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.

When I was a child–mind you, this was back when dinosaurs roamed the earth–the movie-going experience was quite different than it is today. There were no multiplexes, IMAX, or even reclining seats. Much like the “walking 2 miles to school in a foot of snow” stories, we had it pretty bad, but luckily we didn’t know it.

My childhood cinematic memories all happened at the Roxy Theater, or “The Rock Pile” as we kids called it. It was the only place you could catch a flick in my little podunk town until the late ’70s when we finally went uptown and got a three screen multiplex. Nowadays, you’d call a place like the Roxy “vintage,” but back in the day, it was just a dump. The seats were so old that the springs poked our backsides when we sat down, and the floor was a sticky mess that forced us to sit cross-legged to prevent our Keds from being permanently trapped in goo. The pièce de résistance of the place was the silver screen itself.  It sported big stains from where people (probably kids) had thrown drinks, and stuck in one corner of it was a cherry Charms pop that, I swear to god, stayed there for years. But even with all of its rough edges, the Roxy’s Saturday matinee was not to be missed. It’s where we saw classics like Bambi and Cinderella, “thrillers” like The Legend of Boggy Creek, and where we encountered our first bad-boy crush when Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid came to town.

Yessiree bob, those were the good old days. Today’s kids are lucky to have better choices. With that in mind, take a gander at a few of the big screen possibilities in our neck of the woods.

Catch the classic ‘Annie’ at SMG this Wednesday

Speaking of better choices, the World Affairs Council of DFW will be screening the award-winning Saudi Arabian film Wadjda at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth  Thursday night at 7. The film is about the struggles a 10-year-old Saudi girl faces to buy a green bicycle that she desperately wants. It’s an inspiring tale of overcoming gender inequality, but its production is also noteworthy.  It’s the first feature-length film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia by a female Saudi director. Since it’s a foreign film with English subtitles it might be best to leave the little kiddles who can’t read at home.

Want to share a few of your childhood memories minus the sticky floor? Then check out the Family Rewind Film Series at Studio Movie Grill. The third Wednesday of every month SMG screens a family classic for just 2 bucks. You and the kiddos can catch Annie tonight at any of the SMGs in the DFW area.

Here’s something I bet you haven’t tried yet–Breakfast and a Flick at the West 7th Street Movie Tavern in Fort Worth. At their special  9 a.m. weekend screenings you and your early birds can enjoy pancakes and a show!

Sundance Square in Fort Worth is serving up its family classic, Mary Poppins, under the stars. The free, outside screening is Wednesday night and starts at dusk (8:30 9ish), but get there early to win prizes during their movie trivia contest. You can’t bring in outside food or drinks but there are plenty of places close by to grab a bite.

The Nasher Sculpture Center will also have an outdoor movie this Friday as part of its ‘Til Midnight at the Nasher event. The evening starts off with a concert featuring Foxtrot Uniform followed by a screening in the garden of the comedy classic, Bringing Up Baby. You and the kiddos will also have the opportunity to participate in social media scavenger hunts, progressive tours and to view the permanent collection and special exhibitions. Best of all, it’s free!

Catch the Oscar-nominated A Cat In Paris at the Angelika Film Center/Mockingbird Station this Saturday at 11 a.m. The story is about Dino, a cat who leads a double life as the pet of a young girl named Zoe by day, and the assistant of a (cat) burglar by night. The animated caper is part of the series from GKIDS, a distributor of award-winning animation from around the world.

If you really want to go retro on the whole movie-going experience, give the Brazos Drive-In in Granbury a whirl.  You can load up the car and the whole gang can see a move for just 2o bucks. Drive-In movie lovers should also check out the Coyote along the banks of the Trinity River in Fort Worth. It’s the newest kid on the drive-in block and sports three screens and an awesome snack bar.

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].