Swiss Avenue Mother’s Day Home Tour

The annual Swiss Avenue Mother’s Day Tour is celebrating its 40th year this May, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, plus a brunch on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year’s tour features eight historic homes, as well as St. Matthews Cathedral. In addition to the tour of homes, there is a vintage and special-interest auto exhibit, a children’s area with activities planned throughout each day, live music in Savage Park, an art fair with a variety of items available for purchase from local artists and craftsmen and much more.

Savage Park, sahd.org, $20 in advance, $25 at the door

April 30

Youth essay contest

The Dallas Arboretum is planting a seed and asking North Texas youth to spread the message of National Gardens Day through an essay contest. They’ve asked 1st through 8th graders to write about the various ways public gardens impact the community. There will be three age groups, and the winning students will receive 20 free passes to the Arboretum and a sprinkler system for their school garden. Essays must be submitted by April 30. There will be a ceremony on May 10.

www.dallasarboretum.org/ essaycontest

MAy 3 – 4

Charity garage sale

Ready to rummage? The Magdalen House is hosting a huge charity garage sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Magdalen House, 1302 Redwood, magdalenhouse.org, 214.324.9261

MAy 4

Love our Native Plants and Prairies Day

The North Texas Master Naturalists are hosting a family event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with activities for the kids, such as making seed balls and cornhusk dolls, around the picnic tables on the north side of the Bath House. “Twice Upon a Time” storytellers will be there along with Captain Chrysalis, superhero entomologist. Bath House Cultural Center grounds, ntmn.org, 214.663.2268, free

MAy 4

Spring Fling at the Hills

Pack a picnic or grab a hot dog at the Spring Fling at the Hills with Greenland Hills United Methodist Church. This kids event from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. will feature a petting zoo, bounce house, games and more.

Greenland Hills Preschool, 5835 Penrose, greenlandhills.org, free

Eclectic Gallery

Eclectic Galleries presents an exclusive collection of handcrafted jewelry from 18 American artisans working in gemstones, fine metals, enamel, pearl, glass, clay, and drusy quartz. There will be a meet-the-artist reception with refreshments on Friday from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Eclectic Galleries, 6725 Snider Plaza, 469.759.6501

May 4

Santa Fe Pub Ride

Grab your friends and your bicycles for the first ever Santa Fe Trail Pub Crawl at 11 a.m. There will be beer specials along the way at The Lot, Craft & Growler, and Deep Ellum Brewery. The event benefits the FotSFT, so a $20 donation is encouraged.

Santa Fe Trail at White Rock Lake, friendsofsantafetrail.org, $20 donation

May 4

Summer Adventures in Fair Park

Fair Park will debut its Summer Adventures in Fair Park in May, which will feature 18 acres of rides, games, stage shows, water-play pools, fountains and misters. It also focuses on the Top o’ Texas ride, which is 500 feet tall and offers a panoramic view of downtown Dallas and the metroplex.

Fair Park, fairparkfun.com, 214.428.8000, $29.95 for adults, $24.95 for seniors and kids under 48 inches.

May 6

Lakewood Library Friends Art Show

The Lakewood Library Friends are calling for submissions for their 2013 Art Show. The art drop-off is Saturday, May 4, and the art show and reception is Monday, May 6.

Lakewood Branch of the Dallas Pubic Library, 6121 Worth, 214.670.1376, lakewoodlibraryfriendsdallas.com, $5 for members, $15 for non-members

Begins May 10

‘The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley’

Dallas Children’s Theater brings you their rendition of the book “Flat Stanley.” Stanley Lambchop is just like everyone else, until he makes a wish that, lo and behold, comes true!

Dallas Children’s Theater, Baker Theater, dct.org, 214.978.0110, $16-27