City Life
Austin Landmarks, Courtesy of My Preschooler
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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Twice the Fun!
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.
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99 Things To Do With Your Little One in Austin Before Kindergarten
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...
Skating and Singing and Lights...Oh My!
December 04, 2008
My email is being flooded with all kinds of fun things to do with the little ones, so I thought I'd quickly list some of the events we're considering on our social calendar for the coming weekend. Have a wonderful weekend! Gingerbread House Workshops at the Austin Children's Museum downtown $28/$33 Member/Non-Member per gingerbread house (3 people per house; includes Read more...
Three Days in and Around Austin: Day 1
July 08, 2008
Welcome to Austin. If you were expecting someplace, well, a little more Texan, don't be surprised. This is a city that prides itself on being different -- in fact, the town's unofficial motto is "keep Austin weird." So while you're here, plan on having an experience that's unique -- both for you, and for the Lone Star State. First step is to get some food. Steer clear of big national chains Read more...
Get out of the house this weekend!
June 27, 2008
It's really, really hot -- so I can understand the temptation to stay cooped-up inside with the air conditioning. But chances are, by the end of Saturday morning cartoons the cabin fever will set in and you'll be looking for ways to escape the madness. Fortunately there's plenty going on this weekend -- something, I think, for every disposition. Here's a few of the highlights: The Watermelon Read more...
Getting to know my city: 5 great ways to introduce a preschooler to local history or landmarks
June 24, 2008
If you're like most Austinites, you're totally in love with living in Central Texas, and want to tell anyone who will listen what a fantastic place this is. On the other hand, if you're more of, say, a Dallas kind of person, you probably can't stand the annoying hippies, folk music/nudist/spam festivals, and all the locals' deliberate attempts to be "weird." Regardless, this is your toddler's Read more...
45 Things to do With Your Child in Austin Before They Grow Up
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...
5 Best Ways to Enjoy Butler Park
May 23, 2008
Smack dab in the middle of town, Butler Park is one of the city's best green spaces, and a great way to spend an afternoon. Here's 5 ideas for your next visit: 1. Get drenched in the fountains : this is a fun way to cool down when it's ridiculously hot outside, and a fun way to meet other kids. 2. Have a picnic at the top of the hill : there's a nice breeze, and a gorgeous view of downtown. 3. Read more...
The Littlest Picasso: Painting People Downtown
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...
More of Our Favorite Activities and Things to Do in austin
Creatures & Critters:
Our Urban Jungle
Do, Re, Mi! Places to Hear, Sing & Play a Tune
Artistic Endeavors:
Our Favorite Art Venues
Room to Run:
Run, Jump & Wiggle Outdoors
Rainy & Quiet Days:
Cozy & Crazy Indoor Fun
A Sense of History:
Our City's Stories
Tot's Science Fair:
Science & Nature Sites
Splash, Spray, Play! Local Spots to Get Wet
The Best of... Our Top Can't-Live-Without Spots
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