A Summer in Austin With Your Little One
by Stephanie M. Janssen
Before I begin my baby fashion editorials for Occhio Apello, I wanted to write an article that is uniquely different than all of the others in this wonderful magazine. This article is about what to do with your little ones on the hottest of days of summer!
Summertime in Austin has always been great and I have enjoyed it since I was a little girl. There is a plethora of things to do with your kiddoes. My child is 13 months, he is walking, and a lot easier to pack up and move around. One of our favorite places to go early in the morning is the Wildflower Center (open from 9am-5pm) in Southwest Austin. This place is magical and it reminds me of the book The Secret Garden. There are a ton of Texas wildflowers and plants that are grown and cared for here in this nature area. There are also trails that are well-maintained and safe for your little ones to walk through. There is even an area with swings, at least 10 or more, shaded by beautiful trees. It also has a small man-made cave with a waterfall and sandpit just behind it. Occasionally, there are art openings and other events scheduled that you can find listed on its website.
Splash pads are now open here in Austin and are always a great time for children of all ages. Our favorite location is at Ricky Guerrero Park because it has lots of shade and it's near downtown if you want to roam around. Another favorite is the Liz Carpenter Fountain located on Barton Springs Road. This splash pad is especially unique because of its amazing skyline and it's next to the beautiful Long Center. At night the splash pad lights up with different colors and is lots of fun for the little ones to gaze.
If your child is a bit older, say 3 years old and up, The Art Garage could be a fun place to find relief during the hottest months. Located in Southwest Austin on Circle Drive, this garage has all kinds of mediums that allow kids to be creative and have fun with art. There are free events, summer camps, art storytimes and you can even have a birthday party here.
Last, but definitely not the least, is the Thinkery. This children's museum is by far one of the coolest places to expose your child to science, technology, art, math, and engineering. The Thinkery teaches what these things mean, how they exist all around us and how much fun these subjects really are! There are all kinds of events for children of all ages. We go to Baby Bloomers (Mondays, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and Saturdays, 9–10 a.m.) for children ages 0-3 years old. There is a lot to explore and learn at the Thinkery and it's a great place for children and the whole family.
Austin is a great city for children and families! There is so much more to see and do and these are just a few of our favorites!