Sometimes it’s just too hot to go outside. Yet the last thing you want to do is spend another day in the house with your restless kids, or drop a fortune on an indoor play space or yet another screaming big-screen movie. If you’re looking for some affordable, educational, age-appropriate fun for your kids in an air conditioned space, why not check out Austin’s many popular libraries?
Twin Oaks Branch
Located at 1800 South Fifth Street, The Twin Oaks Branch of the Austin Public Library has plenty of great events for kids, including a Family Lego Lab where you and your children, ages five and up, can build whatever you want out of Legos provided by the library. Just be sure to wear shoes!
Yarborough Branch
Do your kids love dogs? Head on over to the Yarborough Branch at 2200 Hancock Drive for “Bow Wow Reading With Bonnie The Dog,” where certified Austin Dog Alliance teams, in an effort to improve children’s reading and comprehension skills, bring therapy dogs along for kids to snuggle with and read to.
Ruiz Branch
Are your kids obsessed with that pixel-building software game, Minecraft? Check out the Ruiz Branch’s Minecraft club, where, if you don’t have your own, laptops loaded with the game are available for play.
Southeast Branch
Head over to the Southeast Branch at 5803 Nuckel’s Crossing Road for a “Crafternoon.” You can sew, snip, and create all kinds of paper artwork before or after you pick out a good book.
Howson Branch
Got a kid who likes to crawl around in small spaces? Check out the “Tents and Tunnels” program for kids at 2500 Exposition Boulevard.
Old Quarry Branch
For all the little entertainers out there, check out the “Music & Movement” program at this branch on 7051 Village Center Drive. Kids get to sing, dance, and play musical instruments to their heart’s delight.
Carver Branch
Check out the Friday Matinee at 1161 Angelina Street, for an indoor viewing of contemporary family-friendly films.
Willie Mae Kirk Branch
Join the once-a-month Family Craft Night at 3101 Oak Springs Drive, where the entire family can indulge different kinds of art projects and learn new artistic techniques.
Austin’s popular public libraries are continually updating as well as rotating events through the different branches, so be sure to check each branch’s website for the most current upcoming children’s activities.
