March is here and we’ve got the best family friendly events to get your month started! From celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday to the Rodeo Austin Cowboy Breakfast and the ABC Kite Fest, these are the top 10 FREE events happening in and around Austin this week.
A big thanks to this week’s sponsor, Neill Cochran House. This Sunday, they’re featuring Off the Rack: Simple Fabric Dyeing. Printed, dyed, woven, spun, embroidered–the list goes on: what you wear depends on what you can do to turn cotton, wool, silk, linen, and synthetics into finished fabric. But what is life like when dyed and patterned fabric is scarce or even unavailable? You can find out all about dyeing your own fabrics at this FREE event. They provide scraps of different fabrics along with all of the dyes and materials you’ll need. Dyers will have a chance to try out simple tub dyeing, twist dyeing, or printing using simple stamps to create a pattern or design. Learn more about the event here.
Weekend Top 10 FREE Events: March 2-4, 2018
- Rodeo Austin Cowboy Breakfast
Friday, March 2 | from 6 to 9 a.m. | Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Dr.
The Cowboy Breakfast is a super-sized FREE Texas breakfast that kicks off the Fair and Rodeo. Come enjoy pancakes, authentic chuck wagon biscuits, doughnuts, brisket tacos and more at this free event. Featuring western-themed entertainment, live music, world renown trick roper, a longhorn and two-stepping lessons. The Cowboy Breakfast is fun for all ages. - Little Seedlings Storytime: Dr. Seuss’s Birthday!
Friday, March 2 | from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Rd.
On Friday, March 2, come out to play, at the AARC we’re celebrating Dr. Seuss’s Birthday! In this month’s Little Seedlings Storytime, they will be celebrating Dr. Seuss’s Birthday and the National Education Association’s Read Across America Day with an AARC twist: reading Dr. Seuss’s stories in Chinese, Korean and English! Hear some familiar stories, while learning new languages without any worries. Recommended for ages 1-6. - Coco Free Outdoor Screening
Friday, March 2 | from 6:30 to 9 p.m. | The Community Cinema at Community First! Village, 9301 Hog Eye Rd.
Mobile Loaves & Fishes invites you to a FREE movie night at Community First! Village. Grab chairs and a blanket, bring family and friends, and enjoy this special screening of Coco. Get there as early as 6:30 to explore Community First! Village, pick your spot, and enjoy your favorite movie snacks. Hot dogs, milkshakes, popcorn, candy and drinks will be available for purchase (cash preferred). The event is free, however a $5 donation would be highly appreciated. Donations can be made electronically when RSVPing to this event. - Complimentary Classes at Pease Park
Saturday, March 3 | from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Pease Park Splash Pad, 1600 Parkway
Join Sportball Austin for a FREE class as they show you the Sportball methodology. Their highly trained coaches will give you a peek into their Multi sport program. More info on classes here.
- Gifts from the Trees (Lockhart)
Saturday, March 3 | from 10 to 11 a.m. | Lockhart State Park, 2012 State Park Rd., Lockhart
Join a Master Naturalist to hear about the fascinating trees and history of Lockhart State Park! All ages welcome. Wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes. No registration required. Regular park entrance fees apply ($3/adult and free for children 12 & under). - Teen Job Pfair (Pflugerville)
Saturday, March 3 | from 2 to 4 p.m. | Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 W. Pluger St., Plugerville
Is your teen looking for a part-time or summer job? Head to the Plugerville library’s 3rd annual Teen Job Pfair to meet local employers and organizations and learn about local jobs and volunteer opportunities. This event is open to teens ages 14 to 19, but keep in mind that employers set varying minimum age requirements. Even if you are too young to get a job this year, this is a great chance to learn about future job opportunities. - Fermentation Block Party
Saturday, March 3 | from 3 to 7 p.m. | in.gredients, 2610 Manor Rd.
Music and toys and pickles, oh my! It’s going to be another bumpin’ Block Party at in.gredients. There are few human inventions we love as much as fermentation, which can add health, flavor and longevity to our foods AND has given us the gift of booze. Samples and demos, homegrown music and fun for the kiddos as well! Toybrary Austin is going to be bringing balloons and an awesome selection of toys from their toy library, so the little ones will have plenty to enjoy – even if they don’t yet appreciate the joys of sauerkraut and kombucha! - ABC Kite Fest
Sunday, March 4 | from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Rd.
Open to everyone and FREE to enter, the annual kite contest and showcase is the ABC Kite Fest’s oldest and greatest tradition. More info on how to enter here! Homemade, single line kites only. Register your kite from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 4. The contest and showcase begins at 1 p.m. More info and activities here. - H-E-B Free First Sunday: Texas Heroes
Sunday, March 4 | from 12 to 5 p.m. | Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress Ave.
Enjoy FREE exhibition admission all day during Free First Sundays, held the first Sunday of every month. Families can explore the Story of Texas through three floors of exhibitions that showcase artifacts from around the state. Special family programs from 12 to 3 p.m. combine art creation, exploration stations, and gallery activities. - Off the Rack: Simple Fabric Dyeing
Sunday, March 4 | from 1 to 4 p.m. | Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel St.
Modern, commercial dyeing uses many toxic chemicals to produce vibrant, permanent colors that don’t run in the wash. At this FREE workshop, you can use prepared nontoxic, food-based dye to see how they measure up to the colors we’re used to seeing. They will provide scraps of different fabrics along with all of the dyes and materials you’ll need. Have a small item (like a handkerchief, small T-shirt, or a pair of socks) you’d like to dye? Bring it along! Dyers will have a chance to try out simple tub dyeing, twist dyeing, or printing using simple stamps to create a pattern or design.
