This weekend you can spend a morning petting cute animals, enjoy storytime at the Wildflower Center, dance and sing with Staci Gray, check out model trains, meet children’s author Greg Foley, enjoy free admission & kids activities at three Austin museums — Bullock, Umlauf Sculpture Garden, and Neill-Cochran House — and much, much more!

Other stuff:

topfamilypicks

Here are our Top Austin Family Events

 

friday

 

— Sign the kids up for the New Year’s Lock-in at Blazer Tag. They can run around all night for unlimited tag, games, prizes and giveaways. $21.95 per person. You can reserve a spot by calling 512-462-0202.

— Don’t miss your chance to take your train-lovers to visit the Holiday Model Train Exhibit at ArtSpace in Round Rock. The Tinplate Trackers have trains on display today from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Free! (Saturday is the last day to check out these trains. Click here for the schedule info.)

 

saturday

 

— Head over to Millie & Mox for Animal Mornings from 10-11 a.m. The kids can hold, pet, and learn about chicks, chinchillas, bunnies, hedgehogs and more. Free!

— Take the kids to the Staci Gray Kids Show at Strange Brew at 9:30 a.m. Kids can sing, dance and be just plain silly with this fun local children’s musicians. Free!

— Visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center for Storytime in the Winter Program from 10-11 a.m. Geared towards children ages 2-6, families will meet in the Little House, start off with a sensory bin activity followed by a story and songs. Depending on the weather, kids will finish up with a nature walk or an indoor craft. This program is free with regular admission of $9/adults, $7students & seniors, $3/children ages 5-12, free for children 4 and under.

— Award-winning author of Thank You Bear, Greg Foley, will be hosting a special storytime at 11:30 a.m. at BookPeople. He’ll be reading his two pictures books, Don’t Worry Bear and Willoughby and the Moon. After the stories, there will be a craft and Greg will sign copies of his books. Free event! No tickets needed.

 

sunday

 

— The Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum hosts its Free Family Day from 12 – 4 p.m. Swing by and have a fun afternoon at this unique museum with yoga, music, sculpture demos, and New Year calligraphy presented by Japan-America Society of Greater Austin. Free!

— Head to the Bullock Texas State History Museum for their monthly Free First Sunday program from 12 – 5 p.m. Families can enjoy hands-on activities and art-making. (Perfect for ages 5 and up.) Free!

— Check out Sunday-Funday at the Neill-Cochran House Museum from 1-4 p.m. Families are invited to make New Year’s resolutions and noisemakers. Walk-through tours of the house will also be available. Free!

—  At 2 p.m., you can head to the Hideout Theatre to check out a new improv comedy for families. The Flying Theater Machine presents The Magic Flying School Bus, where a fun-loving teacher leads you into a new scientific subject each week — this week you’ll explore dinosaurs! Tickets are $5/person and can be purchased online here.

Have a fun weekend!