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.

You would think with Halloween being on a Friday this year  it would have made the experience more laid back and relaxed.  In the days leading up to the big night, here’s the scenario I had pictured in my mind: The Little Kiddles taking their time trick-or-treating, laughing joyfully as they skip merrily from door to door. Mom and dad are strolling leisurely behind their offspring, stopping every so often to chat with a neighbor or two. Everyone is without a care in the world because of the glorious knowledge that they can stay out as late as we want and sleep in the next morning. If ever there were a time to cue the Hallelujah chorus, this is it.

I wish I could say that was the way it went down at my house. Maybe it was the knowledge that they COULD stay out gathering candy until the wee hours, but far from relaxed, our little band of treat-or-treaters was downright frenetic. They raced madly through the neighborhood dragging overloaded bags of candy behind them like tiny pirates on their way to pillaging a village. And the leisurely stroll through the neighborhood? That turned out to be a nervous, two-hour power walk, as my friends and I struggled to keep up with our sugar-fueled children. Chats with neighbors were replaced by banshee screams from a block away to our kids to stay out of the street. And instead of feeling refreshed the next morning, I heard from friends and neighbors about their children waking up with candy hangovers that lasted all weekend. So much for a laid-back Halloween.

Put the candy on top of the frig and re-boot this weekend with one of these relaxing outings.

Drop in with the kids at the Kimbell this weekend. photo: Kimbell Art Museum

There’s nothing more chillin’ than the beautiful and serene setting of the Kimbell Art Museum. Stop by the picturesque Renzo Piano Pavilion this Saturday for the  Kimbell Kids Drop-In event. You and your favorite future Picasso can learn about fun ways to enjoy art and then create a studio art project together. The event is free, but is limited to 20 children so be sure to sign up early.

Kiddos wanting to get in touch with their theatric side should swing by the Latino Cultural Center and check out their Second Saturday offerings. This weekend the program features a visit from San Antonio’s ALAS Youth Theatre Company. The group provides students interested in the performing arts with opportunities to develop their skills in acting, directing, playwriting, technical theatre and stage management. Best of all, it’s all free!

Dinosaur watching, anyone? Photo: Heard Natural Science Museum

It looks the warm weather is behind us and fall is officially in the air. Get outside and enjoy the cooler temperatures with a visit to the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge in Sherman. You can take a hike around the 11-acre refuge and also learn about the bobcat in this week’s program, What About The Bobcat?  Dr. Jessica Healy, Assistant Professor of Biology at Austin College will be on hand to tell you more about this elusive, nocturnal cat.

If you’re looking for another opportunity to introduce Mother Nature to the tinies, head on out to the Trinity River Audubon Center for Birding By Ear this Saturday morning. In this unique and fun program Jason “the Birdnerd” St. Sauver will help you train your ears to hear the difference between native Texas birds and the wintering and migratory species. Don’t worry if you can’t tell the difference between a cardinal and a coo-coo, all birding levels are welcome.

If bird watching isn’t exactly your thing, how about dinosaur watching? That’s right, along the half-mile nature trail at the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney are nine life-size animatronic dinosaurs. The giant reptiles communing with nature are part of the Dinosaurs Live! exhibit and they move, growl, and of course, roar. This is one time the kids won’t need to be encouraged to get some exercise.

Take it easy while you can. The Christmas rush is just weeks away.

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