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.

Last week during our nightly reading ritual, Rose busted me in a big way. I was sneaking a peek at my phone while she was reading Matilda aloud to me. Besides  a major finger wagging, I also got a mini lecture (a small tongue lashing delivered by a small person) on how reading time is more important than Facebook. Wow! Point taken. Right then and there we decided that in the future no electronics would interfere with our time together. Since we had just been talking about the New Year’s Day holiday, it was determined this would be the perfect resolution . Of course, we’ll see how resolved she is when I ask her to put down the tablet when I’m trying to make conversation with her in the car. It’s a two-way street, you know.

If one of your resolutions is to spend more time with the kids (and less with Facebook) here are a few activities to help you get started this week–before life gets in the way.

Come play at Dallas Center for Architecture’s Construction Zone. (photo: DCFA)

Ever want to show the kids the cool stuff you use to play with when you were a child? Well, here’s your chance. Head over to the Dallas Center for Architecture for the Building Toys and Toy Buildings: Architecture Through A Child’s Eyes exhibit. 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.”

Head outside and celebrate the new year with a Christmas Bird Count at Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center at Cedar Hill. You and the tinies can learn birding basics, count the birds at the Center’s feeders & trails and enjoy other family activities. You’ll feel good knowing that you helped the scientists at the center learn more about our feathered friends.  Yes, the title has the word “Christmas” in it, but the fun happens New Year’s day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Get inspired by the upcoming Olympics and take a spin around the ice at either Klyde Warren Park or Panther Island Ice at the Coyote Drive-In. Better get a move on if you want to find out if you’ve got a budding Dorothy Hamill because Panther Island Ice closes for the season on Sunday,  Jan. 5 and the rink at Klyde Warren Park is only open until the end of January.

Do some star glazing at one of the fabulous shows at the planetarium at the University of Texas in Arlington. Our favorite is the Secret of the Cardboard Rocket. Kiddos can land on Venus, fly through the rings of Saturn, and discover the secrets of the Solar System.

Happy New Year, everyone!

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].