Story times are fun, mostly indoor activities for little ones, and lucky for us, Austin is chock full of unique story time events at our local museums, theatres, and more. Check out our list of off-the-beaten-path story times, along with the usual libraries and book stores, and if we missed one that you love, let us know!
Museums
- French Legation Museum – 10 – 10:30 a.m., 1st Tuesday of each month. This story time is held outside, on the front porch of the historic house. In the event of inclement weather it will be moved indoors. Feel free to bring snacks, blankets, and your imagination! All ages. (802 San Marcos St)
- TEXploration Family Story Time, Bullock Texas State History Museum – 2 p.m., 1st Sunday of each month, 2nd floor lobby. Enjoy a free story time with hands-on activities, stories, songs, games, and more. Ages 2 – 5. Admission to the museum is FREE on 1st Sundays, from noon to 6 p.m. (1800 N. Congress Ave)
- Story Time Tours, Blanton Museum of Art – 10:30 a.m., Thursdays and Fridays through August 9, 2013. Encourage young art lovers to look carefully and make connections between art, story, and life on these 30-minutes thematic tours. Space is limited. Tour tickets available at the Visitor Services Desk. Ages 3 – 7 and accompanying adults. Admission is FREE on Thursdays and ranges from $5 – $9 all other days. Children 12 and under are always free. (200 E. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd)
- Austin Children’s Museum – 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday; 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday; and 6 p.m. on Wednesday (Community Night). Listen for the drums and follow the parade to Storytime every day at Austin Children’s Museum! Story times are held in the Global City Library. Admission is $6.50 for adults and kids ages 2 and up, $4.50 for ages 12 – 23 months, and free for under 12 months. On Community Night Wednesdays, admission is by donation (suggested $1). (201 Colorado St)
- Umlauf Sculpture Garden – noon – 4 p.m., 1st Sunday of each month, through December, 2013. On Family First Sundays, come explore the Umlauf Sculpture Garden while watercolor painting, karate chopping, story telling with Book People, and much more. All ages. Admission is FREE through August, 2013. After summer, admission will be $1-$3.50. Children under 6 are always free. (605 Robert E. Lee Rd)
Theatre
- What’s the Story Steve? – 10 a.m., Saturdays, ColdTowne Theater. Move Your Tale and ColdTowne Theater collaborate to present this fully improvised, theatrical journey through a story of the audience’s making, featuring Steve, the Improvising Poodle. Pay what you wish. Enjoy the show? Kids are invited to stay after and attend a a drop in class from 11 – 11:50 a.m. for $10. Register here. (4803 Airport Blvd)
Bookstores
- BookPeople – 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 11:30 a.m. Saturdays. BookPeople offers story times with various themes on Tuesday and Saturday mornings, including Baby Signs Story Time, Miss Staci Story Time, puppet shows, and story times with local authors. Visit their events calendar for details.
- Barnes & Noble – Times vary by location. See events by location.
Retailers
- Whole Foods Arbor Trails – 9 a.m., Wednesdays. Join in for story time and a craft every Wednesday at 9 a.m. in the Arbor Trails Cafe. (4301 W. William Cannon)
- Whole Foods Lamar – 9 a.m., Wednesdays, Lamar Mezzanine. Join Phillip for a free activity, story and snack every Wednesday from 9-10:30 am! (525 N. Lamar Blvd)
- Millie & Mox – 10 a.m., Saturdays through August 10, 2013. Stories, puppets, and fun with local authors. (5145 N. FM 620, Suite B110)
- Summer Reading Day, Fish Gallery – 3:30 p.m., Thursdays through August 22, 2013. Reading, crafts, games, prizes, and the opportunity to touch the tanks! (6500 N. Lamar)
- BabyEarth Round Rock – Interactive Story Time: Tuesdays at 10 a.m.; Story Time & Crafts: Thursdays at 3:30 p.m.; Silly Stories & Crafts: Fridays at 10 a.m. These are free, but there are also other options – like Baby Sign & Play and Music with Mar. – which cost to attend. See calendar for details.
- Baby Signs Story Time, Toy Time – 11 a.m., last Thursday of each month. Join certified Baby Signs instructor Sarah Kostusiak for a Free Baby Signs story time at Toy Time. She will read, sing & sign with you! (101B West Pecan, Pflugerville)
Libraries
All of the libraries in and around Austin have story times on different days, geared for various ages. Check out the library calendars to find a story time near you!
- Austin Public Library
- Bee Cave Library
- Cedar Park Library
- Georgetown Public Library
- Hutto Library
- Kyle Public Library
- Lake Travis Community Library
- Leander Public Library
- Pflugerville Community Library
- Round Rock Public Library
- San Marcos Public Library
- Wells Branch Community Library
- Westbank Community Library/Laura’s Library
More (Not Free) Story Times
- Flying Theater Machine – 2 p.m., Sundays. $7. Kid-oriented improv at The Hideout. The audience helps out with suggestions and sound effects, and a few lucky kids can get up on stage. This is interactive story creation at its best. (617 Congress Avenue)
- Story Time Art, Art Garage – 10:45 a.m., Fridays. $12 per child, or buy a punch-card and get 6 classes for $60. Storytime Art, or StArt! is a great opportunity for your young child to experience art! Storytimes are geared to the 3 1/2 – 6 year old preschooler, but some projects could easily translate into a Mommy and Me project for those a little younger. And, of course, anyone older is welcome, as well! Storytimes always include at least one book and a related art project, but often include surprises like songs, poems, and coloring pages. Please call to register. (11190 Circle Dr)
- Les Petites, La Patisserie – 10:30 a.m., Sunday, July 28 and Sunday, August 18, 2013. A baking lesson with story time for children ages 4 – 7. Cost is $12 for the first child, $5 for siblings. Register here.
Image credit: Austin Children’s Museum
