Be sure to check out our monthly movie round up post for free and discounted summer movies!
Monday, June 29, 2015
Baby Bloomers: Exploring the World- 9:00am – noon.This week we are going down under! Join us as we adventure to Australia. We will swim with the fish in the Great Barrier Reef, bounce around like kangaroos, make a recycled koala and much more! Recommended for ages 0-3. Price: $4.50 Non-Members/ $2.50 Members. Thinkery, 1830 Simond Avenue.
Mr. Will’s Music Class for Kids (Bee Cave) - 10-10:45 am. Mr. Will is back with his popular kid’s music class! Kids get to sing along to old favorites and Mr. Will originals! FREE! Whole Foods, 12601 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave.
Signing Storytime with The Signing Connection (Round Rock)- 10:00am – 10:30am., Join the Baby Signing Time revolution! This class is geared for children 0-5 years and their parents. Amy from the Signing Connection will lead this storytime that incorporates classic children’s books to help you learn basic American Sign Language signs. FREE! Kaleidoscope Toys, 110 North IH35, Ste 375, Round Rock.
Music with Mar (Round Rock) – 10:00 a.m., Music with Mar. is a class where a caregiver and child (ages birth through preschool) participate together in musical activities. These classes are focused on the four main areas of development – cognitive, social, motor and language. Classes are drop-in, so no advance sign-up needed. The class costs $10/family, payable directly to Angie, the class leader. A 5-class punch card is $35/family. As always, our family pricing allows for moms or caregivers to bring all little ones (in one family) for one price. Baby Earth, 106 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Round Rock.
Austin Reptile Shows Reptile Adventure (Round Rock)- 10:30am. Get ready for creepy crawly fun! Mr. Mike will fascinate your child with this up-close experience with LIVE snakes, lizards and turtles from around the world. Twelve reptiles big and small will give kids an educational first hand look at these awesome—and often misunderstood—creatures. Appropriate for all ages! Cost is $10 includes admission to Safari Champ. Safari Champ, 1400 East Old Settlers Blvd., # 200, Round Rock.
Storytime with Dr. Candra – 11:00 a.m., Dr. Candra will captivate your children with stories, songs, dances, and games. FREE! Brilliant Sky Toys and Books, 701 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Ste D-480.
Family Story Time – 11:00 a.m. Where will your imagination take you? At Family Story Time, 2-6 year olds will enjoy a FREE experience just for them with hands-on activities, stories, songs, games, and more. Every Monday, explore a new topic related to the Lone Star State. Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress Avenue.
Lunch Bunch - Noon. Bring your lunch, eat and listen to great books! Our first novel will be Bunnicula by James Howe. Recommended for ages 6-10. FREE! APL- Twin Oaks Branch, 1800 S. Fifth Street.
LEGO Lab – 1 p.m., With Legos, you can build anything you can imagine and tell any story you can dream up. Come to the Lego Lab to hear, see, make, and create different stories, all while building with Legos provided by the Library! Recommended for ages 5 and up. FREE! APL- Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe Street.
Austin Opera at the Library – 2 p.m., Austin Opera’s Opera Treasure Chest Live! opens up the world of opera, one of the world’s oldest art forms, to children through the music of Mozart and More. Attendees will learn everything that goes into creating an opera – from writing the libretto and music to putting scenery, costumes, and performers on stage. FREE! APL – Spicewood Springs Branch, 8637 Spicewood Springs Road.
Crafternoon – 2 p.m., Drop by the library and make a craft while you search for books, movies and music. We’ve got paper crafts, easy sewing and more fun projects for the whole family. We provide the supplies; you provide the creativity. FREE! APL- Manchaca Road Branch, 5500 Manchaca Road.
Tech Camp: Fantastic Contraption (Bee Cave) – 2 p.m., Kids will have fun learning physics using this awesome online tool that lets them build different contraptions that help them reach their goal. Each level challenges kids to think differently about how to build better and smarter machines that can carry, lift, or swing an object into their goal box using real-world laws of physics. Great for aspiring inventors and budding engineers. Recommended for 3rd grade and up. Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Road.
Literature LIVE! Found Puppet Lab – 2 p.m., Bring your own special found object to the program and turn trash into treasure in this imagination-building workshop from the library’s own puppetry troupe, Literature LIVE! Participants will learn how to find a puppet in any kind of object. The lab will conclude with free play time on a stage where new puppeteers can debut their creations! FREE! APL – Windsor Park Branch, 5833 Westminster Drive.
Rockin’ Kids Club (Round Rock) – 2:30-3:15 p.m., It’s world record day at the Round Rock Public Library‘s Rockin’ Kids Club for elementary students. Join us at the library as we try to break a few world records. Spinning coins for the longest time, jumping rope on one foot, juggling with scarves, and walking while balancing a book on your head — How much fun can you have at a library program? Come find out! FREE! Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main Street, Round Rock.
Baby Play Group at Baby Earth (Round Rock)- 3:30- 4:15 p.m., Join us every Monday at 3:30pm for Baby Play Group! We sing songs, play with musical instruments and let babies have lots of interactive, social, free-play time. Since this class is designed for our smallest of customers to socialize, we encourage families with non-mobile, crawling and/or cruising babies to attend. Older children are welcome to attend our free-time play, dance, music and story time classes. Baby Earth, 106 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Round Rock.
Summer Reading Program Event: Bernadette Nason – 4 p.m., Acclaimed storyteller and Texas Commission of the Arts touring artist, Bernadette Nason, shares two interactive, fun-filled stories. Meet Rabbit, Lion, Antelope, Elephant, and a whole host of others. Who will be the Hero? Who will save the day? FREE! APL – Howson Branch, 2500 Exposition Blvd.
Dual Language Storytime – 6 p.m., All ages storytime which uses both English and Spanish to present books, rhymes and songs. It differs from a traditional bilingual storytime in that some material is presented in English while other material is presented in Spanish, allowing for a natural transition between stories and activities and exposing children to both languages in an inviting environment. FREE! APL- University Hills Branch, 4721 Loyola Lane.
Summer Movie Mondays: Horton Hears a Who – Dusk. Enjoy FREE movies for the whole family! Amy’s Ice Creams, 5624 Burnet Road.
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Baby Day at The Alamo Drafthouse- Movies before 2 p.m. The lights are up a bit, the sound is down a bit so moms and dads can head to the movies without the babies even knowing that they were at the movies. Infants are welcome to these shows, and of course, are allowed in for free. Take some time for yourself, pack up the kids, and head out to the Alamo Drafthouse for some much needed entertainment! Regular admission applies. Please note: Baby day is only on Tuesdays at the Alamo Village, Alamo South Lamar, Alamo Lakeline and Alamo Slaughter.
Whole Foods Storytime and Crafts – 9:30 a.m., Looking for something fun and free to do with the kids? We’ll be reading a new story each week! After the book, we’ll be doing crafts related to the story. Appropriate for ages 2-5yrs old. Story-time is held out on our mezzanine and parental supervision is requested. FREE! Whole Foods Domain, 11920 Domain Drive.
Explore Music (Round Rock)- 10:15 and 11 a.m. Designed to provide children with unique musical experiences, the 30-minute EXPLORE MUSIC class will incorporate group play and interaction, pre-K skills (sharing, following simple directions, attending-to-task, etc.) and dancing/movement to work on gross/fine motor skills. While music is highly motivating, it can also have a calming and relaxing effect. Bring your little ones in Tuesday morning for activities that are designed to be success-oriented and make the children feel better about themselves!! Cost: $5/child, payable directly to the instructor, Rebecca Faulkner. Baby Earth, 106 E Old Settlers Blvd., Ste D-100, Round Rock.
Toddler Storytime – 10:15 a.m., A storytime program designed for toddlers and their parents, featuring stories, songs, fingerplays, and games. Recommended for children aged 18 months to 3 years. FREE! Multiple Austin Public Library Locations.
Staci Gray at Cedar Park Library – 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. for toddlers and 11:15-11:45 for preschool. Join us as we welcome Staci Gray with a special show of music and dance. FREE! Cedar Park Public Library, 550 Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park.
Vamos a la Playa Storytime – 10:30 a.m., The weather is heating up, the Beach Boys are playing on the radio every hour, and the days are getting super loooong. All this makes us want to pack up our best sand castle pails and shovels and head for the beach! The only problem? Austin isn’t exactly an oceanfront town. But we can imagine we’re there by reading If You Want to See A Whale and other beachy tales ’til the tide rolls in! FREE! BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar Blvd.
Spanish Bilingual Storytime (Round Rock) – 10:30 a.m., This program, developed for ages 3 and up, celebrates Hispanic culture with stories, fingerplays, songs, and other activities in both English and Spanish. FREE! Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main Street, Round Rock.
Preschool Storytime – 11 a.m., Storytime for preschoolers and their parents featuring stories, songs, fingerplays, rhymes, and crafts. Recommended for children ages 3 to 5. FREE! Multiple Austin Public Library locations.
Dual Language Storytime – 11 a.m., All ages storytime which uses both English and Spanish to present books, rhymes and songs. It differs from a traditional bilingual storytime in that some material is presented in English while other material is presented in Spanish, allowing for a natural transition between stories and activities and exposing children to both languages in an inviting environment. FREE! APL- Cepeda Branch, 651 N. Pleasant Valley Road.
Barnes & Noble Storytime (Round Rock) – 11 a.m., Enjoy two delightful new books this morning: Butterfly Park by Elly MacKay and Fancy Nancy: Bonjour, Butterfly by Jane O’Connor. FREE! Barnes & Noble, La Frontera Village, 2701 Parker Road, Round Rock.
Storytime at Austin Zoo- 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m., Kids will enjoy a storytime in the Primate Pavillion! Included in zoo admission. Austin Zoo, 10808 Rawhide Trail.
Sensory Storytime – 11:15 a.m., Sensory Storytime features interactive books, singing, and music and will incorporate some sensory activities, like movement and bubbles. It is geared toward children with special needs, their families and friends. Children of all abilities and ages are welcome! FREE! APL- Carver Branch, 1161 Angelina Street.
Music with Mr. Will- 11:30 a.m. His sing-along style incorporates equal parts of teaching and performing for energetic young audiences. Infectious melodies combined with upbeat lyrics make him beloved among pre-schoolers and early-elementary students, who clap, march, jump and dance along to their favorite songs. Plus, the entire family can enjoy the music. FREE! Brilliant Sky Toys and Books, 701 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Ste D-480, Austin.
Austin Reptile Show – 2 p.m., Find out exactly what a reptile is when the Austin Reptile show visits the library with some fine specimens to share! FREE! APL – Cepeda Branch, 651 N. Pleasant Valley Road.
Music for Kids – 2 p.m., Will Dupuy has a sing-along style incorporates equal parts of teaching and performing for energetic young audiences. Infectious melodies combined with upbeat lyrics make him beloved among pre-schoolers and early-elementary students, who clap, march, jump and dance along to their favorite songs. FREE! APL – Southeast Branch, 5803 Nuckols Crossing Road.
Literature Live! Tortuga del Mar – 4 p.m., Mayan goddess Ixchel watches over two baby sea turtles on their journey across the ocean. Join them as they encounter the enchantment and mystery of the sea, and find out if they will overcome the refuse of humans, which threatens their very existence. Recommended for ages 5 and up. FREE! APL- Old Quarry Branch, 7051 Village Center Drive.
Bonzo Crunch at the Library – 4 p.m., Bonzo Crunch will thrill with a show that includes music, eccentric juggling, and audience participation style magic. FREE! APL – Twin Oaks Branch, 1800 S. Fifth Street.
Discovery! Shadow Puppet Workshop – 4:30 p.m.,The Discovery hands on program explores all sorts of different topics, including science, literature, technology and more. Especially designed for our older kids (third graders and up), come back each week and learn something new! Have you wondered how a lamp glows when you turn the switch ON in your room? If this makes you curious, join us for some Fun with Circuits. Here you will have fun building circuits while learning electrical concepts. Motor, switch, LEDs will become your circuit buddies and you can connect them to create your own circuits. Recommended for ages 5 to 9, but anyone who wants to learn about electrical concepts is welcome. FREE! Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Road.
Whole Foods Bee Cave Healthy Scavenger Hunt (Bee Cave)- 4-5 p.m., It’s just as important for kids to know their way around healthy options in the store as it is for adults! Bring the kids in for this fun scavenger hunt and let them do the searching! Ideal for ages 5+. FREE! Whole Foods Bee Cave, 12601 Bee Cave Blvd., Bee Cave.
Pajama Storytime – 6:30 p.m., Feel free to wear pajamas to this family storytime in the evening featuring stories, songs, rhymes, games, crafts, and other activities. Recommended for children of all ages. FREE! APL- Willie Mae Kirk Branch, 3101 Oak Springs Drive.
Movies in Your Park: The Mighty Ducks (San Marcos) – Movies begin at dusk. Bring your blanket and lawn chairs for FREE movies in the park! Concessions available for purchase. Free movie games begin one hour before movie. San Marcos Plaza Park, 401 E. Hopkins Road, San Marcos.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Music with Mar (Round Rock) - 9:15-10:15 am. Music with Mar. is a class where a caregiver and child (ages birth through preschool) participate together in musical activities. These classes are focused on the four main areas of development – cognitive, social, motor and language. Classes are drop-in, so no advance sign-up needed. The class costs $10/family, payable directly to Angie, the class leader. A 5-class punch card is $35/family. As always, our family pricing allows for moms or caregivers to bring all little ones (in one family) for one price. Baby Earth, 106 E Old Settlers Blvd., Ste D-100, Round Rock.
Sprouts Preschool Program – 9:30 – 11:00 a.m., Bring your little ones to the Family Garden for our weekly Sprouts Preschool program that is geared towards ages 2-6. A Nature Play Guide will lead you through the Family Garden to explore all that it has to offer. Each program will include story time, hands on activity, nature walk and of course, nature play! Regular admission rates apply. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Avenue.
Storytime at Whole Foods (Arbor Trails) – 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Bring the little ones, it’s story time! Each week we will feature a different story, interactive craft and healthy snack. FREE! Whole Foods, 4301 W. William Cannon.
Toddler Storytime – 10:15 a.m., A storytime program designed for toddlers and their parents, featuring stories, songs, fingerplays, and games. Recommended for children aged 18 months to 3 years. FREE! Multiple Austin Public Library locations.
Baby Signs Storytime – 10:30 a.m., Today is Baby Signs® Story Time! Tina Cavanaugh, with the help of BeeBo™ the Baby Signs® Bear will introduce some signs for farm animals from the More Sign, Say & Play® Classes. With fun books and songs you’ll see how signing with your baby can reduce tears and help them share their world with you. Come early to get a good seat! All age children are welcome. FREE! BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar Blvd.
Dual Language Storytime – 11 a.m., All ages storytime which uses both English and Spanish to present books, rhymes and songs. It differs from a traditional bilingual storytime in that some material is presented in English while other material is presented in Spanish, allowing for a natural transition between stories and activities and exposing children to both languages in an inviting environment. FREE! APL- Southeat Branch, 5125 Nuckols Crossing Road.
Barnes & Noble Storytime - 11 a.m., Join us every Wednesday morning for great stories and amazing activities and hands-on crafts. Don’t miss out on all the fun! FREE! Barnes & Noble, Arboretum, 10000 Research Blvd. and Sunset Valley, 5601 Brodie Lane.
Preschool Storytime – 11 a.m., Storytime for preschoolers and their parents featuring stories, songs, fingerplays, rhymes, and crafts. Recommended for children ages 3 to 5. FREE! Multiple Austin Public Library locations.
Exploration Station: Pioneer Games – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Explore the Story of Texas with a different activity or art project each time. Drop in anytime between 11am and 1pm in the First Floor Lobby and get hands-on with history. This week, play games that were popular with children in 19th century Texas. Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress Avenue.
Story Time with CJ the Explorer – 12:30 p.m., Join CJ. the Explorer for her Award Winning Story Time, featuring songs and sign language. Then stay and play in our free Play Zone full of hand-picked toys from around the world! FREE! All Things Kids @ The Domain, 3220 Feathergrass Court.
Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre: The Monkey and the Crocodile – 2 p.m., The Monkey and the Crocodile is a delightful hand puppet show adapted from a tale in the Panchatantra (one of the earliest collections of fables written in India). Written more than 2500 years ago, it features a tricky monkey, a good-natured crocodile, and his cunning wife! FREE! APL- Little Walnut Creek Branch, 835 W. Rundberg Lane.
Austin Reptile Show – 2 p.m., Find out exactly what a reptile is when the Austin Reptile show visits the library with some fine specimens to share! FREE! APL – Hampton Branch at Oak Hill, 5125 Convict Hill Road.
Iris Saves the Land of Black and White Puppet Show (RSVP) (Pflugerville) – 2:30 to 3:00 p.m., The Land of Black and White is ruled by a king who has banned all color. It’s up to Iris and the kids to bring back color to the land. This very interactive puppet show mesmerizes children. They get to play trumpets with sunflowers and sing lullabies to whales. FREE! All Ages. Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 W. Pfluger Street, Pflugerville.
July Summer Fun Checklist Kickoff Event – 3-5 p.m., Join us for an afternoon of fun with FREE crafts, snacks, swag and more! We’ll be handing out copies of the July Summer Fun Checklist as well. Admission to the Austin Aquarium is 50% off! Click here for details.
Bonzo Crunch at the Library – 4 p.m., Bonzo Crunch will thrill with a show that includes music, eccentric juggling, and audience participation style magic. FREE! APL – Manchaca Road Branch, 5500 Manchaca Road.
Crafts and Face Painting with GlitteeRee (Round Rock)- 4-6 p.m. Crafts and Face Painting by GlitteRee are included in regular admission. Safari Champ, 1400 East Old Settlers Blvd., # 200, Round Rock.
Community Night at The Thinkery- 4-8 p.m., Enjoy special performances and activities presented by the City of Austin during Community Night on Wednesday, March 25 and April 1. Special programming begins at 4:30. Admission is by donation only. Entry is based on a first come, first served basis. GoodPop will be at the Thinkery giving away popsicles as we celebrate the installation of the giant popsicle sculpture at the Thinkery for Summer 2015! The Thinkery, 1830 Simond Avenue.
Krispy Kreme Family Night – 6-8 p.m., Kids can decorate one FREE doughnut each, plus enjoy crafts and more. Krispy Kreme, 701 E Stassney Ln and 12586 Research Blvd, Austin.
101X Summer Cinema: The Sandlot – 8:30 p.m., Arrive early with your blankets, lawn chairs, thirst and appetites! Enjoy food specials in the cafe. FREE! Central Market North Lamar, 4001 N. Lamar Blvd.
Sound & Cinema: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off with Otis the Destroyer – 7 p.m., Sound & Cinema pairs classic Hollywood movies with amazing bands from different genres. Enjoy cold beers from Brown Distributing, or delicious cocktails from Deep Eddy Vodka & Jameson Irish Whiskey. Food trucks will open at 6pm each night, and the sunset concerts will start around 7pm. Movies will begin shortly after dark (around 8:30pm). Guests are welcome to bring blankets & folding chairs. Pets and outside alcoholic beverages are not allowed. Parking is available in the Long Center garage. FREE! Long Center for Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Drive.
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Free Admission to Laguna Gloria- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Visit the exhibits and the grounds of the Contemporary Austin at Laguna Gloria for FREE! The Contemporary Austin, Laguna Gloria, 3809 West 35th Street.
All Ages Storytime – 10:15 a.m., Storytime for children aged 5 and under and their parents, featuring stories, songs, fingerplays, rhymes, and crafts. FREE! APL- multiple locations.
Toddler Storytime – 10:15 a.m., A storytime program designed for toddlers and their parents, featuring stories, songs, fingerplays, and games. Recommended for children aged 18 months to 3 years. FREE! Multiple Austin Public Library locations.
Hola Hola Storytime (Bee Cave)- 10:30 a.m., Hola, Hola is an early literacy Spanish Program for adult and child to foster a love of the Spanish language and Hispanic Culture. It is designed to empower the parent to read simple, Spanish books to the child at home. Come and sing songs, watch video, learn rhymes, play traditional games and hear stories–all in Español! Each family will receive a Spanish songbook to practice at home. You do not need to have any Spanish language skills to participate. All skill levels are welcome! FREE! Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Caves Road.
Music for Kids: Joe McDermott – 11 a.m., Joe McDermott has been obsessed with music ever since he was a little kid growing up in Chicago, the youngest of eight children. He’s been called “The maestro of imagination” for his creative approach and appeal. FREE! APL – Ruiz Branch, 1600 Grove Blvd.
Spanish Storytime – 11 a.m., All Ages storytime in Spanish / Una hora de cuentos en español para niños y niñas desde bebitos hasta edad escolar. FREE! APL – Little Walnut Creek Branch, 835 W. Rundberg Lane.
Flying Theater Machine at Cedar Park Library – 1:30-2:00 and 2:45-3:30 p.m. for K-5 ages. As part of the Summer Reading Club, the Library will host special performers for kids in grades K-5. Join us as we welcome the Flying Theater Machine for a fun improv comedy show for kids. FREE! Cedar Park Public Library, 550 Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park.
Music for Kids: Joe McDermott – 2 p.m., Joe McDermott has been obsessed with music ever since he was a little kid growing up in Chicago, the youngest of eight children. He’s been called “The maestro of imagination” for his creative approach and appeal. FREE! APL – University Hills Branch, 4721 Loyola Lane.
Visit with a Park Ranger at Austin Public Library – 2 p.m., Join us for a special visit from a City of Austin Park Ranger! The Ranger will share a story and information about animals that live in Texas. There will be a “touch table” where children can get up close and personal with furs and skulls. FREE! APL – Pleasant Hill Branch, 211 E. William Cannon Drive..
Spy Academy: Defense and Spy Skills – 2 p.m., Join us each week to learn new special agent skills. We’ll start with a book and then move onto several top secret activities. Attend each week to complete your training. Recommended for school-aged children. FREE! APL – Manchaca Road Branch, 5500 Manchaca Road.
RoboCode Kids – 3:30 p.m., RoboCode Kids inspires innovation and cultivates creativity by exposing kindergarten through eighth grade students to robotics, computer programming, and 3D printing. RoboCode Kids takes a holistic approach to teaching students to build fully-functioning robots, guides students through objective-based computer programming, and brings student ideas to life by allowing them to design and 3D print functioning robot parts. Students can choose to attend one or all of the classes! However those who attend multiple weeks will be able to build upon the skills they learn. This program can accomodate up to 20 participants. Please contact the Librarian for more details! FREE! APL – Yarborough Branch, 2200 Hancock Drive.
Pajama Storytime – 6:30 p.m., Feel free to wear pajamas to this family storytime in the evening featuring stories, songs, rhymes, games, crafts, and other activities. Recommended for children of all ages. FREE! APL- Manchaca Road Branch, 5500 Manchaca Road.
Unplugged at the Grove – 8 p.m., Bring the family down to hear Shinyribs perform for FREE! All ages welcome. Shady Grove, 1624 Barton Springs Rd, Austin.
Movies in the Park: The Incredib;es – 8:30 p.m., Movies in the Park is a series of free films brought to you by the Austin Parks Foundation, and presented by the #1 movie theater in America, the Alamo Drafthouse. Each year, APF and the Drafthouse bring you totally free movies right in downtown Austin. Residents and visitors bring their blanket or lawn chairs (and often a picnic dinner!) for a fun and relaxing evening under the beautiful Austin night sky. Dogs, picnics, and lawn chairs are welcome. Alcoholic beverages, glass and styrofoam are not permitted in the park. We do provide recycling bins, but ask that you help us out by packing out all of your own trash. Smoking is also prohibited in the park, per city law. FREE! Republic Square Park, 422 Guadalupe Street.
Friday, July 3, 2015
Storytime Yoga- 9:30 – 10:00 a.m. Watch your favorite stories come to life through yoga poses! Storytime Yoga is FREE for all ages. The Little Yoga House, 1211 Parkway.
Sprouts Preschool Program – 9:30 – 11:00 a.m., Bring your little ones to the Family Garden for our weekly Sprouts Preschool program that is geared towards ages 2-6. A Nature Play Guide will lead you through the Family Garden to explore all that it has to offer. Each program will include story time, hands on activity, nature walk and of course, nature play! Regular admission rates apply. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Avenue.
Interactive Storytime (Round Rock)- 9:30 a.m. for 0-18 months and 10:30 a.m. for 18 months and up. This group meets every Friday at 9:30am and is perfect for children 18 months and younger. We will read a couple interactive books, sing songs, jam out with musical instruments, play with a parachute, AND pop bubbles!! FREE! Baby Earth, 106 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Round Rock.
Storytime Art: Unicorns (RSVP )- 10:45 a.m. Learn about origami and make origami finger puppets with us! We’ll read Rosemary Well’s book Yoko’s Paper Cranes and then paint our own origami crane pottery. Cool! Cost is $12 per child, or buy a punch-card and get 6 classes for $60! Please call to register. 512-852-9900. The Art Garage, 11190 Circle Drive, Suite 202.
Create Your Own: Civil War Writing Kit – 11- 11:45 a.m., How did Civil War soldiers write letters home with few supplies from the store? They made their own. In this workshop, you can make your own writing kit to take home. As part of the 100 Days of Stories at the Bullock Museum, kids and families will make and take home their own artifacts in this art workshop. Each workshop features a short talk followed by hands-on art making. Ideal for families with children ages six and up, this experience is about 40 minutes in length. Museum members may make advance reservations by calling 512-936-4649. The program is first-come, first-served, and space is limited. Pick up a boarding pass (free with Museum admission) when you arrive. Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave.
Story Time with CJ the Explorer – 12:30 p.m., Join CJ. the Explorer for her Award Winning Story Time, featuring songs and sign language. Then stay and play in our free Play Zone full of hand-picked toys from around the world! FREE! All Things Kids @ The Domain, 3220 Feathergrass Court.
Family Movie: Strange Magic (Round Rock) – 1:30 p.m., Join us for a showing of the 2015 blockbuster hit STRANGE MAGIC (© Walt Disney Pictures) (PG). Synopsis: A mysterious potion prompts a group of elves, goblins, imps, and fairies on an incredible adventure in this fantastical fantasy inspired by William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. FREE! Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main Street, Round Rock.
Pflugerville Pfirecracker Pfestival – 3pm – 11pm, The event features two stages with live music, a children’s area on both the north and south shores of the lake, dozens of food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, businesses on display — all before the pfantastic fireworks show! Stake out a spot on the north beach after 12 p.m., take a walk around the lake, or rent a kayak on site from Pflug Pfun. Check here for a list of what to bring. Special Movie at the Beach: A throwback to 1965, “Beach Blanket Bingo,” will be shown after the fireworks show, on the North shore. Sing along with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello! FREE! Free shuttle buses will run from Noon to 11:30 p.m., to and from Hendrickson High School only this year. There is no onsite public parking at the lake, except for those vehicles bearing handicapped plates or hanging tags. (Designated lots available for vendors, musicians, staff and event volunteers.) Lake Pflugerville, 18216 Weiss Lane, Pflugerville.
Bastrop Patriotic Festival – 4-10pm, This family friendly event to celebrate our Nation’s Independence includes vendors booths and children’s activities at Fisherman’s Park. Austin’s Symphonic Band will be in attendance and the program will conclude with fireworks at dusk. FREE! Fisherman’s Park, 1200 Willow Street, Bastrop.
The Quarries Fireworks – 7 pm with the fireworks at sundown. FREE! The Quarries, 1400 N. Mopac Expwy.
Friday Night Storytime (Round Rock)- 7 p.m., Get ready to celebrate the 4th of July this evening with two delightful new books: Yankee Doodle Dandy by Callista Gingrich and Susan Arciero and The Night Before the Fourth of July by Natasha Wing and Amy Wummer. FREE! Barnes & Noble, La Frontera Village, 2701 Parker Road, Round Rock.
Metz Movies Under the Stars: Independence Day – 8 p.m., Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and snacks to enjoy an outdoor movie at Metz every Friday at dusk. Free popcorn and drink at every showing. Movie nights will take place unless inclement weather occurs. Call 478-8716 to check on weather cancellations. FREE! Metz Rec Center, 2704 Canterbury Street.
A Look Ahead: Weekend Events
Get Pop-Cultured: Magic Tree House – Saturday, July 4, 10 a.m. Welcome, young dinosaur hunters! At this dig site, fun will never go extinct with activities, giveaways and a special offer. FREE! Barnes & Noble Arboretum, 10000 Research Blvd. and Lakeline, Crossing, 14010 US Hwy 183.
Looking for ways to celebrate the 4th of July? Check out our list of happenings on Independence Day!
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