March Activities for Kids and Families in Austin
Girlstart Girls in STEM Conference 2018, March 24th
It's time for Enriched Family's March roundup of kids and family activities happening in the Austin area. As usual, this list is by no means exhaustive; just a sampling of events that caught my eye that I wanted to highlight. Additional good sources for activity lists are included at the end of the post.
(Please note, the following is provided for informational purposes only; the information is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge, but there may be omissions, errors or mistakes, and no guarantees are made.)
Highlighted Activity: Girlstart's Girls in STEM Conference
Details: Girls in 4th-8th grades discover the fun side of STEM careers at this unique annual conference. Join 600 4th-8th grade girls for a jam-packed day of hands-on workshops led by awesome women in STEM careers! Separate workshops are provided by grade level (4th-5th and 6th-8th). Drop off is between 10:00-10:30am at the front of Travis High School. Girlstart recommends drop off only as parking is extremely limited and, additionally, no parents can attend Girls in STEM workshops. Volunteers will guide girls to the check in tables, where each girl will receive her t-shirt and conference schedule; volunteers will then help girls find the opening session that kicks off the day at 10:30am. Pick up will begin at 3:30pm at the front of Travis High School; no student supervision will be available after 4:15pm.
Cost: The conference cost is $35, which includes lunch and a t-shirt. Registration closes Monday, March 5th. Girls can register and attend with their friends!
When: Saturday, March 24, 2018, 10am-3:30pm
Where: Southeast Austin; Travis High School (1211 E Oltorf St)
Highlighted Event: Amplify Austin 2018 Day of Online Giving - ends today, Friday, March 2nd at 6pm!
Details: Though not an activity, per se, this is an important community fundraising initiative. Amplify Austin Day is our city's annual community-wide day of online giving. The 24-hour period provides an easy and fun way for our entire community to give together while helping local nonprofits. The community raised $9.8M for nearly 700 Central Texas nonprofits on Amplify Austin Day in 2017. Over the past five years, Amplify Austin has raised $35M for hundreds of local organizations. Amplify Austin strives to meet the needs of our community by providing an easy-to-use digital marketplace that connects local donors with Austin area nonprofits all year long. Amplify Austin makes it possible for anyone to make a donation to his or her favorite cause or to create a fundraising page at any time-whether it's for a special event or a specific project. The site is also a starting point to giving for newcomers or new companies to the area. Central Texans can visit AmplifyATX.Org 365 days a year to give local.
When: The date for Amplify Austin Day 2018 is 6PM March 1 through 6PM March 2.
Free Educational/Cultural Activities
Activity: 2018 ABC Zilker Kite Fest
Details: Held each year on the first Sunday in March, the ABC Kite Fest is one of Austin’s most beloved, family-friendly traditions. ABC Kite Fest boasts day-long activities for all ages, including the traditional kite flying contest and showcase, a fun run and MossFest, a children’s music concert. Soar into spring and join thousands of Austinites for a free, all-day event filled with kite making, flying and gazing. Through support from sponsors and community partners, Friends of the ABC Kite Fest enables one of Austin’s longest-standing traditions to thrive and grow. Proceeds from ABC Kite Fest are gifted to Communities in Schools of Central Texas and the Moss Pieratt Foundation.
When: Sunday, March 4, 2018, 10am to 5pm
Where: South Austin; Zilker Park (2100 Barton Springs Rd)
Activity: Blanton Museum of Art - Blanton Block Party
Details: The Blanton Block Party is back! Join the Blanton Museum of Art for a free day-to-night community festival to kick off Spring and celebrate the big changes on our block. It’s the perfect opportunity to experience Ellsworth Kelly’s “Austin,” the stand-alone building designed by the renowned artist as a place for “joy and contemplation” and now part of the museum’s collection. Galleries and the outdoor plaza will be buzzing throughout the day with lots of activities for all ages, including art-making, live music, dining, and special museum tours. As the sun sets, the party continues with after-hours art viewing, a cash bar, music and dancing, a photo booth, and even more art activities. FREE Admission. RSVP is requested, but not required.
When: Saturday, March 24, 2018, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Where: Central Austin; Blanton Museum of Art (200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.)
Activity: Communication Strategies Workshop
Details: Hosted by Tandem Speech Therapy and Easterseals Central Texas. One of the greatest gifts parents can give their child is the help he or she needs to communicate and connect with the world. Join Easterseals Central Texas and Tandem Speech Therapy for a free workshop based on the Hanen Program to learn practical ways to help your child learn language during everyday routines and activities. Free - register here.
When: Tuesday, March 27, 6:30-8pm
Where: Easterseals Central Texas (8505 Cross Park Drive #120)
Activity: Explore UT
Details: Held annually at UT Austin, Explore UT aims to inform students, parents, teachers and community members from across the state about the importance of the public research institution and higher education in Texas. The day-long event invites Texans of all ages to experience robust research experiences, hands-on demonstrations, and experiments, and participate in the richness of the university's scholarship and knowledge. Explore UT seeks to broaden the horizons of students in Texas and motivate them toward achieving higher education after high school. It seeks to help parents and teachers encourage the excitement of learning and discovery, and welcomes alumni to reconnect with the institution that prepared them for their careers. Check out the schedule here. Everyone is welcome. Come by yourself or with a group. Free. No registration required.
When: Saturday, March 3, 2018 from 11am to 5pm
Where: UT Austin campus, various locations
Activity: Holi Festival
Details: It's that time of year again for Holi, also called the Spring Festival. It is known as the festival of colors, and traditionally played in India every year to mark the beginning of the spring season. Here in America, at Radha Madhav Dham, Holi is played in the same style as it is in the Braj district of India – with the same colorful, playful, family-filled fun and devotion. Each spring the Austin Community looks forward to this joyous celebration of Holi, the festival of colors. This year, Holi play will be accompanied by a live band singing Holi songs from Braj to liven up the environment with uplifting music. Come and play Holi this year at Radha Madha Dham on Saturday, March 3rd! Bring your friends and family to join you. This event is FREE and open to the public; there is a $5.00 parking fee per car.
When: Saturday, March 3, 2018, 2-8pm (see link for schedule - Holi Play at 5pm)
Where: Southwest Austin, Radha Madhav Dham (400 Barsana Road, Austin)
Activity: Lowering Anxiety for Your Successful Child
Details: It’s difficult for kids to learn when they are experiencing anxiety. But what can parents do to lower their child’s anxiety—at school and at home—so they can be happier and reach their potential? In this workshop, you’ll learn:
- How anxiety affects learning skills
- The root cause for chronic anxiety
- A fun activity to lower anxiety before and after school
Susan Phariss is a Neurodevelopment Consultant, Primitive Reflex Specialist, engineer, and brain development expert. Susan has performed a controlled study in a public school helping kids overcome behavior and learning challenges using neurodevelopmental movements. She specializes in helping bright kids who struggle with learning and behavior challenges with her proven step-by-step process that stimulates higher brain function. Free workshop.
When: Tuesday, March 6, 6:30-7:30pm
Where: Bella Mar Community Center (12401 Bella Mar Trail, Austin)
Activity: Senior Living Truth Series
Details: Westbank Libraries is partnering with Austin Senior Resource Alliance to present a year-long series of candid conversations with local experts focusing on the specific concerns faced by senior adults and their families. Join in on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 10:30am at Laura’s Library to be part of the conversation. The Tuesday, March 27th talk will focus on “The Truth About Decluttering Your Home.”
When: Tuesday, March 27th, 2018, 10:30am-12:00pm (and the fourth Tuesday of each month, from 10:30am-12pm)
Where: Laura Bush Community Library (9411 Bee Caves Rd, Austin)
Camp Open Houses
Open House: Camp Doublecreek Open House
Details: Camp Doublecreek features horseback riding, all kinds of sports, miniature golf, baby animals, arts and crafts, archery, tennis, tumbling, a playscape, and many other games and activities for children ages 4-14. Spring Break and Summer Camp sessions offered. Check out Camp Doublecreek during their Open House on March 10th.
When: Saturday, March 10, 1oam-12pm
Where: Camp Doublecreek campus in Round Rock (800 Double Creek Dr, Round Rock)
*Received the Austin Family Magazine 2017 Readers' Poll Favorites Award for “Overall Fun” in camps category
Open House: Rio Vista Farm & Tack Shop Horse Show/Open House
Details: Do you know some horse crazy kids? What about a horse camp? Girls and boys ages 7-16. No prior riding experience is necessary. Children are divided into riding groups based on their riding skill level. Beginners receive a good foundation from which to continue their riding experience, and more advanced riders have the opportunity to improve their skills. Rio Vista offers Spring Break and Summer Camp sessions. Check out Rio Vista during their Horse Show/Open House on March 10th.
When: Saturday, March 10, 8:30am-3pm
Where: Rio Vista Farm & Tack Shop, East (1000 Fallwell Lane, Del Valle, TX)
Museum Exhibits
Exhibit: Beyond Bollywood - Indian Americans Shape the Nation
Details: Traveling Exhibition. Explore the heritage, daily experience, and numerous, diverse contributions that Indian immigrants and Indian Americans have made in shaping the United States. Enjoy complementary docent and educational programming throughout the exhibition period provided by South Asian Austin Moms.
Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation was created by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Museums and Cultural Programs Division, is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute. The exhibition is presented in partnership between City of Austin’s Asian American Resource Center (AARC) and South Asian Austin Moms (SAAM).
Museum/Location: Asian American Resource Center, Ballroom (8401 Cameron Road)
When: On display through April 8th, 2018 (open M, Tu, F, Sat, 9am-5pm; W and Th, 9am-9pm)
Admission: Free
Exhibit: Pong to Pokémon: The Evolution of Electronic Gaming
Details: Explores the past and future of electronic gaming through the player's experience.
Museum/Location: Bullock Museum (1800 Congress Ave)
When: Through March 18th, 2018 (museum galleries are open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday noon to 5pm)
Admission: $13 adult and $9 youth; children under 4 free (non-members)
Exhibit: Where I Belong
Details: Mixed-race families open their doors to share lived experiences of Asian American Pacific Islander youth in Austin. This photography exhibit is co-curated by Lizzie Chen and the Asian American Resource Center.
Museum/Location: Asian American Resource Center, Ballroom (8401 Cameron Road)
When: On display through June 29th (open M, Tu, F, Sat, 9am-5pm; W and Th, 9am-9pm)
Admission: Free
*If you and your family enjoy exploring Austin's many fantastic museums, check out Do512 Family's list of free times to visit Austin museums.
Theatre Performances
Show: Goodnight Moon
Details: Zach Theatre, Theatre for Families, presents this production of the classic story. Step into the Great Green Room as one of the most iconic children’s books of all time is brought to life. In this lively musical, Bunny’s room magically comes alive with stunning puppetry, tap dancing bears, and even a trip through the night sky with a constellation light show. Age recommendation three and up.
When: Weekends March 2 through May 27, 2018
Where: Zach Theatre (202 South Lamar Blvd)
Tickets: $18 for youth; $24 full price
Show: Nugget & Fang
Details: One World Theatre presents ArtsPower's colorful new musical about the story of Nugget, a minnow, and Fang, a shark, who get along swimmingly - until Nugget's first day of minnow school. There, Nugget learns that minnows are supposed to be afraid of sharks! To regain Nugget's trust, Fang takes desperate and hilarious measures. Can Fang save the day and prove he's a true friend?
When: Saturday, March 10th at noon
Where: One World Theatre (7701 Bee Cave Road)
Tickets: $9 for youth; $12 full price
Show: Trust Me Love
Details: Afrofuturist prototype play at Austin Scottish Rite Theater (recommended for teens and adults; though all ages welcome). Dido feels torn between two worlds, one human and one cyborg. This workshop production of an original script by Kendra Dobson will take you on a journey into an Afrofuturist prototype play. Included with each ticket is both a comic book AND access to an augmented reality app with illustrations by Lakeem Wilson, a local artist whose work explores themes presented in this allegorical play. Come EARLY to participate in an interactive adventure as Dido navigates her world as a human in a cyborg society! Doors open 90 minutes before show time. “Trust Me, Love” has been adapted for stage from the third episode of Kendra’s radio drama, “Columbus Myth.” The stage performance is a combination of interactive augmented reality, music, projection, and story that follows a girl named Dido as she navigates her existence as human in a cyborg society. You can listen to the audio version here or at kendradobson.com.
When: March 9-11, 2018, at various times
Where: Austin Scottish Rite Theater (207 W 18th St.)
Tickets: Students, seniors, disabled ($8); general ($12)
Please feel free to send us local kids and family events to: hello[at]enrichedfamily.com
Also, check out these sites for lists of community activities for kids and families in the Austin area:
http://austinkidsdirectory.com/events/all/
Happy exploring Austin's many offerings with your families!
Esha/Enriched Family