Kids activities

Toys are important, and let’s face it—super fun!

The best ones ignite a child’s imagination, boost creativity, and make learning feel like playtime.

But let’s be real—many toys are just flashy packages waiting to be torn open on Christmas morning, a birthday, or any gift-giving occasion. They bring a quick thrill, then get tossed aside, forgotten, and eventually end up in a landfill.

Luckily, Austin is an amazing place to raise kids, and it’s packed with fantastic gift alternatives that go beyond toys. These options aren’t just fun—they’re meaningful, memorable, and perfect for the whole family to enjoy!

Explore this charming new gift boutique and event venue in the small Hill Country town of Jonestown, nestled on the shores of Lake Travis between Lago Vista and Cedar Park: dax + jade.

Launched by mom and local resident Amy Stewart, dax + jade quickly won the hearts of the community, particularly among Moms and kids who have an affinity for creativity and handcrafted body and beauty products. 

NB Kidsfest is the Hill Country’s largest hands-on, creative festival for kids and parents! This weekend-long celebration of the imagination takes place on April 29th and April 30th at the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center in New Braunfels, Texas!

With interactive fun, dozens of activity stations, and 120+ exhibitors, the 11th Annual NB KIDSFEST will be filled with imaginative play for kids while providing a quality experience for the entire family.

Jump into spring break and summer! Sign your kids up for Austin’s most fun summer camps at Jump! Gymnastics!

Jump! Gymnastics offers gymnastics instruction to children ages 2 – 12 years at their two locations at North Central Austin and South Central Austin. Jump!’s curriculum and instructor training is focused on teaching life skills through progressive gymnastics in a fun, positive environment.

Registration for their spring break and summer camps are now open!

We were sad to hear that Dart’em Up, one of our kids' favorite indoor fun place (read our review of Dart’em Up here), is in danger of having to close its doors forever due to COVID-19 and want to help them raise awareness of their ongoing fundraiser. 

Here's a message from Richard McVay, Owner and Founder of Dart’em Up, one of the kindest and nicest persons we've met and who deeply cares about kids. 

So, I was looking for a fun way to keep my kids active at home and I came across Mad About Hoops, a hula hoop enrichment program, taught by two lovely ladies, Amy and Madison, in Houston and Denver. Like so many businesses offering classes and activities for kids, Mad About Hoops was negatively impacted by the current situation. However, Amy and Madison got creative and put together several virtual class options, live as well as pre-recorded, that kids and adults can enjoy from the safety of their home.   

Read on to learn more about their classes and to get a $30 (or $10) discount.

Obviously, this is a difficult time for everybody and many local businesses are getting hit extremely hard. We therefore want to use our little platform and help in any way we can.

We asked local businesses to let us know of any products, services, or activities they're currently offering, that can help Austin families keep their kids busy and make this time as enjoyable as possible for their kids and their whole family. In the coming days, we will be introducing those offers on our blog. Sign up for our newsletter, so you don't miss any of these awesome deals.

Read about Squishy Banana Studios' online, interactive film classes.

Psychological studies continue to uncover more and more benefits that music lessons as well as multilingualism provide to developing minds. Studies found that kids who take music lessons "have better cognitive skills and school grades and are more conscientious, open and ambitious." and learning a foreign language "develops enhanced executive control, or the ability to effectively manage what are called higher cognitive processes, such as problem-solving, memory, and thought". 

Austin's best-rated baby and toddler classes from Mi Casa Es Tu Casa® are one big treasure hidden in Austin for all the families who are interested in exposing their little ones to Spanish and music at the same time.

As Pablo Picasso once said "Every child is an artist". Let ArtBarnATX help your children bring out the artist in them! Fun and laughter guaranteed! Find out more about ArtBarnATX' camps, Kids Night Out, ceramics, splatter paint birthday parties & more.

Are you looking for a fun team sport for your 2nd-9th grader? Give volleyball a try!

Spike Frog offers a positive and safe environment where skills, knowledge, self-confidence, teamwork and friendships are gained.

We've completed our first Spike Frog season in the fall and can't wait to start spring season.

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