Check out our top 10 picks for weekend fun! You can start your morning at a free cowboy breakfast, go down the rabbit hole with Alice, taste some of the best BBQ in Texas, explore the University of Texas, meet birds of prey, go to the 175th birthday party for the French Legation Museum, celebrate Texas Independence Day, have a blast at the Zilker Kite Festival — and much more!

 

Other stuff:

• Win Stuff
• Save the Date: 2nd Annual Do512 Family Picnic
• A Visit to Sherwood Forest Faire
• James and the Giant Peach Review
• Where to See the Easter Bunny

Here are our Top Austin Family Events…

 

— Rise and shine for a free Texas-sized Cowboy Breakfast at the Long Center at 6 a.m. Rodeo Austin hosts the annual event where you can feast on pancakes, chuck wagon biscuits and more. You’ll also enjoy western-themed entertainment, live music and two-stepping lessons. Free & open to the public!

— Alice in Wonderland opens tonight at 6:30 p.m. at ZACH Theatre! In ZACH’s unique adaption, the audience starts in the theatre and then follows Alice around ZACH’s campus on an adventure, meeting familiar characters, and helping to defeat the Red Queen. (This show will run through Sunday, May 15.) Tickets are $18 for youth and $24 for adults, which you can purchase online here or by calling ZACH’s box office at 512-476-0541 x1.

— Sample some BBQ and go on carnival rides at the Travis County Expo Center during the annual BBQ Austin event. Check out the action as teams from all over Texas compete for the title of “State of Texas BBQ Grand Champion.” This takes place today & tomorrow and opens at 11 a.m. each day. Fairgrounds admission is $8 for adults and $5 for kids. You can purchase one-day admission tickets online here. Parking is $10 at the gate.

 

— Take the kids to Explore UT, a free family-friendly event at the University of Texas at Austin. From 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., the campus will be open to the community for hands-on activities, performances, tours, displays, lectures and much more. The line-up of fun events is really extensive. Click here to learn more about the schedule, special events and parking info.

— The Austin Nature and Science Center has planned a fun-filled day of free activities for the kids. Head to their Celebrate Birds event from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. where you can go on bird walks, meet birds of prey, make bird toys and other crafts for kids.

— You’re invited to the 175th Birthday Party at the French Legation Museum today from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Free fun for all ages including a performance for kids by Circus Chickendog, a book signing, face-painting, storytelling, games, jugglers, birthday cake, and more! 

— You can bring the kids to meet over 100 exhibitors of comics, zines, art, crafts and games at STAPLE!, an indie media expo. Check it out at Marchesa Hall today from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (and tomorrow from 12-6 p.m.) Tickets are only $15 for the full 2-days or $10 for a one day pass; both available at the door. Kids 12 & under are free. 

— Let’s go fly a kite! The ABC Zilker Kite Festival takes place today from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. in Zilker Park. It’s one of Austin’s best-known annual events and a fun kick-off to spring. Pack a picnic, bring the kids and dogs, and spend the day flying kites at this free event. Click here for all of the many details to know before you go, including parking & shuttle info.

— Celebrate Texas Independence Day with a variety of kids activities at the Bullock Texas State History Museum today from 12 – 3 p.m. Admission is free today, and the museum will be full of fun for Texans of all ages. Encounter costumed interpreters, play historic games, or create your own Texas flag all while exploring what Texas was like as an independent nation.

–It’s Sunday Funday at the Neill-Cochran House Museum from 1-4 p.m. This week’s activity is writing with invisible ink! At the museum, you’ll find historically-inspired activities for children, scavenger hunts in the historic house, games on the lawn, and informal tours. Free!

— These are just some of the fun events happening in Austin this weekend. For more, browse our daily calendar of events!