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.

Look out! The lazy, hazy days of summer are about to come to a screeching halt. It seems like it was just yesterday that we were making lists about all the cool things we were going to do this summer. Somehow vacation time has passed us by with a blur and now we’re racing all over town looking for multicolored plastic folders with brads before school starts.

Don’t worry, there’s still time to get in some quality “summer fun stuff” with the little kiddles before the school bell rings.

Here’s the Junior’s list of ideas to try out this weekend.

All the cool kids will be a KXT’s Summer Cut.

There will be boatloads of summer fun at the one and only Summer Cut The Happy Funtime Fest this Friday at Gexa Pavilion in Fair Park. No, technically it isn’t a kid concert, but yours truly knows plenty of people who will have their small fries along to enjoy the festivities. Put on by our sister station KXT, this happy pappy music festival will be quite the extravaganza–hence the name. There will be music on two stages, food trucks, and an artisan village. Plus, our friends from Art Conspiracy will be having an Art Hunt, where you and the kiddos can find tickets to places like the Nasher Sculpture Center hidden around the grounds at Gexa. If you go, be sure to stop by and say howdy to all the cool kids from Art&Seek and KXT at our booth. We’d love to meet you.

Got a kid that’s got the airplane bug? Then be sure to stop by the Frontiers of Fight Museum at Love Field this Saturday for Helicopter Day. Helicopters will be on display and kids will even have the opportunity to climb into the cockpit of a real helicopter. Aviator Amelia Rose Earhart (no relation to the original Amelia Earhart) will also be on hand to sign autographs and share stories about her recently completed round-the-world flight in her Pilatus PC-12. Her flight followed the original 1937 Earhart route in many areas.

Flitter and float like a butterfly at Texas Discovery Gardens for their Butterflies and Bugs Family Festival this Saturday at 10 a.m. The tinies can enjoy displays of live and pinned insects, family friendly activities, crafts and best of all–tour the butterfly house. Dress in bright colors and hold really still and the butterflies just might mistake you for a flower!

Pool side fun for pooches this Saturday at Vanston Pool (Photo: Mesquite Texas City Hall)

Speaking of floating, go see the 27th Annual Highland Village Balloon Festival and Fair in Unity Park in Highland Village this weekend. If you’re not an early riser no worries. The balloons will do their thing at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. all through the weekend. The festival starts Friday night at 5 p.m. with a variety of activities including tethered balloon rides, music and a balloon glow at dusk. But the fun doesn’t end there, be sure to check out the wiener dog races Sunday morning. Don’t forget your lawn chairs, sunscreen and bug spray. The Lion’s Club will also offer free vision screening at the event.

Cool off your hot dog at the annual Doggie Splash Day at Vanston Pool in Mesquite this Saturday morning. This is a great opportunity for people and their pooches to cool off, compete for prizes or just doggie paddle in the pool. Activities include access to the wading pool, small slide and one-meter diving board, as well as the Swimsuit Contest, Dog Paddle Race and Diving Contest. Your doggie friends will be required to show proof of current vaccinations and must be accompanied by a responsible person 16 and older. Aggressive or socially awkward dogs may be asked to leave.

Don’t forget your camera. There will definitely be a Kodak moment or two here.

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].