- February 28, 2016

Things to do in Austin with Kids: February 29 – March 4, 2016

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Looking for things to do in Austin this week? Here are some of the exciting events featured on our Free Fun Calendar. Have an event to add to the calendar? Submit it here.
What's Up Weekly

Monday

Baby Bloomers – Monday, February 29 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Children ages 0-3 and their families are invited to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday, the author of The Cat and the Hat and so many other favorite children’s books. Baby Bloomers will experiment with bubbles, create Thing 1 and Thing 2 handprint puppets, and pretend to bake Dr. Seuss a birthday cake. Tiny Tails to You Petting Zoo joins the party at 10:30 a.m. Cost: Members $2.50 each / Non-Members $4.50 each. All people attending, regardless of age, must purchase a ticket. Purchase a ticket online as limited walk-up tickets will be available. The Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave, Austin.

Mr. Will’s Music Class for Kids (Bee Cave) – Monday, February 29 at 10:00 a.m. Mr. Will is back with his popular kids music class. Sing along to old favorites and Mr. Will originals. FREE! Whole Foods Bee Cave, 12601 Hill Country Blvd, Bee Cave.

Storytime Yoga (RSVP) – Monday, February 29 at 2:30 p.m. Bring your kids of all ages (babies are very welcome) to watch their favorite stories come to life through yoga poses. Reserve your child’s FREE spot here. The Little Yoga House, 1211 Parkway, Austin.

Minecraft Club – Monday, February 29 at 3:00 p.m. Kids ages 7 and up are invited to enjoy two hours of Minecraft free play. Laptops are available, or you can bring your own device that has Minecraft downloaded. FREE! APL – Terrazas Branch, 1105 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin.

Literature LIVE! Presents: The Selfish Gardener – Monday, February 29 at 3:30 p.m. What happens when a band of native plants and insects gets a new neighbor who isn’t very friendly? Will the band get the boot, or will gardener and insect learn to live together? Find out in this musical spin on the Oscar Wilde classic, The Selfish GiantRecommended for ages 4 and up. FREE! APL – Spicewood Springs Branch, 8637 Spicewood Springs Rd, Austin.

Night Crafters (17+) – Monday, February 29 from 6-7:30 p.m. Are you a crafter? Do you wish you were a crafter? Then Night Crafters is for you. Adults only, please. FREE! APL – Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe St, Austin.

Tuesday

Free Admission to Laguna Gloria – Tuesday, March 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. FREE! The Contemporary Austin, Laguna Gloria, 3809 West 35th St, Austin.

Eric Carle Storytime – Tuesday, March 1 at 10:30 a.m. Enjoy reading a book that belongs on every child’s book shelf, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. BookKids will read several stories from the brilliant mind of Eric Carle and then making some colorful caterpillars and butterflies of their own. FREE! BookPeople, 603 N Lamar, Austin.

Play, Read, Grow! – Tuesday, March 1 at 10:30 a.m. Babies are born learning, and you can help prepare your child for success. Learn how to use play every day to get your children ready to read and succeed with this hands-on workshop for parents and caregivers of children under age 5. Children are welcome. FREE! APL – Old Quarry Branch, 7051 Village Center Dr, Austin.

Literature LIVE! Presents: The Selfish Gardener – Tuesday, March 1 at 3:30 p.m. What happens when a band of native plants and insects gets a new neighbor who isn’t very friendly? Will the band get the boot, or will gardener and insect learn to live together? Find out in this musical spin on the Oscar Wilde classic, The Selfish GiantRecommended for ages 4 and up. FREE! APL – Pleasant Hill Branch, 211 E William Cannon Dr, Austin.

Sew Happy – Tuesday, March 1 at 5:00 p.m. Each month, participants in this new sewing program will tackle a different small hand-sewn project. From pocket ninjas to embroidered cards to sloths – it will be cuteness overload! You’ll be Sew Happy you joined the fun. All supplies are provided. Recommended for ages 10 and up. Adults are welcome to join in the fun. FREE! APL – Manchaca Road Branch, 5500 Manchaca Rd, Austin.

Family Night Meditation: How Thoughts Are Like Butterflies – Tuesday, March 1 at 6:00 p.m. Are your thoughts like butterflies, constantly fluttering through the garden? Our thoughts can be like an untrained puppy dog that keeps running off. Learning how to refocus our thoughts takes training. Learn some mindfulness exercises followed by making a sweet wool roving butterfly to represent your thoughts. Meditative coloring will be available after the meditation. Recommended for ages 4 and up with their caregiver. FREE! Westbank Library, 1309 Westbank Dr, Austin.

Awesome Occupations: Software Engineer (Pflugerville) – Tuesday, March 1 at 6:30 p.m. The library is hosting a Skype visit with software engineer Kayla Barrientos, a former Pflugerville resident and graduate of Hendrickson High School. She volunteers as an instructor for Girls Who Code, a nonprofit organization that works to bridge the gender gap in the computer science field. Ages 10-18. FREE! Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 W Pflugerville St, Pflugerville.

Wednesday

Literature LIVE! Presents: The Selfish Gardener – Wednesday, March 2 at 10:15 a.m. What happens when a band of native plants and insects gets a new neighbor who isn’t very friendly? Will the band get the boot, or will gardener and insect learn to live together? Find out in this musical spin on the Oscar Wilde classic, The Selfish GiantRecommended for ages 4 and up. FREE! Dove Springs Recreation Center, 5801 Ainez Dr, Austin.

Baby Signs Storytime – Wednesday, March 2 at 10:30 a.m. With the help of BeeBo™ the Baby Signs® Bear you’ll learn some signs that will help your baby or toddler talk about what they see outside. With fun books and songs, you’ll see how signing with your baby can reduce tears and enhance that important infant-parent bond. You can savor each new experience as your child lets you into their world whether through outside adventures or through the world of books. FREE! BookPeople, 603 N Lamar, Austin.

Chinese Story Share – Wednesday, March 2 at 10:30 a.m. Learn Chinese, have fun, and make friends. Stories, rhymes, and songs in Mandarin. Designed for children 2 to 5 years old. FREE! Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd, Austin.

Musical Storytime and Craft – Wednesday, March 2 at 10:30 a.m. Join Miss Vanessa for storytime, songs, and crafts. For ages 5 and under. FREE! Upper East Side, 5811 Berkman Dr, Ste 107, Austin.

Dr. Seuss Storytime – Wednesday, March 2 at 11:00 a.m. Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! Storytime for preschoolers and their parents featuring stories, songs, fingerplays, rhymes, and crafts. Recommended for children ages 3 to 5. FREE! APL – Old Quarry Branch, 7051 Village Center Dr, Austin.

Community Night at The Thinkery – Wednesday, March 2 from 4-8:00 p.m. At the Thinkery, science and families play side by side. Every Wednesday the museum stays open late for families to discover new ideas and learn together. Cost: Admission is by donation only, with a suggested $1 donation. The Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave, Austin.

Discovery! Bagel Bird Feeders – Wednesday, March 2 at 4:30 p.m. Spring is here and parents and baby birds are hungry. Make them a feast using bagels, almond butter, and seeds, and hang them outdoors in the trees. You will be introduced to some of our local species with photographs in the process. FREE! Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd, Austin.

Krispy Kreme Family Night – Wednesday, March 2 from 6-8:00 p.m. Kids can decorate one FREE doughnut each, plus enjoy crafts, balloons, paper hats, coloring sheets and more. Krispy Kreme, 701 E Stassney Ln and 12586 Research Blvd, Austin.

Texas Radio Live – Wednesday, March 2 from 6-8:00 p.m. Texas Radio Live brings you the very best Texas music with performances from Texas musicians. This week, Chubby Knuckle Choir and Austin Lounge Lizards perform. FREE but donations to support the KDRP Radio Mission are appreciated. Read about Catherine’s experience here. Guero’s Oak Garden, 1412 S Congress Ave, Austin.

Music on Main: Urban Achievers Brass Band (Round Rock) – Wednesday, March 2 from 6-8:00 p.m. Escape your routine and spend your Wednesday night in Downtown Round Rock. The perfect opportunity to kick off your shoes and relax into the sound of talented musicians, this 13-part concert series is FREE, family-friendly, and just the thing to put the boogie in your boots, the swing in your step, and the hometown in your hoe-down. Parking is FREE and easy to find in the public parking garage located off of Lampasas Street between Main Street and Bagdad Avenue. Public parking is also available in the lot behind City Hall located at 115 East Bagdad. Main Street Plaza, 221 East Main Street, Round Rock.

Wednesday Night Star Party at UT – Wednesday, March 2 from 7-9:00 p.m. Every Wednesday night while UT is in session, the astronomy department sponsors FREE public star parties on the top roof of Robert Lee Moore Hall. All ages are welcome, but younger children must be under adult supervision at all times. Please call 512-232-4265 for weather cancellation information. UT Campus – Robert Lee Moore Hall, Southeast corner of Dean Keeton and Speedway.

Thursday

Free Admission to The Blanton – Thursday, March 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. FREE! Blanton Museum of Art, 200 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin.

French Legation Museum Children’s Storytime – Thursday, March 3 at 10:00 a.m. Gather on the French Legation Museum grounds for Children’s Story Time–an exciting 30 minutes of reading and play. Feel free to bring snacks, blankets, and your imagination. FREE! French Legation Museum, 802 San Marcos St, Austin.

Literature LIVE! Presents: The Selfish Gardener – Thursday, March 3 at 10:15 a.m. What happens when a band of native plants and insects gets a new neighbor who isn’t very friendly? Will the band get the boot, or will gardener and insect learn to live together? Find out in this musical spin on the Oscar Wilde classic, The Selfish GiantRecommended for ages 4 and up. FREE! APL – Windsor Park Branch, 5833 Westminster Dr, Austin.

Hola, Hola! Spanish Camp – Thursday, March 3 at 10:30 a.m. Ann Benson, expert in bilingual education, will teach you how to effectively use books as a tool to teach your child Spanish. Each parent will learn to read a Spanish book to their child and take it home for Spanish reinforcement. For parents and their children ages 0-5. FREE! Westbank Library, 1309 Westbank Dr, Austin.

Preschool Drive-in Movie – Thursday, March 3 at 11:00 a.m. Preschoolers can sit in a (cardboard) car while enjoying short films on a big screen. Recommended for ages 3 and up. FREE! APL – Yarborough Branch, 2200 Hancock Dr, Austin.

Lenten Concerts at Noon – Thursday, March 3 at Noon. This series of FREE concerts brings outstanding chamber musicians to St. David’s lofty Bethell Hall overlooking downtown Austin during the liturgical season of Lent. This week, Chaski performs the world premiere of Mannanàn mac Lir (Ghost God of the Seas) by Brandon Nelson. St. David’s Episcopal Church, 301 E 8th St, Austin.

Free Noon Concert – Thursday, March 3 at Noon. Take a 30-minute lunchtime break to hear a harp concert by Rachel Browne. FREE! Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E 8th St, Austin.

Dr. Seuss Film Festival – Thursday, March 3 at 3:30 p.m. Recommended for ages 5 and up. FREE! APL – Yarborough Branch, 2200 Hancock Dr, Austin.

Storybook Dance Making (RSVP) – Thursday, March 3 at 3:30 p.m. Love music, dance, or reading books? What about all three at the same time? Come together for Storybook Dance Making with your family and create a dance based on a story’s theme. Geared toward 3-5 year olds. This class is taught by artists of Dance Waterloo, an interdisciplinary dance collective in Austin. RSVP is requested here. FREE! APL – Howson Branch, 2500 Exposition Blvd, Austin.

Explorers Club (Cedar Park) – Thursday, March 3 at 3:30 p.m. Each Thursday, kids in grades K-5 meet to explore a set of rotating programs. This week, it’s Crafty Kids. FREE! Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd, Cedar Park.

Starry Nights at Girlstart – Thursday, March 3 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Girlstart’s new STEM Studio and Mini-Planetarium is a unique space for families to explore astronomy. March’s Starry Night will feature the Mayan Skies Star Shows. All ages welcome. FREE! Girlstart, 1400 W Anderson Lane, Austin.

Friday

Cowboy Breakfast – Friday, March 4 at 6:00 a.m. This super-sized Texas breakfast that kicks off the Fair and Rodeo. Enjoy pancakes, authentic chuck wagon biscuits, and more at this FREE event. Featuring western-themed entertainment, live music and two-stepping lessons, the Cowboy Breakfast is fun for all ages. Long Center, 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin.

Music with Mr. Will – Friday, March 4 at 11:30 a.m. Rock out with local children’s singer, “Mr. Will” Dupuy. FREE! Brilliant Sky Toys & Books, 701 S Capital of Texas Hwy Suite D-480, Austin.

Crafternoon – Friday, March 4 at 4:00 p.m. Drop by the library and make a craft while you search for books, movies, and music. There will be paper crafts, easy sewing, and more fun projects for the whole family. The library provides the supplies; you provide the creativity. FREE! APL – Spicewood Springs Branch, 8637 Spicewood Springs Rd, Austin.

Lego Lab – Friday, March 4 at 4:00 p.m. With LEGO, 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 –North Village Branch, 2505 Steck Ave, Austin.

Live Music with Candy Coburn – Friday, March 4 at 4:00 p.m. Country music artist Candy Coburn has shared the stage with Blake Shelton, Kellie Pickler, Miranda Lambert, Brooks and Dunn, Josh Turner, Lady Antebellum, and others. FREE! Lake Travis Community Library, 1938 Lohmans Crossing, Austin.

Check out the Free Fun Calendar for even more ways to fill your week with fun.