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.

Are you, or someone you know, reluctant about trying new things? I know my own sweet, nearly perfect child will balk at any food she doesn’t recognize and will go to great lengths to avoid trying it. She once tried to convince me that she was allergic to nuts so she wouldn’t have to eat chicken salad.

I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree because I remember being just like her at her age. It drove my poor mother insane. Then something happened that opened my eyes and broadened by culinary horizons. It happened when I was about 11 when my friend and I went to an international food festival in my hometown. At that stage in my life the most exotic “foreign” food I’d tried was bottled spaghetti sauce, so when I tasted Korean food for the first time it was like a party in my mouth. I had never tasted anything so good. It proved to me that it’s good to step outside your comfort zone and try something new from time to time.

Here are some out-of-the-ordinary events to help you do just that!

Get a 3-D portrait of your pooch at Kettle Art. (photo: Darlene Schaper)

Love art but get intimidated at fancy-schmancy gallery openings? Then grab your favorite four-legged friend and head to Kettle Art this Saturday afternoon for Dogs for Dogs Deep Ellum Pup Party. The event is the closing party for the “Departing the Kingdom of Sensibility” exhibition, and dogs, not beautiful people, get the run of the gallery. Highlights include, a complimentary Pooch Photo Booth, doggie treats from The Upper Paw, Chicago hotdogs from Wild About Harry’s, and pet portraiture commissions by artist Darlene Schaper.

Are you a closet singer? You know, the type that sings in the car or belts out the oldies in the shower, but is afraid to sing in public? You can sing it loud and proud next Tuesday at the Haggard branch of the Plano Public Library for their Quote and Sing-a-long of Disney’s Little Mermaid. There’s no shushing, so don’t be afraid to jump in with gusto. No worries if you don’t know the words, there will be subtitles for those who aren’t familiar with Ariel and her friends.

Did someone say pie? (photo: Uncle Willie’s Pies)

Forget the World Cup, get those competitive juices going–literally–with a good old fashioned pie eating contest. Check out the Annual Red, White & Blue Pie Eating Contest this weekend at Pearson Park in Red Oak. Presented by Uncle Willie’s Pies, you and the kiddos can compete for pie-eating gold and feel good about it too, because 100 percent of the proceeds go to support local military charities. If you miss out this weekend, you’ll have another chance next Thursday at Farmers Branch Historical Park. Better hurry though, registration for both events ends June 26.

Finally, if you (or your child) want to step outside your culinary box like I did all those years ago, then you won’t want to miss the Korean Festival at New Song Church in Carrollton this Saturday. Besides sampling yummy Korean food, you and the little kiddles can learn more about Korean culture, participate in a K-Pop Karaoke contest, or stroll through a traditional Korean bazaar.

Remember what your mama always said, “You can’t say you don’t like it, if you don’t try it.”

Therese Powell is an Art&Seek calendar coordinator and KERA-TV producer. She spends most of her free time seeking out adventures for her 9-year-old daughter, Rose. Tell us about your ideas for quirky kid adventures by leaving a comment. Or e-mail Therese at [email protected].