This weekend you can say “boo” to animals at the zoo, watch a vintage car race, be an archeologist for a day, make scary marionettes and calavera masks, search haunted trails (if you dare), watch Halloween movies at the drive-in, learn some important safety tips, take the family through a corn maze, check out awesome children’s theatre and much more!
Other stuff:
Here are our Top 10 Austin Family Events…
Friday:
— Take the family to opening night of Boo at the Zoo! The Austin Zoo & Animal Sanctuary will be illuminated and decorated for Halloween at this fun, annual event. From 6:30-9 p.m., you can come in costume, ride the Haunted Train and explore the Haunted House. Boo at the Zoo is happening every Friday and Saturday through Oct. 25. Tickets are $12.50 and can be purchased in person at the Austin Zoo Gift Shop or by calling 512-288-1490.
— Race car fans can head out to Circuit of the Americas through Sunday to watch vintage cars speed around the track from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. each day at the annual U.S. Vintage Racing National Championship. Kids ages 12 and under are FREE! And parking is also free! You can purchase a three day-pass for $59 or single day tickets (Friday – $15, Saturday – $30, Sunday – $20) online here.
— If you’re looking for some frightening fun, take the big kids to Pioneer Farms from 7-10 p.m. to Search the Haunted Trails. Watch out for “Creatures of the Night” in the Sprinkle Corner village because some folks will vanish without a trace, leaving guests to search for for them on the trails. (Yikes!) Admission is $12 per person and can be purchased online here.
Saturday:
— Take the kids to the The Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) for several family programs centered around Dia de los Muertos. You can join the free, bilingual story time fun at 10:30 a.m. for kids ages 3 and up. Then at 1 p.m., kids ages 5 and up can decorate calavera masks (skulls) by adding paint, feathers, sequins and more! The cost to participate in this art workshop is $12 for a parent/child pair. To sign up, email [email protected]
— Sign up to attend the Child Safety Fair at Palacios ATA Martial Arts from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. where kids will learn self defense techniques, enjoy healthy snacks and prizes, too. This event is free, but you can pre-register here.
— In celebration of Texas Archeology Month, the French Legation Museum is hosting Dig In! – a free, fun event for kids from 1-5 p.m. Children will get to excavate artifacts in a mock dig plus many more hands-on activities!
— Drop in and create some cool art during the Second Saturdays program at Laguna Gloria. Art instructors will teach families how to make their own Scary Marionettes from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Recommended for ages 2–11. The cost to participate is $10 per family or $5 per family for members.
— Have you ever taken the kids to a drive-in movie? Austin’s Blue Starlite Drive-in is showing tons of Halloween movies this month, including tonight’s double-feature at 8 p.m. with Addams Family and Ghostbusters and a special Charlie Brown pre-show. Ticket prices range from $5-15 plus concession options, which you can purchase online here.
— ZACH Theatre has a new children’s play that opens today! Go see A Year with Frog and Toad at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. where the characters from Arnold Lobel’s books come to life on stage! Tickets range from $15 – $20 and can be purchased online here.
Sunday:
— Pollyanna Theatre Company presents a new family-friendly play exploring the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960′s. You can check out Liberty! Equality! and Fireworks! at the Long Center at 2 p.m. This play is best for students in grades 3 – 6 and their families. Tickets are $8-10 and can be purchased online in advance here.
— Enjoy some outdoor family time at the Fall Festival & Corn Maze at Barton Hill Farms where you’ll find games, a “Go Horns” corn maze, pumpkin patch, farm animals and more. Open Saturdays 10 a.m. – 10 pm. and Sundays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. through Nov. 9, 2014. Admission is $8 for ages 3-10 and $11 for ages 11 and up and includes entry into the corn maze. An Adventure Pass can be purchased for an additional $5 and includes unlimited access to a jumping pillow and train. Children ages 2 and under are free. SAVE $1 by ordering tickets in advance here. Check out our review for more info!
— Bunnicula looks like a typical cuddly rabbit, but he’s the spookiest bunny around! Kids will love this play with live music and puppetry, based on the popular book series, playing at the Scottish Rite Theater at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 for children ages 12 and under and $12 for ages 13 and up and can be purchased at the theater or in advance online here. Check out our review for more info!
Have a fun weekend!
