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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East Side Finds

by Nicole Basham

April 27, 2009

Austin's "Upper East Side" (I had never heard of the name until I saw it on a bumper sticker) has garnered a lot of attention, particularly since folks started moving into the Mueller development. But don't forget, there is a lot more to East Austin than Lake Park! Here are just a few things you should check out:
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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.

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...

Hidden Gem: Mayfield Park

by Nicole Basham

March 09, 2009

Although Central Market may be Austin's WORST kept secret for family-friendly fun, there are many places off the beaten path where you can enjoy a pleasant outing with your preschooler/s. For this reason, I decided to start an occasional series on this blog called Hidden Gems. Today's Hidden Gem is actually quite close to Central Market North, although it seems worlds away.

Any guesses yet? I'm referring to the urban oasis that is Mayfield Park,

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...

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...

Wildflower Center Free in January

by Nicole Basham

January 20, 2009

If you are looking for a post on the inauguration, you can find mine here . Tuesday is List Day here at Savvy Source, and today's list is *supposed* to be about places to play inside during this midwinter day.  But in light of this week's sunny and warmer weather, I bring you a recommendation of an outdoor place to play:  the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center .  Did you realize that  Read more...

Who's That I See? Why, It's Me!

by Jonathon Morgan

January 13, 2009

It's List Day again here at Savvy Source. Since this month's theme is Resolutions and Reflections, my assignment is to suggest places your preschooler can see his or her reflection. Here are some of our favorites: Just south of Lou Neff Point on Ladybird Lake.  The quintessential duck feeding spot in Austin, and in walking distance from the tunes of Trail fixture Woode Wood . Mayfield Park in  Read more...

Get out of the house this weekend!

by Nicole Basham

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...

Eat well, eat local, eat sustainable food!

by Nicole Basham

June 19, 2008

Eating right keeps getting more and more complicated. First you only had to avoid processed food, then you were supposed to start keeping an eye on your fruits and veggies -- just to make sure they weren't modified, going bad or worse -- and now there's talk about eating "sustainable" food (which, believe it or not, is different than produce that's merely "organic"). And if we can't keep it  Read more...

What to do when grandma and grandpa come to town

by Nicole Basham

June 16, 2008

Chances are, if your kids are still in preschool, your parents haven't reached an age when they need to opt out of the more physically demanding parts of chasing tireless toddlers. However, if they're coming in from out of town, instead of heading to the pool or running around the park, use their visit as an excuse to help them (and your kids) get to know the city. The Congress Avenue bats  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...