Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Fort Worth, TX

With the weather cooling off, everything's getting ready to blossom...that is, in terms of events! There are so many this weekend, I'm about to run out of room. So, bear with me, read until the end, and have a good time trying to fit all these great activities in your short 48-hour weekend!

For a good drive and lots of fun, check out the Mansfield Pecan Festival! Not only can you find any pecan you can imagine, but you can see various entertainment, a dunking booth, bake-off (yum!), a car show, and, of course, the inevitable children's area with bounce houses, petting zoo, rides and more!  Check it out here.  And, yes, it's FREE!

Another drive that's worth it is to McKinney to see beautiful butterflies. Check out the Heard Natural Science Museum through the end of September and be immersed among native Texas fluttering butterflies in their butterfly house. You'll experience Monarchs, Julia Longwings, and questions marks (huh?). More information on this is available here.

An ongoing fun Friday morning idea is the Preschool Discovery Club at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge. Friday, 9/25, from 10:30-11:30, you can check out amphibians with your 3 to 5 year olds. This is a way to get up close and personal with some fun water life! Check out the Nature Center here. 

Casa Manana does it again with a wonderful musical based on The Jungle Book. The show starts Friday, 9/25, and goes through 10/11. Tickets are cheap and the shows are always great. Get your tickets for The Jungle Book (and see the whole season's line-up) right here.

And, guess what starts this weekend??? The State Fair! That's right - it's time for anything-you-want-on-a-stick, along with animals, carnival rides, entertainment, and crazy activities! The fair starts Friday, 9/25, and lasts through 10/18.  Don't miss out on the fun! See all the great details here.

Come join the biggest and best celebration of the Old West this side of the Tarrant county line! Take the short drive up to Keller to Bear Creek Park for plenty of entertainment for all ages including, a children's stick horse rodeo, arts and crafts, children's games and activities, entertainment, and the so-Old West tractor pull! The fun is on Saturday, 9/26, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.  Admission is FREE, so jump on your stick horse and join the fun! More information is available at http://www.thekellerpointe.com.

Celebrate Fort Worth's "Day in the District" at the Log Cabin Village. Enjoy a full day of music, crafts, living history and activities for the whole family. My tips: get there early as there is very little parking and bring your mosquito repellant! It's a great place for the little ones to run, touch, and experience a little bit of the frontier life. Check it out at www.logcabinvillage.com.

Well, if this doesn't fill up your dance card, send me a message and I'll send you some more ideas!! Have a great weekend!

Next week, I'll be providing some very important tips from the American Red Cross on preparing for hurricane season...stay tuned!