We’re heading into the fourth week of 2020 and for most of us, the new year’s resolutions are waning. Who knew getting organized was so tedious or getting out of debt so unfun. And let’s not even talk about losing weight. For me, that resolution gave up the ghost on Jan. 3rd.

One resolution you’ll have no trouble keeping at all is exposing the kids to more art in 2020. Whether it be classes, exhibitions, theater, music, or even poetry slams, the Art&Seek calendar is chock-full of art enrichment. Even better, you can search for activities specific to just the kiddos. Just click on the Kids & Family section of the Art&Seek calendar.

Here are just a few of the many art-related events happening this weekend in our neck of the woods.

Photo: shutterstock.com

If it’s enrichment you want, there’s no better place to start than our area museums. I know, I know, the idea of dragging an unwilling child around a gallery or museum is less than appealing. Well, let me put your mind at ease. Many of the museums in the North Texas area offer programming and events designed especially for children. Far from being boring, they’ll make an art-lover out of your kiddo. One such program you don’t want to miss is the Kimbell’s Drop-In Studio. This free weekend workshop introduces children (ages 12 and younger) and their adult companions to fun and inspiring ways to enjoy art together. Each session features a brief gallery activity and a related studio art project. Space is limited; sign-up begins one hour prior to the program. If you’ve got older children, check out the Teen Renaissance Opening Celebration this Saturday at the Dallas Museum of Art. The annual festival features a teen-curated student art exhibition, art-making, live music, and interviews with artists.

Photo: shutterstock.com

The Oscar nominees were announced last week and red carpet fever is in the air. Since tickets to “Once Upon a Time in …Hollywood” and “The Joker” are out for the littles, how about a film festival just for them? 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 36th year and it’s chocked full of movies and movie fun for you and the kiddos. On Saturday, come say hello to authors and illustrators Adams Rex and Laurie Keller. Mr. Rex has written “School’s First Day of School,” and Ms. Keller has penned “Potato Pants!”. You can see these tales come to life on screen and then get a  free autographed copy of one of the books after the show. On Sunday, don’t miss a variety of award-winning films just for kids.

Photo: NorthPark Center

Celebrate the Lunar New Year and chase away the winter doldrums with some creativity this Saturday at NorthPark Center’s ArtROCKS!, a free art program for children.  In this session, introduce the kids to the work of Zhang Xiaogang, a Chinese surrealist artist known for his interpretations of Chinese culture and identity, often through depictions of family portraiture. Children can make art projects with Artist DIY, Creative Arts Center, KidArt and Sour Grapes, as well as a Bookmarks scavenger hunt and walkSTEM tours. The fun happens this Saturday between 1 – 4 p.m. on level one between Nordstrom and Macy’s.

Photo: Outcry Theatre

January is an ideal month to explore the newest stage productions for children around town. January’s unpredictable weather makes theater-going the perfect winter activity and it’s also a great opportunity to take a deeper dive into childhood classics.  A great ‘page to stage’ production to check out is Outcry YouthTheatre’s ‘The Secret Garden.’ The story follows Mary, a young girl who’s sent to live with her uncle on a secluded manor and the mysteries she uncovers while living there. See it onstage this weekend at the Addison  Theatre Centre. It’s selling out fast so don’t wait to get tickets.

Photo: shutterstock.com

Come celebrate the 210th birthday of Edgar Allan Poe Saturday afternoon with the Fine Arts Chamber Players. Their family-friendly concert–aptly named Tales of the Macabre– will honor the birthday boy with some of his most chilling short stories dramatically told through music for harp and string quartet alongside Schubert’s eerie masterpiece “Death and the Maiden.” The not-so-scary Hallam Family Concert happens at the Dallas Museum of Art and lasts about an hour.

Photo: Plano Symphony Orchestra

Travel around the world with Plano Symphony Orchestra ensembles’ Frisco Family Concert. The show features music from “Coco,” “Moana,” “Frozen,” “Star Wars” and more. Dancers and narrators will bring the music to life and teach kids about instruments of the orchestra and the regions depicted in the music, both real and imagined. Don’t worry if the tinies will grow restless, because at just 45-minutes it’s just the right length. Get there early and enjoy the instrument petting zoo and craft station in the lobby prior to the concert.

For even more kid-friendly events, explore the Kids & Family section of the Art&Seek calendar.