KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter for the Austin area |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: There’s a sign on the New York State Thruway heading west that marks 70 miles to where I live. For Rochesterians driving back to Western New York from the east or southeast, that marker elicits both a sigh of relief and a groan: You’re close, especially relative to where you started. But in that final stretch, each mile is somehow psychologically
longer. Over the years, this became a useful metaphor in my family: You're pushing through to the end of a project, you'd love to see the finish line, but the murky distance between you and that goal is in your way. "Ugh, it's those last 70 miles," one of us will say to the person suffering, and we'll all nod sympathetically. At this time of year, families with kids in school are experiencing those last 70 miles: The end of the school year is in sight, yet
not quite here. The energy reserves are low, and the end point seems stuck in the distance. We feel like we’re sprinting but not getting closer fast enough. As in any journey, that’s precisely when it’s worth keeping in mind that these last miles may feel long, but they’re also the most meaningful: They become the lens through which we look back at the whole experience, so these final steps really count. Remembering this can provide the last surge of energy to press
forward. So whatever final 70 miles you and your kids are facing, remind yourself and the people traveling with you that if you put your best self into it now, the rewards will feel sweeter, and the memories of success will help fuel you next time. You’re on the last leg. You're almost there. And you have lots of company.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
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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. |
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Mt. Playmore Show your little ones how much you love them by letting Mt Playmore throw them an epic birthday party! You can focus on spending time with your kids, and Mt Playmore will take care of the rest. Every party package includes 90 minutes in a reserved party room, a party host (who will serve, coordinate, clean up, and provide an unforgettable birthday party experience), pizza, soft drinks, utensils, online invitations and RSVP system, ALL DAY admission for your group, and a reserved table on the main floor after the party is over. All you have to do to ensure your child has the best birthday ever is bring the cake! https://mtplaymore.com/parties/
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Sunday, May 17 at 2pm: Meet 11-year-old author Bella Olson at Barnes & Noble Southpark Meadows, Austin, as she celebrates the release of her debut adventure novel, TRAPPED and its recent addition to USA TODAY’s BESTSELLERS LIST! Bella will share how she came up with the story, read a short passage, answer questions from young readers, and meet fans during a book signing.
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Join us for an enchanting evening filled with playtime and activities. The event will feature Music, crafts, and fun finger foods. We look forward to seeing you there!! $10 per member - $15 per non-member (per child) **Registration and pre-payment are required - Register online at mckennakids.org/events or call 8306069525**
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Learn to make beautiful origami to compliment your gifts and daily life! Paper can be more versatile and functional than plastic and zhuzh up anyone's routine. Reusing junk mail, left over magazines, and even cardboard can beautify and satisfy. You can send a message to the people in your life with the gift of time when you gift your origami. Join Kelly (she/her) in our community space (look for the orange couch) to play with pretty paper and practice origami! This is a FREE drop-in event, so you can stop by anytime between 12-3PM to participate.
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Make it meaningful. We’ll handle the rest. Let us take care of your Mother’s Day plans! Bring the kids to Thinkery for a joyful, hands-on experience filled with creativity, play, and meaningful moments. It’s all planned, so you don’t have to. Spend time creating, connecting, and celebrating Mother’s Day in a way that feels personal and fun. Make one-of-a-kind gifts, explore STEAM concepts through design challenges, and enjoy a fun, kid-friendly yoga experience led by ATX Yoga Girl. Plus , your ticket includes full access to the event and General Admission for the day, so you can stay and play long after the special programming wraps.
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In Messina, everyone is an expert on love and a complete disaster at it. Austin Shakespeare brings William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing to Zilker Hillside Theatre from May 7–24, 2026. Admission is free, although donations will be accepted.
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Round Rock Ballet Folklorico, along with the Williamson County Hispanic Heritage Committee, Univision Local Media-Austin, Austin PBS, and the City of Round Rock present the Sixteenth Annual Mother’s Day event, Dia de Las Madres, from 3 to 6 p.m., Saturday, May 9, at Prete Main Street Plaza. Enjoy arts and crafts for the kids, face-painting, and food, and take pictures with Mom!
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Join us for Muffins with Mom! Come celebrate with muffins, drinks & special Mother's Day themed activities. All mom's are welcome with their little ones! Enjoy games, relays, adventures, and special Mother's Day crafts!
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Celebrate birds during this fun, interactive festival for the whole family. A live bird "meet and greet," bird walks, live music, games, partner booths, crafts, activities and a migratory bird obstacle course are a few of the things we have in store for you. This festival is part of a global effort to further migratory bird conservation around the globe by creating a worldwide campaign organized around the planet’s major migratory bird corridors.
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Step aboard the Mother's Day Hill Country Flyer, our signature excursion and a cherished tradition for families, friends, and neighbors across Central Texas! This full-day adventure invites you to experience railroading the way it used to be, inside fully restored vintage railcars that have been carefully preserved by the Austin Steam Train Association and its dedicated volunteers.
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A sweet, kid-friendly tea party w/playful treats, a card station for making something special for mom, and a relaxed playdate atmosphere. Featuring a special visit from our favorite red giggle monster.
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Pecan Street Festival is Central Texas’s largest arts and music festival. Each season, the two-day festival brings 200+ vendors, 35+ music acts, 20+ food experiences, family activities, and sponsor activations. Statesman “Best of” event with (l-r): PSF producer Luis Zapata, PSA board president Lynn Raridon, PSF producer Christopher Haddad and PSA exec. director Debbie Russell The festival brings in over 400,000 attendees and generates 10M+ media impressions annually. Our $30,000 bilingual media campaign spans TV, radio, social, print, and a billboard on IH35. The festival has earned 20+ “Best of Austin” nominations.
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Join the Austin Symphonic Band for a heartwarming evening of live music on the South Steps of the State Capitol. Set against the majestic backdrop of one of Texas’s most iconic landmarks, this free outdoor concert is a melodic tribute to moms everywhere.
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Bottle-feed baby goats, sheep & calves in our baby animal specific petting zoo.
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- Much Ado About Nothing - Zilker Park, Austin, TX, Friday, May 8, 2026 to Sunday, May 10, 2026 at 8:00pm
- Pecan Street Festival - Hill Country Galleria, Bee Cave, TX, Saturday, May 9, 2026 to Sunday, May 10, 2026 11 am – 9 pm Sat, 11 am – 8 pm Sun
- Woodland Faerie Trail Opening Celebration - Zilker Botanical Garden Conservancy,
Austin, TX, Saturday, May 9, 2026 10 am - 2 pm
- Migratory Bird Day Festival - San Marcos Discovery Center, San Marcos, TX, Saturday, May 9, 2026 9 am- 2 pm
- Dia de Las Madres Celebration - Sharon Prete Main Street Plaza, Round Rock, TX, Saturday, May 9, 2026 3-6 pm
- Live Music on Lake Travis - Evan Grubbs - Volente Beach Resort & Waterpark, Leander, TX, Saturday, May 9, 2026 6:30PM
- 9:30PM
- Movies in the Park - Kyle City Hall, Kyle, TX, Friday, May 8, 2026 begin at sundown
- Free spring mini photo
session with Shoott! - Austin - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, Friday, May 8, 2026 to Sunday, May 10, 2026 See link for times
- Sunday Funday- Neill-Cochran House Museum - Neill-Cochran House Museum, Austin, TX, Sunday, May 10, 2026 11 am- 2 pm
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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!
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Enjoy the weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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