- Movie in the Park: The Lorax – Friday, October 11 at 6:30 p.m. Bring the kids and enjoy a FREE family-friendly movie at the Mueller Lake Park outdoor amphitheater! Make yourself comfortable by bringing snacks and blankets, but please no chairs or other equipment that could block the view of other attendees. Feel free to stop by one of the Mueller food eateries to purchase a quick bite to eat. Activities for the kids will start at 6:30 p.m. and the movie will begin at sunset. Check for weather updates. FREE street parking along Simond Avenue and Mueller Boulevard.
- Alamo Kids Camp – Saturday, October 12 and Sunday, October 13. Times vary by location. FREE morning movies for kids age 3 and up. Zathura will be showing at Alamo Village (2700 West Anderson Lane); Paranorman will be showing at Lakeline (14028 N US Highway 183, Bldg F); Hotel Transylvania will be showing at Slaughter Lane (5701 W. Slaughter Lane).
- Fall Youth Fishing Tournament – Saturday, October 12, from 9 a.m. – noon. Wells Branch hosts the annual youth fishing tournament for ages 17 and under at Mills Pond. Enrollment in the tournament is FREE for all youth and trophies and prizes will be awarded. Equipment will be provided for those anglers who show up without. There will be fishing poles, hooks and bait provided at the event. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will stock the pond prior to the event. All state fishing regulations apply. Mills Pond, 15099 Mallard Green Ln., Austin
- What’s the Story Steve? presents All Hallows Steve – Saturday, October 12 at 10 a.m. Join Steve the improvising poodle at ColdTowne Theater for spooky tales created on the spot! Steve and his friends have been invited to visit a Haunted House of the audience’s making. As they get to know the inhabitants of the house, unexpected hilarity and silly situations unfold! Kids are invited to wear costumes and join the cast on stage for spooky, but not too spooky comedy. Pay-what-you-wish for this improv comedy show for kids. ColdTowne Theater, 4803 Airport Blvd., Austin.
- Leer y Crear: Bilingual Family Story Time – Saturday, October 12 at 10:30 a.m. Enjoy a reading of the book The Day of the Dead – A Bilingual Celebration. The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) is proud to offer Leer y Crear, a bilingual story time for families, on a monthly basis. Each program date, a MACC instructor will read a story and lead participants in a themed activity that relates to the book. This program is FREE and all ages are welcome. Read about Heidi’s recent visit the the MACC. MACC, 600 River St, Austin.
- Special Storytime with Paramount Theatre – Saturday, October 12 at 11:30 a.m. The great Harry Houdini played the Paramount in 1916 and now the Paramount Theatre is bringing magic back to Austin with The Magic of Bill Blagg LIVE! Friends from the Paramount Theatre will be at BookPeople for a magical storytime and to give a preview of this special show. Join BookPeople for stories, crafts, and MAGIC. BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar, Austin.
- Team Lucy’s Ladybug Jam – Saturday, October 12, from 1 – 5 p.m. Enjoy a family-friendly concert fundraiser to build support and awareness for pediatric cardiomyopathy. In memory of Lucy Blythe Farmer, help fight cardiomyopathy and support the amazing kids and families who are coping with this terrible disease. Performers include Staci Gray (2:30 p.m.) and The Hey Lollies (3:30 p.m.). Admission is FREE but a suggested donation of $25 per family would be greatly appreciated. Irie Bean Coffee Bar, 2310 S Lamar Blvd #102, Austin.
- Austin Astronomical Society at Central Market – Saturday, October 12, from 7 – 10 p.m. The Austin Astronomical Society will come to the Central Market Park Area to share their incredible high powered telescopes so that the public may observe “Moon Night.” Also on the plaza, enjoy FREE music from Cienfuegos, from 6:30 – 9 p.m. Cienfuegos performs a diverse array of latin genres with a focus on traditional Cuban styles such as Son, Bolero, Guajira, and Cha-Cha. Central Market, 4001 N. Lamar, Austin.
- Educators Material Drive – Sunday, October 13. Educators may shop for FREE educational materials from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Then, the event will be open to the public from 12-2 p.m. Austin Creative Reuse invites Austin educators – school teachers (public, private, charter), after school teachers, day care providers, etc. – to receive materials for use in their classrooms and programs. Anyone who has a positive impact on kids in our community is invited to the event. 4416 Lareina Drive, Austin.
- Groundwork Music Orchestra at Cherrywood Coffeehouse – Sunday, October 13 at 10 a.m. The Groundwork Music Orchestra performs songs that are part of the Groundwork lesson plan. Enjoy a FREE kids’ show on Sunday. Cherrywood Coffeehouse, 1400 E. 38 1/2 Street, Austin.
Bonus fun in the ‘burbs:
- Star Party (Round Rock) – Friday, October 11, from 5:30 – 9:45 p.m. Austin Community College Astronomy will host a free Star Party at ACC Round Rock. This event promises to be educational and family friendly. It is FREE and open to the public. From 5:30-8:30 p.m., enjoy hands-on science activities for kids including the Austin Planetarium’s mobile planetarium show. ACC Round Rock Campus, 4400 College Park Drive, Round Rock.
- Cedar Park Kids Fish (Cedar Park) – Saturday, October 12, from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. This FREE community event includes fishing in Brushy Creek Lake, as well as in an artificial pond stocked with hungry fish for beginner anglers. Smaller children can try a “backyard bass” activity consisting of rubber fish spread across a tarp “lake” that teaches children casting and how to identify legal game fish. Volunteers and employees from state, local, and federal conservation groups will engage with the community, while teaching children about fishing, fish ecology, knot tying, casting, handling fish, and environmental stewardship in a fun, interactive setup that allows for hands-on experience and lots of fun! Participants must complete a scavenger hunt in order to earn the chance for great prizes! Parents are asked to chaperone their children at this event. Brushy Creek Lake Park, 3300 Brushy Creek Road, Cedar Park.
- TechShop Open House (Round Rock) – Saturday, October 12, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Celebrate TechShop’s one year anniversary with an Open House, demos, food, and festivities! If you have never visited TechShop, this would be the perfect time. Come and see what members are working on and watch some of the machines in action. Tours of the facilities will be available and TechShop will be serving food from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. TechShop Austin-Round Rock, 120 Sundance Pkwy #350, Round Rock.
- Mad Hatter Tea Party (Pflugerville) – Saturday, October 12, from 2 – 4 p.m. Take the kids on a journey down the rabbit hole complete with an obstacle course, smiling flowers, flamingos and hedgehogs! For the family dog, the library will offer a Mad Hatter Little Doggie Dash and a Queen of Hearts Dog Costume Contest. Special guests for the Tea Party include K-9 police dogs and the Pflugerville Animal Shelter! Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 W. Pfluger St, Pflugerville.
- Will Taylor and Strings Attached (Bee Cave) – Saturday, October 12, from 7 – 9 p.m. Join Hill Country Galleria for the Saturday Night Concert Series. The music begins at 7 p.m. in the Galleria’s outdoor amphitheater. Bring your family, friends, and a blanket to lounge on the grassy lawn during the show. Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Bee Cave.
- Sunday FUNday with Costumes (Round Rock) – Sunday, October 13, from 2 – 4:30 p.m. BabyEarth hosts Sunday FUNday on the 2nd Sunday of every month! For October, it will be extra FUN with Halloween themed crafts, games, activities and a story time for all ages! Plus, Staci Gray will return for a special concert at 4 p.m. Kids are encouraged to wear their favorite costume. While in costume, pop into the store lounge to have your picture taken by Sarah Siller Photography. A Halloween backdrop will be set up and ready for you anytime between 2 and 4 p.m. ($5/picture.) BabyEarth Round Rock Store, 106 East Old Settlers Boulevard, Round Rock.
Bonus events that cost
- Pajama Party at Flix Brewhouse (Round Rock)- Saturday, October 12 at 10:30 a.m. Watch Beetlejuice in your Pajamas while eating breakfast! The second Saturday morning of each month, we show a classic family film and pair it with breakfast! Guests are encouraged to wear their pajamas and relax with us. Bring a blanket, bring a pillow, bring whatever makes you feel at home! Every Pajama Party show is all ages. Cost: $5. Flix Brewhouse, 2200 South IH-35, Suite B1, Round Rock.
- Second Saturdays at Contemporary Austin- Saturday, October 12 from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. Sculpt colorful buildings, then learn how to plant tiny flora to create a miniature landscape inspired by the setting of Laguna Gloria. Come early to see a puppet show— Literature Live’s Jack and the Beanstalk starts promptly at 11am! Cost: $10/ $5 for member families. Laguna Gloria, 3809 W. 35th St.
- The Boy Who Loved Monsters and the Girl Who Loved Peas– Saturday, October 12 at 11:00 a.m. (pay what you like), 2:00 and 4:00 p.m.; Sunday, October 13 at 2:00 p.m. followed by a meet the cast party. Evan, like many 7 year olds, does not like to clean his plate, especially when it is filled with peas. And to make matters worse, baby sister Sue loves them. When forced to remain at the table until his plate is clean, Evan makes a wish for a monster to come and eat his family. But watch out! Wishes can come true. Soon Evan and Sue find themselves trying to hide a six foot tall green monster named Pea from their parents. Among the laughs, Evan finds that although his parents discipline him, protecting those who he loves is his goal. Pea teaches Evan and the whole family many things including the importance of playing together, keeping imaginations alive, and that it is important to make room for surprises in every home. Perfect for audience members ages 5 and up. Tickets: $7.75- $11. The Long Center for Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Drive.
- Pumpkin Festival- Saturday, October 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 13 from Noon- 5:30 p.m. Our Pumpkin Festival offers a ton of family fun for one low admission cost. Parents can enjoy the live music (and eating great food) while the kids stay busy decorating pumpkins, competing in the duck races and playing on the playground. Plan to spend the day, there’s so much to do. Admission: $6 Kids (2 – 12 years of age), $8 Adults and Older Kids (13 and Older). Elgin Christmas Tree Farm, 120 Nature’s Way, Elgin.
- Harvest the Fall Fun at Sweet Berry Farm – Saturday, October 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 13 from 1- 5 p.m.Enjoy fall activities including stuffing your own scarecrow, hayrides, corn mazes, the barrel train, pick your own flowers, homemade ice cream and visiting the goats, horses and chickens, horse rides, face painting and food from the Pumpkin Grill. You can also pick up pumpkins, gourds, squash and other decorative items while you are there. No entrance fee, and activities are individually priced. No pets. Sweet Berry Farms, Marble Falls.
- Scottish Rite Theater Too Many Stories– Saturday, October 12 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Sunday, October 13 at 12:30p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Kallie catches Sam and Bogus with things they’ve stolen from a department store. Now she needs the audience to help her get the bad guys. Cost: $8.50 adults, $6.50 children 12 and younger. Scottish Rite Theater, 207 W. 18th St.
- Barton Hills Farms Fall Festival and Corn Maze- Saturday, October 12 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday, October 13 from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. The activities include a Willie Nelson-themed corn maze, pumpkin patch (extra cost), pumpkin painting, barrel train (extra cost), farm animals, a jumping pillow, a huge sandbox, food and local vendors. Cost: $7 for ages three to 10 and $10 for ages 11 and up, and includes entry into the corn maze. Children two and under are free but must be accompanied by a paying adult. Purchase your tickets online and save $1 on admission. Barton Hill Farm, 1115 FM 969, Bastrop.
- Peter & the Wolf Family Dance Workshop– Sunday, October 13 from 2:30- 3:45 p.m.See excerpts from the classic children’s tale Peter and the Wolf, and explore how animals and other characters are created through dance. Then create your own choreography with the help of Ballet Austin dancers. Recommended for ages 3 to 10 years old and their family members. Cost: $10 per person. Kid Series season ticket holders and their families, $5 per person. Ballet Austin’s AustinVentures Studio, 501 W. 3rd. Street.
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]http://www.livemom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Picture-2.png[/author_image] [author_info]Heidi Gollub loves exploring Austin and beyond with her 5 kids. For more local adventures for families, visit her site FreeFuninAustin.com. [/author_info] [/author]
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