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.

I can’t remember exactly what grade I was in, but I recall that Earth Day was a fairly new event–maybe only 2 or 3 years old, and to commemorate the occasion my teacher handed out sheets of Earth Day stickers to the class.  This might seem insignificant, but to children of the mid-’70s it was huge. Unlike now, stickers weren’t an everyday thing, so to get a whole sheet of your very own felt like hitting the kid jackpot. It’s quite possible that two or three kids  burst into flames. It was that exciting.

But, while getting those little green flags with the funny looking  “e” in the corner and sticking them on every inanimate object in sight certainly stands out, the message the classroom took away that day was far more impressionable.  The idea of Earth Day was simple and we embraced it:  the future of the planet was up to us, the children of the world. The concept of bringing kids into the fold of a budding movement might seem over-simplistic, but hey, it’s stayed with me all these years.

Here are some Earth Day activities worth checking out with your little nature lovers this weekend.

If you’re looking for all things Earth Day you won’t have to look any farther than Big Tex’s stomping grounds. That’s right, Earth Day Dallas will be going on all weekend at Fair Park. The free, two-day event is literally packed with the cool and engaging demonstrations, displays and exhibitions the whole family will enjoy including: instructions on raising chickens and coop building, tree climbing lessons, and an opportunity for you and your munchkins to meet and get your picture taken with the cast of Wicked.

Watters Creek on Montgomery Farm in Allen is also hosting an Earth Day shin-dig especially for wee ones this weekend with their Lucky Duck Kids Club event. Some of the free activities for the tinies ages 3 to 12 include a live exhibit from the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, face painting, hand tattoos, games, crafts, prizes and more.

Embrace Mother Earth this weekend. Photo: River Legacy Parks

On Saturday head out to River Legacy Living Science Center in Arlington and take part in the fun as they celebrate Earth Day. You can enjoy a nature walk–there are 8 miles worth of trails to enjoy among the center’s adjacent 1,300-acre River Legacy Parks–or take in the story times, crafts and activities.

For some quirky fun, be sure to stop by Lake Cliff Park on Sunday for the Oak Cliff Earth Day 2013 celebration. Kids can take part in a quilt making project, say hi to the critters at the petting zoo, see reptiles from the John Bunker Sands Wetlands, watch live raptors and view bees in a hive. If that isn’t enough for you, be sure to stick around for the Earth Day Mutt Strutt at 2 p.m. Prizes are awarded to the pooch with the best costume and personality that embodies the Earth Day spirit.

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]