Guest blogger Lydia Regalado is an arts educator, crafter and blogger who writes about people who gather to make things.

I went to NorthPark Center the other day, and something caught my eye. No, it wasn’t a cute dress or summer sandals, it was a four letter word: F-R-E-E. This got me excited, and upon further investigation, I discovered fun, creative things for the entire family to do at this Dallas landmark. I wanted to share them with Art&Seek, so in no particular order:

The Spy Adventure Clue Hunt
May 22-Aug. 31
NorthPark Center and the Museum of Nature and Science invite kids of all ages to join in a sprawling “Spy Adventure” comprised of virtual and real-world espionage activities! A spy-themed Clue Hunt will take participants on a real-world spy search. Games, clues and activities will be everywhere at NorthPark Center. A little birdie told me that 16 retailers are participating in Spy Adventure. This is in conjunction with the exhibition “The Science of Spying” at the Museum of Nature and Science. Click here to get started on your adventure.

Atmos Energy Presents Dallas Public Library Children’s Activity Series at NorthPark Center
It’s been almost a year since Bookmarks has opened. A kid-friendly, fun place to read, listen and learn, Bookmarks is the first children’s library to be located in a shopping center in the United States. Bookmarks is a public library for children offering a 5,000-item collection of materials, and it also has weekly events, including story time every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. and Saturday afternoons at 2 p.m. Click here for more information, or e-mail [email protected].

FREE Outdoor Yoga at NorthPark Center’s CenterPark every Saturday through Aug. 29.

What could be better than downward dog in front of Claus Oldenburg’s Corridor Pin? Not to mention practicing on the best lawn in Dallas. NorthPark is teaming with Cooper Fitness Center for these one-hour yoga classes that emphasize stress reduction, relaxation and flexible strength training techniques. Classes start at 9:30 a.m.; participants meet under the AMC theater on the first floor and are encouraged to dress comfortably and to bring a yoga mat or towel. In case of inclement weather, classes are automatically canceled. For more information e-mail [email protected].

NorthPark Walking Art Tour
NorthPark has one of the top art collections of any mall in the world. I picked up a five-page color brochure at the concierge right outside Neiman Marcus. This guide was helpful in identifying works from the Raymond and Patsy Nasher Collection, the Nasher Foundation and the Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Collection. The collections include works by Mark di Suvero, Frank Stella, Andy Warhol and Antony Gormley, to name a few. The collection is a real gem in the city, and it’s a real treat to view art in a public space, as it was intended.

Cooking Demonstrations at Williams-Sonoma.
Almost every Sunday at 11 a.m., Williams-Sonoma hosts FREE cooking and technique classes. Click here for the event schedule. Learn to make ice cream, learn about grilling techniques, watch product demonstrations all for FREE. Call the NorthPark store at 214.378.6216 to register or inquire about upcoming events and demonstrations.

Craft Demonstrations and Inspiration at Paper Source
Paper Source has also been open for a year and always inspires ideas and projects. The staff is friendly and has tools out at stations to demonstrate techniques and answer questions. Click here for the store’s list of workshops. These are NOT free, but well worth the money.

Also, mark your calendars for the Grand Opening Celebration of the Lego Store at NorthPark,  July 17-19.

Click here for future events and exhibits at North Park. Stay cool!