How was everyone’s first week back after the holidays? We hope you’re ready, because our top 10 Austin family events features quite the variety this weekend. You can check out a home and garden show, attend a very Austin-y book premier, go ice skating or see some awesome live music that’s just for the kids.

Also, did you know that we send out an email to a super special group of people every Wednesday that has all of our favorite events, as well as giveaways and information to make your life as boss as possible? Do you want to be a part of this super special group? Sign up here.

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Today:

Austin Home and Garden Show kicks off today at 2 pm, and will be open throughout the weekend at the Austin Convention Center. There will be thousands of square feet of exhibits in everything from decks, pools, spas, landscaping, kitchenware and much more. You can learn how to finish your latest project at one of the many DIY seminars, and the kids can have fun in the Kids Zone with crafts, a live Birds of Prey demo and other activities. Tickets are $8.50 for adults, ages 16 and under are FREE. Click here for more info. Pay once and get in all weekend.

— Let the babies hang with babies at the Baby Play Group at Baby Earth. They’ll enjoy songs, play with musical instruments and have a chance to interact and have some social free time. Free, 3:30 – 4:30 pm.

— It’s your next to last day to go Ice Skating on the Plaza at Whole Foods Downtown. For $10/person, you can skate and take in the downtown view from 11 am – 9 pm.

Tomorrow:

— Enjoy Learning in Austin at Bookpeople with a very cool Book Premier. Music producer, Brian Beattie, and his wife, crazy-talented illustrator Valerie Fowler, have worked with their two teenage daughters to create Ivy and the Wicker Suitcase, a new “ear-movie musical”. It’s a 62-page book that is accompanied by music from Daniel Johnston, Grace London, Kathy McCarty and more. The book premier will feature some live music, Epic Poetry and the usual book signing and Q & A session. Starts at 5 pm, free to attend.

— Cherrywood neighborhood’s theatre, the Vortex, is turning 25 and they’re having an all night party. But they’re kicking it off family-friendly style with The Madhatter’s Faery Tea Party at the Butterfly Bar (the theatre’s bar). Kids are invited to wear their maddest hat or faery wings and celebrate from 5 – 7 pm.

— The Groundwork Music Orchestra will play at Strange Brew for $5 at 11:30 am. Let the kiddos dance and sing-along to the very fun crew from Groundwork Music Project.

Make Recycled Robots for Family Saturday at the Contemporary Austin from 11 am – 3 pm. Families can make a robot using recycled materials and colorful lights. Pricing is $10 for nonmembers and $5 for members.

Sunday:

Toy Joy is having a Magical Unicorn Party from 3 – 5 pm. Take advantage of sales on all unicorn-related merchandise, take princess photos and go nuts with free glitter (not really, do not go nuts with free glitter, that would be bad). At 4 pm, UNICORN-LED CARRIAGES will show up. Rides are $2, and you can get your tickets starting at 3 pm.

— Join Baby Earth for a Sunday FUNday at 3 pm. There will be a themed craft, games, activities and a story time for all ages, and Staci Gray will perform at 4 pm.

— Make fun designs beyond the basics at a Rainbow Loom Class at Kaleidoscope Toys. Bands will be provided, but you do need to bring your own loom. Pre-registration is required by calling 512-388-5048 and there will be a class at 1 pm and another at 2 pm. Admission per class is a food donation for the Round Rock Area Serving Center.

 

Have fun!