Science Skele-bration

Arizona Science Center is bringing back its Science Skele-bration, the annual celebration of the strange, spirited and even silly science behind Halloween. It runs from October 24 through October 31, so you've got a full week to fit it in. The whole thing is built around family activities, live demonstrations and special activations that look at the science behind the season.

It's a good one to do with kids. The activities are spread across the center's 140,000 square feet in downtown Phoenix, which houses more than 300 hands-on exhibits. You'll also find the Irene P. Flinn Giant Screen Theater, a five-story screen that runs a regular schedule of live demonstrations alongside the Skele-bration programming. Costumes are encouraged but not required, though the center does ask that you leave costume masks and weapons at home.

Logistically, it's easy to work around your schedule. The Science Center is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:30 AM to 4 PM, with members getting in at 9:30 AM on Saturdays and Sundays. The Skele-bration activities are included with admission, so you get the full run of the building and the Halloween programming for one ticket. If you're planning a visit, keep in mind the center is closed on Mondays.