Weekday Events: May 25-29, 2015

From storytimes to live music and more, What’s Up Weekly lays out all of the fun, family-friendly events in Austin for the week!

Happening All Week:

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Exhibit is open until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday.) The Ransom Center celebrates 150 years of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland with an exhibition for the curious and curiouser of all ages. Learn about Lewis Carroll and the real Alice who inspired his story. See one of the few surviving copies of the first edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Discover the rich array of personal and literary references that Carroll incorporated throughout Alice. Explore the surprising transformations of Alice and her story as they have traveled through time and across continents. Follow the White Rabbit’s path through the exhibition, have a tea party, or watch a 1933 paper filmstrip that has been carefully treated by Ransom Center conservators. The Center’s vast collections offer a new look at a story that has delighted generations and inspired artists from Salvador Dalí to Walt Disney. Read about Katey’s experience here. FREE! Harry Ransom Center, 300 W 21st Street.

Free Ice Skating for ages 5 and under – Monday through Friday, from noon to 5:00 p.m. Kids 5 and under skate FREE on the Monday-Friday afternoon public sessions with paid admission. (Admission is $6.00 and skate rental is $4.00 for children and adults.) Chaparral Ice, Northcross Mall, 2525 W Anderson Lane.

Monday, May 25, 2015

Free Admission to the LBJ Library – 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Enjoy FREE admission on Memorial Day! The LBJ Presidential Library, 2313 Red River St., Austin.

Signing Storytime with The Signing Connection (Round Rock)– 10:00am – 10:30am., Join the Baby Signing Time revolution! This class is geared for children 0-5 years and their parents. Amy from the Signing Connection will lead this storytime that incorporates classic children’s books to help you learn basic American Sign Language signs. FREE! Kaleidoscope Toys, 110 North IH35,  Ste 375, Round Rock.

Memorial Day Service at Texas State Cemetary– 10am. A special speaker, prayer service, a musket salute and trumpet is on schedule to honor those who served our country.  Please bring your own chairs, and take note that if it rains, the ceremony will take place in the Gallery of the Museum. The service takes place in the SW section of the cemetery, known as “Republic Hill.” Texas State Cemetery, 909 Navasota Street.

Storytime with Dr. Candra – 11:00 a.m., Dr. Candra will captivate your children with stories, songs, dances, and games. FREE! Brilliant Sky Toys and Books, 701 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Ste D-480.

Veterans Park Grand Opening and Veterans Monument Dedication (Round Rock)– noon to 2 p.m., Hotdogs and refreshments will be served starting at noon with the Veterans Monument Ceremony and Park Grand Opening to follow at 1pm. The dedication will honor past and present Veterans throughout Central Texas. FREE and open to the public. Veterans Park, 611 Pecan Drive, Round Rock.

Memorial Day Concert: A Cappella- Noon. A Cappella Texas performs live patriotic songs at the Texas State Capitol in honor of our armed forces. FREE! Texas State Capitol, 1100 Congress Avenue.

Thinkery Kitchen Lab Workshop– 2:30-4:30pm. Join us in the Kitchen Lab while we dissect a flower before using the dissected parts to create a unique piece of artwork while exploring the words: “dissect” “abstract” and “aesthetics.” Price $34 1 Child & 1 Adult / $30 1 Member Child & 1 Member Adult / $22 1 Extra Child / $20 1 Extra Member Child. The Thinkery, 1830 Simond Avenue.

Baby Play Group at Baby Earth (Round Rock)- 3:30- 4:15 p.m., Join us every Monday at 3:30pm for Baby Play Group!  We sing songs, play with musical instruments and let babies have lots of interactive, social, free-play time.  Since this class is designed for our smallest of customers to socialize, we encourage families with non-mobile, crawling and/or cruising babies to attend.  Older children are welcome to attend our free-time play, dance, music and story time classes. Baby Earth, 106 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Round Rock.

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Whole Kids Club: Storytime and Craft– 9:30 a.m., Looking for something fun and free to do with the kids? We’ll be reading a new story each week! After the book, we’ll be doing crafts related to the story. Appropriate for ages 2-5yrs old. Story-time is held out on our mezzanine and parental supervision is requested. FREE! Whole Foods Domain, 11920 Domain Drive.

Explore Music (Round Rock)– 10:15 a.m. Designed to provide children with unique musical experiences, the 30-minute EXPLORE MUSIC class will incorporate group play and interaction, pre-K skills (sharing, following simple directions, attending-to-task, etc.) and dancing/movement to work on gross/fine motor skills.  While music is highly motivating, it can also have a calming and relaxing effect. Bring your little ones in Tuesday morning for activities that are designed to be success-oriented and make the children feel better about themselves!!  Cost:  $5/child, payable directly to the instructor, Rebecca Faulkner. Baby Earth, 106 E Old Settlers Blvd., Ste D-100, Round Rock.

Thing That Go Storytime– 10:30am. Who can resist the allure of a brand-new tractor sparkling in the morning sun or an endless string of shiny train cars stretching as far as the eye can see? If you’re nodding in agreement, then you’ll want to come read Bulldozer’s Big Day with us, along with other stories about all the different kinds of miraculous machines that rumble and rattle and go! This morning at 10:30 AM.Who can resist the allure of a brand-new tractor sparkling in the morning sun or an endless string of shiny train cars stretching as far as the eye can see? If you’re nodding in agreement, then you’ll want to come read Bulldozer’s Big Day with us, along with other stories about all the different kinds of miraculous machines that rumble and rattle and go!  FREE! BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar Blvd.

Austin Reptile Shows Reptile Adventure (Round Rock)– 10:30am. Get ready for creepy crawly fun! Mr. Mike will fascinate your child with this up-close experience with LIVE snakes, lizards and turtles from around the world. Twelve reptiles big and small will give kids an educational  first hand look at these awesome—and often misunderstood—creatures. Appropriate for all ages! Cost is $10 includes admission to Safari Champ. Safari Champ, 1400 East Old Settlers Blvd.,  # 200, Round Rock.

Crafternoon Homeschool Edition– 1:30 pm. Drop by the library and make a craft while you search for books, movies and music. We’ve got paper crafts, easy sewing and more fun projects for the whole family. We provide the supplies; you provide the creativity.  FREE! APL- Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe Street.

Crafternoon After School Edition– 4 pm. Drop by the library and make a craft while you search for books, movies and music. We’ve got paper crafts, easy sewing and more fun projects for the whole family. We provide the supplies; you provide the creativity.  FREE! APL- Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe Street.

Discovery! Board Games– 4:30 p.m., The Discovery hands on program explores all sorts of different topics, including science, literature, technology and more. Especially designed for our older kids (third graders and up), come back each week and learn something new! Join us this week and play some board games with your friends! FREE! Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Road.

Teen Tech Club at Round Rock Library– 4:30 to 6 pm. TechShop will provide us with a cool project! FREE! Round Rock Public Library, 216 E. Main Street, Round Rock.

Tween Scene (Pflugerville)– 6-7 pm, Tween Scene is a monthly activity open to any kids ages 8-12. This month, tweens will create personalized buttons using the library’s button maker. FREE! Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 W. Pfluger Street, Pflugerville.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Sprouts Preschool Program – 9:30 – 11:00 a.m., Bring your little ones to the Family Garden for our weekly Sprouts Preschool program that is geared towards ages 2-6. A Nature Play Guide will lead you through the Family Garden to explore all that it has to offer. Each program will include story time, hands on activity, nature walk and of course, nature play!  Regular admission rates apply. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Avenue.

Whole Foods Kids Club– 9:30am. Bring the little ones, it’s story time! Each week we will feature a different story, interactive craft and healthy snack. FREE! Whole Foods Arbor Trails, 4301 W. William Cannon.

Ms. Staci Storytime– 10:30am. Ms. Staci is back in the store this morning to read some of her favorite stories and to sing some of your favorite songs. Kids, don’t forget your dancing shoes today!  FREE! BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar Blvd.

Barnes & Noble Storytime– 11am. Join us every Wednesday morning for great stories and amazing activities and hands-on crafts. Don’t miss out on all the fun! FREE! Barnes & Noble, Arboretum, 10000 Research Blvd.

Story Time with CJ the Explorer – 12:30 p.m., Enjoy the play zone before and after the reading. FREE! All Things Kids @ The Domain, 3220 Feathergrass Court.

Baby Sensory Play (Round Rock)– 3:30-4:15 p.m., We invite our younger friends (18 months & under) to join this group and enjoy the various activities planned each week! Every experience is designed to stimulate at least one or more senses (e.g. visual, auditory and tactile), as well as enhance the child’s physical, social, emotional, and language skills. FREE! Baby Earth, 106 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Round Rock.

Crafts and Face Painting with GlitteeRee (Round Rock)– 4-6 p.m. Crafts and Face Painting by GlitteRee are included in regular admission. Safari Champ, 1400 East Old Settlers Blvd.,  # 200, Round Rock.

Community Night at The Thinkery- 4-8 p.m.,  Enjoy special performances and activities presented by the City of Austin during Community Night on Wednesday, March 25 and April 1. Special programming begins at 4:30. Admission is by donation only. Entry is based on a first come, first served basis. The Thinkery, 1830 Simond Avenue.
Chess Club– 5pm. Learn to play chess! Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. All levels welcome. FREE! APL- willie Mae Kirk Branch, 3101 Oak Springs Drive.

Krispy Kreme Family Night – 6-8 p.m., Kids can decorate one FREE doughnut each, plus enjoy crafts and more. Krispy Kreme, 701 E Stassney Ln and 12586 Research Blvd, Austin.

Music on Main Street: Bad Marmot (Round Rock)- 6-8 p.m., The City of Round Rock brings you Music on Main Street, a FREE music series, from  March through May. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and the entire family. Visit the variety of dining options on Main Street or pack a picnic basket to enjoy the evening of fun and music! Food vendors will be on site. Prete Main Street Plaza stage, 221 E. Main Street, Round Rock.

KGSR’s Blues on the Green– 8-10 pm. Austin’s largest FREE concert series is back with The Official Antone’s 40th Anniversary Celebration, hosted by Jimmie Vaughan and Special guest @ 8:55pm. The Antone’s All-Star Revue @ 8pm  Grab your family and friends, some blankets or lawn chairs and join us! The stage for Blues on the Green will be on the east end of Zilker Park where Lou Neff Road wraps around (similar to the location of the main ACL stage). Parking is $5. Zilker Park, 2200 Barton Springs Road. Rescheduled to June 3rd because of flooding at Zilker Park.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Free Admission to Laguna Gloria– 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Visit the exhibits and the grounds of the Contemporary Austin at Laguna Gloria for FREE! The Contemporary Austin, Laguna Gloria, 3809 West 35th Street.

Hola Hola Storytime (Bee Cave)– 10:30 a.m., Hola, Hola is an early literacy Spanish Program for adult and child to foster a love of the Spanish language and Hispanic Culture. It is designed to empower the parent to read simple, Spanish books to the child at home. Come and sing songs, watch video, learn rhymes, play traditional games and hear stories–all in Español! Each family will receive a Spanish songbook to practice at home. You do not need to have any Spanish language skills to participate.  All skill levels are welcome! FREE! Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Caves Road.

Storytime at Austin Zoo- 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m., Kids will enjoy a storytime in the Primate Pavillion! Included in zoo admission. Austin Zoo, 10808 Rawhide Trail.

Explorer Club: LEGO Lab (Cedar Park)- 3:30 p.m. Each Thursday, kids in grades K-5 will meet at 3:30pm to explore a set of rotating monthly programs. free build Lego day.  FREE! Cedar Park Public Library, 550 Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park.

Minecraft Free Play– 4pm. Join us for two hours of Minecraft free play! Don’t forget to bring your own laptop, tablet, or mobile device that has Minecraft downloaded. Recommended for ages 7 and up. FREE! APL- Twin Oaks Branch, 1800 S. Fifth Street.

Cooking at Home for Teens- 5-6 pm. With summer right around the corner, it means more time at home and more time to try something new! Rather than spending the summer snacking on chips and cookies, get some tips for eating healthier at home and learn some easy recipes to try. RSVP for this FREE event: beeteens.eventbrite.com. Whole Foods Bee Cave.

Live Music at Central Market North– 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. Enjoy live music on the patio from Collin Shook. FREE! Central Market, North Lamar Blvd.

Interactive Storytime (Round Rock)– 9:30 a.m. for 0-18 months and 10:30 a.m. for 18 months and up. This group meets every Friday at 9:30am and is perfect for children 18 months and younger.  We will read a couple interactive books, sing songs, jam out with musical instruments, play with a parachute, AND pop bubbles!!  FREE! Baby Earth, 106 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Round Rock.

Sprouts Preschool Program – 9:30 – 11:00 a.m., Bring your little ones to the Family Garden for our weekly Sprouts Preschool program that is geared towards ages 2-6. A Nature Play Guide will lead you through the Family Garden to explore all that it has to offer. Each program will include story time, hands on activity, nature walk and of course, nature play! Regular admission rates apply. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Avenue. Note: Sprouts will take place in the Little House this week due to inclement weather.

Storytime Yoga– 9:30 – 10:00 a.m.  Watch your favorite stories come to life through yoga poses! Storytime Yoga is FREE for all ages. The Little Yoga House, 1211 Parkway.

Storytime Art: Boats (RSVP)– 10:45 a.m. Storytime Art, or StArt! is a great opportunity for your young child to experience art! Storytimes are geared to the 3 – 5 year old preschooler, but some projects could easily translate into a Mommy and Me project for those a little younger. And, of course, anyone older is welcome, as well! Cost is $12 per child, or buy a punch-card and get 6 classes for $60! Please call to register.  512-852-9900.  The Art Garage, 11190 Circle Drive, Suite 202.

All Ages Storytime at Laura’s Library (Bee Cave)– 12:30pm- Join a storytime for all ages with songs, books, fingerplays and crafts or activities! FREE! Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Road.

Story Time with CJ the Explorer – 12:30 p.m., Enjoy the play zone before and after the reading. FREE! All Things Kids @ The Domain, 3220 Feathergrass Court.

Art After Six at People’s Gallery– 6-8pm. Stop by The People’s Gallery at City Hall for extended gallery hours and talks by artists from the 2015 exhibition!
Artist talks begin at 6:15 pm in Boards & Commissions room. The gallery will be open for self-guided tours 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Artworks are on display on the first three floors. Pick up a gallery guide on the first floor. Featured artists: Faustinus Deraet, Leslie Kell, Philip Rogers. The People’s Gallery is a program of the Cultural Arts Division, Economic Development Department. Limited free parking is available in the City Hall parking garage; other parking downtown is provided at a fee on a first-come, first-served basis. FREE! Austin City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street.

Live Music at Central Market North– 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. Enjoy live music on the patio from Seu Jacinto. FREE! Central Market, North Lamar Blvd.

Friday Night Storytime– 7 p.m., Enjoy two delightful new books this evening: Are We There Yet? by Sam Williams and Manja Stojic and Just a Duck? by Carin Bramsen.FREE! Barnes and Noble, La Frontera Village, Round Rock.

Movies in the Park: Boxtrolls (Leander)– 7:30pm. Often described as a combination of state-of-the-art technology and the nostalgia of the 1950s drive-in, the Movies in the Park series provides families the opportunity to spend time together under the stars while enjoying first run movies…all for FREE!! 601 S. Bagdad, Leander.

A Look Ahead: Weekend Events

Alamo Drafthouse Kids Club: Return to Oz– Saaturday, May 30, 11:30 a.m. at Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar. FREE but you can skip the line be making a donation!

Applegate Cleaner Wiener Festival at Whole Foods Domain- Saturday, May 30, from 11 am to 6 pm. Enjoy hot dogs, music by Luke Hill and the Hot Pursuits & Guy Forsyth Band, and creative activities for kids and adults alike.

The Art Garage 4th Birthday– 2-4 pm. Join us for the biggest (and best!) party of the season, to celebrate The Art Garage’s 4th Birthday of course! Enjoy FREE spin art & crafts in the studio and (cool & delicious) popsicles from Chloe’s. Take advantage of discounts on in-studio art projects. Win awesome door prizes & giveaways. Celebrate our happy day with us! FREE! The Art Garage, 11190 Circle Drive.

Hartman Foundation Concerts in the Park: Strings– Sunday, May 31 at 7:30 pm. Kids frolicking, couples lounging on blankets, old friends in their trusty folding chairs, lone bicyclists and pedestrians who have been distracted from their destinations—all united by the sound of music. The Hartman Foundation “Concerts in the Park,” presented by the Austin Symphony Orchestra, brings together ardent enthusiasts and unwitting attendees alike just as similar events did in town centers years ago. FREE! Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Drive.

In case there’s too much wet weather to play outside, check out our list of Indoor Play Places in Austin

And train rides, too! There are lots of train rides for little kids in Austin!