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.

For most people, the new year means resolutions. This year, we tell our ourselves, I’m going to be richer, smarter, thinner…better. They seem so doable when we’re writing them down on January 1. The follow through is the tricky part. So often life gets in the way and the resolutions get shelfed until the next new year. If one of your resolutions is to spend more time with the kids here are a few activities to help you get started this week–before life gets in the way.

Ever want to show the kids the cool stuff you use to play with when you were a child? Well, now’s your chance because the Ghost of Christmas Toys Past is alive and well at the Building Toys and Toy Buildings: Architecture Through A Child’s Eyes exhibit at the Dallas Center for Architecture.  The exhibition includes a variety of both vintage and modern toys and looks at the various toy buildings in existence, with a special emphasis on doll houses, including  one of the first Barbie Dream Houses and a house built by an architect for his daughter in the 1970s.  The exhibit itself is “hands-off,” but visitors can design and build their own houses with blocks, TinkerToys and LEGOs in a special “Construction Zone.”

There’s still time to see the Chinese Lantern Festival at Fair Park. Photo Chinese Lantern Festival

If you missed it during the State Fair, you have one more week to catch the Chinese Lantern Festival at Fair Park.  Those of you who like Christmas lights will love walking through this magical forest of luminosity.  The pieces that make up the Chinese Lantern Festival are a collection of lanterns made of silky cloth, glass, and porcelain. Among the exhibition’s 22 lantern sets are giant pandas, lotus flowers, and a porcelain dragon stretching 330 feet, made from 15,000 bowls, spoons, and wine cups…all tied together by hand.

You and your history-loving off spring can connect at the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Kids can view over 250 artifacts, tour recreated rooms of the Titanic and learn about the modern-day recovery and restoration efforts.

See? Resolutions aren’t so hard to keep afterall.

Therese Powell is an Art&Seek calendar coordinator and KERA-TV producer.  She spends most of her free time seeking out adventures for her 7-year-old daughter, Rose.  Tell us about your quirky kid adventures by leaving a comment. Or e-mail Therese at [email protected].