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.
About this time of year is when the winter doldrums come knocking at the door. Sure winter can be fun, but it can also be a whole lot of boring for some kids. The hoopla of the holidays is over and it seems like spring break is ions away. If it weren’t for the occasional late winter ice storm the tinies would have nothing to look forward to.
Fear not! The Junior’s got you covered. Here are a few picks guaranteed to chase away the winter blues.
Come out and meet author Alison McGhee at KidFilm Festival. photo: binkandgollie.com
Oscar nominees were announced last week and red carpet fever is in the air. We can’t exactly rush out and buy the Munchkins tickets to American Sniper and The Imitation Game so how about a film festival just for the small fries? Well, it just so happens that KidFilm is going on this weekend at the Angelika Film Center at Mockingbird Station. This annual event put on by USA Film Festival, is now its 31st year. It’s chocked full of movies and movie fun for you and the kiddos. On Saturday, come say hello to New York Times bestselling author Alison McGhee. She’s written the favorites Bink and Gollie, Two for One and A Very Brave Little Witch. You can see her tales come to life on screen and then get a free autographed copy of one of her books after the show. On Sunday, don’t miss the short film showcase.
If you’re craving something action-packed, Tornado Alley 3D at the Hoglund Theater at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science is guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat. The film follows Storm Chasers star Sean Casey and the team of VORTEX 2 into prime tornado territory (a.k.a. Tornado Alley) in search of the big one. The up close and personal look at one of these beasts with all of the wind, hail, and destruction might be a little intense for the tinies (I know tornado season always scared the bejeebers out of me when I was a kid), but if you’ve got a thrill seeker on your hands this is the one to see.
Catch a flick with your favorite small person this weekend. Photo: Shutterstock
If you’ve got a child with special needs and require something a little less intense, Studio Movie Grill’s Special Needs Screenings are just the ticket. The movies are played with the lights up and the sound down so the children are free to laugh, play, sing and even dance while they watch. They’re free for children with special needs and their siblings. Everyone else pays before-noon matinee price. Seating is first come, first served so be sure to arrive early. See your favorite lost bear come to life when you check out Paddington at SMG DFW locations this Saturday, Jan. 24 at 11:00 a.m.
Speaking of your favorite storybook characters coming to life; you can be one of the first people to see Dallas Children’s Theater world premiere of Skippy Jon Jones. In case you didn’t know, Skippyjon Jones is a energetic Siamese kitten with a huge imagination and a bit of an identity crisis. Whenever his exasperated mama puts him in a time-out he becomes a swashbuckling Chihuahua named Skippito Friskito. Opening night is this Friday and it runs weekends through Feb. 22.