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.

If you’re a procrastinator and haven’t carved your Jack-O’ Lantern yet, don’t worry, you still have time to snag the perfect pumpkin and have a little fall fun to boot at one of these pumpkin patches.

What’s better than jumping on the bed? A jumping pillow! (photo: Amber Mabry/ Mainstay Farm)

Head to Storybook Ranch in McKinney for Ghost Ranch and Pumpkin Patch where you and the little kiddles can enjoy a hay maze, a petting zoo, bounce houses and a wagon ride through the Dry Bones town. Plus, you’ll get a mini pumpkin free with admission. You can feel good about going to this patch because all the proceeds go to support the River Ranch Educational Charities which include helping underprivileged and special needs children experience a bit of the ranch life.

Catch up with the Great Pumpkin at Mainstay Farm, just outside of Burleson. Besides the obligatory pumpkin patch and a wooden corn maze, there is also a hayride that goes over hill and dale, a huge three-story tree house, a 100-foot long super chute slide, and best of all, a jumping pillow. FYI, if you’re thinking a jumping pillow is a bounce house you’d be wrong. It’s a ginormous inflatable pillow that you jump on. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like way more fun than a bounce house. Family Pumpkin Days are on Saturdays through Nov. 2.

Grab granny and a few friends and head to Yesterland Farm in Canton. Originally a Christmas tree farm, the owners expanded it to include a pumpkin patch. But hold on, the autumnal wonderland is more than just a pumpkin patch, the place is packed to the gills with fall fun.  There are rides for the kids, a three-acre corn maze, pig races, and miles and miles of pumpkins. Also, if you get a chance, try out the pumpkin launcher. It’s sort of a large sling-shot contraption where visitors “launch” pumpkins into a nearby pond.

The Dallas Arboretum is the perfect place to snap a photo of your little witch. (photo Therese Powell)

If you’re wanting a little bit of everything check out the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch at the Double Oaks Ranch. The patch has hundreds of pumpkins ranging in size from the very small to the largest you’ll ever see. There are bounce houses, hay rides that run throughout the day and two mazes. One small maze with low walls especially for the tinies and a larger covered maze the older kids will love.

If it’s the perfect photo op you’re looking for, there’s no better place to snap the bitties in their Halloween costumes than the Dallas Arboretum. During their annual Autumn at the Arboretum event the garden brings in thousands of colorful florals and 50,000 pumpkins, gourds and squashes to create its famous storybook pumpkin village. The fall decor makes a great backdrop for your little ghouls and goblins. If you’re wanting a less autumnal setting there are plenty of non-halloweeny water features and gardens to choose from. Here’s a hint, take your pixies or fairies to the Palmer Fern Dell. They’ll look like they’re in Tinkerbell’s garden among the mist and ferns.

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 quirky kid adventures by leaving a comment. Or e-mail Therese at [email protected].