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.

The summer-like weather might be a bit deceiving, but the calendar says it’s fall. All together now–“Yay fall!” Besides the cooler temperatures (which are bound to show up any day now) we can also celebrate the veritable cornucopia of fall entertainment awaiting you and the itty bitties during this autumnal season. One week simply isn’t enough to cover the ever-popular family-friendly fall festivals (try saying THAT three times fast). So, without further ado, here are five more opportunities to welcome leave-raking season with the wee ones.

Throw some mud at the Cottonwood Art Festival. Photo: Cottonwood Art Festival

Get a jump on the weekend and make your little four-legged friend happy with Dogtoberfest on Thursday afternoon at Heritage Village Plaza in Hurst. The event will feature free treats for people and pooches, pet related vendors, and free vaccines. There will also be lemonade and corndogs for sale (I guess hot dogs would just be too cliché).Bl

If you’ve been wanting to take a trip to Klyde Warren Park but haven’t, this Saturday will be your golden moment because Fall for the Arts will be happening. What is Fall for the Arts, you say? Well, just the best, free, arts-related celebration North Texas has to offer. There will be two stages of entertainment that will showcase performances by such groups as Texas Ballet Theater, Dallas Summer Musicals, the Allen Philharmonic and the Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico to name just a few. Buskers and chalk artists will also be hand and if you’re feeling artistic yourself you can grab a blank canvas and create your own masterpiece.

Have you seen this monster? Photo: Fort Worth Nature Center

You’ll have another opportunity to get the creative juices flowing this weekend at the Cottonwood Art Festival . Mom and dad can check out the one-of-a-kind art, enjoy the live music, or sample goodies from one of the many unique food vendors–don’t miss the Peanut Butter Heaven and dulce de leche crepes that are new this year. And kids can be artsy in their own space at the ArtStop interactive children’s area. Wee Rembrandts can create a hat from scrap, design a wax hand, or throw some mud on a real potter’s wheel. When they’re finished they can take their masterpiece home to enjoy. The fun happens all weekend at Cottonwood Park in Richardson.

Halloween is just around the corner so how about some scary (but not too scary) fun? You and the teeny tinies can learn all about the mysterious creature that appeared at Greer Island in 1969 at the Lake Worth Monster Mash at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge. There will be games, storytelling, live music and many other fun activities all in honor of the Goat man.

Nothing says fall like a good old-fashioned pumpkin patch. Lucky you! This Saturday you can shop for your pumpkins AND enjoy a fun family event at the Kessler Pumpkin Patch and Art Fair at Kessler Park United Methodist Church in Oak Cliff. Besides pumpkins galore, the event also features bounce houses, a photo station, carnival games, face painting, local artists, petting zoo and much more.

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].