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.

Who thought this was a good idea? Photo: Therese Powell

We were quite productive in our house this past weekend. And by productive I don’t mean cleaning out the garage kind of productive–no, this was much, much more satisfying. We actually finished the school valentines a WHOLE WEEK early. But wait, there’s more. Not only did we finish early, they were HOMEMADE to boot. Given our track record on valentine procrastination, this was a victory worth celebrating.

Getting the pesky little notes done early wasn’t my original objective. The idea for homemade valentines was actually born out of the desire to have a functioning closet again. Right now, instead of coats, my closet is serving as a receptacle for approximately 8 hundred pounds of craft making supplies. That might seem like a lot given I only have one child, but people with kids will understand. The same parental instincts that compel you to protect and feed your children also drives you to purchase large quantities of craft-making materials. No one can explain this phenomenon, it’s just one of the things that happens when you become a parent.

Logic told me the quickest way to a coat closet that actually houses coats was to use the crafts.  The Valentine…ahem…stuff was the first to tumble out when I opened the closet so the decision of where to start was an easy one. “Kismet,” I thought to myself. Let the valentine making begin.

As with most things that are handmade, the fun wore off at about the half-way mark, but Rose soldiered through the tedium of gluing and cutting and we ended up with some pretty darn cute valentines–not to mention a closet that’s one bin lighter, and a mom in craft rehab.

After you’ve cleared out your craft closet (admit it, you have one) celebrate the day with one of these Valentine’s Day inspired events.

Okay, so not everyone is a fan of V Day. If all the pink and red has got your teen feeling a little out of sorts, bring him or her to the Lewisville Public Library this Thursday night for their Anti-Valentines Day Party.  Kids in grades 6-12 who love chocolate and flowers, but hate other Valentine stuff can “celebrate” this holiday by making and eating some sweet treats and not-so-lovey-dovey crafts.

Che bella luna! Photo: PDNB Gallery

You’ll be set up for next year’s homemade valentines with this cool event. Bring your little (or big) Sweetheart to PDNB Gallery in the Design District for a special Valentine’s Day photo shoot. Vintage photography collectors, Beverly and Jack Wilgus, are providing a Paper Moon set and will photograph you and your loved ones this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The set can hold a single person, a couple, or your whole family. The photo shoot is free which makes this a pretty sweet deal–no pun intended.

Feel like clowning around? Stop by NorthPark Center on Saturday and see My Funny Valentine, a show with professional clowns from Slappy’s Puppet Playhouse. In addition to the silliness, Slappy brings along his puppet friends, European style marionettes, who add to the fun. Catch Slappy and the gang in the NorthCourt near BookMarks.

Head on down to the Latino Cultural Center this weekend for their family-friendly Second Saturday event. You can take part in an Afro-Caribbean Drumming class with Master Drummer Edis Sanchez, learn about Caribbean culture and dance, or do a Valentine’s Day inspired craft with the nice folks from Oil and Cotton. The fun starts at 11 a.m.

Word on the street is we’re in for another fabulous weather weekend. You can get in some premium park time and celebrate the day of love to boot at Heart in the Park this Saturday at Klyde Warren Park. Ton’s of family-friendly activities are planned including a visit from Prince Charming (be sure to wear your best princess dress), a Valentine Story time and a Valentine magician. Who says love isn’t magical? Animal lovers can pucker up and “Smooch-a-Pooch” with White Rock Dog Rescue, or send a special message via pigeon with the folks from Trinity River Audubon Center at their For the Love of Pigeons event. And if none of that interests you there’s always my favorite activity–Valentine card making at the craft table.

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].