Summer Getting Stale? Spice Things Up!
When my kids were little, we would embrace the beginnings of summer with great enthusiasm. Swimming was new again. Splash pads were exciting. We would move to the summer camp where my husband worked a
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- Summer Getting Stale? Spice Things Up!
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Posts with Tag: ActivePlaces
Happy Trails
Happy new year! My family welcomed in 2021 by hitting the trails. Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge had been on my bucket list for years. It turned out even prettier and better marked than
Exploring "Home" with Kids - Quarantine Idea a Day!
Wondering what to do when you can't get out and explore? In these uncertain times that call for staying close to home, I’ll be posting an idea a day of things to do to keep kids busy and engaged in th
Annual Children's Book Fair @ the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Feb. 1st-2nd
The Wildflower Center is doing it again! Check out quality children's books, meet authors, explore the grounds, play in the children's garden, and participate in fun activities. You might meet some in
New resource! Explorer's Guide to the Hill Country Oasis
Lucky me, I got to work with the Save Barton Creek Association on this handy guide to some of my favorite outdoor spots. I learned so much about the layers below where we we play, the creatures we li
Holiday Event
The annual holiday event Luminations is glowing and growing - now spanning two weekends. Visit the Wildflower Center at night where pathways are lined with candlelight, one of the most beautiful holid
Barton Hill Farms
Barton Hill Farms had been on my “to do” list for a couple of years. Recently, the kids and I got to check it out. The day trip was a hit! It reminded us of the surprises that make exploring new plac
Day Trip: Longhorn Caverns State Park
A scenic hour and a half drive from Austin, Longhorn Caverns makes a great day trip to one of the most beautiful underground hikes in the Texas hill country. Tour guides spin geology, history and Te
Sample entry: Veloway
Biking on smooth pavement in the Hill Country sans cars makes an outing to the Veloway worth the trip, especially for young bikers. The 3-mile loop (that can be shortened to 1 mile with a shortcut
Tips for Hiking with Kids
Pack snacks and water. My kids actually get excited to carry their own water (and will drink more) when it’s in Camelbak packs on their backs or when they carry their own stash of snacks and a drink
Sample Entry: Camp Mabry
Camp Mabry, an operating military post open to the public, offers a surprising range of activities for young civilians, from tank and aircraft displays to a military museum and even fishing. Extendin
Camping Checklist
You're used to packing clothes and toiletries for a trip. When camping, don't forget these things too! Home away from home √ Tent √ Tarp for beneath tent and/or for shoes outside tent door √ Slee
Zilker Park Map for Kids
Contained within the bounds of Zilker Park, there are over a dozen family-friendly things to do! To make it easy to find them all, I created this handy dandy kid-centric map. You can download a copy o
Update: New Luci and Ian Children's Garden at the Wildflower Center
Add this one to your guidebook! This update will appear in the second printing of the book that goes to press this month: "Be sure to check out the Luci and Ian Family Garden, especially with young
Book Signings and Events Calendar
Looking for fun ways to get your signed copy? Come on out! Sunday, 11/12/23 Author Signing at Texas Book Festival 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm I'll be signing books at the Texas Book Festival this Sunday wit
