Blog2022-09-07T08:15:15-05:00

July Events Around Austin For Families

Check out these FREE events around town for families.

< July 2024 >
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15 16 17 18We Love Dogs, Do You?We Love Dogs, Do You?Dogs are great! They are our loyal companions and steadfast protectors. They might eat your shoes and dig up your backyard, but you’ll love them anyway – even when they BARK! BARK! BARK! Our special storytime today is all about our lovable companions, the dogs. We will be reading the silly and hilarious book Bark, George and making some new best friends of our own. Today at 10:30 AM. Book People
603 North Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78703
Music & MovementMusic & MovementTime: 12:00 am - 10:30 am
Bring your favorite little one to stretch, sing, dance & explore music with rhythm instruments! Organizers say event "Focuses on the Sing and Play recommendations for early literacy which helps develops gross motor skills, listening skills, and social skills, while introducing new vocabulary." Hampton Branch at Oak Hill
5125 Convict Hill Rd.
Imagination Station: Oceans Touch & SoundImagination Station: Oceans Touch & SoundTime: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Designed for young learners, Imagination Station encourages learning through play. Explore the arts, practice your motor skills, and start your STEM exploration. Recommended for ages 2-5. Playing is learning! Play is a great way to help develop and reinforce early literacy skills. This come-and-go program is designed to give caregivers and their children time to explore together. Toys, board books, and a weekly craft will be provided.
Windsor Park Branch
5833 Westminster Dr.
19MUSIC UNDER THE STARMUSIC UNDER THE STARTime: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Free outdoor summer concert series 2024 Music Under the Star (MUtS) returns to the Bullock Museum this summer with three nights of electrifying performances in the new Capitol Mall Amphitheater. Experience this free outdoor summer concert series from 6 to 9 p.m. on June 14, July 19, and August 9. Bring the whole family, camp chairs, and blankets to enjoy an incredible lineup of Texas artists. Food and drinks available for purchase at all MUtS concerts. Outside food and drinks are not permitted.
$15 paid parking is available in the Bullock Museum’s underground garage.
1800 Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78701
20Alliance Children’s GardenAlliance Children’s GardenAlliance Children’s Garden is a 2-acre multi-generational recreational and cultural space within Butler Park.
The space features nature-play elements, musical play equipment, and inter-generational amenities.
1000 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
Austin Nature & Science CenterAustin Nature & Science CenterTime: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
The Austin Nature & Science Center offers many programs for preschoolers, kids, families, and adults with topics ranging from butterflies to caving and much more.
2389 Stratford Drive
Austin, TX 78746
Monday - Saturday 9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.
Sunday 12:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.
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22Art Smart: Making Art SeriesArt Smart: Making Art SeriesTime: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Do you enjoy making art? Then this is the perfect art workshop for you! We will explore stories and jump into art using different mediums. Ages 5 and up.
Central Library
710 W. César Chávez St.
Children's Area (3rd floor)
23All Ages StorytimeAll Ages StorytimeTime: 10:00 am - 10:30 pm
Storytime for children aged 5 and under and their parents, featuring stories, songs, fingerplays, rhymes, and crafts or other extension activities. Program length can vary.
Central Library
710 W. César Chávez St.
Children's Area (3rd floor)
Summer Story Time at BlantonSummer Story Time at BlantonTime: 10:30 am - 11:00 pm
Summer Storytime! Blanton gallery teachers will lead you and your family through picture-book readings connected to artworks in the Blanton’s collection. Storytime will inspire close looking, creativity, and curiosity.
The University of Texas at Austin
200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Austin, TX 78712
Thinkery Community HoursThinkery Community HoursTime: 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Community Hours are part of Thinkery’s Open Door Initiative, created to give every child a chance to explore STEAM concepts and develop a lifelong love of learning, regardless of means. Thinkery strives to be an inclusive, friendly, inspiring space to learn for our entire community, regardless of income, mental/physical abilities, ethnicity, nationality, race, sexual orientation, gender expression/identity or family status. By providing accessible experiences to underserved and underrepresented audiences, the museum broadens its ability to equip and inspire the next generation of creative problem solvers.
1830 Simond Ave
Austin, Texas 78723
24Music and MovementMusic and MovementTime: 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Recommended for ages 5 and under. Bring your favorite little one to stretch, sing, dance & explore music with rhythm instruments! Program length can vary. Focuses on the Sing and Play recommendations for early literacy which helps develops gross motor skills, listening skills, and social skills, while introducing new vocabulary.
Terrazas Branch
1105 E. César Chávez St.
25PJ Story TimePJ Story TimeTime: 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Feel free to wear pajamas to this family storytime in the evening featuring stories, songs, rhymes, games, crafts, and other activities. Program length can vary. Recommended for ages 5 and under
Central Library
710 W. César Chávez St.
Children's Area (3rd floor)
26 27Alliance Children’s GardenAlliance Children’s GardenAlliance Children’s Garden is a 2-acre multi-generational recreational and cultural space within Butler Park.
The space features nature-play elements, musical play equipment, and inter-generational amenities.
1000 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
Austin Nature & Science CenterAustin Nature & Science CenterTime: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
The Austin Nature & Science Center offers many programs for preschoolers, kids, families, and adults with topics ranging from butterflies to caving and much more.
2389 Stratford Drive
Austin, TX 78746
Monday - Saturday 9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.
Sunday 12:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.
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29 30Summer Story Time at BlantonSummer Story Time at BlantonTime: 10:30 am - 11:00 pm
Summer Storytime! Blanton gallery teachers will lead you and your family through picture-book readings connected to artworks in the Blanton’s collection. Storytime will inspire close looking, creativity, and curiosity.
The University of Texas at Austin
200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Austin, TX 78712
Thinkery Community HoursThinkery Community HoursTime: 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Community Hours are part of Thinkery’s Open Door Initiative, created to give every child a chance to explore STEAM concepts and develop a lifelong love of learning, regardless of means. Thinkery strives to be an inclusive, friendly, inspiring space to learn for our entire community, regardless of income, mental/physical abilities, ethnicity, nationality, race, sexual orientation, gender expression/identity or family status. By providing accessible experiences to underserved and underrepresented audiences, the museum broadens its ability to equip and inspire the next generation of creative problem solvers. A limited number of tickets are available for pre-registration online; walk-up admission is on a first-come, first-served basis. 1830 Simond Ave
Austin, Texas 78723
31Austin Symphony Presents: Tuneful TalesAustin Symphony Presents: Tuneful TalesTime: 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Families can experience the magic of the performing arts at Austin Symphony Orchestra’s Tuneful Tales.
Symphony String Quartet performance
Join us (free admission!) from June – July at the Central Library and neighborhood library branches. Each week will feature a different ensemble, as well as fun activities!
Central Library
710 W. César Chávez St.
Special Event Center (1st floor)
Music and MovementMusic and MovementTime: 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Recommended for ages 5 and under. Bring your favorite little one to stretch, sing, dance & explore music with rhythm instruments! Program length can vary. Focuses on the Sing and Play recommendations for early literacy which helps develops gross motor skills, listening skills, and social skills, while introducing new vocabulary.
Terrazas Branch
1105 E. César Chávez St.
       

WIC Foods Perfect For Toddlers

WIC foods are a great way to make sure your little ones are getting good nutrition. When WIC foods are part of a recipe, you know you are giving them healthy choices. Coming up with new ways to get your little ones to try new foods can be very challenging.

These easy recipes are perfect for toddlers, and they feature WIC-approved foods.

PEANUT BUTTER, BERRY OATMEAL

Oatmeal

Berries

Peanut butter

Cook oatmeal according to package directions.

Stir in a spoonful of peanut butter and mashed berries. Mix until well combined and serve warm.

Here is another recipe perfect for your little one, but tasty enough for the entire family to try.

VEGETABLE, LENTIL SOUP

1 cup dried lentils, rinsed and drained

4 cups vegetable broth

2 cups water

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, diced

2 carrots, diced

2 celery stalks, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon ground cumin

½ teaspoon dried thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

2 cups diced tomatoes, fresh or canned

2 cups chopped spinach

Juice of 1 lemon

In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add diced vegetables. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add spices to the pot. Cook for another couple of minutes. Add dried lentils, broth, and water to the pot. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes or until lentils are tender. Stir in diced tomatoes, spinach and cook another 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Add salt and pepper to taste.

TUNA, AVOCADO SANDWICH BITES

Canned tuna, drained

Avocado, mashed

Whole-wheat bread, toasted

Mash avocado and mix with canned tuna

Spread mixture on whole-grain bread and cut into triangles.

Pick up all your WIC foods at a Lone Star Family Market store near you!

Protein-Packed Snack!

Roasted chickpeas are a delicious and healthy snack that can be made using canned chickpeas.

ROASTED CHICKPEAS

1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas

(garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed

1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

(adjust all spices to your preference)

Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional: a pinch of any other

spices you like (e.g., curry powder,

chili powder, onion powder, etc.)

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray.

Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas thoroughly. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.

In a mixing bowl, combine the chickpeas, olive oil, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. You can add any other optional spices at this point as well. Toss the chickpeas until they are evenly coated with the oil and spices.

Spread the seasoned chickpeas in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.

Roast the chickpeas in the preheated oven for about 25 to 30 minutes or until they become golden brown and crispy. You can shake the baking sheet or toss the chickpeas halfway through the baking time to ensure even cooking.

Once roasted to your desired crispiness, remove the chickpeas from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.

Pick up your chickpeas and other WIC foods at Lone Star Family Market stores.