Enriched Family February 2021 Austin Activities List
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
Hey Austin Families! We made it to February. Whew, January was a l-o-n-g month. With nicer weather, I am sure we are all wanting to get out of the house and enjoy some sunshine with our kiddos. At the same time, we are still at Stage 5 in Austin-Travis County and Travis County residents are currently considered to be at “extremely high risk” of contracting COVID. Given this, for the time being, I will continue to emphasize family activities that can be done virtually or socially-distanced/outdoors in Austin for these monthly posts. As usual, I have focused on educational, cultural, and fun activities that are both free and fee-based so that you can choose the best fit for your family. Enjoy a geocaching challenge (hurry, registration ends Feb. 5th); engage in a wide variety of STEM events and activities (check out a virtual Girlstart Starry Night or participate in UT Girl Day or the UT-Austin Texas Science Festival virtually); participate in a virtual workshop or book club addressing racial equity; celebrate Black History Month online with the George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center’s Black History Month Kid’s Day; enjoy a virtual concert, storytime, or play; or explore outdoor fun at Dreamland, Sweet Eats Fruit Farm, or the Wildflower Center. In the highlighted resource section, I have included additional ideas for celebrating Black History Month with your children.
Resources are listed by date order in each section, as applicable. While the list is relatively short given everything that is happening in our community, I hope it helps you and your kiddos find some connection and inspiration in these crazy times.
(Please note, the following is provided for informational purposes only; the information is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge, but there may be omissions, errors or mistakes, and no guarantees are made.)
Highlighted Resources: Black History Month Books & Festival
February 1st marks the first day of Black History Month. It also marks National Freedom Day, which commemorates the creation of the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery.
In honor, here is a great list of elementary-aged books and historical dates curated by an elementary school librarian to help you celebrate Black history today and everyday with your families! Thanks @thebookwrangler 🙏
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History, the founders of Black History celebrations in the United States, will be hosting the Black History Month Festival virtually this year. This year’s theme is “The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity.” Events will run February 1-February 28th. More information is available here.
Free or Donation-Based Educational/Cultural/Fun Activities (Virtual & In-Person)
Austin Parks & Recreation 2021 Virtual Geocaching Challenge (Outdoor & contactless)
Details: Join in the 2021 Virtual Geocaching Challenge: Geocache Austin! The free, touch-less, self-paced geocache challenge will take place over 2 months (February 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021). PARD has hidden over 50 geocaches for you to find in more than 20 Austin parks! The more caches you find, the more prizes you receive. In short, it is a game of PARD hiding caches and you seeking them, like a scavenger hunt. To find the caches, you will need either a smart phone with the “Geocaching” app (free) or a handheld GPS navigator. Other recommended items are a small notepad and pen/pencil to keep notes if needed (not required). FAQs here.
When: Registration ends February 5th (download the registration form at the registration link). You can register as an individual or a team of up to 4. Once you have completed the registration form, email it to PARDAthletics@austintexas.gov to complete the registration process. For questions call 512-978-2670.
Girlstart’s Starry Nights at Home (Virtual)
Details: February’s Starry Night will feature an Ancient Chinese Legend Star Show. Enjoy these hands-on STEM activities:
Build Chinese New Year drums
Create an abacus to explore Ancient Chinese mathematics
Design a flying paper kite
Discover the art of papermaking
Materials lists for hands-on activities posted here.
When: The virtual star show and hands-on activity blogs will be available at 9am on Thursday, February 4th. RSVP here.
Creative Action’s February Events (Virtual)
Details: Creative Action’s mission is to “use the arts as a medium to inspire creativity, unlock potential, and transform the lives of students of all ages.” The organization does this by helping “young people develop skills for long-term academic, personal, and career success through high-quality, socially and culturally-relevant arts education programs led by professional Teaching Artists.” The following virtual events and workshops in February are all donation-based:
February 4th | 6-7:15pm - Conflict Resolution: Four Steps to Peace Workshop (for parents, caregivers, and educators). Register here.
February 4th, 11th, 18th | 5:30-6:30pm - The Path to Racial Equity Series. Register here.
February 5th | 12-1:15pm - Talking to Young People About Race - Part 1 Workshop (for parents, caregivers, and educators). Register here.
February 12th | 12-1:15pm - Talking to Young People About Race - Part 2 Workshop (for parents, caregivers, and educators). Register here.
February 13th | 10-10:45am - Virtual Music & Movement Class (for parents & children, 0-5). Register here.
Bullock Museum Virtual StoryTime: Texas Riddles (Virtual)
Details: Gather the family in the comfort of your home to enjoy virtual storytimes and demonstrations of hands-on activities for kids of all ages. Read along with Little Texas, a book that introduces some familiar and not so familiar symbols of Texas through clever riddles. Choose your favorite Texas symbol and write your own riddles to test your family's and friends' state symbol knowledge. Program is FREE to the public. Register here.
Activity materials:
Paper for writing and drawing
Pencils
Crayons or markers
When: February 9th, 2021 | 11:30am-12pm
Long Center’s Good Vibes Only Shows (Livestream)
Details: Introducing Good Vibes Only, the Long Center’s series of free, fully-produced performances from local artists safely recorded in the Rollins Studio Theatre. Rooted in the spirit of the old Municipal Auditorium that opened its doors to Austin in 1959, it’s time to get back to the music, back to the energy, and back to the old Austin. No more backyards and front porches, these performances are focused on what has kept Austin’s culture so cool — great music, bold creativity, and Good Vibes Only.
When: February 10 & 24, 2021 | 8pm
George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center: Book Club (Virtual)
Details: In this book club, middle school and early high school students (6th-9th grade) explore people, places, and ideas by reading new books. This intergenerational book club is facilitated by author Yolanda King. February’s selection is “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You” by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. Contact King via email to yking@saxiom.com to RSVP for Zoom link.
When: February 13, 2021 | 10:30am-12pm
UT-Austin Texas Science Festival: Science for a Changing World (Virtual)
Details: Free and open to science enthusiasts everywhere, the Texas Science Festival is a celebration of discovery and learning. The Texas Science Festival has something for everyone. Alumni, current students and the science-interested public are all invited to participate. They also have offerings for families interested in involving younger audiences and future scientists. Schedule here. Register here.
When: February 16-March 21, 2021
Details: Join CarverMuseumATX for Black History Month Kids Day+HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Day. Enjoy live Zoom sessions with Creative Action featuring Ellison and Bavu Blakes, co-authors of “El’s Mirror,” a Divine 9 (HBCU sororities and fraternities) Chat, and HBCU Reps Presentation. There will also be a variety of fun, family-friendly activities inspired by this year’s Black History Month Theme: The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity. You can purchase El's Mirror to read prior to the event here. RSVP to claim your spot! Special prizes/activity packets for first 20 attendees who RSVP.
When: Saturday, February 27 | 11am-3pm
Girl Day at UT Austin (Virtual)
Details: Girl Day at UT Austin, including Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day and the Girl Day STEM Festival, will be held virtually this year. Students and their parents or educators are invited to join in for 10 days of virtual FREE hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fun. UT’s national award-winning Girl Day, presented by the Women in Engineering Program (WEP), gives elementary and middle school students a chance to explore STEM. Both girls and boys are welcome! Register here.
When: Saturday, February 20, 2021 through Monday, March 1, 2021
Fee-Based Activities (Virtual & In-Person)
Dreamland (Outdoor)
Details: Dreamland is a new, one-of-a-kind outdoor entertainment, recreation and arts venue in Dripping Springs. Located on 64 acres in the Texas Hill Country, Dreamland offers an oasis of outdoor sports, music, stunning visual arts, diverse food, and a beer garden and tap room with an expertly curated variety of beer and wine from all over the region. Play pickleball or mini golf, explore art and music, and enjoy food and drinks.
When: Opening February 5th. Hours are 7am-Midnight, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday; Closed Tuesday; Open 7am-2pm, Friday & Saturday.
Where: 2770 W. Hwy 290. Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Cost: Many of the amenities will be free at Dreamland. The venue will only charge for mini-golf, pickleball, merchandise and food or beverages. Some featured music or art events may require tickets.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (Virtual and in-person events)
Details: The University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center uses native plants to restore and create sustainable, beautiful landscapes. They carry out their mission to inspire the conservation of native plants through our gardens, research, education, consulting and outreach programs. In doing so, they improve water quality, provide habitat for wildlife, and enhance human health and happiness. In 2017, they were officially designated the Botanic Garden and Arboretum of Texas.
February 13th | 10am-12pm - Wild Valentines Cards Workshop. Free with Admission.
Nothing says love like flowers and handmade valentines. Make a card for someone(s) special using wildflower seeds! Use one of their designs or create something all of your own. Drop in any time throughout the activity to pick up your kit, 10am-noon. This program is free with regular garden admission (and does not require separate registration), but space is limited, so please arrive early.
February 16th | 10-10:30am - Parent & Toddler Yoga (for parents and children, recommended for ages 18-months to 3-years old.). The virtual event recurs twice monthly. In March, they will also begin having in-person classes. Register here. Free for members; $12 per class for parent-child pair.
Where: Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin, 78739
Cost: Free for members and UT Austin faculty, staff, and students. $12/adults; $10/seniors & military; $6/youth - ages 5 to 17; children up to 4 years old are free. Center is open daily 9am-5pm. Advance reservations and masks required.
Pollyanna Theatre Company: The Missing Dinosaur Adventure (Virtual)
Details: Pollyanna Theatre Company, one of Austin’s premier providers of live theatre for children, presents, “The Missing Dinosaur Adventure,” an interactive Zoom play for pre-schoolers. Baby Dinosaur is missing! Can you help get her back? In this Virtual Adventure, the Magical Storyteller will guide your character on a wild search through prehistoric lands. Feel free to dress up as your favorite dinosaur (or any other character!) so you can join in the fun! Recommended ages 3-6. Movement and participation-based story drama. No reading required!
When: Presented live on Zoom (45 minutes) - February 6, 13, 20, 27 | 2pm
Cost: “Pick your price” based on ability to pay - Tickets between $6-12. Available here.
Austin Scottish Rite Theater Streaming On-Demand Performances (Virtual)
Details: Enjoy some classic Austin Scottish Rite Theater performances from your home!
Snow Queen
A Long Winter’s Night (in Texas)
Rosita y Conchita
Little Red Chunari
Armadillo Alice
When: On-demand.
Tickets: $15 each to rent.
Sweet Eats Fruit Farm (Outdoor)
Details: Looking for the best things to do in Austin this weekend? Sweet Eats Fruit Farm is located in Georgetown Texas, 30 minutes north of Austin. They have a multitude of activities available for all ages; from Pony Rides and Pig Races to their Hay Maze and giant Petting Zoo there is plenty to keep ages 1-100 entertained for hours. Come, pick fruit and only pay for what you pick, or stay for all the fun farm activities and enjoy unlimited access for one low price!
When: Open 7 days a week, 9am-6pm (weather permitting).
Where: 4400 E. State Highway 29, Georgetown, TX 78626
Tickets: General admission for ages 2+ is $13.99 (children under 2 are free). All activities INCLUDED. Extras are Food & Drinks. *Excludes: Add on's (e.g., fruit, etc). You do not need to pay General Admission to come and pick fruit, you only pay forwhat you pick by the pound.
Also, check out these sites for good lists of community activities for kids and families in the Austin area:
https://austinkidsdirectory.com/events/
https://www.austintexas.org/events/
http://austin.thinkbilingual.org/events/
https://austin.com/category/free-fun-in-austin/
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Esha/Enriched Family
Enriched Family is a unique, custom research, consulting, and coaching business dedicated to providing families with the information, tools, and systems they need to live more organized and joyful lives. Services include: Custom family-focused research (child care, education, health and wellness resources, camps, and enrichment activities), family organization solutions (stuff & family systems), and productivity consulting for busy, professional parents (planning and prioritizing, productivity coaching, and time management coaching). I offer a free, 20-minute initial phone consultation to all new clients to discuss matching your needs and priorities with my services. I invite you to check out my services and click the "Let's Get Started!" button below to contact me with questions.