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The Austinot

Discover Austin Texas! An Austin blog with hundreds of unique articles.

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Trail of Lights Returns for 55th Year of Christmas Magic

December 10, 2019 by Krista Hager Leave a Comment

Austin Trail of Lights Aerial View

A crackling bonfire and the sweet smells of candied apples, popping kettle corn, and comforting hot cocoa tease your senses at one of the greatest Austin holiday traditions of all time. Oh, yes. Trail of Lights is back.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Archives Tagged With: christmas, for kids, trail of lights, zilker park

Austin’s Thinkery Children’s Museum Sparks Imagination for All Ages

July 8, 2019 by Krista Hager Leave a Comment

Thinkery Hands-on Children's Museum in Austin
If only all learning was this revolutionary (Credit: Thinkery)

To be perfectly blunt, I am usually not a museum person. However, there is nothing usual about Austin’s Thinkery children’s museum. A visit to Thinkery feels like the physical manifestation of wonder and inquiry from a growing mind. With so many rooms and rotating exhibits, each return visit maintains its novel appeal. 

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Culture, Museums Tagged With: for kids, mueller

Family Sunday Funday Coming to backYARD at Waller Creek This Spring

March 14, 2019 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Face Painting at Family Sunday Funday in Austin

Face painting during Family Sunday Funday at backYARD at Waller Creek (Credit: backYARD by Waller Creek)

Guest article by Mandy Heintzelman Smith

As a mom of three little kids, one of my favorite things about Austin is how inclusive its restaurants are for the youngest members of the community. With spring in full bloom, it’s time to get outdoors and relish everything this city has to offer. And I have the perfect event for you to check out with your family: Family Sunday Funday, hosted by backYARD at Waller Creek.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Entertainment, Events Tagged With: for kids

10 Things to Do With Toddlers in Austin

October 29, 2018 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Kids at Thinkery

Looking for things to do with toddlers in Austin? You are in the right place. Read on to find out!

Any parent of a toddler has asked this question with a sigh of soul-crushing dread: What are we going to do today? Coloring books? All scribbled on and ripped up. Watch “Moana” for the 80th time? He’s over it. Play with the dozens of toy cars he’s acquired in two short years of life? Either stuffed under the couch or tossed in the toilet.

Luckily, Austin has dozens of outings designed with little ones in mind. From splash pads, to parks, to trails lined with towering dinosaurs.

Things to do with Toddlers in Austin

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Activities, Discoveries Tagged With: for kids

Start-Up Kids Club Inspires Young Entrepreneurs in Austin

October 10, 2018 by Brittany Ballard Leave a Comment

Start-Up Kids Club Austin Texas

Start-Up Kids Club helps children develop critical thinking skills, confidence, and responsibility
(Credit: Start-Up Kids Club)

Entrepreneurship flows within the veins of our city. And while we typically hear about businesses founded by adult Austinites, that doesn’t mean kids can’t participate in the fun. Start-Up Kids Club is a local nonprofit that provides children with the opportunity to found their own start-up business, while learning critical thinking and other skills that propel them through school and life.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Discoveries, Et Cetera, Local Business, Non-Profits Tagged With: for kids

5 Family-friendly Restaurants in Austin

June 6, 2018 by Bill Tucker 4 Comments

It all starts with a whimper. A slow-building, blood-curdling moan of discontent. One minute your little one is gleefully coloring in a pizza pie maze on the back of a paper place mat. The next, he’s reaching for your glass of chardonnay. Horror washes over you like a tidal wave. Little Johnny is over sitting in his kiddie chair and the appetizers haven’t even arrived yet.

Anyone who’s tried to bring their child to a restaurant knows the struggle. Regardless of age, temperament, or the mountain of toys you bring to keep the kids occupied, some eateries are more suited to families than others. Here are six of my favorites family-friendly restaurants in Austin in alphabetical order.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Food, Food & Drink Tagged With: for kids

Free Places to Have Fun With Your Kids in Austin

March 11, 2016 by Guest Blogger 2 Comments

Child The Thinkery in Austin

The Thinkery will amaze children and adults alike (Credit: Donnie Ray Jones via Flickr CC)

Guest article by Dana Minney

When I was pregnant with twins and living in New York City 12 years ago, I couldn’t wait to move to Austin, TX. People enthusiastically described how “livable” and even “weird” it was here. Most importantly, everyone agreed there’s no better city to raise a family in.

They did not lie!

Now my boys are 11 and a half and have lived here nearly all their lives. We so enjoy it here that we can’t imagine living back east, or anywhere else. Austin is where it’s at, and we sure do get around this town.

If you are also a parent who likes to get out and learn, do and experience life together with your kids, here is a short list of FREE opportunities to help you on your way. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Activities, Discoveries Tagged With: for kids

Esther’s Follies Summer Camps Teach Fine Art of Vaudeville

May 6, 2015 by David Thomas Leave a Comment

Esther's Follies Stage in Austin

Taking the stage at Esther’s Follies (Credit: Tamara via Flickr CC)

For 38 years, Esther’s Follies has been doing an important job for the city of Austin by blending old school Vaudeville shenanigans with political satire. Now they’re excited about training a new generation in the beloved art form that gave us Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and The Three Stooges with School of Comedy summer camps.

38 Years of Vaudeville

On April 1, 1977, Esther’s Follies presented its first show. Every week since, they’ve been playing to the crowd with sketch, improv, stand up comedy, musical numbers and magic shows, all the while poking fun at politics and society.

Named after famed actress and synchronized swimmer Esther Williams, the Follies carries on the vaunted tradition of Vaudeville entertainment. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Activities, Discoveries Tagged With: comedy, for kids

Hill Country Science Mill Creating New Generation of Problem Solvers

February 11, 2015 by Guest Blogger 1 Comment

Light Wall Hill Country Science Mill

Light wall at Hill Country Science Mill in Johnson City, TX (Credit: Kevin Tully/A Smith Gallery)

Guest article by Anne Hebert

A 40-foot wall of LED lights demonstrating the power of cell phone signals. A giant Romenesco broccoli-shaped sculpture illuminating fractals. A lifelike look at the inside of the Edwards Aquifer, showing the water cycle.

Would you imagine you’d find each of these inside once-defunct grain silos?

This is the new Hill Country Science Mill in Johnson City, a non-profit science museum that encourages interactive learning, creative thinking and scientific discussion.

The 14,000-square-foot space features more than 25 interactive and educational exhibits, plus hands-on maker stations and art installations, all designed to spark kids’ interest and help them fall in love with science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). [Read more…]

Filed Under: Culture, Day Trips, Discoveries, Museums Tagged With: for kids, johnson city

Frog and Toad at Zach Theatre for Kids and Kids at Heart

October 31, 2014 by J. Alan Nelson Leave a Comment

Nicholas Kier and Chase Brewer at Zach Theatre

Chase Brewer (Toad) and Nicholas Kier (Frog) in Zach Theatre’s A Year with Frog and Toad

Frog and Toad are your friends. They’ve been your friends for more than 40 years, since the two leap-frogged from Arnold Lobel’s head into the now classic children’s books.

A Year with Frog and Toad, playing at Zach Theatre through November 29, 2014, cleverly delivers the favorite stories of Lobel onto the stage with catchy tunes you will hum long after you leave the theatre. Director Nat Miller has crafted the latest version of the Tony-nominated show, which will take you back to the imaginary world of childhood. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Entertainment, Theatre Tagged With: for kids, zach theatre

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Things to do

Things To Do in Austin With Kids this Weekend of February 3

Top 10 things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of February 3, 2023 include February Family Campout, Jo’s 16th Annual Chili Cook-Off, and more!

If there’s one thing about this city, it’s that there is always something going on. So, if you’re looking for fun things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of February 3, 2023, there’s plenty of fun to be had, including February Family Campout, Jo’s 16th Annual Chili Cook-Off, Pancake Breakfast, and more! Deal Alert – […]

Things to do in Austin this weekend February 3 | 45th Carnaval Brasileiro

10 Fun things to do in Austin this weekend of February 3, 2023 include 45th Carnaval Brasileiro, Harlem Globetrotters World Tour, and More!

There are plenty of fun things to do in Austin this Weekend of February 3 which include 45th Carnaval Brasileiro, Harlem Globetrotters World Tour, Art in ATX: Valentines Market, and more! Whether you’re planning a date or having fun with friends, these events and things to do in Austin this weekend may be right for you. Deal […]

Things to do in Austin this week | Retro Game Night at PINSTACK

10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of January 30, 2023 include PINSTACK Retro Game Night, Cirque du Soleil Corteo, and more!

Our top choices for things to do in Austin this Week of January 30, 2023, include Party on the Patio: Retro Game Night, Cirque du Soleil presents Corteo, Flood of Spirits, and more! Austin is now among the fastest-growing metroplexes in the US! Keeping up with the growth, luckily, there’s plenty going on in Austin all days […]

Austin’s New Year: Fireworks from Afar

Austin New Years Eve 2023 fireworks guide – NYE party start time, entertainment line up, parking tips & more!

Are you ready to say goodbye to 2022? What better way to ring in the New Year than with fireworks at Austin’s biggest and official New Year party! This beloved, annual Austin event draws thousands of people including locals as well as visitors from neighboring towns in the Central Texas area. If you are googling […]

Johnson City Christmas Lights Spectacular 2022 - What to expect at this lighting event in Texas

Johnson City Christmas Lights Spectacular 2022 – A beloved Texas lighting event!

Come one, come all to celebrate the Johnson City Lights Spectacular 33rd Season! Johnson City is an area close to Fredericksburg, TX. Every Christmas holiday for the last 33 years, Johnson City transforms from a slow-paced, presidential hometown nestled on the banks of the Pedernales River, into a bright beacon of light — like a […]

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