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

"C" Is For Cookie, That's Good Enough For Me

by Nicole Basham

June 22, 2009

I love desserts, but I must admit I'm partial to cookies. What's not to love? Easy to make, not too messy and fit in the palm of your hand. For my son, I feel better giving him a cookie for "special treat" than candy aka high fructose corn syrup and chemicals.

With this in mind, a friend had mentioned that the Austin Cookie Lounge had started what they called Little Baker Workshops for Easter. I had gone with some friends over the holidays to the Cookie Lounge and I loved it - choose your own cookie dough and toppings and they bake it right there for you! You can even order a flavored milk or milkshake on the side and there is NOTHING quite like a cookie (or two or even three) right out of the oven.

Splashing Your Way to Fun

by Nicole Basham

June 08, 2009

So...have you made it to any pools yet? [See last week's List for great swimming spots.]

While pools are great fun and I'm sure we'll spend quite a good deal of time in them this summer, there is something to be said for sprinkler parks and greenbelts. On those days you are tired or otherwise not feeling 100%, finding a place to splash can be a great alternative to pools. The kids have a great time, moms don't have to be quite as anxious and you don't have to pack quite the amount of stuff. Sprinkler parks and greenbelts are also usually open longer hours and don't have an admission fee. Lastly, if you have more than one child, it's a little less intimidating to take multiple kids.

It's Not Just the Fire Truck: Five Things About Zilker Park

by Nicole Basham

May 19, 2009

Hope you are having a great week so far! Tuesday is List Day here at Savvy Source, and for today's post, I'll be taking a relatively well-known spot, Zilker Park, and pointing out five things you (hopefully) don't already know about this destination.  Read more...

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! 

A moo moo here...and a moo moo there at Crowe's Nest Farms

by Nicole Basham

March 30, 2009

If there is one thing cuter than a (human) baby, it might be a baby farm animal. We got to check out lots of baby, mommy and daddy animals last week at Crowe's Nest Farm. 

Crowe's Nest is located in Manor, about thirty minutes east of Austin. The 100-acre working farm is a non-profit with the mission of fostering public appreciation, knowledge, and wise stewardship of both the agricultural and wildlife resources of Texas. Tours are available by appointment only (M-F at 10 and 11:30) and the farm is also open on weekends for parties and group tours of 20 or more.

It's My Party: Where to Find Kids' Party Supplies in Austin

by Nicole Basham

March 03, 2009

You have a date. You have a venue. You have one excited preschooler. Now, where to get your party supplies?

Tuesday is List Day here at Savvy Source, and as we prepare to celebrate the third birthday of our little Munchkin, I wanted to suggest the best places locally to make your party easy and memorable! Here goes:

• As much as I like to buy local, I can't host a social event without a trip to Costco.  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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