What to Do Today: Nov. 24

DALLAS
The weather today should be perfect for a zoo trip—and what's even sweeter is it's Dollar Day at the Dallas Zoo from 9am-4pm! Take a leisurely stroll through the zoo's exhibits and see all kinds of animals up close for just $1 per person.


FORT WORTH
Moms won't want to miss the Sip and Shop event from 4-7pm today at Fort Worth's The Greener Good. You'll enjoy raffles, samplings of organic wines and the chance to browse cool eco-chic gifts, from home decor to baby items. Free admission.


NORTH TEXAS
Pack up your little one and head to Mother Goose Time at 10am today at Denton's North Branch Library. Children ages birth to 18 months and their caregivers will have lots of fun with stories, rhymes and songs. Free.

What to Do Today: Nov. 23

DALLAS
Have a spot of fun at Story Time With Ty at 10:30am today at the Barnes and Noble Booksellers in Dallas' Preston Royal Shopping Center. Kids will hear the classic tale 101 Dalmatians and even have a chance to win tickets to The 101 Dalmatians Musical, opening in Dallas Dec. 1! Free.


FORT WORTH
Cheer on the Lady Frogs basketball team as they take on Texas Southern University at 11:30am today at Texas Christian University's Daniel Meyer Coliseum. Fans are invited to bring a sack lunch to munch on while enjoying the game. Free.


NORTH TEXAS
Get your game face on for Fun and Games at 3:30pm today at the Coppell Public Library. Children ages 5 and older will meet up to play games against school-age opponents. Free.

What to Do Today: Nov. 20

DALLAS
Remember when your "late nights" actually involved staying out late (rather than falling asleep in front of the TV at 8pm)? Relive those old glory days—with your kids in tow!—at the Dallas Museum of Art's Late Nights event from 6pm-12am today. The whole fam will flip for Studio Creations, where kids can make their own artwork; Kids Yoga; stories; and more. $10 adults; children younger than 12 free.


FORT WORTH
Kick off your holiday season with the funny musical Santa Claus is Coming to Town at 7pm today (and continuing every Friday-Sunday through Dec. 23) at Fort Worth's Casa Mañana Theatre. When a greedy toy company convinces a judge to outlaw Santa, a group of clever kids must travel to the North Pole and save the day! Tickets are $19-$17.


NORTH TEXAS
Hear some cool tunes when Forever Plaid takes the stage at 7:30pm today (and 7:30pm Saturday; 2pm Sunday) at the Denton Community Theatre. The show, which is appropriate for all ages, includes sweet harmonies and funny banter by the fictitious 1950s-style singing quartet The Plaids. Tickets are $18-$10.

Attention, Nick Jr. Fans!

DJ Lance Rock and his cast of cool cuties will take the stage for one day only in Yo Gabba Gabba! Live: There's a Party in My City at 11am and 3pm Nov. 28 at Frisco's Dr Pepper Arena! The exciting, musical live show will feature all your favorites from the popular kid's TV show: Foofa, Muno, Brobee, Plex and Toodee (parents of preschoolers understand) and, of course, DJ Lance himself!

Tickets start at $29 (children younger than 1 free) and are available through Tickets.com.

And what could be better than seeing one of your kids' favorite shows come to life on stage? Winning a family four-pack of tickets—and a Yo Gabba Gabba! CD—on us! The first three people who can correctly guess my favorite TV show as a child will win the tickets and the CDs. Hint: The show was "truly outrageous." E-mail your guesses to cking@dallaschild.com. And good luck!

Yo Gabba Gabba! Live: There's a Party in My City
11am and 3pm Nov. 28
Dr Pepper Arena
2601 Avenue of the Stars, Frisco
866/337-1312
www.yogabbagabba.com

—Claudia

For EveryBODIES!

Did you know ... It takes 17 muscles to smile and 43 to frown? By age 60, most people have lost half of their taste buds? If the average man never trimmed his beard, it would grow to nearly 30 feet long in his lifetime? (That gives me new appreciation for razors.)

Learn more fun facts and a gain a wealth of knowledge about the human body at the educational exhibition BODIES, opening Nov. 21 at the West End Marketplace in Dallas. Through the sensitive presentation of actual whole-body specimens and individual organs, this awe-inspiring exhibition will reveal how your body works by exploring it from the inside out. Both fascinating and beautiful, this eye-opening display is an unforgettable experience for inquisitive minds of all ages.

BODIES Exhibition will run through April 2010.

Ticket prices range from $24-$22 for adults and $16-$14 for children.

603 Munger Ave.

Dallas

866/312-3931
www.bodiesdallas.com

-Jenny

What to Do Today: Nov. 19

DALLAS
Expose your kids to the benefits of classical music at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra's Ravel: Bolero concert at 8pm today at Dallas' Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. The orchestra will perform Maurice Ravel's famous Bolero and Georges Bizet's Symphony No. 1. Tickets start at $22.


FORT WORTH
Bundle up for some outdoor exploration during Evening Stroll With a Naturalist at 5:30pm today at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge. You'll join a professional guide and find out what happens along the refuge's trails after nightfall. Call ahead to pre-register. $10.


NORTH TEXAS
Get a historically fun lesson at If These Walls Could Talk Lecture Series from 11-11:45am today at Denton's Bayless Selby House Museum. You'll get an up-close look at winter fashions from the Victorian era. Free.

It's Groundbreaking!

Today was an exciting day for Dallas mini-scientists, as the Museum of Nature and Science broke ground on its brand-new (and ultra cool) Victory Park facility. The ceremony, held under a huge snazzy tent on the new museum site, included dignitaries like museum president and CEO (and DallasChild Mom Next Door!) Nicole Small, Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Dwain Caraway and Ross Perot Jr., who, along with his sisters, donated $50 million toward the project in honor of their parents, Margot and H. Ross Perot. The groundbreaking was marked with a specially made contraption that showed what just a few things the new museum has in store—from dinosaurs to space exploration. Very cool!

The new museum, which should take at least two years to build, will include 180,000 square feet of space with an outdoor playscape, interactive exhibits, six learning labs and lots more.

We can't wait to see everything the new museum will offer North Texas' scientists, engineers and researchers of the future!

—Claudia

What to Do in Dallas: Nov. 18

DALLAS
Have a fun cultural experience by taking in the exhibit Performance/Art from 11am-5pm today at the Dallas Museum of Art. You'll see works by five artists who draw inspiration from performances, like opera and theater, for their masterpieces. $10 adults; children younger than 12 free.


FORT WORTH
Take a journey way out West with the exhibit Views and Visions: Prints of the American West, 1820-1970 from 10am-5pm today at Fort Worth's Amon Carter Museum. This unique collection of works depicts the landscapes, animals and peoples of America's frontier. Free.


NORTH TEXAS
Little ones love stories, and yours are sure to light up at Ones Upon a Time at 11:15am today at the Coppell Public Library. This storytime is aimed at 1-year-olds and will include stories, songs and lots of fun. Admission tickets are required and will be available at the Information Desk. Free.

What to Do Today: Nov. 17

DALLAS
Enjoy an evening of beautiful music at the Dallas Wind Symphony Concert at 8pm today at Dallas' Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. The symphony will join musicians from the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra and organist Mary Preston for a performance of classical masterpieces. Tickets start at $16.


FORT WORTH
Bring out your kids' inner artist at Crafty Preschoolers at 11am today at the Euless Public Library. Children ages 4-6 and a caregiver will enjoy fun crafts they can take home! Free.


NORTH TEXAS
Children in kindergarten through third grade will hone their reading skills at Book Adventures at 4pm today at Denton's North Branch Library. They'll have fun with stories and activities based on a different theme each week. Free.

What to Do Today: Nov. 13

DALLAS
Cookies + milk + stories = happy kids! Take your little ones to Pajamarama With Cookie Mouse at 7pm today at Barnes and Noble Booksellers in Dallas' Lincoln Center. Kids are invited to wear their jammies and enjoy crafts, cookies and a fun storytime. Free.



FORT WORTH
Take your little dancing queens (and kings!) to the Texas Dance Theatre Performance at 8pm today at Fort Worth's Scott Theatre. Professional dancers will perform to music by Franz Shubert, Ryuichi Sakamoto and more. $25.



NORTH TEXAS
Make a splash with Kid's Night Out from 6-9pm today at Flower Mound's Community Activity Center Pool. Children ages 5-12 will enjoy an evening of swimming, dinner and a movie (and parents can enjoy a night on the town!). Call ahead to pre-register. $21-$15.

Holiday Help!

Holiday shopping is right around the corner—or already here for you over-achievers. No matter what you're shopping for, be it gifts for family, items for the home ... or those much-deserved treats for yourself, Kacky & Carl can help you tackle the most challenging of holiday needs.

Located in the historic district of Uptown, this one-stop shop carries hard-to-find lines for mom such as Daggs and Stacey, Dolan and Kirribilla—sure to make you drop jaws at that holiday soiree or give your family the (honest) impression you've got "casual cool" nailed. And if all this shopping for self has got you feeling, well ... selfish, why not pick up something for the kids while you're there! Owners Kacky Pritchard and Lisa Barnes keep the store stocked with unique finds including one-of-a-kind baby accessories and shower gifts, as well as kids clothing like Monster Tee's and a DallasChild fave, Baby Bean Vintage!

And because you've got your in-laws coming for a (long) week, Amy Gibbs, designer and owner of AG Designs, brings you all you need for a holiday home makeover. Choose from a classically modern mix of new and renewed furniture and home accessories that will make any room pop with vibrant color, modern fabric or sophisticated lacquer.

So let's summarize: Kacky and Carl can help you look smashing, check multiple tasks off your holiday "to get list" and finally impress your very discriminating mother-in-law.

Kacky and Carl is located at 2722 Routh St. in Uptown. Call 214/295-4486 or visit its Web site for more information.

-Jenny

What to Do Today: Nov. 11

DALLAS
Let your kids learn about pioneer education at Barnyard Buddies Storytime for Preschoolers at 11am today at Dallas Heritage Village. Kids will gather in the Renner School to hear the story The Country Mouse and the City Mouse and create a cute landscape collage. Call ahead to pre-register. $5 per child.


FORT WORTH
Enjoy some family art time with Wonderful Wednesdays from 4-4:45pm today at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. This monthly program includes a family-friendly gallery tour and a fun art project. This month, explore the works of Brice Marden and Robert Mangold. Free.


NORTH TEXAS
Early readers in fourth through sixth grades will meet for their very own book club, Dragon Readers, at 4:30pm today at the Lewisville Public Library. Call 972/219-3577 to find out what this week's book is, then come together for discussion and fun activities. Free.

What to Do Today: Nov. 10

DALLAS
Bring your pint-sized Picasso to Toddler Art from 11am-12pm today (and Friday) at the Dallas Museum of Art. Children ages 2-3 and their caregivers will join a museum staff member on a tour through the galleries before enjoying some play time in Arturo's Nest. Call ahead to register. $10 adults; children younger than 12 free.


FORT WORTH
Grab your cuddliest jammies and head to Pajama Time at 7pm today at the Lake Arlington Branch Library. Children ages 4-8 will have fun with stories, songs and activities. Don't forget to bring your favorite teddy bear! Free.


NORTH TEXAS
Young zoologists in the making will want to experience CSI: Animals at 3:30pm today at Denton's South Branch Library. Kids ages 10-13 will join master naturalists for a hands-on lesson in animal anatomy. Call ahead to pre-register. Free.

What to Do Today: Nov. 9

DALLAS
Got a James Bond in the making? Take him (or her!) to Science of Spying from 10am-5pm today (and continuing daily through Jan. 24) at Dallas' Museum of Nature and Science. Kids will get to see cool spy gadgets like night-vision goggles and cameras, and they'll learn how to detect liars, crack safes and find hidden clues. $13.75 adults; $12.50 seniors; $12 children ages 12-18; $9.75 children ages 3-11.


FORT WORTH
The family that reads together succeeds together! So take the whole clan to Family Storytime at 6pm today at the Euless Public Library. Kids of all ages—and their parents—will have a great time with stories, songs and more. Free.


NORTH TEXAS
Older book lovers (children in kindergarten through third grade) will have lots of reading fun at Prime Time at 4pm today at the Lewisville Public Library. They'll be treated to stories, games, crafts and more. The weekly program continues every Monday through Nov. 30. Free.

Dive In!!

I LOVE waterparks. There's just something about a waterslide that brings out my inner child better than anything else.

So you can imagine my absolute pure joy upon opening an e-mail yesterday telling me about a new promotion at Grapevine's Great Wolf Lodge that will allow families to buy day passes to the waterpark without having to shell out for an overnight stay. I nearly fell out of my chair. I immediately told all my co-workers, my boyfriend, our friend Avery who also loves waterparks, my parents and the guy who was pumping gas next to me (who quickly scurried into his car and locked the doors).

I've actually experienced Great Wolf's waterpark before—and went on every single slide adults are allowed on (and probably a few I wasn't allowed on, but oh well). It's an absolute blast, with a huge treehouse-style water fort for kids, a wave pool and much more.

The best part about this promotion is it benefits a great cause: Big Brothers Big Sisters! Tickets are $15 each (children younger than 2 free) and are good all day every Sunday-Friday through Dec. 18 (tickets can't be used Nov. 24-27).

See you there!

Great Wolf Lodge, 100 Great Wolf Drive, Grapevine
817/877-4277; www.bbbstx.org

—Claudia

What to Do Today: Nov. 6

DALLAS
Today's the day: The big man himself, Santa Claus, will touch down at the Santa Arrival Parade at 5pm at Plano's The Shops at Willow Bend. Santa will be welcomed with elves, dancers, toy soldiers and more as he pulls up to the center in a cool convertible! The event will also mark the opening of the annual Polar Express Snow Globes exhibit. Free.


FORT WORTH
Zoom, zoom, zoom to the Dickies 500 Event Weekend from 8:30am-8:30pm today (and continuing through Sunday) at Fort Worth's Texas Motor Speedway. You'll see plenty of high-speed NASCAR action, with the 7-Eleven Qualifying Day, the WinStar World Casino 350 and more. Tickets start at $20.


NORTH TEXAS
Don't miss the premiere of Cinderella Wore Combat Boots at 8pm today at the Flower Mound Performing Arts Theatre. The all-youth production features all the elements of the familiar fable but with a modern tween twist. Tickets start at $19.

Mother Nature

Don't miss your chance to hear author, journalist and 2008 Audubon Medal recipient Richard Louv speak at 7 pm tonight at the Dallas Arboretum's Rosine Hall. Louv, an expert on the connection between family, nature and community, wrote the national bestseller Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder, an inspiring work that proves children need nature as much as nature needs children. Come listen to him share his passion for reconnecting children with their natural surroundings and answer questions about how we can help Dallas' kids have a brighter future by creating happier, healthier and smarter children.

For more information, e-mail education@dallasarboretum.org. Tickets are $12 ($10 for members) or $15 at the door. To reserve tickets, call 214/515-6540

Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas.

-Jenny

What to Do Today: Nov. 4

DALLAS
Bring the whole clan for an evening of fun at Family Night at Mockingbird Station from 5-9pm today. The station will partner with the Dallas Public Library's Every Child Ready to Read program to present an early literacy mini-workshop followed by an outdoor screening of The Wizard of Oz. Free with a donation of one new or slightly used children's book.


FORT WORTH
Gather up your little book lovers and head to Preschool Storytime at 11am today at the Euless Public Library. Children ages 3-5 will enjoy stories, songs and more—and you can check out the latest bestseller! Free.


NORTH TEXAS
Junior gourmands will cause a stir at the Healthy Snack Attack Class from 6-7:30pm today at Denton's Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center. The class, which will continue every Wednesday through Nov. 25, will teach kids ages 6 and older basic cooking techniques and more. Pre-registration is required for each weekly class. $10 per class.

What to Do Today: Nov. 3

DALLAS
Bring out your little one's inner artist at First Tuesdays from 11am-2pm today at the Dallas Museum of Art. Children younger than 6 and their caregivers will have fun with stories, crafts and more. The theme for this month is "costumes," so kids will get one more chance to wear their Halloween finery (no masks)! Free.


FORT WORTH
Hear the "orchestra of voices" when Chanticleer takes the stage at 7:30pm today at Fort Worth's Bass Performance Hall. The San Francisco-based classical vocal ensemble will perform orchestral renditions of jazz, gospel and Renaissance music. Tickets start at $10 adults; $5 students.


NORTH TEXAS
Don't let the learning stop at the end of the school day! Bring your kiddos (kindergarten through third grade) to Book Adventures at 4pm today at Denton's North Branch Library. Kids will enjoy 45 minutes of stories and activities based on different themes each week. Free.

Kids Eat Free!

Feed your kids tonight — for free! — at any Mooyah location (see full list at the bottom of this post).

Dubbed "Mooyah MomDays," kids (10 and younger) will eat free on Monday from 5-10pm with the purchase of an adult burger, turkey burger or veggie burger (yes, Dads are welcome too!). The company recently started this promotion to thank its parent patrons!

Want to know where else you can take your family for a free meal? Check out our article here. All Kids Eat Free deals are subject to change, so please call ahead before heading out to eat!

Mooyah Burgers and Fries
Addison, 5225 Beltline Road, 972/661-3114
Allen, 190 E. Stacy Rd., 972/678-2940
Coppell, 104 S. Denton Tap Rd., 972/304-7850
Euless, 2720 State Hwy 121, 817/571-7575
Frisco, 5500 Preston Road,972/377-4500
Little Elm, 2587 FM 423, 214/872-4454
Plano, 6400 West Plano Parkway, 972/403-8800
Watauga, 8004 Denton Highway, 817/656-3600

—Gretchen

Lego My ... Turkey!

I loved playing with Legos as a child. Mind you, this doesn't mean I was good at it. My parents can back me up on this one ... I was no engineer. I'd stack them up high and call it a sky scraper - though it resembled nothing of the sort. If only I'd had some Lego schooling, my creations might have looked like an actual something rather than a colorful mess.

Fortunately for Lego lovers of all skills, the store at NorthPark Center brings you the Monthly Mini Model Build! Visit the store on the first Tuesday of every month and you can learn how to build a cool mini model and then take it home – for free! This month's mini model is just in time for Thanksgiving. Learn how to make your very own turkey ... and have it actually resemble a turkey!

5pm Tuesday, Nov. 3, until supplies last

The LEGO^® Store NorthPark Center
8687 N. Central Expwy.
Dallas
214/750-6422

-Jenny

What to Do Today: Nov. 2

DALLAS
Continue your family's fall learning fun with a trip to see the exhibit My House Cultural Discovery: Halloween and Dia de los Muertos from 10am-5pm today at Dallas' Museum of Nature and Science. Kids will explore different cultures through books, toys, decorations and more. $8.75 adults; $7.75 seniors and children ages 12-17; $5.50 children ages 3-11.


FORT WORTH
Take a trip to the wilds of South America with the opening of the exhibit Peru's Amazon Jungle: Enchanting and Endangered from 9am-9pm today at the North Richland Hills Public Library. Fort Worth photographer Diane Simons Lovell will show the beautiful photographs she has taken of Amazonian tribes, animals and plants. The exhibit will continue through Nov. 30. Free.
Photograph Copyright 2009 by Diane Simons Lovell


NORTH TEXAS
Treat the kids to some good old-fashioned play time at Fun and Games at 3:30pm today at the Coppell Public Library. Children ages 5 and older will face off against other school-age kids in games like checkers and chess.