Kids can play their own games at Aloha Stadium

Families attending UH football games can take their kids to the Chevron Family Fun Zone to give the kids a break from the game.

The entertainment area will offer an array of games and activities designed to make sure children have as much fun as parents. "For the first time, we’ll be bringing the Mobile Game Guys, so we’ll have video games," said Chevron spokeswoman Michelle Montes. The Game Guys van will be equipped with Xbox 360 game stations and a Wii console.

There will also be keiki rides, bounce houses, face painting and prize giveaways, Montes said.

"The first year, we had it inside the stadium, then the next year we moved it outside so people could enjoy it before the game," she said. "This year we’re putting it front and center, so it will be in the Upper Halawa Parking Lot."

"Everything is absolutely 100 percent free," she said, although time limits will be imposed on video game usage.

UH also wants fans to remember that inside Aloha Stadium, there will be two "family-friendly" seating areas, sections TT and VB, where no alcoholic beverages are allowed.

Nature Center features family fun

The Hawaii Nature Center’s fall and winter schedule offers an array of family programs, from hiking to hands-on crafts. Terrific Terrariums, held from 1 to 3 p.m. tomorrow, allows families to explore the forest’s flora and fauna. Participants will re-create a miniature terrarium to take home. The session is designed for ages 3 to 5. Other programs include:

» Pahole Natural Area Reserve Hike: Ken Suzuki leads participants through the Waianae Mountains, which may offer a glimpse of endangered Hawaiian tree snail from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 23. The moderate hike is 4 miles long and designed for hardy hikers ages 10 and above.

» Medicinal Plant Hike: Learn about traditional medicine practices that Hawaiians used to heal and treat illnesses and injuries. The hike begins at Pali Lookout and weaves around the forest on Nov. 6 from 9 to 11 a.m. For ages 8 and up.

» Manoa Cliff Trail Hike: Moderate, 3-mile hike with Dr. Mark Merlin, author of "Hawaiian Forest Plants," 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 13. For adults only.

» Honouliuli Wetland Adventure: Explore and discover the endangered wetland environment from 10 a.m. to noon on Nov. 14 at the Honouliuli Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge. For ages 6 and up.

» Holiday Eco-Crafts: Create an assortment of holiday crafts from natural and recycled materials on Dec. 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. For ages 3 and up. Additional fee for materials.

Cost is $20 for a parent-child team. Call 955-0100.

Library event celebrates Halloween

"Fright Night" scares up family fun on Tuesday at the Kapolei Public Library. The all-ages event features goody bags, airbrush tattoos and balloon twists created by Aloha Clowns.

Bring your camera and take photos with the Star Wars Legionnaires from the Outpost 501st Legion. Families who come to the event wearing costumes may enter a contest for a chance to win a Wii.

The library is located at 1020 Manawai St. For more information, call 693-7050.

Nighttime tours illuminate garden

Explore Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden after dark during the family night walk scheduled for next Saturday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The garden gates will be open from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for picnics. Participants should wear walking shoes and bring insect repellent, rainwear and a flashlight.

October events at the garden are focused on plants with their origins in rain forests, in conjunction with World Rainforest Week, which concludes today.

A guided tour through meandering pathways allows guests to see some of the flora and fauna throughout the lush garden. The garden is located at 45-680 Luluku Road in Kaneohe.

Other onsite activities include family fishing days which are held on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Families can fish for tilapia and release their catch back into the lake. Participants should come prepared with hand-held poles, small barbless hooks, bait and buckets. Guided garden walks are also scheduled at 10 a.m. on Saturdays and 1 p.m. on Sundays.

Admission is free. Call 233-7323 for reservations or additional information.