Mueller Movies in Your Park: E.T. - Friday, October 4 at 6:30 p.m. Bring the kids and enjoy a FREE, family-friendly movie at the Mueller Lake Park outdoor amphitheater! Make yourself comfortable by bringing snacks and blankets, but please no chairs or other equipment that could block the view of other attendees. Feel free to stop by one of the Mueller food eateries to purchase a quick bite to eat. Activities for the kids will start at 6:30 p.m. and the movie will begin at sunset. Free street parking along Simond Avenue and Mueller Boulevard.
Present Company: A Midsummer Night’s Dream - Friday, October 4, Saturday, October 5, and Sunday, October 6, with seating at 7 p.m. Magic and mishaps and mechanicals! Oh my! Present Company presents the fifth Shakespeare On the Farm: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the magical Rain Lily Farm in East Austin. Bring a picnic and come spread your blanket under the stars as the company presents Shakespeare’s well-known tale of lovers, fairies, and actors. Promoting the philosophy of “accessible and sustainable art,” Shakespeare on the Farm is FREE, but a suggested donation of $10 helps support the event. Check the Facebook page for weather updates. Rain Lily Farm, 914 Shady Lane, Austin.
Open House at Texas A&M Travis County AgriLife Extension Office - Saturday, October 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Water Wise practices are featured at Texas A&M Travis County AgriLife Extension Office Open House! FREE! Families welcome! Hands on kids’ activities are available the entire time. Stroll the garden and ask questions. Travis County Master Gardeners are available for one-on-one discussion of installing drip irrigation, composting, vegetable gardening, raising chickens, and identifying good/bad bugs. FREE poppy seeds for planting now for spring blooms and Native and Adapted Landscape Plants. FREE street parking. 1600 Smith Rd, Austin.
Austin Kick Off for Marathon Kids - Saturday, October 5. The Kick Off Ceremony is the official start to the Marathon Kids 26.2 Mile Challenge. All children in the Marathon Kids program, as well as their teachers, families, friends and neighbors are encouraged to attend and celebrate as thousands of “Marathon Kids” begin their journey to a healthier, happier life with a lap around the track! Two different start times: Austin ISD schools, from 9 – 11 a.m.; All other Austin schools, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Mike A. Myers Track & Soccer Stadium, 707 Clyde Littlefield Drive, Austin.
Home Depot Workshop: Fire Rescue Plane - Saturday, October 5, from 9 a.m. – noon. Celebrate Fire Safety Month with The Home Depot and build an awesome Fire Rescue Plane! FREE hands-on workshops; designed for children ages 5 – 12. All kids get to keep their project, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a workshop apron, and a commemorative pin. Every child will receive a buildable mini LEGO CITY Toy, while supplies last. Your local Home Depot.
Alamo Kids Camp: Zathura – Saturday, October 5 at 9:35 a.m.and Sunday, October 6 at 9:40 a.m. This screening is absolutely FREE. Tickets are available at the box office on the day of the show, and seating is first come, first served. Alamo Lakeline, 14028 N US Highway 183, Bldg F, Austin.
Awesome Animal Morning at Millie & Mox – Saturday, October 5 at 10 a.m. Join Millie & Mox for an awesome animal morning with Tiny Tails to You! Bring the kids to enjoy the petting zoo, learning about many different kinds of animals and meeting them up close. The event is FREE, with a FREE photo for each family, and complimentary coffee and juice. Millie & Mox, 5145 North RM 620, Suite B-110, Austin.
Strange Brew Kid’s Show- Saturday, October 5 at 11:00am- Noon. Join the Hey Lollies as they perform a FREE show for kids of all ages. Strange Brew, 5326 Manchaca Road.
Art in the Park: Baby Day – Saturday, October 5, from 10 – 11 a.m. Join Austin Children’s Alliance of the Arts for a FREE morning of fruit print making, music making, dancing and sensory exploration! These activities are perfect for the entire family but are especially designed for children ages 0-24 months! Garrison Park, 6001 Manchaca Rd, Austin.
Star Wars Reads Day II - Saturday October 5 at 11 a.m. Celebrate the second annual Star Wars Reads Day! Star Wars Storytime will be followed by a craft. Then, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. there will be face-painting, Yoda origami and many other craft stations. 512-418-8985. Barnes & Noble Arboretum, 10000 Research Blvd #158, Austin.
First Sunday at Bullock Texas State History Museum - Sunday, October 6, from noon – 6 p.m. Did you know that every fall, millions of monarch butterflies soar over our heads on the way to their winter home? In October, just in time for their migration through Texas, discover what life is like for a small butterfly on a huge journey during the Bullock Museum’s Butterfly Extravaganza. You’ll meet monarchs at the museum, create butterfly keepsakes and find out how you can welcome monarchs to your home. Admission to the Museum exhibits is FREE. Read about all the Museum has to offer here. 1800 N. Congress Avenue, Austin.
Bonus events in the ‘burbs:
Round Rock Chalk Walk - Friday, October 4, from 2 – 9 p.m. and Saturday, October 5, from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. The Chalk Walk is the Round Rock Arts Council’s version of an Italian Street Painting Festival. Artists create, with chalk pastels, works of art on the concrete. The Biscuit Brothers headline Saturday’s activities. Chalk artists, local musicians, visual artists, crafters, food vendors, jugglers, trick dogs, mini horses, street performers and separate activity areas for adults and children are key features of this event. Confirmed musical acts include the seventeen piece Monster Big Band, Inside Out Steel Band, Biltmore Blues, Flight 19, Paul Koudouris and One Resistance. The event is FREE. Downtown Round Rock, 231 E. Main Street, Round Rock.
Movie in the Park (Cedar Park) - Friday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m. See the movie Oz the Great and Powerful under the stars. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs as there will be plenty of grass area available. Concessions will not be available; you are welcome to bring a picnic. Glass containers are prohibited. Admission is FREE. For more information, call 512-401-5500. Elizabeth Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd., Cedar Park.
Movie in the Park (Leander) - Friday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m. See the movie Oz the Great and Powerful under the stars. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and a picnic dinner. Concessions are also available. Glass containers are prohibited. Friendly pets on a leash are welcome. Robin Bledsoe Park, 601 S. Bagdad, Leander.
Lakeway’s 50th Birthday Party (Lakeway) - Saturday, October 5, from noon – 3 p.m. Commemorate Lakeway’s Golden Anniversary. Everyone is welcomed to enjoy games such as a bean bag toss, moonwalk, football toss and a dunk tank. A hula hoop contest will feature competition in three categories: Ages 9 and under, ages 10 – 16 and ages 16 and older. FREE hot dogs, cupcakes and snowcones by Kona Ice Austin will be served. Face painting, crafts and storytelling will also be onsite for all to enjoy! There is no ticket needed for admittance. Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek, Lakeway.
Mad Hatter Tea Party (Round Rock) - Sunday, October 6, from noon – 3 p.m. Visit the store for all kinds of Mad Hatter activities, including decorating your own Mad Hatter hat! Plus, you can play the Tea Cup Toss game, Find the Chesire Cat, and Mouse & Teacup Game. Also, there will be decorative Alice in Wonderland props to take fun pictures. Kaleidoscope Toys, 110 North IH35 Ste 375, Round Rock.
Vintage Bicycle Show (Pflugerville) - Sunday, October 6, from 1 – 4 p.m. Don and Karen Van Overloop Antique Bicycle Collection from the 1860s – early 1900s. There will be boneshakers, high wheelers, safety bicycles, tricycles, companion bikes, and more. Heritage House Museum, 901 Old Austin-Hutto Road, Pflugerville.
Bonus nearly free fun:
Salt and Pepper at ZACH- Friday, October 4 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, October 5 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. This bilingual play celebrates the bonds of family and friendship. Salt is a boy whose family has a secret—his grandfather cannot read or write. When Salt befriends Pepper, her love of books sparks his interest in the world of words. Then, a mysterious box of postcards sheds light on Salt’s family! Recommended for ages 7 and up. Cost: $12 adults, $10 children. ZACH Theater, Whisenhunt stage, 202 S. Lamar Blvd.
Go Fish! - Saturday, October 5 at 9 a.m. Families can learn the basics of fishing through fun, hands-on activities. Take away a fishing fun pack and enter the drawing for door prizes. Equipment and bait provided or bring your own. No license necessary. Adults must accompany children. Bring sun protection and water. Registration and start time is 9 a.m. FREE with park entrance fee ($6 per person age 13 and up). McKinney Falls State Park, 5808 McKinney Falls Parkway, Austin.
Sacred Springs Powwow (San Marcos) - Saturday, October 5, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. The 2013 Sacred Springs Powwow is moving to the Aquarena Center’s peninsula, a vastly more beautiful area which is directly along the shores of the river, surrounded by the beauty of Spring Lake. This year the vendors will be located in a circle around the arena tent closer to the powwow dancing. Also this year the powwow will include archeological earth oven demonstrations and a 32-foot teepee with artifact displays and presentations inside. Admission: $2 or two cans of food for the Food Bank. FREE Admission: Veterans, Elders, Students and Children. On the shores of Spring Lake (map), 923 Aquarena Springs Drive, San Marcos.
Scottish Rite Theater Too Many Stories- Saturday, October 5 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Sunday, October 6 at 12:30p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Kallie catches Sam and Bogus with things they’ve stolen from a department store. Now she needs the audience to help her get the bad guys. Cost: $8.50 adults, $6.50 children 12 and younger. Scottish Rite Theater, 207 W. 18th St.
Barton Hills Farms Fall Festival and Corn Maze- Saturday, October 5 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday, October 6 from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. The activities include a Willie Nelson-themed corn maze, pumpkin patch (extra cost), pumpkin painting, barrel train (extra cost), farm animals, a jumping pillow, a huge sandbox, food and local vendors. Cost: $7 for ages three to 10 and $10 for ages 11 and up, and includes entry into the corn maze. Children two and under are free but must be accompanied by a paying adult. Purchase your tickets online and save $1 on admission. Barton Hill Farm, 1115 FM 969, Bastrop.
Fall Festival- Saturday, October 5, from 10:00 am– 5:30pm; Sunday, October 6 from Noon- 5:30 p.m. There will be lots of fun activities including a hayride, animals to visit, mazes, rubber duck races, playgrounds, picnic areas, pumpkin photos, hay jumps. For an extra cost: Christmas Cottage and Barn Store, Great Selection of Pumpkins to Buy, Kiddie Train Ride, and Mini Pumpkin Decorating. Admission: $6 per person (2 years old – senior citizen). Elgin Christmas Tree Farm, 120 Nature’s Way, Elgin.
Harvest the Fall Fun at Sweet Berry Farm – Saturday, October 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 6 from 1- 5 p.m.Enjoy fall activities including stuffing your own scarecrow, hayrides, corn mazes, the barrel train, pick your own flowers, homemade ice cream and visiting the goats, horses and chickens, horse rides, face painting and food from the Pumpkin Grill. You can also pick up pumpkins, gourds, squash and other decorative items while you are there. No entrance fee, and activities are individually priced. No pets. Sweet Berry Farms,
Bonus Grand Opening festivities:
The Candy Jar (Bee Cave) - Saturday, October 5, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The grand opening will be an interactive, family-oriented experience, with FREE snowballs for all kids ages 12 and under, as well as a special visit from The Candy Fairy from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Candy Jar, Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd, Suite T-110, Bee Cave.
All Things Kids – Saturday, October 5, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Games and competitions will go on throughout the day with the chance to win store gift cards. A face painter and balloon twister will help guests get in the spirit and celebrate the new store. Lucas Miller, Singing Zoologist, will perform at 1 p.m. All Things Kids, The Domain, 3220 Feathergrass Court, Austin.
Meet Cinderella and Belle (Kyle) - Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6. Join Tiaras Retail & Event Boutique in Kyle for a Grand Opening Celebration with princesses Cinderella and Belle! Saturday, visit with Cinderella from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. On Sunday, visit with Belle from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Storytime and sing-a-long will start at 12:30 p.m. on both days. Kyle Marketplace (with HEB Plus), 5401 S FM 1626, Ste. 185, Kyle.
And one more, for the breastfeeding mamas:
Quintessence Breastfeeding Challenge and Family Fun Fest - Saturday, October 5, from 10 a.m. – noon. Join Mothers’ Milk Bank at Austin and the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition for the Annual Quintessence Breastfeeding Challenge and Family Fun Fest. This FREE event will feature Staci Gray, Rockaroni & Cheese and many more fun family activities. Come out and help break Austin’s record for the most breastfeeding moms. Latch On time for the breastfeeding challenge will be promptly at 11 a.m., registration begins at 10 a.m. and music will be rock’n throughout the event. Central Market, 4001 North Lamar Blvd, Austin.
Heidi Gollub loves exploring Austin and beyond with her 5 kids. For more local adventures for families, visit FreeFuninAustin.com.
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