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.

We just love the out of the ordinary around here at Art&Seek. We relish in the unsung, the unexpected, and the unconventional.  Trust me when I tell you that it’s fun to step outside your comfort zone and explore every now and then. There’s no better time to check out the unique and different then right now during the festive, sparkly, yuletide season.

Besides being crazy fun, this week’s picks are definitely on the unexpected side. Here are a few for you to try on for size.

Come root for Belle and boo the Beast at Theatre Britain’s production of “Beauty and the Beast.” (photo: Theatre Britain)

If you’re wanting to do something really unusual with the kids that will fill you with the holiday spirit, check out Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night this Saturday night.  Presented by Contemporary Dance/Fort Worth, Unsilent Night is part parade and part participatory art. Here’s the deal: each participant gets one of four tracks of music in the form of a cassette, CD, or Mp3 (you can download it at www.unsilentnight.com) . Together all four tracks comprise Unsilent Night. Participants will meet at Magnolia Green Park in Fort Worth and carry boomboxes, or anything that amplifies music, and simultaneously start playing the music. The crowd then walks through the streets of Fort Worth, creating a moving sound sculpture. Cool, huh? Be sure to dress warmly and wear comfy shoes.

Celebrate the coming of winter this Saturday evening at the 2014 Winter Solstice Celebration at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Oak Cliff. Entertainment such as music, storytelling, and yule log burning will take place both inside and out. There will also be fortune tellers on hand to tell you if you’re finally going to get that big raise and the kiddos can enjoy hot chocolate and a variety of arts and crafts. The event is free, but organizers are asking for canned goods for the needy and performers will accept tips for the time and talent they are donating.

I’m dreaming of a T-Rex Christmas. (Photo: The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary)

Sure, there are a gazillion plays for kids out there right now, but as Monty Python would say,”if you are wanting something completely different” go see Theatre Britain’s latest panto Beauty and the Beast. In case you didn’t know, a panto (short for pantomime) is a British twist on a traditional fairy tale.They feature songs, dances, jokes, exaggerated characters and LOTS of audience participation. And by participation I mean loud singing, boos for the bad guy and alerting the good guy of danger. Plus, as an added bonus, there’s a wacky plot to keep the parents interested. The shenanigans run through Dec. 28.

For a unique spin on the traditional holiday light display, bundle up the little kiddles and head to the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary for Holiday Trail of Lights.  Beside the thousands of lights, holiday decorations and carolers that you’ll see, the museum’s life size dinosaurs will also be on display along the half-mile nature trail. If a T-Rex draped in holly doesn’t put you in the holiday spirit, nothing will.

Finally, if you really want to jump into the deep end of the yuletide pool, check out the 37th Annual Merry TubaChristmas, an out-of-the-ordinary and extra Christmasy free concert. TubaChristmas isn’t just any holiday concert, it’s a concert composed entirely of tubas and euphoniums–over 200 at last count– that play traditional carols with a fabulous oompa-oompapa beat. You can see TubaChristmas at Thanks-Giving Square in downtown Dallas at noon Christmas Eve. Don’t forget to bring your funny hats and jingle bells.

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