardboard Challenge

The Art Explorium is giving parents a chance at a date night with its Oct. 19 Kids Night Out: Cardboard Challenge. Drop off the kids (ages 5 and up) from 5:30-8 p.m. and they won’t even notice you’re gone as they watch the film “Caine’s Arcade,” the story of a 9-year-old who makes his own arcade one summer. Then the kids can try building games from cardboard and trying out each others creations. There will be pizza and healthy snacks; $30 per child ($20 for additional siblings). REGISTER HERE.