Spring Break is finally here! If you’re looking to fill your days away from a screen and maybe take a break from babysitting your younger siblings, there are plenty of safe, fun, and FREE activities to participate in during this school break. You can even participate in some of what SXSW has to offer!
SXSW (official and unofficial)
- Enjoy SXSW fun with the Free SXSW Guest Pass
- Listen to live music at the Free SXSW Live Shows at Auditorium Shores
- Check out art and talk to artists from around the world at Flatstock the Free SXSW Poster Show
- Get healthy at the new SXSW Wellness Expo 2018
- Check out an outdoor film screening at Cartoon Network on the Green
Outdoors & Nature
Mountain Biking Workshop
Thursday, March 15 | from 1 to 2:30 p.m. | Lockhart State Park, 2012 State Park Rd, Lockhart
Are you new to mountain biking? Looking to learn the safety tips and insider tricks to become better at the sport? Join Ranger John from the Texas Outdoor Family program for a fun 1.5-hour workshop! All equipment is provided or bring your own. Please read the requirements below, and call 512-398-3479 to register today!
Requirements:
- Participants must have biking experience – this isn’t a “learn to ride” course. This course is designed for mountain biking beginners who want to advance their skills.
- Participants must be at least 8 years of age.
- Participants under the age of 15 must be accompanied by a participating adult.
- Participants must sign a liability waiver.
- There is a strict space limit for this program, so participants must sign-up with the park by calling 512-398-3479.
Prepare: Dress for being active outside (layers and sturdy shoes recommended) and bring water. Meet: Meet Ranger John in the day use area. If driving from park HQ, pass the pool and take your first right-hand turn into the day use area parking lot. Fees: Regular park entrance fees apply ($3/adult, free for children 12 & under).
Intro to Archery
Saturday, March 17 | from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. | 2012 State Park Rd, Lockhart
Learn how to shoot like Robin Hood or Katniss Everdeen! Registration required.
Join us for a lesson in international style archery! Participants will learn the basics of this archery style in a safe and fun 2-hour workshop! All equipment is provided. Please read the requirements below, and call 512-398-3479 to register today!
Requirements:
- Participants must be at least 10 years of age.
- Participants must sign a liability waiver.
- Anyone under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
- There is a strict space limit for this program, so participants must sign-up with the park by calling 512-398-3479.
Prepare: Dress for being outside (layers and sturdy shoes recommended) and bring water. Meet: Meet your instructor at the volleyball court, which is just past the pool on the main road into the park. Park in the pool parking lot or the day use area parking lot. Please be on time to this workshop. If you are late, your spot may be given to someone else. Fees: Regular park entrance fees apply ($3/adult, free for children 12 & under).
Predators of the Park Hike
Saturday, March 17 | from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | 2012 State Park Rd, Lockhart
Join a Master Naturalist to explore your local predators, and learn how they survive and thrive as hunters! All ages welcome. Prepare: Wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes. Bring water and apply sunscreen or bug repellent, as needed. No registration required. Meet: Meet your guide at the Creekview Trailhead. If driving from park headquarters, take your first left-hand turn, pass the campgrounds, and park along the paved loop. Fees: Regular park entrance fees apply ($3/adult and free for children 12 & under).
University of Texas Falcon Cam
Ongoing | Online
Watching April the Giraffe countdown to delivery was a pretty fun ride while it lasted, and for those of us who felt a spotted hole left in our hearts once it was all over, there is a new female animal now trying to wing her way into our collective hearts. Tower Girl is the beautiful peregrine falcon who calls the UT Tower home. She’s the only peregrine falcon known to take full time residence in Austin, moving between the UT Tower and the Frost Tower, and now you can keep an eye on her day to day comings and goings thanks to a new live streaming webcam.
Ancient Spear Throwing
Saturday, March 17 | from 2 to 3 p.m. | 2012 State Park Rd, Lockhart
Join us to learn the basics of prehistoric hunting with an atlatl! Before the bow and arrow, Native Americans hunted with the atlatl and dart. Join us to learn about this ancient hunting tool, and try it for yourself! All equipment is provided. Recommended for ages 10. Prepare: Dress for being outside (layers and sturdy shoes recommended) and bring water. Meet: Meet your instructor at the volleyball court, which is just past the pool on the main road into the park. Park in the pool parking lot or the picnic area parking lot.
Fees: Regular park entrance fees apply ($3/adult, free for children 12 & under).
Arts & Tech
Mondo Gallery Presents: Batman the Animated Series
March 9-12 (opening reception March 9, Batman Family Day March 10) | various times | Mondo Gallery, 4115 Guadalupe Street
Mondo is thrilled to announce their next gallery show, “Batman: The Animated Series.” The show kicks off with an opening night reception that’s free and open to the public. The opening night reception will be held Friday, March 9 from 6:00 – 10:00pm. Following the opening reception, the show will run during regular gallery hours (12 PM – 6 PM) through March 12. Mondo Gallery is located at 4115 Guadalupe Street in Austin, TX.
Additionally, there will be a special “Batman Family Day” on Saturday, March 10 from 10am – Noon. Kids and parents can join the Caped Crusader on his quest to protect Gotham, paint faces, and more family activities. Baked goods from Zucchini Kill, and coffee will be served.
Teen Tech Week: Lights, Camera, Action
March 12-16 | from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 Pfluger St W, Pflugerville
This is a week-long program with very limited space. Please verify that you can attend all 5 days before registering: Monday, March 12 – Friday, March 16, 11:00-12:30 pm. Register online beginning March 1. Ages 12-18 only. Email [email protected] for more information.
Teen Tech Week is a national initiative sponsored by YALSA and is aimed at teens, their parents, educators and other concerned adults. The purpose of Teen Tech Week is to ensure that teens are competent and ethical users of digital media, especially the nonprint resources offered through libraries, such as e-books, e-readers, databases, audiobooks, and social media.
Teen Tech Week: Virtual Reality with CoSpaces Edu
Tuesday, March 13 | from 6 to 7:30 p.m. | Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 Pfluger St W, Pflugerville
Learn how to create and explore virtual reality worlds with CoSpaces Edu. Attendees will learn how to use simple drag-and-drop features to build their own VR world, then explore that world with VR headsets. Register online beginning March 1. Ages 13-18 only. Email [email protected] for more information.
Teen Tech Week is a national initiative sponsored by YALSA and is aimed at teens, their parents, educators and other concerned adults. The purpose of Teen Tech Week is to ensure that teens are competent and ethical users of digital media, especially the nonprint resources offered through libraries, such as e-books, e-readers, databases, audiobooks, and social media.
Piece Out: SXSW Paint Day at HOPE Outdoor Gallery
Wednesday, March 14 | from 12 to 10 p.m. | HOPE Outdoor Gallery, 1008 Baylor St
HOPE OUTDOOR GALLERY 6TH ANNUAL SXSW PAINT DAY “PIECE OUT”
Featuring: 40 Live Artists; Silent Disco DJ-Sets by: MadCoins, Bird Peterson, FIDEO, Go Go Garcia, Chino Casino; Information about the NEW location; HOPE Art Books, shirts, hats, etc.; Sponsored by Raising Cane’s, Industry Print, Preacher, Native, Giant Noise, Build-A-Sign, MTN
Kid friendly!
Barrio Writers Teen Workshop
Sunday, March 18 | from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. | Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 Pfluger St, Pflugerville
Teens ages 12-18 can participate in a writing workshop with Leticia Urieta of Barrio Writers. This workshop will discuss how authors build worlds, moments and character’s voices in short fiction. Register online beginning March 1. Email [email protected] for more information about this workshop.
Barrio Writers (BW) is a creative writing program founded by author Sarah Rafael García, which provides free college level writing workshops to teenagers in underserved communities. See https://www.barriowriters.org/for more information about Barrio Writers.
Music
Sound Wave
Saturday, March 10 | from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. | NLand Surf Park, 4836 E Hwy 71, Del Valle
NLand, Austin’s own world class surf destination, presents: Sound Wave- Saturday March 10th. The all-day beach concert with surfing and craft beer is free and open to the public. The day’s activities include: sets by local musicians Abram Shook, Löwin and Go Fever; on-site activations by RCVA clothing and accessories; complimentary workouts led by CrossFit and Austin Bouldering Project. Buy one get one Bay Wave surf sessions are available for purchase and, as always, include a soft board. NLand Brewing Company and Blue Prairie restaurant will debut brand new menus including craft brews and fresh, craveable dishes.
Car Show and Concert
Saturday, March 17 | from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Sinai Austin, 9212 S. Hwy 183
If you know someone with a sweet ride, car, truck, motorcycle, pedal car or bicycle please share this on your wall and tag them. We would greatly appreciate it! Calling All Car Clubs!! Come out and join us, bring your very best so your team can go home with the Hardware!!!
****Free Event, Moonwalk, Face painting, food games, live music and lots of nice cars! #TOKFAM #LOSATX #SATmarch17th
Movies
Wonder Woman Screening
Monday, March 12 | from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. | Old Quarry Branch, Austin Public Library, 7051 Village Center Dr.
Before she was Wonder Woman she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained warrior. When a pilot crashes and tells of conflict in the outside world, she leaves home to fight a war to end all wars, discovering her full powers and true destiny. Join us for a movie screening. Watch and discover new films at the Austin Public Library.
E.T. at Community First! Outdoor Cinema
Friday, March 16 | from 7 to 10 p.m. | Community First Village, 9301 Hog Eye Rd
Mobile Loaves & Fishes invites you to a free movie night at our Community First! Village. Grab chairs and a blanket, bring family and friends, and enjoy this special screening of E.T. Come as early as 7pm to explore Community First! Village, pick your spot, and enjoy your favorite movie snacks from the Community Grille. Burgers, french fries, snacks, and drinks will be available for purchase (cards and cash accepted!).
The event is free, however a $5 donation would be highly appreciated. Donations can be made electronically when RSVPing to this event.
Miscellaneous
Girl Advocacy Day
Tuesday, March 13 | from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | 901 Trinity St.
Girl Advocacy Day, hosted by the Girls Empowerment Network, inspires youth to be civically engaged and helps them develop their unique voice to advocate for themselves and the wider community. Girl Advocacy Day will include a training on the power of advocacy, the opportunity to speak with relatable role models who work in politics/public policy, and interactive programming exploring issues that impact girls in our community.
We invite youth ages 12-23 to participate in this free day of learning and leadership. You do not need to be a current GEN program participant or volunteer to attend Girl Advocacy Day, you just need to be passionate about gender justice! Register today: https://bit.ly/GAD2018
Hello Kitty Cafe Truck West Austin Appearance
March 17-27 | from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. | The Domain, 11410 Century Oaks Terrace
Hello Austin! The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is coming to The Domain on Saturday, March 17! Say hello t between 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and pick up some supercute treats, while supplies last!
DXDW
March 10 & 17 | from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Austin Animal Center, 7201 Levander Loop
Join us for a howling good time while we host Dog by Dogwest (DXDW), March 10 and 17, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Adoptions will be free for more than 200 dogs who have been waiting to find their forever homes. Adoptive parents also will be given a free supply of goods to take home with VIP dogs. A Platinum Pup will come with a free crate, harness, bag of food and ID tags. A Gold Dog will go home with a free bag of food, harness and ID tags, plus other goodies while supplies last.
Special performances by playgroup rock stars Linkin Bark and Aerosniff, will start at 10 a.m. on March 10. Appearances will also be made by Bark Zuckerberg, Lady Paw-Paw, Ruth Bader Ginsbark, and Elon Husky, with rumored pop-ins from A-fleas Ansari, L.L. Drool J, Sophia Vergrrra, Tina Spay and more! DXDW activities will be happening all week, so stay tuned to the Austin Animal Center Facebook page for information about pop up events, live music, showcases, interactive info booths and more at Facebook.com/AustinAnimalCenter.
Featured photo by Flickr user verkeorg, Creative Commons licensed.
