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 weekly for kid-friendly events that are fun for adults, too.

Rose is having a birthday party this weekend but preparations for the festivities began waaaaay back in January–by Rose, not me. When you’re 8, only list-making for Christmas trumps birthday party planning. I think inspiration initially struck about the time she saw the movie Frozen for the 7th time. She came to me with dreams of a cake shaped like a mountain with a toy Elsa on top and marshmallow treats shaped like Olaf the snowman. Clearly the child has me confused with Martha Stewart. I nodded at her blankly as she went on and on about how the middle of May was the perfect time for a Frozen themed party. Fast forward to this week–Frozen merchandise is the Cabbage Patch Kids of this generation and it is virtually impossible to find. Had I been a planner like Rose I would have begun squirrelling away Frozen plates, napkins and cups last January, or at the very least talked her into a Tinkerbell party whose paper products seem ubiquitous. I can already hear myself on Saturday–“Hey Kid! Only one Elsa plate per person!”

Her other request for the gala was that she wanted it to be a surprise party. I tried to explain to her that if she were in on the actual planning of the party it wouldn’t be a surprise, hence the name “surprise” party. She insisted she would be surprised when the time came so I acquiesced and have moved forward with the preparations for a Frozen themed semi-surprise party.

Besides Rose’s fabulous Frozen fiesta with limited branded party supplies there are also a whole heap of other festivals this weekend. Here are a few for you to check out with your favorite small fry.

Say hello to a butterfly at Wildflower! Art & Music Festival. (photo Wildflower! Art & Music Festival)

Take in the flora and fauna and all the glory of springtime at the Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival in Richardson this weekend. Besides the impressive lineup of music for the adults (Loverboy, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and Cheap Trick to name a few), there’s also a “Kidz Korner,” where tiny tykes can hang out and enjoy entertainment geared just for them. Highlights include a kiddie karaoke stage, a rock climbing wall, sand pit, and a live butterfly habitat featuring over 150 native Texas butterflies.

Catch the wind at the Trinity River Wind Festival. (photo Wynn Powell)

Don’t you just love wide open spaces? Well, the wide open space along the Trinity River it s the perfect backdrop for the Trinity River Wind Festival. You can bring one of your own kites to fly or watch one of the many spectacular show or stunt kites. Kids can also take part in a wildflower planting,  see an outreach show from the Dallas Zoo, and watch Japanese kite makers at work. The festival happens this Saturday from 11 to 5.

Got a mini Monet itching to get their fingers dusty with some outside art? Then be sure to check out the Chalk This Way! Sidewalk Art Festival this Saturday outside the Lewisville MCL Grand from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Activities include professional chalk artists, amateur sidewalk chalk competitions, arts and crafts, vendors, festival food, sidewalk games, live entertainment and a children’s gallery so your tyke can create an on-site chalk creation. Entry to the festival is free, although participating in some activities will carry a small charge.

Lastly, you know I can’t resist a puppy-dog party so here’s a festival especially for Fido. Don’t Forget to Feed Me is hosting Happy Tails Ice Cream in the Park, an ice cream social just for dogs on Saturday from 2 to 4 at the Pavilion at Trinity Park in Fort Worth. You and your special fur baby can enjoy games, contests and, of course, ice cream. And you can feel good about it, too, because 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit Don’t Forget to Feed Me, an organization that provides pet food to those who are economically disadvantaged.

That’s all folks! Get out there and celebrate!

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