KidsOutAndAbout Austin

KidsOutAndAbout Austin

April 2, 2026

*Easter Events and Activites
*80 Easter Basket Ideas That Aren't Candy
*Tips for Hosting An Easter Egg Hunt
*Create A Clue-Filled Easter Egg Hide-and-Seek

Post your organization and events to our site (It's all FREE!)

Wed, Apr 8: Home School Day - STEM Career Fair at Science Mill
Sat, Apr 11: Earth Day Austin at Huston-Tillotson University
Sat, Apr 11: ABC Zilker Park Kite Festival
Sat, Apr 18: Butterfly Festival at EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens
Thu, Apr 23: Disney On Ice presents Jump In! at State Farm Arena
Fri, Apr 24: Red Poppy Festival at City of Georgetown
Fri, Apr 24: The Founders Day Festival at Veteran's Memorial Park - Dripping Springs
Sat, Apr 25: Annual Buda Wiener Dog Races at Buda City Park
Sat, Apr 25: Earth Day Celebration at Texas Science & Natural History Museum

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

One of the best things about spring is that it turns all of us into treasure hunters.

After a long winter, we adults start scanning the world for signs that life is returning: We notice the first mist of green in a forest's understory, the first brave crocus, the first daffodil. If we point out loud, kids catch on quickly, drawn by the thrill of seeking what winter was hiding even just a few weeks ago, and they're ready to find magic behind every tree.

Of course, in certain parts of North America, spring can be stingy in early April: The calendar may insist it’s here, but the yard is still beige, the trees are still bare, and the only things blooming outside are spreading patches of mud. But there’s no rule that says spring surprises have to come only from Mother Nature! That’s one reason I’m such a fan of egg hunts.

Last year, I wrote an extremely popular step-by-step article showing how to Turn Easter Into a Treasure Hunt, complete with a printable PDF of rhyming clues. It’s right there waiting for you, ready to make you look like a genius with practically zero effort. And if you want to kick it up a notch and invite a crowd, our article Easter Egg Hunts: Tips and Tricks for a Great Party lays out the strategies for what may be the easiest, fastest, best-bang-for-the-buck kids’ party on Earth. Sure, egg hunts feature prominently in our culture's Easter traditions, but they needn't belong only to Easter, they're a wonderful diversion anytime, in any context.

Spring is a season that proves there’s treasure everywhere. Sometimes the universe provides the fun for us. And sometimes we create it ourselves.

—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities

KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site.

Austin’s Premier Tech & Media Camp – Creator Camp Summer 2026

Creator Camp is heading back to Austin for an incredible Summer 2026! As seen on Shark Tank, we bring world-class digital arts education to the ATX creative community. Our weekly camps cover everything from professional filmmaking and YouTube strategy to game design and music production. We provide a space where kids can collaborate, innovate, and master the technology they use every day. With industry-standard equipment and a high-energy atmosphere, it’s the ultimate summer destination for aspiring creators. Join us in Austin this summer and help your child transform from a viewer into a visionary!

Easter Bunny & Easter Egg Drop at Doc's Drive in Theatre!

Join us for a hopping good time at Doc's Drive in Theatre with the Easter Bunny & Egg Drop - fun for the whole family! Welcome to Easter Bunny & Egg Drop at Doc's Drive in Theatre ! Join us on April 5, 2026 at 10:00 AM or 12pm for a fun-filled day at Doc's Drive In Theatre . Get ready for an egg-citing event with the Easter Bunny and a spectacular egg drop,along with other egg-citing events! Don't miss out on the opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny, hunt for eggs, and enjoy a day of family-friendly entertainment. It's going to be a hopping good time! Mark your calendars for April 5, 2026 at 10:00 AM or12pm and get ready to make unforgettable memories at Doc's Drive In Theatre. See you there!

Easter Egg Hunt, Easter Bunny Photos, Wildflower Planting, & more!

We’re celebrating spring with wildflowers, an egg hunt, and the Easter Bunny! Kids ages 0-9 (divided by age group) are invited to hunt for Easter eggs filled with gold coins redeemable for prizes. We will also have Texas wildflower seeds to scatter! RSVP for a guaranteed spot. Limited spots will be available for walk-ups or overflow day of. Stick around for Polaroid photos with the Easter Bunny, and a craft activity to paint frames for your photo. Later, we'll have live music with Andrea Daniela y su Sabor.

Skins, Skulls, Scales, & Tails

Stop by our interactive table and learn about some of the common creatures of Enchanted Rock, as well as safety tips on what to do if you encounter them while hiking. What do raccoons eat? How do bobcat teeth look? Are there venomous snakes in the park? Learn the answers to all these questions and more at our Skins and Skulls discovery table at the Gazebo on Summit Trail.

Junie B. Jones, The Musical

Created by Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich, the team that brought you Dear Edwina, comes Junie B. Jones, The Musical – a delightful adaptation of four of Barbara Park’s best-selling books, brought to life in a genuinely comical (and not strictly-for-kids) musical developed by TheatreworksUSA. Awaken a young person’s desire to read with the sassy little diva, Junie B. Jones, and her adventures in first grade. It’s Junie B.’s first day of first grade, and a lot of things have changed for her: Junie’s friend, Lucille, doesn’t want to be her best pal anymore and, on the bus, Junie B. makes friends with Herb, the new kid at school. Also, Junie has trouble reading the blackboard and her teacher, Mr. Scary, thinks she may need glasses. Throw in a friendly cafeteria lady, a kickball tournament and a “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal,” and first grade has never been more exciting.

Killeen Spring Fest

Celebrate spring with this free, family-friendly event hosted by the City of Killeen Parks & Recreation Department. Families can enjoy a mass Easter egg hunt for ages 0-14, including an adaptive egg hunt option, along with photos with the Easter Bunny, face painting, food trucks, vendors, and interactive activities.

Story Starts

ColdTowne's Youth Program, Excused Absence Comedy, invites you to Story Starts, our weekly Improv show for kids and families. Interactive, high-energy, and hilarious, each show is a brand new story inspired by our audience!

Community Egg Drop

Get ready for a fun day of egg-citing challenges and egg-cellent teamwork at our Helicopter Easter Egg Drop event! Celebrate Easter weekend with us at Calvary Baptist Join us on Saturday, April 4th from 9:30 AM–12:00 PM for an unforgettable morning of family fun. Kids will be thrilled by our exciting helicopter egg drop, and everyone can enjoy delicious eats from local food trucks. We’ll also have a special area just for younger kids, so every child can join in the fun at their own level. Best of all, this event is completely free for the whole family—so invite your friends and neighbors, and come celebrate with us! And don’t forget—we’d love for you to join us again the following day for our Easter Sunday services as we celebrate our risen Savior!

HT’s 20th Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt

Join the 20th Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt at Huston-Tillotson University on Saturday, April 4th at 10:00 a.m. Children of all ages are welcome to participate in our campus-wide egg hunt at 900 Chicon Street, featuring thousands of hidden eggs. The Easter egg hunt features a $500 scholarship prize egg, prize eggs for school supplies and gift certificates, eggs with candy and coins, and filled baskets. The event begins in the Mary E. Branch Gymnasium for a brief meaning of Easter story, followed immediately by age-grouped egg hunts the event is free and open to the public. In case of rain, the hunt will be held on Monday, April 6th at 4 p.m.

NCHM Annual Easter Egg Dye-o-Rama

The Neill-Cochran House Museum opens its doors to feature a free day of activities including: Easter egg dyeing, live music, scavenger hunts & lawn games! This event will take place outdoors on our spacious lawn. The Museum and grounds will be open to tour for free all day.

Kids Night Out

Join Figment Creative Labs for our Parents Night Out events every first Friday of the month! Enjoy your night out from 6:00 - 9:00 PM as your children explore their creativity alongside children their age and our Figment Furry (and scaly) Friends.

Party Hat Craft

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MCKENNA! This week come create a party hat to help us get "party ready ". Mark your calendars and come join us in McKenna Children's Museum's 20 yr birthday celebration!

Parents' Night Out at My Gym Children's Fitness Center- Austin

Drop off your kids for three hours of nonstop fun! Activities include games, rides, songs, dances, relays, obstacle courses, and more.

iD Tech Camps

iD Tech: The World's #1 STEM Summer Camp! BattleBots® Camp? You can only get it here. Roblox Camp? We've got that and more in our Summer '26 lineup. Register today at the top-rated tech camp for 25 years and counting! iD Tech is the very best experience built around your child—their interests, their skill level, their goals for the future. Trusted by 75+ of the world’s top universities and over 1,000,000 parents, iD Tech is where kids and teens learn from the best—coding, game dev, robotics, and more. The future starts at iD Tech! Click here for more information about your local iD Tech opportunities! Virtual camps are also available!

Free Photo with the Easter Bunny at Bass Pro Shops - 200 Bass Pro Drive, Round Rock, TX, Friday, March 30 through Sunday, April 5, 2026, varies
Hop to It! It's Bunny Photo Time! - Lakeline Mall - 11200 Lakeline Mall Drive, Cedar Park, TX, Friday, March 30 through Sunday, April 5, 2026, varies
HT's 20th Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt - 900 Chicon Street, Austin, TX 78702, Saturday, April 4, 2026, 10 am
Easter Egg-Stravaganza - Gregg-Clarke Park, West Center Street, Kyle, TX, Saturday, April 4, 2026, 10 am - 1 pm
City of Taylor Easter Egg Hunt - Memorial Field, Davis Street, Taylor, TX, Saturday, April 4, 2026, 10 am - 2 pm
Texas VegFest 2026 - 2101 Jesse E. Segovia Street, Austin, TX, Saturday, April 4, 2026, 11 am - 6 pm
Earth Month Zero-Waste Fest - Twin Oaks Branch, Austin Public Library, 1800 S 5th Street, Austin, TX 78704, Saturday, April 4, 2026, 2-4 pm
Community Egg Drop - Calvary Baptist Church, West Klein Road, New Braunfels, TX, Saturday, April 4, 2026, 9:30 am - 12 pm
Easter Egg Hunt, Easter Bunny Photos, Wildflower Planting, & more! - Meanwhile Brewing, 3901 Promontory Point Drive, Austin, TX 78744, Sunday, April 5, 2026, 11 am
Easter at the Farm - 100 Legacy Drive, Fredericksburg, TX 78624, Sunday, April 5, 2026, 12-3 pm

2026 Guide to Summer Camps in the Austin, TX area

The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Austin area is back! You can search by date, age, or categories like day/overnight, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts & crafts, technology, robotics, horseback riding, preschool, & more. Our guide puts summer fun right at your fingertips!

Enjoy the weekend!

Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella

KidsOutAndAbout.com
Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

170 Office Park Way
Pittsford NY 14534
US

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KidsOutandAbout Austin Newsletter 3/26/2026: Tour Guide

2026-03-26T07:01:18-04:00

KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter

KidsOutAndAbout Austin

March 26, 2026

*Easter Events and Activites
*80 Easter Basket Ideas That Aren't Candy
*Tips for Hosting An Easter Egg Hunt
*Create A Clue-Filled Easter Egg Hide-and-Seek

Post your organization and events to our site (It's all FREE!)

Thu, Apr 2: Easter Egg Hunt @ Indigo Play!
Sat, Apr 4: Easter Egg-Stravaganza at Gregg-Clarke Park
Sat, Apr 4: Urban Cultural Fest 2026 at Austin Urban Music Festival
Sat, Apr 11: Earth Day Austin at Huston-Tillotson University
Sat, Apr 11: ABC Zilker Park Kite Festival
Sat, Apr 18: Butterfly Festival at EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens
Thu, Apr 23: Disney On Ice presents Jump In! at State Farm Arena
Fri, Apr 24: Red Poppy Festival at City of Georgetown
Fri, Apr 24: The Founders Day Festival at Veteran's Memorial Park - Dripping Springs
Sat, Apr 25: Annual Buda Wiener Dog Races at Buda City Park
Sat, Apr 25: Earth Day Celebration at Texas Science & Natural History Museum

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

Before I had kids, one of my colleagues told me that fundamentally, a parent’s job is to point. At first, you point physically: You point at the waterfall and say “waterfall,” at the moon and say “moon,” at the flower and say “flower.” You’re helping a child connect sounds to objects, words to concepts, language to reality. But later, and really all the way through, the pointing becomes more metaphorical. Parenting is the ongoing work of connecting your child’s growing capacity to understand with a world that is, to them, forever expanding. As I had Madison and Ella, I came to think of this as being a tour guide to the world.

A good tour guide needs to know the landscape, of course. But even more important, a good tour guide needs to know the traveler. What can this particular child see right now? What are they ready for? What do they care about? What frightens them? What delights them? It's useful to remember that kids haven’t actually been here before: The world is brand-new to them over and over again, so what feels ordinary to us is often astonishing to a child. Tour guides who are doing their job well pay close attention to who their audience is and what they know, and that makes the pointing easier and more fun.

Spring is the perfect season to practice pointing. In spring, the world changes fast enough for kids to notice. Buds swell and burst. Birds return. Tiny green things push up through the dirt as if by magic. Day to day, the world becomes visibly more alive. If we point it out, kids can catch it happening in real time.

And spring does not arrive quietly. It comes as an avalanche of the senses: color, smell, birdsong, mud, wind, sunlight, thunder, petals, pollen, rushing water. So maybe that’s part of the job, too: not just to point, but to lean into it. To stand beside our kids in the rush of it all and say, Look! Here it comes.

—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities

KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site.

Easter Egg Hunt @ Indigo Play Friday, April 3

Friday, April 3, 8:30am: You’re invited to Indigo Play’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt! The event is FREE with regular paid admission. Egg Hunt Begins: 9:00 AM sharp! Bring your baskets and get ready to hunt for eggs hidden all around the play park. There will be plenty of eggs, lots of giggles, and tons of playtime afterward! No pre-registration required.

Austin’s Premier Tech & Media Camp – Creator Camp Summer 2026

Killeen Auto Easter Egg Hunt

Hop on over to our FREE Easter Event! Join us Sunday, March 29th from 2–4 PM at Killeen Certified (3401 E Central Expressway) for an Easter Egg Hunt, Local Vendors & Food Trucks and Fun for the whole family

Honk!TX

HONK!TX is a nonprofit, community-driven festival that brings street and brass bands from within our community, throughout the country, and abroad to perform for free in the public spaces of Austin, Texas. Mobile and unamplified, HONK! bands transform everyday locations into spontaneous stages, dissolving the line between crowd and performers and inviting everyone to celebrate the joys of music and community. A range of genres will be represented: New Orleans second-line brass, European Klezmer and Balkan, Brazilian, West African and more. HONK! is a celebration of community, collaboration and creative expression. Join the revelry!

Annual Sherwood Forest Faire

Sherwood Forest Faire is a locally owned medieval-style village nestled in the Lost Pines section of Central Texas. We have over 100 permanent buildings on 25 acres, including stages, pubs, merchant shoppes, wedding venues, a complete castle, and more. During Robin Hood’s Spring Faire, we have over 150 shows per day by more than 40 different stage acts. We have full contact jousting, falconry, fire juggling, knife throwing, 10+ live bands, comedy, sword fighting, and a castle siege. Shows for kids, adults, and both!

Blueeey & The Easter Bunny's Egg Hunt + Whimsical Easter Mini Photoshoot Option!

You're invited to an Easter Egg Hunt in Tiny Town! $49 (+tax) 1 child + 1 adult ($35 Sibling, 10 months or less free)

Touch-A-Truck

Get ready for our 4th annual Touch a Truck—a hands-on community event where kids (and adults!) can explore BIG vehicles, meet local heroes, and enjoy a fun-filled day together!

EGGstravaganza

Join us and our families for an egg hunt, spring photos, games and light refreshments.

Eggstravaganza!

EGGstravaganza is the City of Lakeway's beloved annual Easter celebration! Enjoy a free family event with age-specific egg hunts at Lakeway City Park. In addition to the egg hunts, our event features an array of attractions, including local food vendors, a petting zoo, face painting, photos with the Easter Bunny, and various other engaging booths and activities. Join us for a day of fun-filled Easter excitement for the whole family!

Easter in the Park + Movie Night!

Hop on over for a full evening of springtime fun for the whole family! Join us for Easter in the Park, featuring bounce houses, Easter egg hunts, Ms. Poppy the Clown, and a special appearance by the Easter Bunny himself! Enjoy hands-on activities, games, and explore a variety of food and vendor booths before settling in for an outdoor movie under the stars.

McKenna's STEAM Class

Bring the whole family and join us in learning about ALL things STEAM!!! (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) *Geared for ages 5-7yrs* *Included with Museum admission while supplies last*

Fischer Flick: Lilo & Stitch

Join us for a free movie night at Fischer Park featuring the live-action Lilo & Stitch! The event begins at 7:30pm, and the movie will start at 8:15pm. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs for seating. Food trucks will be on-site with food and beverages available for purchase.

Zoo Tots

Young tots and caregivers join us in making animal crafts, reading about our animal friends and exploring the zoo by stroller or little feet! 8 sessions Jan – May.

Spring LEGO 'Happy Hummingbird' Build Event

Join us in store for a LEGO Build event featuring "Happy Hummingbird" as we flutter into Spring! This event is perfect for LEGO enthusiasts that are 10 years of age and older but all guests are welcome. If this is an event that you are interested in, contact our store for additional details and to reserve a spot.

Camp Invention 2026

Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Dallas - Fort Worth - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, Saturday, March 21, 2026 to Sunday, March 22, 2026, See link for times
Spring Break at the Nasher Sculpture Center - Nasher Sculpture Center, 2001 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201, Saturday, March 21, 2026 to Sunday, March 22, 2026, 11 am to 5 pm
Spring Break in the Park 2026 - Klyde Warren Park, 2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas, TX 75201, Saturday, March 21, 2026 to Sunday, March 22, 2026, 9 am- 6 pm
First Day of Spring at the Dallas Farmers Market - Dallas Farmers Market, South Harwood Street, Dallas, TX, Saturday, March 21, 2026 to Sunday, March 22, 2026, Saturday 9 am- 5 pm Sunday 10 am- 5 pm
Holi Festival - Heritage Park, 600 Spinks Rd, Flower Mound, TX, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 11 am- 3 pm
Texas Forever Fest - 901 E 15th St, Plano, TX 75074, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 11 am- 6 pm
Twin Coves Open House - Twin Coves Park and Campground, Wichita Trail, Flower Mound, TX, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 11 am- 3 pm
Visit from The Creature Teacher - PGA District, PGA Parkway, Frisco, TX, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 10-11 am
Jurassic Elm - The Lawn at The Lakefront, 125 Main Street, Little Elm, TX, Saturday, March 21, 2026 to Sunday, March 22, 2026, all day
Junior Ranger Program at Cedar Ridge Preserve - Parking lot, Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX, Sunday, March 22, 2026, 10 am- 12 pm

2026 Guide to Summer Camps in the Austin, TX area

Enjoy the weekend!

Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella

KidsOutAndAbout.com
Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

170 Office Park Way
Pittsford NY 14534
US

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KidsOutandAbout Austin Newsletter 3/19/2026: Discomfort Zone

2026-03-19T07:01:27-04:00

KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter

KidsOutAndAbout Austin

March 19, 2026

Easter Fun!

Post your organization and events to our site (It's all FREE!)

Fri, Mar 27: Honk!TX
Sat, Mar 28: City of Lakeway EGGstravaganza at Lakeway City Park
Sat, Mar 28: Adaptive and Inclusive Egg Hunt at Old Settlers Park

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

The first time I can remember having to take a public stand on anything was in eighth grade English. We were assigned an essay on a controversial topic and told we’d present our arguments to the class. When he handed back our papers, Mr. Schmidt added a twist: no reading. We’d speak from notes.

I was horrified. After school, I tried to negotiate my way out of it. “This makes me really uncomfortable,” I told him, hoping for mercy. He looked at me over his glasses. “That’s the whole point,” he said. “To get stuff done, you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Don’t worry, you’ll live.”

Mr. Schmidt was right. I didn’t die. And more important, I learned something that stuck: Discomfort isn’t a stop sign, it’s just part of the road, and all roads are bumpy.

That lesson shaped how I've raised my kids, too. Karate helped Madison and Ella distinguish between effort and injury. Long car rides taught them to rely on their own imaginations. Theater nudged them to stand however close to the spotlight they could manage, even when they’d rather disappear. And summer camps—those muddy, unpredictable, gloriously imperfect experiences—gave them countless chances to try something new and realize I can do this without the stigma that can accompany failing in other contexts.

Growth rarely happens inside the comfort zone, which is why I’m such a believer in giving kids opportunities to stretch beyond what feels easy. Summer programs are perfect for this, so that's why during "summer camp search season" we focus on showcasing the wide variety of camps and programs available in each area we serve. Here's the link to the portal page.

These days, as we approach the 25th anniversary of KidsOutAndAbout.com in June, I see that same principle playing out: The technology has changed, the business climate has changed, but the equation hasn’t. Discomfort still shows up right before something meaningful. And I still hear Mr. Schmidt’s voice in my head: Don’t worry, you’ll live.

—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities

KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site.

Ballet Austin

Ballet Austin Academy – Summer Camps & Classes Ages 15 months – 12 years Since 1956, Ballet Austin Academy has inspired young dancers with creativity, movement, and a love for dance. This summer, your child can take center stage in a fun, supportive environment designed to spark imagination and build confidence. Our Summer Children’s Program offers classes and camps for ages 15 months to 12 years. Dancers can start in the Young Children’s Division, a gentle introduction to dance, move to the Pre-Ballet Division for formal ballet prep, or continue in the Elementary Division, where ballet training begins. In Broadway Kids Camp, kids celebrate what makes them unique through song, dance, and a special performance for family and friends.

Soccer Stars, Little Rookies and Amazing Athletes

Keeping kids active year-round is one of the best gifts we can give them! Our local programs — Soccer Stars, Amazing Athletes, and Little Rookies — provide structured, high-energy classes that help children develop motor skills, body awareness, teamwork, and self-confidence. We introduce a variety of sports in a non-competitive setting so children can discover what they enjoy most. Serving families throughout Northwest Austin, Round Rock, and Pflugerville, our mission is simple: help kids build strong foundations while having fun. Registration is ongoing, and we’d love to welcome your child into one of our upcoming classes!

Fiddler on the Roof Jr. with CYT Austin

Experience the beloved musical Fiddler on the Roof JR., a special adaptation of the nine-time Tony Award-winning Broadway classic. Follow Tevye, a humble milkman in the village of Anatevka, as he tries to balance tradition with the changing world around him while guiding his five daughters toward the future. Created by Broadway legends Jerome Robbins, Harold Prince, Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick, and Joseph Stein, this heartwarming story explores family, faith, and community in ways that resonate across cultures and generations. Performances take place at Brentwood Christian School’s Worley-Barton Theater (11908 N. Lamar Blvd, Austin) on March 19–21 at 2:00pm and 7:30pm. Standard tickets are $18—reserve yours today and enjoy this timeless musical with the whole family!

Rodeo Austin

Join us March 13-28, 2026 for Rodeo Austin! Rodeo Austin features one of America’s top ProRodeos. A live music performance completes each ProRodeo & Concert event. Watch exciting rodeo competitions such as bull riding, mutton bustin’, barrel racing, and more!

H-E-B Free Fourth Sunday

Enjoy FREE museum admission all day during H-E-B Free Fourth Sundays, held the fourth Sunday of every month.

Video Game Hang Out: Spring Break Bash

Teens (ages 12-17) are invited to play Mario Kart and Smash Bros on our Nintendo Switch. Teens are also welcome to bring their own handheld devices. Pizza and snacks will be provided.

Wizard of Oz Interactive Movie

There’s no place like the library! Follow the yellow brick road to a magical interactive movie experience. Join us for a special screening filled with audience participation, themed props, and magical moments. Sing along, shout out, and become part of the adventure as we watch this classic, colorful tale. Perfect for families and movie lovers of all ages — you won’t want to miss it!

Math Universe ~ Spring Break at the Science Mill

Step Into a World Where Math Comes Alive! This spring break, explore Math Universe — an immersive, hands-on experience where math moves beyond numbers and becomes something you can build, see, test, and discover. From spirals in nature to the mysteries of time and space, Math Universe transforms big ideas into unforgettable adventures for curious minds of all ages.

Fischer Park Dog Rodeo

Saddle up, folks! The Dog Rodeo is ridin’ back into town on March 21st! Join us at Fischer Park from 11am - 2pm for a tail-waggin’ good time celebrating your favorite furry friends!

Dino Days!

Join us for Dino Days at Zilker Botanical Garden this March — a two-weekend family-friendly celebration of the Cretaceous period with hands-on activities, fossil talks, scavenger hunts, themed games, and creative workshops included with garden admission. On select dates, enjoy interactive prehistoric planter workshops, engaging paleontology presentations, fossil touch tables, and the Dino Days Closing Parade with Blowcomotion.

Spring Equinox Hike

Celebrate the Spring Equinox with a Guided Hike at McKinney Falls Park! The Spring Equinox is the perfect time to connect with nature as the seasons change. Join us for a guided hike at McKinney Falls State Park to welcome the first day of spring! Explore the park’s beautiful trails, learn about local wildlife, and immerse yourself in the fresh spring air.

Terrence Taps

Join Terrence Taps for a unique tap event at the library! This interactive show combines basic concepts like opposites, phonics, and musical dynamics to allow the audience to get inside the mind of a tap dancer.

Glimpse into Goldfish

Take a Glimpse Into Goldfish! Explore our school, enjoy open swim, meet the team, and experience our warm pool and fun approach to swim safe!

Camp Invention 2026

Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Austin - Broadway, New York, NY, Friday, March 20, 2026 through Sunday, March 22, 2026, See link for times
Glimpse into Goldfish - Goldfish Swim School - Davis Lane, Austin, TX, Friday, March 20, 2026, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Live Music on Lake Travis - John Hidalgo - Farm to Market Road 2769, Leander, TX, Friday, March 20, 2026, 7PM - 9PM
Baby Lapsit (0-18 months) - 405 East Loop Street, Buda, TX 78610, Friday, March 20, 2026, 10:30-11 am
Pokemon Club - 501 Sportsplex Dr, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, Friday, March 20, 2026, 4:15-5:15 pm
Music/ Movement Storytime - Main Street, Liberty Hill, TX, Friday, March 20, 2026, 10:15 - 11 am
Texas America250 Reading Challenge - 1201 Brazos St, Austin, Texas 78701, Friday, March 20, 2026 through Sunday, March 22, 2026, all day
Hop to It! It's Bunny Photo Time! -Lakeline Mall - 11200 Lakeline Mall Drive, Cedar Park, TX, Friday, March 20, 2026 through Sunday, March 22, 2026, varies
Read with Ruby the Therapy Dog! - 501 Sportsplex Dr, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 10:30 am- 12 pm
Pokémon Club - East Liberty Avenue, Round Rock, TX, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 9-10:30 am
Family Storytime - East Liberty Avenue, Round Rock, TX, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 11-11:30 am
Round Rock Express Fan Fest - 3400 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78665, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 10 am- 2 pm
Wizard of Oz Interactive Movie - 500 W Live Oak St, Hutto, TX 78634, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 3 - 4:30 pm
Video Game Hang Out: Spring Break Bash - 625 E Hopkins St, San Marcos, TX 78666, Saturday, March 21, 2026, 1 pm
Free Photo with the Easter Bunny at Bass Pro Shops - 200 Bass Pro Drive, Round Rock, TX, Saturday, March 21, 2026 and Sunday, March 22, 2026, varies
H-E-B Free Fourth Sunday - Trinity Street, Austin, TX, Sunday, March 22, 2026, 1-5PM

2026 Guide to Summer Camps in the Austin, TX area

Enjoy the weekend!

Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella

KidsOutAndAbout.com
Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

170 Office Park Way
Pittsford NY 14534
US

Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options

Austin Summer Camp Newsletter- March 2026 - Part 2 of 2

2026-03-17T11:47:15-04:00

Part 2 of 2: Summer Camps in the Austin Area

Arts, Crafts, & Cooking Camps

Austin KidsOutAndAbout Summer Camp Newsletter

March 17, 2026 - Part 2

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

We hereby bring you Part 2 of our camp newsletter, for the second half of the alphabet. 😁

—Debra Ross, publisher

KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

Summer camps 2026: week by week

Week of June 14, 2026

Week of June 21, 2026

Week of June 28, 2026

Week of July 5, 2026

Week of July 12, 2026

Week of July 19, 2026

Week of July 26, 2026

Week of August 2, 2026

Week of August 9, 2026

AWeek of August 16, 2026

Week of August 23, 2026

Week of August 30, 2026

Find summer programs by subject!

Day Camps

Overnight Camps

Music Camps

Theater & Drama Camps

Dance Camps

Sports Camps

STEM, Nature, History, & Culture Camps

Camps for Kids with Special Needs

Camps for Preschoolers

Religious & Vacation Bible Camps

FEATURED LOCAL CAMPS

Travel back in time at Sherwood Forest Summer Camp!

This summer, your child won’t just imagine medieval adventures—they’ll live them! Sherwood Forest Summer Camp offers kids a chance to learn everything from archery to blacksmithing or leatherworking to swordplay in Sherwood Forest Faire’s medieval village. They may even get a chance to help Robin Hood and his Merry Folk defend Sherwood Keep! Ready for an unforgettable summer? Enroll your child today and watch them craft their own legend!

Show in a Week - Theater Camps for Kids & Teen

This summer, Shine on Performing Arts is hosting Show in a Week camps for kids and teens, plus two special full-show, extended camps. For younger campers ages 4-8 June and July offer A Wickedly Awesome Camp, Finding Nemo Kids, A Friend Like Me (Aladdin), and Lion King Kids. Campers ages 7-14 can choose Shrek Kids, Aladdin Kids, and Willy Wonka Kids. Our special two week camps are Newsies Jr. for ages 8-16 and Total Teen Takeover: Into the Woods, ages 12-19. Campers will learn about acting, dancing and singing while they grow their confidence, teamwork and much more! Each camp concludes with a full show for family and friends to enjoy.

Skate VIDA: Summer Explorers Ice Skating Camp

Join Skate VIDA’s Summer Explorers Ice Skating Camp and travel around the world of skating without leaving the rink! Each week, campers will discover new skills, fun challenges, and skating styles inspired by rinks and traditions from around the globe. Skaters will build confidence on the ice, make new friends, and enjoy games, off-ice activities, and creative themed days. Whether your child is brand new to skating or already loves the ice, our supportive coaches create a fun environment where everyone can grow. Best of all, it’s the perfect way to stay active and cool during the summer. Come explore, learn, and glide through an unforgettable summer with Skate VIDA!

Steve & Kate's Camp

Since 1980, Steve & Kate’s has put kids in charge of their own learning experience. Campers choose from a variety of activities in real-time, including sewing, coding, film, sports, and more! As kids try, fail, and learn on their own, they learn to trust their own judgment, and tackle the challenges of an ever changing world with creativity and confidence. Families can buy any number of days, to use at any time–no weekly reservations required. Or, buy a Summer Pass, which covers the whole season. If your plans change, we’ll automatically refund any unused days at summer’s end. Lunch, snacks & 8am–6pm included.

Synergy Dance Studio

Come join us for an enjoyable and creative dance experience. Synergy Dance Studio offers preschool and school-age camps as well as dance intensives for the more experienced dancer. Themed summer dance camps are limited in size and are grouped by age and ability. Come dance, sing, paint and party with us! Space is limited and camps will fill up, so reserve your space today! Click here for details.

The Swim School of Austin

The Swim School of Austin offers program-based lessons to swimmers of all ages and abilities during every season! Whether you’re joining one of our modest sized group classes or learning independently in a private lesson, our upbeat and encouraging instructors are there to guide you every step of the way. We believe in teaching the importance of water safety and comfortability to ensure our swimmers get the most out of any water-based activity. We aim to teach a multitude of skills such as freestyle, backstroke, and bi-lateral breathing; just to name a few. Come splash with us this summer at The Swim School of Austin! http://www.swimschoolaustin.com/

UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum

UMLAUF Summer Art Camp is a one-of-a-kind creative adventure designed to spark imagination, curiosity, and confidence in young artists. Campers will dive into the beauty of art and nature through hands-on projects, outdoor exploration, and playful experimentation inspired by the Garden. Guided by experienced art educators, campers create, collaborate, and discover new ways to express themselves while enjoying a truly unique setting. From sculpture and mixed media to science and nature-based art, each week is a different theme. Let your child make art, make friends, and make memories this summer at the UMLAUF. Please visit our website for more information.

YPW Spanish Day Camp

Discover a summer of adventure for children ages 3+ with YPW Camps! Our Spanish immersion camps feature flexible half-day and full-day options, blending academic growth, creative play, and outdoor fun. With small group settings, we ensure every child is supported, challenged, and inspired. Choose from over 15 engaging, high-energy Spanish themes!

Russian School of Mathematics-Austin

RSM is an award-winning, after-school math enrichment program trusted by parents for over 26 years across 5 branches in Texas: Houston, Plano, Sugar Land, North Austin and Coppell. For Summer, RSM offers a variety of math courses including those that will provide students with additional challenge and teach them how to think logically and conceptually. Most of our courses will be held over a 6-week period, with 2 classes per week. Summer provides a great opportunity for students to reinforce their math knowledge and prepare for the upcoming school year. Reserve your child’s spot for the Summer program! Enrollment is now open: https://www.mathschool.com/summer-enrollment-tx

Thank you for being a reader of KidsOutAndAbout.com. Your regularly scheduled weekly newsletter will arrive this Thursday. —Deb

KidsOutAndAbout.com
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Pittsford NY 14534
US

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Austin Summer Camp Newsletter - March 2026 - Part 1 of 2

2026-03-17T11:47:15-04:00

Summer Camps in the Austin Area: Part 1 of 2

Arts, Crafts, & Cooking Camps

Austin KidsOutAndAbout Summer Camp Newsletter

March 17, 2026 - Part 1

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

Here at KidsOutAndAbout.com, we love promoting summer camps as a way for kids to learn, expand their friendship circles, and have fun without the pressure of grades or consequences. Local summer camps have pulled out all the stops to ensure your kids have a great time.

After getting inspired by the camp descriptions below with programs for preschoolers through teens, head over to our Week by Week Guide to Summer Camps and what's been posted so far for 2026. Bookmark that main portal page to get where you need to go quickly to search by date or subject. New camps are being added constantly, so check back frequently.

I hope you enjoy our special-edition camp newsletter, and that you forward it to your friends who may also be shopping for summer camps. We'll be back with your regularly-scheduled weekly newsletter on Thursday!

Note: So many local camps wanted to participate in this newsletter that we have divided it into Part 1 (for the first half of the alphabet) and Part 2 (second half of the alphabet), which will arrive shortly.

—Debra Ross, publisher

KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

Summer camps 2026: week by week

Week of June 14, 2026

Week of June 21, 2026

Week of June 28, 2026

Week of July 5, 2026

Week of July 12, 2026

Week of July 19, 2026

Week of July 26, 2026

Week of August 2, 2026

Week of August 9, 2026

AWeek of August 16, 2026

Week of August 23, 2026

Week of August 30, 2026

Find summer programs by subject!

Day Camps

Overnight Camps

Music Camps

Theater & Drama Camps

Dance Camps

Sports Camps

STEM, Nature, History, & Culture Camps

Camps for Kids with Special Needs

Camps for Preschoolers

Religious & Vacation Bible Camps

FEATURED LOCAL CAMPS

Apex Kids Camp

Apex Kids Camp - where active play meets positive role models and tons of FUN! The Apex All-Star Team are PROFESSIONALS at creating engaging activities and having fun WITH kids all day. Inflatables, Water Day, obstacle course, color powder battle, team games, and intentional leadership development! Two different camp experiences...attend both! Apex Adventure Camp - relays, games, activities, crafts, silliness, and leadership. Apex Sports Camp - basic instruction and drills in several different sports, including basketball, soccer, general speed and agility, and more. Perfect for beginners or advanced! Check out our website for dates and locations!

ATX Kids Club

ATX KIDS CLUB Summer Camp offers week-long, adventure-filled programs for kids ages 4–13, centered around daily educational field trip experiences across Austin. Campers explore the city through hands-on learning tied to weekly themes, from nature and science to arts and culture. Camp runs Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5:30pm, with pick-up and drop-off at Brentwood, Garrison, Pease Park, and Bartholomew Park. We maintain a low 8:1 camper-to-staff ratio and offer a sliding scale pricing program open to all families, ensuring every child has access to meaningful summer experiences.

Austin Film Festival

Austin Film Festival’s Summer Film Camp is back for its 24th year, happening June 1 – July 24, 2026 at the First Baptist Church of Austin, with weeklong camps that provide students with the venue, equipment, and instruction they need to create a short film or animation! Morning, afternoon, and day-long sessions are open for students ages 9-18. Young creatives learn the full process of filmmaking, getting them behind the camera and turning their ideas into real movies. Students also participate in inspirational panel discussions with visiting guests. Once camp concludes, all students have the unique opportunity to see their films on the big screen at the annual Summer Film Camp showcase!

Austin Girls Choir

Get summer off to a fun and tuneful start AND find your musical tribe at Austin Girls’ Choir’s multilevel session June 1-5! We’ll sing pop, jazz and light classical repertoire, tucking in vocal skills, note reading, basic harmony, arts & crafts, stage presentation and simple choreography. 30 places available, no audition required. 9-5 daily, with concert for friends and family at 5 pm June 5! This program is open to singers age 8-15, beginner to advanced.

Screen-free Camps on a Beautiful Nature Campus

Head to the beautiful nature campus of Austin Waldorf School for wholesome, screen-free summer camps! Kids ages 6-11 can join Camp Roadrunner and choose between eight uniquely themed weeks from June 8 to July 31, like Science Fun Week, Gardening Week, or Cooking and Baking Week. Each day features creative arts, outdoor play, hands-on projects, and skill-building activities, inviting children to engage their imaginations. We welcome younger children, ages 3.5-5, to our wonder-filled Summergarden Camp on the same dates. Each day unfolds with nature exploration, songs, stories, water play, and simple crafts. Kids aged 11 and older are welcome at our sports camps, offering three weeks starting June 8!

Ballet Austin

Do it All at Camp Everything!

Camp Everything is an all-in-one summer destination in north central Austin for children from early childhood through 8th grade, hosted at Magellan International School. This new program features traditional day camp, plus more than 30 STEM, arts, language, and athletic specialty camps, all in one convenient location. With full and half day options, flexible weekly sessions and affordable pricing, Camp Everything is designed to make summer easy for busy families—while giving kids a fun, engaging experience where no two weeks are the same.

Art Camp SALE at Cordovan Art School

Special Summer Camp Sale expires March 31, 2026!* ! Cordovan Art School has been voted the BEST creative Art Camps in the greater Austin area year after year! Get SmART with ART this summer with a variety of media including clay, pottery wheel, watercolor, oils, acrylics, pastels, pencil, pottery painting, and more! Popular themes include: "K-Pop Art Explosion", "Toy Story Takeover", "Talk with the Animals" (with visits from live exotic animals!), “Is it Cake or Art", “Artopia! Cartooning & Comics,” and more! Ages 5-16 / Full or 1/2 Day / Extended Care Available / 5 Studio Locations / *Supply Fee will be charged for the 4th Camp / Cannot be combined with other offers!

Austin’s Premier Tech & Media Camp – Creator Camp Summer 2026

Georgetown Palace Theatre

Step into the spotlight this summer at Georgetown Palace Theatre. Choose from five sessions. Each two week session produces a full, large scale show designed by a team of professionals. Shine bright with titles like Annie Kids, Mary Poppins JR, and High School Musical. Camps available for ages 6-18. Space is limited. But, you don't have to wait for summer, you can also join us for our Spring Break Camp Peter Pan Jr. where we produce a full show in just a week. See you at the Palace! For more information, registration or tickets: https://www.georgetownpalace.org/education/

Idea Lab STEM Summer Camps celebrates 10 Summers!

This summer, Idea Lab STEM Summer Camps marks an incredible milestone — 10 years of inspiring young minds in Austin, TX! As a licensed child care facility, we've built a trusted environment where curiosity thrives and future innovators are born. Continuously recognized as one of Austin's Best Youth STEM Programs, we're proud to have sparked a love of science, technology, engineering, and math in thousands of kids across our community. Whether it's coding, robotics, or hands-on experiments, the adventure never stops. Here's to 10 amazing years — and many more to come. Join us this summer!

Inspired Minds Art Center

At Inspired Minds Art Center in downtown Buda, kids and teens (5–18) spend summer weeks doing what real artists do: experiment, make a mess, try again, and discover what they’re capable of. Guided by professional artist-educators, campers learn that the process (wild ideas, happy accidents, “wait…that worked!”) is the whole point. Camps fit every age and interest: clay, potter’s wheel, digital art, stained glass, drawing, painting, STEAM, Theatre, culinary arts, and more! Half-day or full-day options; all supplies included; Lunch Connection available. Please visit our website for more information!

Journey Martial Arts

Exciting Martial Arts Summer Camp! Give your child an action-packed summer at Journey Martial Arts! Our Martial Arts Summer Camp is filled with fun, skill-building, and confidence-boosting activities. Kids will train like martial artists, break boards, play games, and make new friends—all in a safe, supportive environment.

Camp Invention 2026

The all-new 2026 Camp Invention® program, Spark, is coming to curious kids in your community this summer! Rising K-6 campers will collaborate with friends to tackle hands-on, open-ended challenges. They’ll team up with robotic capybaras, ride the waves of entrepreneurship, uncover the power of protecting their ideas and build a DIY space rocket! Each experience is designed to spark confidence, build persistence and create unforgettable summer memories. Visit invent.org/save/camp to secure your spot! Register using CIFUN25 by 3/31 to save $25 or CIFUN20 by 4/28 to save $20 when you register. Interest-free payment plans are available, making camp affordable for all families.

iD Tech Camps

Look in your email NOW for Part 2 of our 2026 camp newsletter for the second half of the alphabet! And think about forwarding these to your friends who might be searching for camp options for their kids.

Thank you for being a reader of KidsOutAndAbout.com. Your regularly scheduled weekly newsletter will arrive this Thursday. —Deb

KidsOutAndAbout.com
Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

170 Office Park Way
Pittsford NY 14534
US

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See CYT Austin's Fiddler on the Roof Jr THIS WEEKEND!

2026-03-16T16:25:12-04:00

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

CYT Austin is presenting Fiddler on the Roof JR this week!

This special adaptation of the nine-time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, Fiddler on the Roof JR. follows Tevye the milkman as he tries to protect his daughters and his way of life from a changing world. Created by Broadway legends Jerome Robbins, Harold Prince, Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick and Joseph Stein, Fiddler on the Roof JR. tackles the universal theme of tradition in ways that reach across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion.

Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor dairyman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to marry off his daughters and instill in them a sense of tradition in the face of growing anti-Semitism in Czarist Russia.

Fiddler on the Roof JR

Brentwood Christian School's Worley-Barton Theater
11908 N. Lamar Blvd in Austin
Thursday, March 19 at 2 pm & 7:30 pm

Friday, March 20 at 2 pm & 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 21 at 2 pm & 7:30 pm

Get Tickets

Fiddler on the Roof is a classic for a reason, and your family's sure to love this show. The cast varies at different shows, so you may want to check the site for any friends' names and plan accordingly. Get your tickets today.

Best,

Debra Ross
Publisher
KidsOutAndAbout.com

We periodically send special editions of the KidsOutAndAbout.com e-newsletter to showcase an important upcoming event or opportunity. This is one of those! Thanks for being part of our community!

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you will also stop receiving our weekly Thursday morning newsletters.

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KidsOutandAbout Austin Newsletter 3/12/2026: We Fill Potholes

2026-03-12T07:01:21-04:00

KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter

KidsOutAndAbout Austin

March 12, 2026

Easter Fun!

Post your organization and events to our site (It's all FREE!)

Thu, Mar 19: Fiddler on the Roof JR. at CYT Austin
Fri, Mar 20: Spring Equinox Hike at McKinney Falls State Park
Fri, Mar 27: Honk!TX
Sat, Mar 28: City of Lakeway EGGstravaganza at Lakeway City Park
Sat, Mar 28: Adaptive and Inclusive Egg Hunt at Old Settlers Park
Sat, Apr 4: Easter Egg-Stravaganza at Gregg-Clarke Park
Sat, Apr 4: Urban Cultural Fest 2026 at Austin Urban Music Festival
Sat, Apr 11: Earth Day Austin at Huston-Tillotson University
Sat, Apr 11: ABC Zilker Park Kite Festival
Sat, Apr 18: Butterfly Festival at EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens
Thu, Apr 23: Disney On Ice presents Jump In! at State Farm Arena
Fri, Apr 24: Red Poppy Festival at City of Georgetown
Fri, Apr 24: The Founders Day Festival at Veteran's Memorial Park - Dripping Springs
Sat, Apr 25: Annual Buda Wiener Dog Races at Buda City Park
Sat, Apr 25: Earth Day Celebration at Texas Science & Natural History Museum

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

For much of the country this year, March simultaneously is bringing hope that spring may in fact return to North America AND the awareness that every car is at risk for the foreseeable future. All winter long, water seeps into asphalt cracks, freezes, expands, melts, and freezes again, and bit by bit the driving experience becomes a game called Avoid the Crater.

But lately I’ve started seeing the repair trucks out there again, their bright-vested workers moving methodically from hole to hole with their shovels. Every time I pass them, it gives me a lift, not just because it means someday soon I'll start seeing flowers out in the real world, but also because potholes are one of those perfect reminders of what humans do. Playrooms, projects, and paperwork start out neat, but over time, weather, wear, gravity, and procrastination take their toll. No matter how strict the system, order gradually slides toward chaos. And then humans step in and make it right again.

I saw the cycle in action at the KidsOutAndAbout office last week: Our storage room had slowly become a museum of random supplies, half-filled bins, and Christmas decorations that had been tossed in with a hopeful Future Us will deal with this someday. Fortunately, my colleague Michelle, who works in our data department, is also a genius organizer. A few hours after Future Michelle stepped in and applied logic and elbow grease, the little room had transformed from a cluttered cave into a serene space.

The quickening of the seasons seems to bring that same energy into our homes: Closets get sorted, garages get swept, junk drawers finally meet their match. It feels good, not just because the space looks better, but because fixing things reminds us of something important: Disorder is normal, but it’s not permanent. Humans can step in and bring brightness back.

So here’s to spring cleaning, organized shelves, and freshly patched roads.

Our tires, and our spirits, roll much more smoothly because humans fill potholes.

—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities

KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site.

Discover the Best of Texas & Beyond

Want to stay in the know on the best places to go, things to do, and experiences worth exploring? The Lone Star Low Down from Texas Lifestyle Magazine highlights top travel destinations, family-friendly outings, local events, dining, and exclusive giveaways. Whether you’re planning weekend adventures, road trips, or looking for inspiration close to home, this is your go-to source for discovering the best of Texas and beyond. Sign up here to receive the Lone Star Low Down.

Train-A-Palooza with Lone Star Hi-Railers Model Railroad Association

Train-A-Palooza #12 model train show will be held at the Grapevine Convention Center located at 1209 S. Main St., Grapevine, Texas March 14 & 15, 2026. Model train layouts will display various gauges of trains. Choo Choo Express trackless train will be providing train rides in the parking lot. Admission is for both days and the Lone Star Hi-Railers huge three rail O guage model railroad layout inside an actual 70-foot-long baggage car, located in the historic Grapevine Railyard area. Show hours are Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Grapevine Shuttle for attendees is free.

Fiddler on the Roof Jr. with CYT Austin

Austin’s Premier Tech & Media Camp – Creator Camp Summer 2026

Ballet Austin

Soccer Stars, Little Rookies and Amazing Athletes

Did you know we offer three exciting youth sports programs in our community? Through Soccer Stars, Amazing Athletes, and Little Rookies, children ages 18 months to 10 years can explore sports in a supportive and engaging environment. Our coaches focus on skill development, physical literacy, and confidence-building while keeping classes energetic and fun. Whether your child is learning their first kick, exploring multiple sports, or stepping up to the t-ball plate, we create positive experiences that encourage lifelong healthy habits. Enrollment is open now — we invite your family to come grow, move, and play with us!

Mom & Pop Card Show!

Get ready for a fun, laid-back day at the Mom and Pop Card Show! This event is perfect for collectors and casual fans alike who love Sports cards, Pokémon, and other TCG. Whether you're hunting for rare finds or just want to hang out with fellow enthusiasts, this show’s got you covered. Bring your friends, browse unique cards, and enjoy a friendly atmosphere, food trucks, and drinks. Don’t miss it!

Math Universe ~ Spring Break at the Science Mill

Easter Bunny Photo Experience- Round Rock Premium Outlets

Strike a pose, the Easter Bunny is here for photos! Reserve your visit now and make it an Easter Family Tradition! Bunny arrives on Saturday, March 14th and will be here through April 5th. Book early to ensure your spot to see the Bunny.

Dino Days!

Spring Fling Festival

Join us for a magical day for all ages featuring bounce houses, soft play area, photo ops with the Easter Bunny, and even real unicorns you can ride! Experience the fun doing crafts (Easter basket decorating) and bubbles. It’s a day full of wonder and fun for the whole family!

High-Flying Hutto Women's Stories and Q&A

Join us for an inspiring morning featuring accomplished Hutto women in interesting careers and leadership roles. Each speaker will share her story—highlighting challenges, successes, and favorite reads—followed by a Q&A session with attendees. Browse a special display cart featuring the speakers’ favorite books before and after the program. Light refreshments will be served.

Marshall’s Spring Break Fire Rescue Bash!

Fri (3/13 Spring Break) 10am - noon. Join us for a PAWS-itively awesome morning as Marshall from Paw Patrol stops by Tiny Town to help us kick off Spring Break with a Firetruck-themed rescue party! Ticket is $45/child & adult; ($25 Sibling ADD-ON), includes muffins & juice.

Movies in the Park

Kyle Parks and Recreation Department hosts Movie in the Park nearly year-round at various parks in the city. Grab a blanket and a friend for another great season of FREE movies in the park, shown outdoors on the big screen. Personal food and coolers are allowed, but please dispose of items in the trash and recycle bins available throughout our parks. Pets are allowed but must remain on leash. Movies in the Park begin at sundown through the summer months, but we highly recommend arriving early as parking is limited.

Sno Cones With SROs

Join School Resource Officers for Sno Cones With SROs at Bahama Buck’s! Wear your school colors, grab limited-edition flavors, and chill with your local officers. The first 50 snow cones are free, and officers will be there for tabletop games, conversation, and connection. This event will be on Friday, March 13, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Bahama Buck’s, located at 804 N Loop 337, Suite 105.

Music/ Movement Storytime - Liberty Hill Public Library, Main Street, Liberty Hill, TX, Friday, 03/13/2026, 10:15 - 11 am
Texas America250 Reading Challenge - Texas State Library and Archives Commission, 1201 Brazos St, Austin, Texas 78701, Fri 03/13/2026 - Sun 03/15/2026, all day
Sno Cones With SROs - Bahama Buck's - New Braunfels, 804 Texas 337 Loop Suite 105, New Braunfels, TX, Friday, 03/13/2026, 12-1:30 pm
Movies in the Park - Kyle City Hall, 100 West Center Street, Kyle, TX 78640, Friday, 03/13/2026, begin at sundown
Read with Ruby the Therapy Dog! - Dripping Springs Community Library, 501 Sportsplex Dr, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, Saturday, 03/14/2026, 10:30 am- 12 pm
Carmela Full of Wishes - Austin Playhouse, 405 W 22nd St, Austin, TX 78705, Sat 03/14/2026 - Sun 03/15/2026, 1pm (additional 11am shows on Feb 28 and Mar 14)

2026 Guide to Summer Camps in the Austin, TX area

Enjoy the weekend!

Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella

KidsOutAndAbout.com
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Pittsford NY 14534
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KidsOutandAbout Austin Newsletter 3/5/2026: Remember the Rocks

2026-03-05T07:01:15-05:00

KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter

KidsOutAndAbout Austin

March 5, 2026

Local Preschools, Day Care, and Toddler Programs

Big List of Kid-Friendly Museums

Big List of Indoor Play Centers

Post your organization and events to our site (It's all FREE!)

Sat, Mar 14: St. Paddy's Day 5k and 1k Leprechaun Kids Run at Comal County Fair Grounds
Sat, Mar 21: Family History Day at French Legation Museum
Fri, Mar 27: Information Session - Magellan International School
Sat, Apr 11: ABC Zilker Park Kite Festival at Zilker Metropolitan Park
Sat, Apr 18: 37th Annual Burton Cotton Gin Festival at Texas Cotton Gin Museum
Thu, Apr 23: Disney On Ice presents Jump In! - Cedar Park

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

When I was a teenager, I had a teacher who became a mentor without ever knowing he was one. He was aware I’d been going through some difficult times, and was glad to hear I was almost on the other side. “Some people aren't lucky enough to have dealt with hard things when they're young,” he told me. Then he added the phrase that has echoed in my head for decades: “Remember the rocks.”

Life, he explained, was always going to toss boulders into my path. The trick was to recognize, early, that even if it was painful or scary, I was capable of getting around, or over, or through them. Remembering how I’d managed would help me trust myself more when the next, bigger ones appeared.

As a parent, I think about that often, about how the only way to become someone who does hard things is… to do hard things.

It’s tempting to rush in and smooth every unpleasant obstacle our kids encounter. When we email the teacher, mend the friendship, rescue the forgotten homework, eliminate every discomfort, we may feel helpful in the moment, but in fact we’re quietly removing the practice stones they need. Resilience doesn’t come from being told “You’re strong”; it comes from evidence that only they can gather, from working through manageable challenges and thinking, That was hard. And I handled it. We don’t need to manufacture their challenges—being a kid is difficult enough. And we don’t abandon them to do it all on their own, either. We just learn to pause, to weigh advice against intervention, and to let them see what they can manage.

The goal is that later in life, when something truly difficult lands in our children's path, they won’t just hope they can manage it, they’ll know. Now, many years later, when I encounter something daunting, I think back to my mentor and remember the rocks. "I do hard things," I tell myself. And it works.

—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities

KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site.

Discover the Best of Texas & Beyond

Spring Break is here faster than you think.

The AISD Spring Break is March 16 to 20 this year - and it is high time to start planning for spring break activities for you kids! Our friends at Fantastic Magic Camp offer a spring Camp in north central Austin, (Crestview) this year - and Summer Camps both in South Plugerville, (Mt Playmore), and in north central Austin, (Crestview) - in a safe, supervised and caring environment. This Camp is a fully inclusive day camp for children between 5 and 12 and in addition to magic, campers will enjoy juggling, puppetry, comedy improvisation, craft options, outdoor games and an amazing magic show at the end of every day. Campers are taught to respect and care for themselves and others. The number one rule is "Have fun and help other Have fun".

Train-A-Palooza with Lone Star Hi-Railers Model Railroad Association

Austin’s Premier Tech & Media Camp – Creator Camp Summer 2026

Ballet Austin

Texas Wildlife Day

Celebrate everything feathered, furred, smooth and scaled at Texas Science & Natural History Museum! Learn about Texas wildlife and participate in hands-on activities led by local nature groups and the museum’s education team. Get up close with live animals like raptors, turtles, snakes and more, brought to you by WILDcenter! Plus, get 20% off select merchandise in the Museum Store. All Texas Wildlife Day activities take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are free with the purchase of museum admission.

Family Day- Spring Forward

UMLAUF Family Day- Spring Forward invites families to celebrate the return of longer days and brighter light in the Sculpture Garden. Inspired by the shift of daylight-saving time and our Torchbearer sculptures, this seasonal gathering explores how sunlight moves through nature, sparks scientific discovery, and fuels creativity.

Family Yoga

Join us on the second Sunday of every month for Family Yoga! Family classes are a playful and inspiring way to connect with other families in your community. Stretch, breathe, connect, relax, and have fun! This lighthearted class includes partner poses, whimsical music, and mindful moments as you connect with nature. No experience is required.

Sunday Funday- Neill-Cochran House Museum

Museums don’t always have to be hands-off! One Sunday out of the month, the Neill-Cochran House Museum opens its doors to feature hands-on activities, scavenger hunts, self-paced tours, and (weather permitting) lawn games with space to picnic in the shade. Looking for that extra little bit of weekend time to come out and see something new? Between our spacious lawn and kid-friendly activities, we’re in it to offer a museum experience to folks of all ages and, (ahem!) attention spans. Don’t let the 21st century get you down! Come out and learn something new about how we got to where we are now!

Rainbow Splash Bash

Dive into color at our Rainbow Splash Bash! Warm family swim, rainbow vibes, and splashy fun for the whole family!

Tomás Rivera Award 30th Anniversary Literature Fair

The Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award celebrates its 30th anniversary! The day starts off with a children’s parade from City Park, starting at 9:00 am. The fair at the Library will begin at 10:00 am and will include presentations by 13 award-winning authors and illustrators, performances by local school children, hands-on literacy and art activities for children and youth, and book giveaways. Fun for the whole family! All events are free and open to the public; some workshops will have limited capacity.

It’s My Park Day – Dia de mi Parque!

Join the Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy team for a day of mulching in the Oak Grove. The Oak Grove is our most popular picnic area for school tours. Volunteers are encouraged to enjoy the rest of the Garden after their shift and to visit one of the many sponsors around town for volunteer rewards and local freebies. Please wear clothing suitable for working outdoors (eg. long sleeves, long pants, closed toed shoes) and bring a water bottle, hat and sunscreen. We’ll provide tools and gloves. Parking is available in the Volunteer Lot, located directly off the main parking lot, down an unpaved road marked by orange cones. Register via GivePulse at the link below!

Texas Wildlife Day

Celebrate everything feathered, furred, smooth and scaled at Texas Science & Natural History Museum!

Spring Fling

Celebrate Spring with Buda Public Library! The whole family will enjoy this event filled with art activities, seed starting projects, and outdoor storytimes. 1:30-2:00 pm is sensory-sensitive time. The goal of this time is to reduce and remove overstimulating elements of events including music, bubbles, and lights while providing springtime activities. Please note that this event does take place outside and we may experience some road noise during the program. This event takes place rain or shine! In case of poor weather, we can move all activities into the lobby.

Open Gaming- Nintendo switch fun!

Jump into the fun! Kids are invited to stop by our Children’s Area for open Nintendo Switch gaming. Play popular titles, team up with friends, challenge other players, or try something new — it’s all about friendly competition and having a great time. All skill levels are welcome. Drop in, grab a controller, and let the games begin!

Party in Your Park

Party in Your Park takes place four times each year from 5-8 PM. We bring the party to you by visiting various neighborhood parks. Each free event features family-friendly fun, including yard games, music, refreshments and more!

Dr. Suess Craft

This week we are celebrating the joy of Reading! We are recognizing Dr.Seuss's "Read Across America" Day, which is May 2nd. Come in and put together your own Cat In The Hat Craft. Which book will you be reading?

Baby Toddler Story Time

Baby/Toddler Story Time offers babies and toddlers infant to approximately 24 months opportunities to interact with each other and their care takers through fun stories, movement, and songs. Special attention is given to the Every Child Ready to Read early literacy practices: singing, talking, reading, and playing. A short free play session will follow the reading portion of the event if space allows.

Camp Invention 2026

iD Tech Camps

Baby Lapsit (0-18 months) - 405 East Loop Street, Buda, TX 78610, Friday, March 6, 2026, 10:30-11 am
Open Gaming- Nintendo switch fun! - 501 Sportsplex Dr, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, Friday, March 6, 2026, 4:30-5:30 pm
Music/ Movement Storytime - Main Street, Liberty Hill, TX, Friday, March 6, 2026, 10:15 - 11 am
Texas America250 Reading Challenge - 1201 Brazos St, Austin, Texas 78701, Friday, March 6, 2026, all day
Baby Toddler Story Time - 500 W Live Oak St, Hutto, TX 78634, Friday, March 6, 2026, 11 am
Live Music on Lake Travis - JB Elwood - Farm to Market Road 2769, Leander, TX, Friday, March 6, 2026, 7PM - 9PM
Party in Your Park - City of San Marcos - 630 E. Hopkins, San Marcos, TX 78666, Friday, March 6, 2026, 5-8 pm
Coltman Chamber Music Competition - Robert Dedman Drive, Austin, TX, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 9:30 AM–5:30 PM
Read with Ruby the Therapy Dog! - 501 Sportsplex Dr, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10:30 am- 12 pm
Pokémon Club - East Liberty Avenue, Round Rock, TX, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 9-10:30 am
Family Storytime - East Liberty Avenue, Round Rock, TX, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 11-11:30 am
Live Music on Lake Travis - Bartley - Farm to Market Road 2769, Leander, TX, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 7PM - 9PM
Spring Fling - 405 East Loop Street, Buda, TX 78610, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 2-3:30 pm
Carmela Full of Wishes - 405 W 22nd St, Austin, TX 78705, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 1pm
Mason Heritage Days - South Bagdad Road, Leander, TX, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10 am- 4 pm
It's My Park Day – Dia de mi Parque! - 2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 9 am- 12 pm
Conectando Corazones Bilingual Storytime - 603 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78703, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10:30-11 am
Tomás Rivera Award 30th Anniversary Literature Fair - 625 E Hopkins St, San Marcos, TX 78666, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10 am
Sunday Funday- Neill-Cochran House Museum - 2310 San Gabriel St, Austin, TX 78705, Sunday, March 8, 2026, 11 am- 2 pm
Carmela Full of Wishes - 405 W 22nd St, Austin, TX 78705, Sunday, March 8, 2026, 1pm
Family Day- Spring Forward - Azie Morton Road, Austin, TX 78704, Sunday, March 8, 2026, 11 am- 4 pm

2026 Guide to Summer Camps in the Austin, TX area

Preschools & Day Care in the Austin, TX area

Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Austin area! Use our Big List to help find the best one for your kiddos and check our events calendar to find Open Houses where you can meet teachers and tour the schools.

Master Guide to Winter Fun in and around Austin, TX

Winter is here and fun options for families just keep getting better! Whether you stick with what you love or decide to try something new, KidsOutAndAbout has plenty of ideas. From Ice skating, kid-friendly museums, indoor play centers, and outdoor activities to thinking ahead to next year's school options - we've got you covered.

Escape Rooms in the Austin area

Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Austin area? Escape rooms are interactive, puzzle-packed experiences where you and your team work together to solve clues and complete your mission-all before time runs out! Whether you're escaping a spooky cabin, cracking a high-stakes heist, or breaking a magical curse, escape rooms offer exciting, screen-free fun for kids, teens, and adults.

Where to Have a Birthday Party In and Around Austin

Planning a kids birthday party in the Austin area? Here are lots of ideas for where to have it! If there is a resource that we have missed, please email us to let us know, and we'll add it promptly.

Enjoy the weekend!

Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella

KidsOutAndAbout.com
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Summer Solved with Steve & Kate’s Camp

2026-03-02T12:01:17-05:00

Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:

We all know that planning for summer can be a challenge: Choosing a variety of activities. Planning around vacations and friends. Committing to weekly sessions 6 months in advance. But with Steve & Kate’s Camp, your entire summer could be solved!

Steve & Kate’s Camp, a San Francisco Bay Area staple since 1980, will have 85 locations around the country this summer, including near YOU!

Learn More & Register

Children create their own camp experience by choosing from a variety of activities in real-time, including stop-motion animation, coding, sewing, baking, maker crafts, recreation, and more. And parents can buy any number of days, to use whenever they’d like–no weekly sessions required. They’ll even refund any unused days automatically after summer.

Steve & Kate’s Camp was founded on the belief that trusting a child helps them build their self-confidence and helps teach them to trust their own judgment. As a result, Steve & Kate’s enables kids to express themselves freely. The counselors not only advocate, but celebrate children discovering and expressing their true selves by creating an enriching environment and providing a space where children feel included and safe. This experience ultimately helps prepare campers to tackle the challenges of the ever- changing world with creativity and confidence.

There are plenty of perks for grown-ups, too! Steve & Kate’s Camp operates on a flexible day-pass system where families can sign up for one day here, 22 there, or pay a flat fee, which covers the entire summer. Either way, families can use their passes any day this summer–without advanced notice. There are no weekly sessions or commitments required, and again, they'll even refund your unused passes automatically at the end of the season.

Learn More & Register

Lunch, snacks, and all hours (8 am–6 pm) are included.

Registration is now open. Learn more and register here.

Best,

Debra Ross
Publisher
KidsOutAndAbout.com

We periodically send special editions of the KidsOutAndAbout.com e-newsletter to showcase an important upcoming event or opportunity. This is one of those! Thanks for being part of our community!

Please note that if you choose to unsubscribe,

you will also stop receiving our weekly Thursday morning newsletters.

KidsOutAndAbout.com
Discover more. Do more. Connect more.

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Pittsford NY 14534
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KidsOutandAbout Austin Newsletter 2/26/2026: Optimism Actually

2026-02-26T07:01:26-05:00

KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter

KidsOutAndAbout Austin

February 26, 2026