This weekend you can dig in to a free Cowboy Breakfast, lend a hand at It’s My Park Day, check out some of the hundreds of free activities during Explore UT, take a peek at the Austin’s new movie monster Wax Museum, celebrate urban birds, go to a kitten party, check out comics & zines at STAPLE!, visit faeries & pirates at the Sherwood Forest Faire, enjoy the modern musical version of The Three Little Pigs, watch puppets have a fun snow day and much much more.
Other stuff:
- RSVP for the free Do512 Family Picnic on March 17!
- #Do512FamilyHookUP: Giveaways to enter
- Family-Friendly events during SXSW
- Get a Sitter: What to do in Austin without the kids
Here are our Top Austin Family Events…
— If your kids wake up bright and early, you can take them to the Long Center on Friday, Mar. 6 for a FREE Texas-sized breakfast at 6 a.m. Rodeo Austin hosts this annual Cowboy Breakfast as a way to kick off the Fair and Rodeo. Feast on pancakes, authentic chuck wagon biscuits and more at this fun event that is open to the public. You’ll also enjoy western-themed entertainment, live music, two-stepping lessons and much more.
— Take the kids to Explore UT, a free campus-wide event at the University of Texas at Austin described as the “Biggest Open House in Texas!” that takes place from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Check out more than 400 free activities! Take a Hogwarts Potions Class, march with the Longhorn Band, go on a campus scavenger hunt or walking tour, attend the Children’s International Festival and much more. For more info about schedules, parking info and more, click here.
— There’s fun for the whole family at the Austin Nature and Science Center from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. where you can celebrate the urban birds of our city. Learn how important these birds are to our local ecology through family friendly crafts, live bird demonstrations, a bird scavenger hunt and much more! Free!
— Sfanthor, the ominous castle that materialized on South Congress over the past year has left residents and visitors alike scratching their heads, and wondering “What is it?” Well the time for secrecy is over — today is the official Grand Opening of the Sfanthor House of Wax. This new wax museum pays homage to classic science-fiction, fantasy and horror films. You can check out this movie monster wax museum from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Museum admission is $8 for adults, $5 for kids 10 and under. Admission is free to just enter the gift shop, and free refreshments will be served.
— You can take part in Austin Parks Foundation’s biggest annual, city-wide volunteer event — It’s My Park Day. Each year, thousands of volunteers work to improve parks and greenbelts throughout the city, and you and the kids can help, too. Volunteers will receive an event t-shirt, a burrito card from Chipotle Mexican Grill, and treats provided by KIND Healthy Snacks and Wheatsville Food Co-op. To register to volunteer, simply visit this website to sign up for a location of your choice.
— Check out STAPLE! The Independent Media Expo at Marchesa Hall on from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (and Sunday, Mar. 8 from 12-6 p.m.). This family-friendly convention invites you to bring the kids (ages 12 and under are free!) and meet over 150 exhibitors of comics, zines, art, crafts and games. If your children enjoy drawing and making their own comics, they will surely enjoy meeting these creative artists in person.
— Everyone’s invited to a Kitten Party at Counter Culture from 3-5 p.m. as a way to raise funds and awareness about this future Blue Cat Cafe. At the family-friendly Kitten Party, you can pet and play with fostered kitties and enjoy a vegan lunch from Counter Culture, and kids can enjoy art activities, too.
— The Three Little Pigs is a “Great Big Little Broadway Show” that’s playing on weekends now through Saturday, Apr. 25 at ZACH Theatre. Perfect for ages 3 and up, this family show is filled with laugh-out-loud humor and really fun music. Playing today at 2 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. Youth tickets are $15 & adult tickets are $20. Tickets can be purchased online here. Plus, today you can pet the piggies! Fry’s Fun Farm will be hosting a Petting Zoo on the People’s Plaza from noon to 2 p.m. Cost is $4 per child. Cash only. Want to learn more about this show? Read our review…
— The popular children’s book, Stella, Queen of the Snow by Mary-Louise Gay is coming to the the Paramount Theatre stage in a children’s play great for preK through 3rd grade. Using whimsical puppets, Stella, Queen of the Snow is presented by the Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia and tells the story of Stella and her little brother Sam, as they spend the day playing in the snow. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased online here.
— The 6th Annual Sherwood Forest Faire! runs every weekend through Sunday, Mar. 29 from 10 a.m. – dusk in McDade, Texas — rain or shine. Be magically transported back in time at this fun-filled, charming Renaissance Faire based on the tales of Robin Hood and his Merry Men. Enjoy faeries, swordplay, theatre, magic, comedy, and games. Tickets at the gate are $20/per adult and $10/per child. If you order online here, you tickets are only $17/adult and $9/child. Read about our trip to the Faire and enter to win a family 4-pack of tickets here!
Have a fun weekend!
