Family Symphony Sundays January 27th – March 30th on Sundays Eismann Center for Performing Arts, 2351 Performance Drive, Richardson 75082 More Info: Call 972.473.7262 The Plano Symphony Orchestra presents a five concert series which began on January 27th and runs through March 30th. It looks like a great way to entertain your little music-lover. An “instrument petting zoo” precedes each performance. The first four concerts in the series will be at Plano's Courtyard Theater, with the finale at the Eisemann Center in Richardson. The remaining schedule includes “Boomin’ Bass” on March 2nd, “Pounding Percussion” on the 9th, and the Peter and the Wolf finale on March 30th. Activities begin at 2 p.m., and the concert starts at 3 p.m. The cost is between $4 to $11 advance ($2 more at the door), and for the finale, it’s $8 to $18 advance ($2 more at the door). Series tickets run an affordable $27 to $47.

Dallas Children’s Theater Presents The House at Pooh Corner February 29th – March 30th on Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays Rosewood Center for Family Arts, 5938 Skillman, Dallas, 75231 More Info: Call 214.978.0110 or visit www.dct.org A.A. Milne’s timeless story of Winnie the Pooh is brought to life by Kathy Burke’s Theatre of Puppetry Arts. “Priceless antique marionettes bring a little boy and ‘the Best Bear in all the world’ to life. Join Piglet, Owl, Tigger, Eeyore and more for Winnie the Pooh joy and fun.” No performances from March 21-23. Tickets run from $12-$16 for both children and adults, depending on seating location.

Stingray Bay and SpongeBob at the Dallas Zoo March 8th – September 1st 650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas, 75203 More Info: Call 214.670.5656 or visit www.dallaszoo.com The Dallas Zoo is creating a unique place for kids to feed and interact with stingrays, and it’s coming on March 8th. “Known for a long tail with a sharp barb that can be quite dangerous, these stingrays are safe to touch and a delight to watch.” Then, kids can “take a ride down to a pineapple under the sea and visit everyone’s favorite invertebrate – SpongeBob Square Pants. The new 3-dimensional motion-simulated ride near the Aquarium features SpongeBob and his buddy Patrick pursuing a runaway pickle in heavy traffic at Bikini Bottom.” Call before going – as of press time, there wasn’t much info about this event.

Dallas Blooms at the Arboretum March 8th – May 27th 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, 75218 More Info: Call 214.515.6500 or visit http://www.dallasarboretum.org “The ever-popular festival is the largest outdoor floral festival in the Southwest and features more than 400,000 spring-blooming bulbs – including tulips, daffodils, Dutch iris and hyacinth throughout the 66-acre garden.” This year’s theme is “The Star of Texas,” so weekend activities will include Lone Star-themed events, such as armadillo racing, chili cook offs, and western dancing (because that’s what we do here in Dallas?). Best of all, Kimberly Clark’s Mommy and Me Mondays and Children’s Medical Center’s Tiny Tot Tuesdays will be extended this year, so all those fun activities geared toward children will run through May 27th.

Day Out with Thomas at the Museum of the American Railroad March 28th-30th and April 4th-6th 708 S. Main St., Grapevine, Texas More Info: Call 214.428.0101 or visit http://www.dallasrailwaymuseum.com Do you want to see your kid meet his first rock star? If so, bring him (or her) out to meet Thomas the Train at the Grapevine Vintage Railroad in the heart of downtown Grapevine. Tickets are $18 for kids over 2, and for that you get a 25 minute ride on Thomas himself, a meet and greet with the very noble Sir Topham Hat, a certificate of participation, and admission to what amounts to a small street festival, complete with fair food, games, crafts, and all sorts of other activities. We will definitely be going to this again, as it was probably the greatest day of my son’s life to date. Book your tickets early so you can schedule your train ride around naps!