Enriched Family January 2021 Austin Activities List
Photo by DESIGNECOLOGIST on Unsplash
Hi friends! Never have I been so happy to say Happy New Year! As I write this, Austin-Travis County is currently at Stage 5 (the highest level) for Covid-19 community risk. The more that we can stay home, the better for our loved ones and community. Given this, I have rounded up a list of family activities that can be done virtually or socially-distanced/outdoors in Austin this month. 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. 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. In the highlighted resource section, I have also included some creative, virtual bonding ideas that you could facilitate for your kids.
(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 Resource: Creative Ways to Connect
Pandemic fatigue is real y’all. Anyone else struggling to find meaningful ways to connect during quarantine? As the pandemic wears on, I have been looking for new & creative ways to engage with friends and family, especially for my kids. Here are some ideas:
leverage the talents of your family & friends
My stepmother is an artist & she gives my oldest daughter weekly FaceTime art lessons.
My youngest reads books to a friends' 4-year-old via FaceTime.
A close family friend gave my youngest a Jo (Japanese short staff) & they practice their moves together during scheduled Zoom sessions.
Perhaps a grandparent would enjoy giving an older child a virtual cooking lesson on a traditional family recipe?
use the Virtual group watch function for your streaming service(s) to have movie nights with friends + family near and Far. Check Out:
Teleparty (on Google Chrome for Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, and Disney+).
All participants need to have installed Teleparty and have an account with the streaming service in use. Cannot be used on TV, but can be used on computer screen, tablet, or phone.
Also check out Hulu Watch Party, Amazon Watch Party, or Metastream.
SCHEDULE A VIRTUAL PLAY DATE FOR YOUR CHILD WITH A FRIEND. SET A TIME LIMIT BASED ON THEIR AGE & ATTENTION-SPAN. ACTIVITY IDEAS:
Legos
Writing a story together or creating a graphic novel
Card games
challenge your kids to come up with other creative ideas for virtual connection...
Free Educational/Cultural/Fun Activities (Virtual & In-Person)
Bullock Museum Family Program (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. Ring in the new year with a reading of Cynthia Rylant’s The Stars Will Still Shine, a book that celebrates the ordinary and wonderful happenings of daily life. Reflect with your child about the things that we look forward to each day and explore some of the magic that we may sometimes take for granted. Welcome 2021 by creating your own shining stars using colorful pastels and words of hope against black paper to resemble twinkling stars in the dark night sky. The brilliant pastels will produce shining stars for all to see! Program is FREE to the public.
Activity materials:
Oil pastels or crayons
Black construction paper
Scissors
Glue
String
Q-tip to smudge colors (optional)
When: January 7th, 2021 | 10-10:30am
Girlstart’s Starry Nights at Home (Virtual)
Details: January Starry Night will feature a virtual Inuit lore star show. Materials lists for hands-on activities will be posted on Monday, January 4th.
When: A virtual star show and hands-on activity blogs will be available at 9:00am on Thursday, January 7th.
Second Saturdays are for Families: Pinwheels (Virtual)
Details: For this month's Contemporary Austin at-home activity, make a pinwheel inspired by Monika Sosnowska's The stairs! Have you ever seen a work of art that looks like it could move, but it doesn’t? Even though Sosnowska’s sculpture looks like a pinwheel, it cannot move like one. Her art is made of heavy steel and sits firmly on the ground at Laguna Gloria, but it gives the illusion of motion. Keep your eyes peeled on Saturday, January 9 The Contemporary Austin Facebook and Instagram for links to participate in this month's program! In the meantime, let the search for your materials begin! Supply List: Sheet of acetate, stick, plastic attachment, Washi tape, Sharpie. Reserve a free art kit (coming soon!) filled with supplies to accompany your Second Saturdays Are for Families activity! (optional). Kits are for 1 child each. Pickup will occur in the cul-de-sac at the entrance to Laguna Gloria. Ticket reservations are not required for actual event.
When: January 9th, 2021
Create Away - Doughtery Arts Center After School Program (Virtual)
Details: Create Away is a digital after school program held over Zoom where elementary-aged students (5-12; 5-year-olds must be in Kindergarten) can connect with others, socialize with peers, and flex their creative skills under the guidance of Doughtery Arts Instructors who specialize in various visual, performing, and digital arts mediums. The goal of Create Away is to give students a supportive virtual environment to come together, have fun, and foster creative expression from home. Create Away lesson plans are based on TEKS (Texas Education Knowledge and Skills) in the arts. This program is free but will require registration and a completed waiver to attend. A basic supply kit will be provided. Students will be grouped by age in their Zoom Rooms.
When: Monday-Thursday | 3:30-5:30pm
Spring Session 1: January 11 to February 25 (Registration Open: December 16; Skip Dates: 1/18, 2/15)
Spring Session 2: March 1 to April 15 (Registration Open: February 10; Skip Dates: 3/15 – 3/18)
Spring Session 3: April 19 to May 27 (Registration Open: March 31; Skip Dates: None)
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: January 13, 2021 | 7pm
MLK Celebration 2021 (TBD)
Details: The 2021 MLK Community Festival has been cancelled due to the pandemic. However, the Austin Area Heritage Council is considering creative approaches to honoring the day in a way that aligns with City of Austin Guidelines and pays tribute to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
When: January 18, 2021. Check the website for forthcoming details.
Fee-Based December Activities (Virtual & In-Person)
Details: A magical drive-thru holiday experience at Circuit of the Americas. Follow Pepper and Mint on their journey down COTA’s Tunnel Road as they race to deliver their letters to Santa. The thoughtfully designed holiday experience will feature dancing elves and other festive entertainers strolling through dazzling scenes, transporting guests from Candy Cane Lane to an enchanted forest, and so much more.
When: Through January 3 | 6-10pm
Location: 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd, Austin, 78617
Cost: Per vehicle, $35-90.
Luminations at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Details: Here to light up your nights, the Luminations tradition keeps on glowing in 2021! Experience the calm of winter at the Center with the shimmer of thousands of luminarias lighting the way. This year, for the first time ever, stroll through the naturally beautiful Texas Arboretum among the illuminated oaks and the light-splashed forts of Fortlandia. Enjoy a special seasonal menu of take-along foods from Wildflower Café. Order ahead here. Safety guidelines here.
When: January 3rd and 7th-10th | 6-9pm
Where: Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin, 78739
Cost: $18 per adult ($13 for members*); $10 for kids - ages 5 to 17 ($5 for members); children up to 4 years old are free.
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) - January 16, 23, 30 & February 6, 13, 20, 27 | 2pm
Cost: “Pick your price” based on ability to pay - Tickets between $6-12. Available here.
Fortlandia at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Details: Explore a collection of forts custom designed and built by local architects, designers and artists for the Mollie Steves Zachry Texas Arboretum. Stop and build your own fort at Fort Build too. These creative spaces will transport you to imaginary worlds and spark an appreciation for art and nature — and the curious, wonderful ways in which they intersect. Your secret hideout awaits! Entry is included with regular admission.
When: Through January 31st | Daily 9am-5pm
Where: Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin, 78739
Cost: $12 per adult; $10 for seniors and military; $6 for youth - ages 5 to 17; children up to 4 years old are free.
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.
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.