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.

Yes, the temperatures will be in the mid to upper 90s this week, and it will most likely be a couple of months before we see frost on the pumpkin. But fall is definitely in the air. We don’t rely on the weather around these parts to alert us to the changing seasons. As North Texans, we have three tried and true indicators that tell us that it’s fall better than any meteorologist. They are as follows: 1. Like it or not, “football” becomes part of our everyday speech  2. The winners of the State Fair of Texas fried foods contest are crowned.  3. We start referring to our lawns as dormant, instead of dead.

For us here at Art&Seek, we know it’s fall when our local theater companies start announcing their upcoming seasons. While you’re perusing the Art&Seek calendar for the upcoming blockbusters, musicals and dramas that are the standard adult fare, it’s good to remember there is lots of theater out there suitable for children as well. Very often you can find a play for the same price as a movie ticket.

This weekend is bursting with musical theater. Here are a few picks you can slide in between football games:

Lyric Stage has kicked off its 2013-14 season with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music at the Carpenter Performance Hall at the Irving Arts Center. The original stage production is performed with a full 34-piece acoustic orchestra and has been getting great reviews. When it comes to plays the whole family can enjoy, this one really hits the mark. You’ve got a conflicted nun, adorable children, catchy tunes and a few Nazis throw in for drama. There’s something for everyone! It’s closing weekend, so don’t miss out on a chance to see a true classic.

If you prefer your musicals Nazi-free, check out Plano Children’s Theatre’s performance of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This musical is the story we all know and love, but with the added bonus of some eclectic new characters. Instead of Doc, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Grumpy, Sneezy and Dopey, kids will meet Sarge, Gabby, Gloomy Gus, Ticklish, Spritely, Snore and Slowpoke. If these mischievous seven aren’t enough for you, there’s also a palace cat and an enchanted vixen who liven things up, too. You and the kiddos can see this new twist on a classic story at Frisco Discovery Center through Saturday.

Come see the nicest bad guy you’d ever want to meet live on stage in McKinney Youth Theatre’s production of Shrek the Musical. If you liked the hit DreamWorks film, you’re going to love the musical. It has a great score with new songs and, of course, lots of dancing. At eight bucks a ticket, this one is a real bargain. For a little more, you can also score front-row seats. This play does have a PG rating for adult humor and some scary scenes, so you might want your tiny tinies to sit this one out. The loveable ogre with the bad attitude and his pals come to McKinney beginning Thursday for a two-week run at Heard-Craig Center for the Arts.

Just think, sitting in a cold, dark theater will make it feel like fall, too!

Therese Powell is an Art&Seek calendar coordinator and KERA-TV producer. She spends most of her free time seeking out adventures for her 8-year-old daughter, Rose. Tell us about your ideas for kid adventures by leaving a comment. Or e-mail Therese at [email protected].