Art&Seek Jr. is one mom‘s quest to find activities to end the seemingly endless chorus of the “I’m Bored Blues” while having fun herself.  Impossible you say? Check back on Tuesdays for kid-friendly events that are fun for adults, too.

Me & My Monkey will play Beatles tunes this Friday at NRH2O.

Six years ago as I was shopping for my yet-to-be-born bundle of joy, I made an interesting observation that has served me well.  While strolling amongst the cribs and layettes, I heard over the sound system “The Trolley Song” from the movie Meet Me in St. Louis.  I’d never had a child before, so I assumed children’s music either needed to be lullaby-like or insipid and annoying.  As I listened to Judy Garland sing her jaunty little tune about bells dinging and heartstrings zinging I thought, “Hey – kid’s music doesn’t have to be mind numbing! It can be whatever you like! Even show tunes from the Golden Age of Hollywood can be called ‘kids music’ if they’re put in the right play list.” Filled with inspiration, I immediately began to churn out DVDs loaded with everything from Pachelbel to the Go-Gos, happy in the knowledge that I would be free from big purple dinosaur music. But I didn’t stop there. For her fourth birthday, rather than handing out goodie bags I did a “Rose themed” DVD as the take away gift. I patted myself on the back for thinking so creatively, but sadly they were less than a success. The kids were disappointed they didn’t get the usual dollar-store bag-o-junk, and one of the moms pointed out that the song “Cracklin’ Rosie” is actually an ode to cheap store-bought wine. Probably not so appropriate for the preschoolers to be humming on the playground.  Whatever. We still call it “Rose’s song” whenever it comes on the radio and more importantly, we love listening to it TOGETHER.

Buckaroos and buckettes of all ages are guaranteed a good time with Riders in the Sky.

If you like the idea of sharing the music you love with your kids, you don’t want to miss these two upcoming outdoor concerts.  Up first on Friday is The Beatles tribute band Me & My Monkey. The show is part of the 2012 Sounds of Spring Concert Series on the grounds of NRH20 water park in North Richland Hills (The water park won’t be open for this event, but it will give you a chance to scope it out if you’ve never been there before). Admission is free, and a fireworks show follows the performance. If that isn’t enough for the younger music fans in attendance, there will also be a kid’s zone with free games and loads of arts and crafts.

If Western Swing is more your thang, then head on out to Annette Strauss Artist Square on May 6 to catch Riders in the Sky. Billed as America’s Favorite Cowboys, their concerts are akin to Gene Autry and Roy Rogers with a little bit of “Western wit” thrown in for good measure. Your kids are going to love them, because they’re the dudes who performed “Woody’s Round-up” in Toy Story 2. Besides the concert, the little buckaroos and buckarettes will also enjoy pony rides, face painting, Western carnival games and my personal favorite – goat milking.

Nothing beats a Beatles tribute band, but I’m thinking the combination of Western Swing and goat milking has the makings of some great memories.

Therese Powell is an Art&Seek calendar coordinator and KERA-TV producer.  She spends most of her free time seeking out adventures for her 6-year-old daughter, Rose.  Tell us about your time at the concerts or clue us in to your ideas for quirky kid adventures by leaving a comment. Or e-mail Therese at [email protected].