The glitterbeast sundae at Sweet Ritual.
RICARDO B. BRAZZIELL/AMERICAN-STATESMAN
It’s going to be a long weekend, filled with fun, patriotism, and possibly some overheated, at-times whiny kids.
Here are some ideas to keep kids busy all weekend long:
Try out different Austin-centric sundaes. Read our roundup and watch some videos of the sundaes being made.
Get free frozen treats at Birds Barbershop on Sunday. Find the free treats from the Good Times Ice Cream Truck at the Congress Avenue Birds location from noon to 1:30, from 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. on South Lamar Boulevard and from 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. at the Slaughter Lane location.
Turn your backyard into a water playground with water toys. We tested 10 toys from less than $1 to $25 and let you know which ones work the best.
Morgan Shirley, 7, leaps into Mabel Davis Pool.
Shelby Tauber / AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Try out a new pool. We tested out different local pools one summer and had a blast. Remember to be water safe in the pool, which means that you have one adult watching the water at all times.
Try out a new park. Go early in the morning or in the evening and don’t forget your bug spray and sunscreen.
Go to a local cave. It’s a guaranteed hour of coolness.
Head to a National Park. This year, it’s the National Park Service’s centennial. One of the newest is in Waco.
Marie Young created the Junior Ranger program at Waco Mammoth National Monument.
Check out these events this weekend:
Friday
Texas Museum of Science & Technology Asteroid Day and Star Party. Special activities all day that ends in a Star Party. Texas Museum of Science & Technology, 1220 Toro Grande Drive, Cedar Park. txmost.org.
Celebration. Free games, movies and “Minions” movie. 5:30 p.m. Friday. Metz Recreation Center, 2407 Canterbury St.
Staci Gray plays. 2 p.m. Friday, Howson Branch.
Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre “The Three Little Pigs – Texas Style.” 2 p.m. Friday, Terrazas Branch.
Friday-Monday
The Alamo Drafthouse Kids Camp. “BoxTrolls,” 11 a.m. FridayMonday, Lakeline. “The Neverending Story,” 10 a.m. Friday-Monday, Slaughter Lane. “Babe,” 11 a.m. Friday-Monday, Village. Reserve tickets for $1-$3 donation online. drafthouse.com.
Saturday
Thinkery. Fizz, Bang, Pop! Play with science and make noise. For ages 1-2, 9:45 a.m. Saturday. For ages 2-3, 10:45 a.m. Saturday. $20 child and adult. For ages 4-7, 11:15 a.m. or 1:15 p.m. Saturday. $8 child, $8 adult. Exploring Explosions. For ages 8 and older. 3:15 p.m. Saturday. $8 child, $8 adult. Baby Bloomers for ages birth to 3; Independence Day Party. 9 a.m. Saturday. $4.50. Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave. Thinkeryaustin.org.
You are the Force. 2 p.m. Saturday, Yarborough branch.
Time Capsule Day. Make your own time capsule. Noon Saturday, University Hills Branch.
Sunday
Thinkery. Fizz, Bang, Pop! Play with science and make noise. For ages 4-7, 11:15 a.m. or 1:15 p.m. Sunday. $8 child, $8 adult.Exploring Explosions. For ages 8 and older. 3:15 p.m. Sunday. $8 child, $8 adult. Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave. Thinkeryaustin.org.
Summer Animation Double Feature: “The Box Trolls” and “Green Lantern: First Flight,” 2:15 p.m. Sunday, Yarborough Branch of the Austin Public Library.
Monday
H-E-B Austin Symphony July 4 Concert and Fireworks. 8:30 p.m. music, 9:30 p.m. fireworks. Monday. Free. Vic Mathias Shores, South First Street and Riverside Drive. austinsymphony.org.
Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse. Offers $1 movies 10 a.m Monday Round Rock 8. “Home.” cinemark.com/summer-movie-clubhouse.
Remember, being patriotic doesn’t have to be reserved for just one day or this weekend. I’ve got ideas on how to instill patriotism all year long. You can learn the words to “The Star-Spangled Banner,” for example, or see one of the presidential libraries.
