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

Austin Landmarks, Courtesy of My Preschooler

by Nicole Basham

May 12, 2009

Isn't it funny what preschoolers will remember about a place? You take them someplace new, and they will remember the strangest and least expected details! Also, my son will rattle off names of parks, but he is still not able to recall actual names for many other places (although he's got Costco and Red Robin down!)

Since Tuesday is List Day here at Savvy Source, for today's List, here are my son's favorite Austin landmarks (in his own words):

The Gorilla - Featured on the home page of the Keep Austin Weird website, this statue just HAPPENS to be on the way to his grandparents' house in Clarksville. From time to time, the Gorilla is adorned in garb fitting of the season (there was even a run with a yellow jersey when Lance Armstrong was competing in the Tour de France).

The Museum - Located near "the big buildings" aka downtown, the Children's Museum was a regular stop for us, until we let our membership lapse and my husband stopped working downtown, so no possibilities for lunch afterwards. Although we have been to other museums, this is considered by him to be "the" museum.

The Bat Bridge - On Sundays, my husband and son (and sometimes I) run on Ladybird Lake, and our turnaround point is often the Ann Richards Bridge on Congress. As you probably know, underneath the bridge is the largest urban colony of Mexican free-tailed bats. Even during the morning, you can see and hear them. We have yet to try seeing them come out at night with my son, but we are planning to this summer.

The Dog Park - Also in Clarksville, West Austin Park has two great features: 1) a nice park for kids with a playscape, swings, kickball field and basketball court; and 2) a fenced in dog park. Our pup is not quite ready for Auditorium Shores, so this is a nice compromise when we want an outing for the entire family. There is even a tiny veggie garden I assume was set up by the neighborhood or the nearby elementary (Mathews).

Central Market North - This used to be called "restaurant park" when we had a repertoire of only a few places to go for dinner and playing. Now, we seem to go less often, but it's a nice standby. Now my son remembers to ask for a balloon at Customer Service and gleefully holds onto it for two minutes until he remembers again about the playground.

Pump It Up - This warehouse full of bouncy houses, slides, etc. has become a favorite for my son and one of his best buds. Hidden north of the intersection of Burnet & 183, it's is open Mondays and Thursdays for Pop In Playtime from 9:30-11 for $6.

What are your preschoolers' favorite Austin landmarks?





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Where Mamas of Two Get Four Thumbs Up

by Nicole Basham

April 21, 2009

Tuesday is List Day here at Savvy Source, and for today I compiled a list of places to go where two kiddos can be entertained. That said, as you might have gathered, I only have one child, so I relied on my awesome mama friends for suggestions. Thanks to Lori, Heidi and you others (you know who you are!) for sharing these great tips! Here goes...

Hidden Gem: Brushy Creek Lake Park

by Nicole Basham

April 20, 2009

It's time for another Hidden Gem. Last time I reviewed Mayfield Park, an urban oasis with something for everyone in the family. This time, I'm heading north to Cedar Park's Brushy Creek Lake Park.

The park is 90 acres, only five years old and very picturesque. I actually discovered it trying to find a place to jog sans kid, although I had heard about the sprinkler park, which is open 10-8 from May until September (hence, no children in my photo). I have heard the sprinkler park gets a little nutso in the summer, but I guess that's par for the course. There is also a playground, covered pavilions, picnic tables, BBQ grills and a sand volleyball court.

What makes the park a hidden gem is that in addition to the sprinkler park and usual amenities, there is a fishing pier, a canoe/kayak launch and what appears to be a place to rent some, a hike and bike trail in great condition, and down the trail, Champion Park, with a host of fun possibilities for preschoolers. I love finding places that I think we will "grow into", if that makes sense - just lots of stuff that my son will appreciate more and more as he grows older.

The Lake is a Community Fishing Lake, meaning it's periodically stocked with catfish and/or rainbow trout. Many times I have visited, I've seen families heading out with poles. We still haven't tried fishing with our three year old, but I keep thinking about it, so this might be the first place we try!

A mile and a half down the trail from the main entrance of Brushy Creek is Champion Park, which I discovered will be the venue for the First Annual Dinosaur Day on May 9th. You can access the park from Brushy Creek Road, where there is a ton of parking. Unlike the Dino Pit at the Nature Center, which we also enjoy, Champion Park has a covered area to dig, which makes it MUCH more amenable to the Texas heat. There is also a whale which sprays water and specially designed boulders intended for climbing. Another fishing area is located closeby, and the Trail continues to the Avery Ranch subdivision.  You can continue on the trail down to Olsen Meadow Park, which has fields for soccer and baseball and a playscape.

Now that I've reviewed a north and central Hidden Gem, I need ideas on a place to explore that's south!  Southie mamas, please send your ideas to beingsavvyaustin@savvysource.com! 

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!
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Spring Into Spring With These Outdoor Games

by Nicole Basham

March 24, 2009

Tuesday is List Day here at Savvy Source, and in recognition of the first week of Spring, I'm sharing a list of fun outdoor games to play with your preschooler/s. These games get you and your kid/s moving (and possibly napping?!), get you out of the house, require little money or time, and can be done with just you or a group.
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Twice the Fun!

by Nicole Basham

March 17, 2009

Wow, talk about a 180 in terms of the weather, huh? Hope you are enjoying your Spring Break so far! For ideas of things to do around town this week, you can check my Monday post.

Tuesday is List Day here at Savvy Source, and today I'm bringing you some ideas for "two-fers": two places relatively closeby you can visit in the course of a morning or afternoon.  Read more...

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

by Nicole Basham

February 24, 2009

What beautiful weather we've been having! I always consider signing up for a class in January since I expect we'll be homebound or limited to indoor playing, but every year we have been lucky to enjoy nice, sunny days in these "winter" months. As my friend pointed out, we need to imprint this weather on our brains to help us get through July and August!

One of our family's favorite outdoor Austin events is coming up this weekend - the Zilker Kite Festival.  Read more...

One, Two, Three: What In Austin Can I See?

by Nicole Basham

February 03, 2009

During the month of February, we here at Savvy Source will be highlighting pre-math skills.  As someone who relies heavily on Excel and stopped balancing my checkbook ages ago, I am going to pay particular attention to the national blog and posts by my fellow City Guides this month for ideas on introducing all things numbers to my son.

Today, being Tuesday, is List Day, and I am to draw your attention to fun things to count around town.  Here goes....

• Visit the Capitol Extension to count the six flags which flew over Texas.  Read more...

Birthday Party Venues: Part One

by Nicole Basham

February 02, 2009

This is the first in what I hope will be an occasional series of reviews of birthday party venues - both to help parents plan fun places to go, and to reveal how these venues stand the test as a party venue.

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