Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in austin, TX

Head Outside for Austin's Kid-Friendly Works of Art

by Nicole Basham

March 31, 2009

Maybe your child doesn't notice paintings on your wall - but how about the large bat sculpture on the little triangle where Barton Springs meets Congress? How about the cows at the Arboreteum? Art is all over Austin; you just have to know where to look. For today's List, here is just a sample of outdoor art to get you and your budding artiste out in this wonderful Spring weather! And best of all, these are all free!
 Read more...

Savvy Austin Welcomes Kami Wilt for Get Your Mess On 101

by Nicole Basham

March 23, 2009

Kami Wilt is a mama I found out about through a friend who I was lucky to meet at the Austin Bloggin' Mamas Social. Since then, I have been addicted to reading her blog, Get Your Mess On, which inspired me to get my son outside, playing and getting messy - and most importantly, having a blast. Kami is a mama to three, teaching classes for children from age 1 on up about art, nature, science, field trips, tinkering, and more. For this month's guest post, she gives us some great ideas on how to get outside and enjoy this amazing Spring weather with our little ones!

Where's the good in allowing your children to get their mess on every now and then?

Your Kid's Art: It's Not Just for the Fridge Anymore

by Nicole Basham

March 02, 2009

I aspire to do more art with my son. Last year at this time, we enrolled in an art class which he really enjoyed. Since the class ended, I have really fallen off the art wagon. The set up and clean up time always seem to take more time and energy than the actual time my son spends painting, gluing, or making a collage.

Now I have a great reason to try again.

99 Things To Do With Your Little One in Austin Before Kindergarten

by Nicole Basham

January 27, 2009

As you may be noticing, Tuesday is List Day here at Savvy Source.  In keeping with the month's theme of Resolutions and Reflections, here are 99 Things To Do with Your Preschooler before Kindergarten (in no particular order): Hike to the top of Enchanted Rock Pick strawberries at Sweet Berry Farm Go to a UT game (try soccer, basketball, or baseball if you don't want to shell out the dough  Read more...

Bienvenidos, Presidente Obama

by Nicole Basham

January 15, 2009

As a political science major in college, I was excited to talk about the presidential election - albeit in SIMPLE terms - with my two year old son. He could identify both the Obama and McCain yard signs around our neighborhood, and is surprisingly good at recognizing Obama's photo in magazines and the newspaper. I happen to be the "host" parent at our Spanish co-operative preschool on  Read more...

Free Fun Every Day of the Week in Austin

by Jonathon Morgan

January 08, 2009

Everyone is watching their wallets these days, and if you stay at home with your little ones, it's easy for a $5 admission "every once in a while" to add up. Also, if you are like me, credit card bills are now arriving, documenting how much you REALLY spent this holiday season. But we are lucky here in Austin, as there are lots of free family-friendly options right in our own backyard.  Read more...

Wednesdays at the park with the austin symphony

by Nicole Basham

July 07, 2008

At first glance, Austin doesn't really seem like a symphony kind of town. The cowboy-hippie charm of the city isn't what you'd normally couple with classical fare -- but the people of Austin have a surprising affection for traditional music. Our symphony orchestra has been one of the cultural foundations of Central Texas for almost a century, performing for a full 98 seasons -- all of which now  Read more...

Beyond preschool: community classes that supplement your child's education

by Nicole Basham

June 17, 2008

Some preschools focus on academics, others on play, and still others on gardening, arts, languages, and just about any other niche interest that might make for a solid foundation to your child's education. No matter which preschool you choose, there's almost certainly something that either you or your child is interested in that you'll have to find elsewhere. Here's a few options from around the  Read more...

To the theater!

by Nicole Basham

June 13, 2008

Before my blogging career I was, believe it or not, on track to be a playwright and theater director. However, after three years in art school, I found myself in a world that's surprisingly uninterested in my chosen profession, and so, in the midst of parenthood, I scrambled to find a real job. But instead of getting angry about my apathetic arts community, I'm getting even -- by indoctrinating  Read more...

The Budding Art Critic

by Nicole Basham

June 02, 2008

Before you dive into one of Austin's art museums, take some time to check out a couple of the city's hot spots for outdoor art. It's interesting, it's engaging, and you won't be stressed out trying to keep your kid's greasy digits off the artwork. 1. Umlauf Sculpture Garden : Just what it sounds like -- a small garden dotted with dozens of interesting sculptures of all shapes and sizes.  Read more...

45 Things to do With Your Child in Austin Before They Grow Up

by Nicole Basham

May 29, 2008

1. Visit the Botanical Gardens 2. Visit the Umlauf Sculpture Gardens 3. See the Asylum Street Spankers perform 4. Get drenched in the shooting fountains at Butler Park 5. Have a picnic on top of the big hill at Butler Park 6. Fly a kite in the Zilker Kite Festival 7. Check out the Pecan Street Art Festival 8. Have an afternoon snack at Mozart's 9. Drive out to the Dinosaur Park 10. Visit  Read more...

The Littlest Picasso: Painting People Downtown

by Nicole Basham

May 14, 2008

For awhile now my 4-year-old has been obsessed with drawing people. Sometimes we'll see a storm, or an "abstract" piece (which she reminds me, after I take a few random stabs at what it's supposed to be, "doesn't have to be anything, Dad!") -- but for the most part her paintings are populated by humans. To encourage your child to draw a wider variety of characters in their portraits, try  Read more...