School's Out! June Activities for Kids and Families in Austin
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School's out! Yet another year has flown by. As you and your family ease into summer and are planning things to do, check out Enriched Family's June roundup of kid and family activities happening in the Austin area. As always, this list is not exhaustive, but includes a sampling of events and activities that caught my eye that I wanted to highlight. Additional good sources for activity lists are included at the end of the post.
(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.)
Camp Open Houses & Tours
Open House: Camp Doublecreek Open House
Details: Check out Camp Doublecreek for your summer camp needs. Camp Doublecreek features horseback riding, all kinds of sports, miniature golf, baby animals, arts and crafts, archery, tennis, tumbling, a playscape, and many other games and activities for children ages 4-14.
When: Saturdays in June - June 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th from 10am-12pm
Where: Camp Doublecreek campus in Round Rock, 800 Double Creek Dr, Round Rock (camp provides transportation for campers to Round Rock from 13 locations in Austin)
*Received the Austin Family Magazine 2017 Readers' Poll Favorites Award for “Overall Fun” in camps category
Event: Girlstart Summer Camp Tour
Details: See Girlstart in action and join them for a tour of Girlstart Summer Camp in your community. Learn about their summer programs, hands on activities, and see how you can get involved in helping inspire girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Join Girlstart for an exclusive, behind the scenes tour of Girlstart Summer Camp. RSVP here. Austin dates:
Friday, June 8th 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Thursday, June 14th 9:30 am - 10:45 am
Friday, June 15th 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Friday, June 22nd 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Friday, June 29th 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Where: The Girlstart STEM Center, 1400 W. Anderson Lane, Austin, TX 78757
Free Educational/Cultural/Fun Activities
Event: Austin African American Book Festival
Details: Since 2007, the Austin African American Book Festival has worked to promote empowerment through literature. The Austin African American Book Festival is a community event that brings readers and writers together and produces and facilitates collaboration, dialogue, creativity and activism. Now in its eleventh year, the African American Book Festival is an intergenerational event to promote literature within the African American community.
When: Saturday, June 23, 2018, 9:30am-5pm
Where: George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center, 1165 Angelina St., Austin, TX 78702
Cost: Free and open to the public
Event: Bubblepalooza
Details: The Long Center presents Bubblepalooza, in partnership with H-E-B. The kick off to the All Summer Long series of free community events, this annual celebration of open play on the Long Center’s front lawn is perfect for families of all ages, with live music, games, arts + crafts, trailer food, and of course—tons of bubbles! This year’s activities include: Bubble toys from Toy Joy, giveaways and games with Do512 Family, ambulance tours with St. David’s, a giant rock climbing wall, trampolines, face painting, giant bubble making, foam pits, chalk art, garden starter kits, giveaways, free All Summer Long swag, and much more! Enjoy live music by Big Don, Trout Fishing in America, and The Saddle Sores (White Ghost Shivers), a special performance by Summer Stock Austin students, and an appearance by H-E-Buddy.
When: Saturday, June 9, 2018, 9am-1pm
Where: Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive, Austin, TX 78704
Cost: Free
Event: Father's Day Concert in the Park
Details: The Austin Symphonic Band celebrates fathers with this annual concert at the Zilker Hillside Theatre. Marches, patriotic melodies, and other familiar works are the order of the day. Bring a picnic basket and spread out a blanket under the Pecan trees at the Hillside Theatre. Schedule here.
When: Sunday, June 17, 2018, 7:30-9:00pm
Where: Zilker Hillside Theater, 2206 William Barton Drive, Austin, TX 78746
Cost: Free
Event: Introduction to Infant Massage
Details: Join Babystrokes - Infant / Child Massage at Laura's Library for a 60 minute class. You will learn about the benefits of massage for babies and children, safe massage oils, and strokes and techniques you can use with your baby and growing child. Expectant parents welcome and parents with babies and small children. For questions contact Melanie at 512 703 0635.
When: Tuesday, June 5th, 10:30-11:30am
Where: Laura Bush Community Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd, Austin, Texas 78733
Cost: Free
Event: Juneteenth Celebration
Details: Join the Carver Musuem in celebrating Juneteenth. The Carver 's Juneteenth Celebration will featuring live music, crafts and activities for kids, food, a marketplace with vendors, character interpretations, and more! Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, is a holiday that commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas on June 19th, 1865, and more generally the emancipation of African-American slaves throughout the Confederate South. Join in celebrating this important date in American history!
When: Saturday, June 16, 2018, 12-4pm
Where: George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center, 1165 Angelina St., Austin, TX 78702
Cost: Free and open to the public
Event: Senior Living Truth Series
Details: Westbank Libraries is partnering with Austin Senior Resource Alliance to present a year-long series of candid conversations with local experts focusing on the specific concerns faced by senior adults and their families. Join in on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 10:30am at Laura’s Library to be part of the conversation. The Tuesday, June 26th talk will focus on "The Truth About Communicating with Adult Children."
When: Tuesday, June 26th, 2018, 10:30am-12:00pm (and the fourth Tuesday of each month, from 10:30am-12pm)
Where: Laura Bush Community Library, 9411 Bee Caves Rd, Austin, TX 78733
General Events
Event: Austin Ice Cream Festival
Details: A daytime, family-focused festival with mounds of ice cream and frozen treats from local favorites and national brands, contests, fun activities, live local entertainment, local food trucks and more! For more info about Daytime at the Austin Ice Cream Festival, visit the website.
When: Saturday, June 23rd, 2018; Austin Ice Cream Festival Daytime event will run from 10am - 3pm (ZIP ticket holders may enter early at 9am).
Where: Fiesta Gardens, tucked on the shores of Town Lake at 2101 Jesse E Segovia Street in Austin, TX 78702
Tickets: $15-$25; available here.
Event: Hive End of School Year Happy Hour / Movie Night
Details: School is out and the Hive is celebrating with Movie Night! Hosted by The Hive Austin and Mothers' Milk Bank at Austin. Join in for a special edition Happy Hour and MOVIE NIGHT!! They will have s'mores kits for sale, play a movie outside and as usual, drink specials and a bouncy house! They will also hold a raffle to win FREE COFFEE FOR A YEAR (2 coffee drinks / month) by Mothers' Milk Bank at Austin! Enter by rsvp'ing on the EventBrite link (must be present to win)!
When: Friday, June 1st, 2018, from 5-9pm
Where: The Hive Austin, 10415 Old Manchaca Rd, Austin, Texas 78748
Event: Introduction to Infant Massage Class
Details: Care Connect Network and Southern Home Staffers is partnering with BabyStrokes to provide an Introduction to Infant Massage class at Toybrary Austin. During this class, caregivers and parents will have the opportunity to not only learn the value of infant massage, but also practice hands on with their littles. Childcare will be provided for the first half of class for any infants in attendance. Expectant parents, don't worry they will have dolls on hand for you to practice too. Refreshments will be provided and participants are encouraged to stay and connect at Toybrary Austin's indoor play space for free after the class. Register today as space is limited! Toybrary Austin is a toy lending library for children ages 6 months to 5 years old.
When: Friday, June 1, 2018, 9:30-10:30am
Where: Toybrary Austin, 2001 Justin Lane, Austin, TX 78757
Cost: $25/person and tickets are available for purchase here. Stay and play afterwards for as long as you like!
Event: Reptile Adventure: Live Reptile Show at the Toybrary
Details: Austin Reptile Shows will present a Live Reptile Show at the Toybrary. There will be 12 live reptiles from around the world and hands-on interaction. Toybrary Austin is a toy lending library for children ages 6 months to 5 years old.
When: Saturday, June 2, 2018, 10:30-11am
Where: Toybrary Austin, 2001 Justin Lane, Austin, TX 78757
Cost: $12 admission at the door
Event: Zilker Faerie Homes & Gardens
Details: The award-winning, annual Woodland Faerie Trail features Faerie Homes and Gardens created by Austin area gardeners, architects, artisans, businesses, clubs, families, school groups, and others. Explore the abodes of the faeries and gnomes along the Woodland Faerie Trail through the escarpment pathway and see who is home. All Faerie Programs at Zilker Botanical Garden are available through online registration only. Register here.
When: 2018 Woodland Faerie Trail Exhibit opens May 26th, 2018 and closes August 10th, 2018
Where: Zilker Botanical Garden: Escarpment Woodland Trail, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78746
Cost: Free with Garden entry (Garden entry is $3.00 per person; Austin residents are $2.00 per adult, $1.00 per child [ages 3-12] and seniors [ages 62 and older]) and open during regular hours (9:00 am to 6:00 pm; last entry at 5:30 pm).
Mama Support Event
Event: Mother's Tea - South Austin
Details: Hosted by Vibrant Life Chiropractic & Coaching - Austin. It takes a village to raise a family. We all hear that repeated so frequently, but so few of us have actually found our own mothering community. This event aims to help every mother on their journey. One of the main goals for Vibrant Life is to foster a sense of community for mothers and mothers to-be in Austin. Mother's Tea is an informal event meant to bring together mamas in the area from all backgrounds and walks of life. They will have a selection of teas to choose from as well as light snacks. This group will be facilitated by Kristen Lucas Postpartum Doula; however, there will not be any formal discussion topic, just an icebreaker question and budding friendship. Kiddos under 5 years old are always welcome, but due to limited space and the nature of the event, please leave older siblings with a trusted caregiver. This event is free and open to the public. Free parking is located beside the building (Hill Country Wellness Center).
When: Wednesday, June 27 at 10am. This is a repeating event, occuring the last Wednesday of every month at 10am.
Where: Vibrant Life Chiropractic & Coaching, 9300 W Highway 290 Building A, Austin, Texas 78736
Cost: Free
Film
Event: Alamo for All
Details: Welcome to Alamo for All - a movie program for young families and guests with special needs. All shows starting before 2pm on Tuesdays follow Alamo for All rules, with more shows on the weekends at Lakeline and Slaughter Lane. Schedule may vary during holidays. At sensory-friendly Alamo for All shows:
Lights are turned up and sound is turned down
All ages are welcome (including infants)
Talking and noise is allowed and guests can move around
Latecomers are admitted
Adaptive technology is welcome (but no other electronics, please)
When: All shows starting before 2pm on Tuesdays at various theaters, with more shows on the weekends at Lakeline and Slaughter Lane.
Where: Various Alamo Theaters, check out some top movie picks for kids here.
Admission: Varies
Event: Movies in the Park
Details: Movies in the Park is a series of free films brought to you by the Austin Parks Foundation (APF) in partnership with Alamo Drafthouse and presented by Whole Foods Market. Each year, APF and the Drafthouse bring you free movies in parks all over Austin. Check out the 2018 series schedule here. Bring your blanket or lawn chairs (and don’t forget a picnic!) for a fun and relaxing evening under the beautiful Austin night sky. Dogs, on-leash, are welcome. Alcoholic beverages, glass and styrofoam are not permitted in the park. They provide recycling bins, but ask that you help them out by packing out all of your own trash. Smoking is also prohibited in the park, per city law.
June movie: How to Train Your Dragon, June 21st @ 9pm, Patterson Park (4200 Brookview Rd., Austin, TX 78722)
Admission: Free
Event: Paramount Family Film Festival
Details: Paramount is excited to host this series for families that will spark the imagination and inspire a new generation of classic movie lovers! The Family Film Festival will consist of nine weekend matinee screenings beginning on June 3rd that will further the Paramount's mission to support film education and bring treasured film history to audiences of all ages. June showings include:
The Wizard of Oz (Sunday, June 3rd at 1pm)
The Princess Bride (Sunday, June 17th at 1pm)
The Little Mermaid (Sunday, June 24th at 1pm)
When: The nine weekend matinee screenings run June 3 - August 19
Where: The Paramount Theater, 713 Congresss Avenue, Austin, TX 78701 (parking information here)
Admission: Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for kids aged 12 and under, available here.
Event: Paramount Summer Classic Film Series
Details: Austin has changed a lot over the past decade, but one tradition you can always count on is the Paramount Summer Classic Film Series, now in its 43rd year. They are presenting more than 110 films this summer, so look forward to more well-preserved film prints and dazzling digital restorations, romance and laughs and thrills and more. Escape the unbearable heat (another Austin tradition that isn’t going anywhere) and join in for a three-month-long celebration of the movies! Check out the list of films and showings here.
When: The three-month-long film series runs May 24th-September 1
Where: Paramount and Stateside Theaters, 713 Congresss Avenue, Austin, TX 78701 (parking information here).
Admission: Tickets are $12 (for information on tickets and special pricing packages click here)
Museum Exhibits and Programs
Program: Blanton Family Programs
Details: Family Programs at the Blanton are designed to promote slowing down, encourage close looking, inspire curiosity, and foster positive interaction and collaboration between children and adults. Join in for an array of multi-generational programs that engage children and adults in active exploration of art and the world around them. Look, talk, and create together this summer while enjoying guided family tours and drop-in art making.
Drop-In WorkLAB Studio (all ages) - Wednesdays, June 13, June 20, and June 27 | 10am-2pm
Extend your museum visit! After exploring the galleries, come across the plaza to the WorkLAB Studio to create art in response to specific works on view, discovering more about the themes and materials that the artists used. Each week will feature a new work of art. Check-in at the museum’s Visitor Services Desk to receive required wristband for studio entrance. Program included with Admission. WorkLAB space is limited to 30 makers. Please anticipate an average wait of 20 minutes after you sign up at the door.
3ft Deep (Ages 3-5) - Tuesdays, June 12, June 19, and June 26 | 10:15-11:30am
Designed especially for preschool children and their caregivers, 3ft Deep programs promote imaginative thinking, social-emotional growth, and expressive use of language. A Blanton educator will introduce a half-hour gallery activity followed by a process-focused art project in the WorkLAB studio. All activities emphasize creative and interpretive processes inspired by Reggio Emilia approaches, as well as adult-child collaboration. Space is limited to 12 participants (children and adults). Registration is strongly encouraged as space is limited. Online registration begins at 3pm, one week prior to program date. If a class is full and you would like to add your child to a waitlist, please email familyprograms@blantonmuseum.org.
Artists & Authors (Ages 5-7; K-2nd grade) - Thursdays, June 14, June 21, and June 28 | 10:30-11:15am & 11:30am-12:15pm
Two creative worlds collide! Artists and Authors are thirty-minute literary adventures through the museum, weaving together storytelling and works of art. Each tour is designed to foster curiosity and conversation between adults and their children by encouraging close-looking, creative thinking, and imagination. Two tours are offered each week; artwork and book selection changes each week. Space is limited. Tour tickets available at the Visitor Services Desk thirty minutes prior to tour time.
Deeper Dives (Ages 8-10; 3rd-5th grade) - Fridays June 15, June 22, and June 29 | 10-11:30am
Ready to dive right in to a 90-minute experience with your child? Deeper Dives encourages adult and child interaction around close looking, guided conversation, and related art-making activities. Each week will focus on a different theme from works on view in the permanent collection galleries and special exhibitions. Space is limited to 15 participants. Preregistration is strongly encouraged as space is limited. Online registration begins at 5pm, one week prior to program date. If a class is full and you would like to add your child to a waitlist, please email familyprograms@blantonmuseum.org.
Free-Diving (Ages 11-14; 6th-8th grade) - Fridays June 15, June 22, and June 29 | 1-2:30pm
Freediving gives adults and pre-teens/teens an opportunity to make connections with global cultures, meet and collaborate with new friends, and find inspiration in unique places. Each week will focus on experimenting with a specific art technique while engaging with artworks and ideas related to permanent collection galleries and special exhibitions. Space is limited to 15 participants. Preregistration is strongly encouraged as space is limited. Online registration begins at 5pm, one week prior to program date. If a class is full and you would like to add your child to a waitlist, please email familyprograms@blantonmuseum.org.
Museum/Location: Blanton Museum of Art, 200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Austin, TX 78712
Admission details: All children must be accompanied by an adult to participate in family programing. Programs included with Admission ($9 adults; $7 seniors; $5 college students; $5 youth 13-21; children ages 12 and under are free). Admission is free on Thursdays.
Exhibit: Prayer Phone
Details: Prayer Phone, a handmade altar with a disconnected phone, is an invitation to the public to “call” their deceased loved ones while giving offerings and prayers. This project reflects a common custom of many Asian traditions: commemorating ancestors and venerating the spirit world. Two essential elements compose this installation. The old fashioned phone is a symbolic artifact that represents humanity’s desire to connect and communicate with others. Its historic form evokes passage of time. By contrast, the spiritual act of lighting incense symbolizes the following: sacredness when the element of air is ignited, purification of the environment’s energy, and blessings in return for offerings. These two elements combine to help connect the earthly to the heavens.
This project is inspired by an episode of This American Life featuring stories about Telephone of the Wind in Otsuchi Town, a small seaside town in northeastern Japan. An iconic English telephone phone booth connected to nowhere was repurposed, and people began “calling” family members lost during the tsunami caused by the 2011 Great Japan Earthquake. Telephone of the Wind became a public space for people to grieve for their lost loved ones. In response, Prayer Phone shares in the deep tradition of respecting spirits and coexisting with entities beyond the physical realm, as well as providing a physical space and an outlet to feel connected with the departed.
Museum/Location: Asian American Resource Center, Zen Garden, 8401 Cameron Road, Austin
When: Semi-permanent art installation (open M, Tu, F, Sat, 9am-5pm; W and Th, 9am-9pm)
Admission: Free
Exhibit: Recollecting Memories: Community Art Exhibit
Details: Artist Caroline Ryan explores family dynamics using old candid family photographs as references for her paintings. The artist reveals the astounding differences between her parents and her family’s struggle to communicate with each other as a means of accepting and understanding the past and present.
Museum/Location: Asian American Resource Center, Ballroom, 8401 Cameron Road, Austin
When: On display April 13 - June 19 (open M, Tu, F, Sat, 9am-5pm; W and Th, 9am-9pm)
Admission: Free
Exhibit: Where I Belong
Details: Mixed-race families open their doors to share lived experiences of Asian American Pacific Islander youth in Austin. This photography exhibit is co-curated by Lizzie Chen and the Asian American Resource Center.
Museum/Location: Asian American Resource Center, Ballroom, 8401 Cameron Road, Austin
When: On display through June 29th (open M, Tu, F, Sat, 9am-5pm; W and Th, 9am-9pm)
Admission: Free
*If you and your family enjoy exploring Austin's many fantastic museums, check out Do512 Family's list of free times to visit Austin museums.
Theatre and other Performances
Event: Roy Lozano's Ballet Folklorico de Texas Fiesta 2018
Details: Roy Lozano’s Ballet Folklórico de Texas (RLBFT), Austin’s premier company of Mexican folk dance, will perform FIESTA 2018! on Saturday, June 23rd 2018, at the Paramount Theatre. The event includes dances from several Mexican regions, and will be featuring new dances from Mazahua – Estado de Mexico & Hidalgo. Musical guest - Juan Diaz. Fiesta is RLBFT’s biggest show of the year. For more information about RLBFT or Fiesta, please call (512) 928-1111 or visit www.balletfolkloricodetexas.com.
When: Saturday, June 23, 2018 - doors open at 7pm; show is at 8pm.
Where: The Paramount Theater, 713 Congresss Avenue, Austin, TX 78701 (parking information here)
Tickets: $15-$25, available for purchase here
Also, check out these sites for lists of community activities for kids and families in the Austin area:
http://austinkidsdirectory.com/events/all/
Happy exploring Austin's many offerings with your families! Please feel free to send us local kid's and family events to: hello[at]enrichedfamily.com.
Esha/Enriched Family
Enriched Family is dedicated to providing parents with the information, tools, and systems they need to organize their families and thrive. Enriched Family provides custom family-focused research, as well as organizational services. If you ever need help finding the right camps, children's enrichment activities, childcare options, or schools, or need some help with family organization, please reach out! 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 our services and click the "Let's Get Started!" button below to contact me.