Missy Woodard holds her son, Bryce, 3, so that he can see a Snow Corn snake at the 2014 Austin Pet Expo. LAURA SKELDING/AMERICAN-STATESMAN 2014
It’s going to be a scorcher this last weekend before many kids head back to school on Monday or Tuesday.
Check out what is happening in and around Austin for families to enjoy:
Friday
Texas Museum of Science & Technology. Star Party. Look at the stars. 9 p.m. Fridays. Texas Museum of Science & Technology, 1220 Toro Grande Drive, Cedar Park. txmost.org
Wildflower Center. Sprouts. Hands-on preschool program. 10 a.m. Fridays. Nature Play Hour. Play in the Family Garden. 11 a.m. Saturdays. Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave. wildflower.org
Eclipse Planetarium Show. The Texas Museum of Science and Technology’s Discovery Dome mobile planetarium is visiting the Wells Branch Community Library, 6:30 p.m. Friday. Get free glasses and participate in interactive activities. 15001 Wells Port Drive. wblibrary.org/kids-teens
Family Movie Matinee: “Wizard of Oz.” 3:30 p.m. Friday, Old Quarry Branch.
“The Wizard of Oz” is at the library on Friday. Warner Bros.
Saturday
Bat Fest. Celebrate all things bat with music, children’s activities and more. 4 p.m.-midnight Saturday. $15 adults, free for children younger than 8. Austin American-Statesman, 305 S. Congress Ave. roadwayevents.com
Katherine Van Hook, 10, hung out at the Bat Fest in her bat hat in 2007. Laura Skelding AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Northside Kids at the Domain Northside Back to School. Enjoy family performances for ages 2 to 12. Catch ColdTowne Theater 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. You have to sign a release to attend, and parents must be present. domainnorthside.com.
Science Saturday at Texas Museum of Science & Technology tells you all about the sun with activities about heat, solar energy, color, ways we use the sun’s energy, and the best ways to view the eclipse. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Texas Museum of Science & Technology, 1220 Toro Grande Drive, Cedar Park. txmost.org
Wildflower Center. Nature Play Hour. Play in the Family Garden. 11 a.m. Saturdays. Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave. wildflower.org
Toybrary Austin. Back to School Bash. Play with bubbles in the backyard sprinkler party with Miss Milly McSilly. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday. $10 per child. Date night babysitting. For ages 1-5. $25 first child, $10 siblings. 5-8 p.m. Saturdays. Toybrary Austin, 2001 Justin Lane. toybraryaustin.com
Thinkery. Baby Bloomers. Have an animal adventure. For infant to 3. Learn about the sea all month long. 9 a.m. Mondays and Saturdays. Special guests throughout the month. $5. Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave. thinkeryaustin.org
“Jurassic Park” with UT Dino Museum. The museum brings the bones and other science materials. You watch the movie. 7 p.m. Saturday. $25 a car, plus admission for more than 2 people. Blue Starlight Mini Urban Drive-in. 12419 Lowden Lane. bluestarlitedrivein.com
BookPeople events. James Crowley reads “Monsterland.” 6 p.m. Saturday. Story times: Back to School. 11:30 a.m. Saturday. BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar Blvd. bookpeople.com.
Barnes & Noble Events: 11 a.m. Saturday story time at all locations: “Nothing Rhymes with Orange.” Saturday.
Literature Live! Presents: “The Fifolet.” For ages 8-12. 3 p.m. Saturday, Recycled Reads Bookstore.
Bow Wow Reading with Bonnie the Dog. 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Yarborough Branch.
ACT vs. SAT —What’s Right for Me? 10 a.m. Saturday, Ruiz Branch.
Fix It Clinic. Learn how to fix your broken stuff. Noon Saturday, Recycled Reads Book Store.
Saturday-Sunday
Hideout Kids Presents “Once Upon a Whaa?!” 11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Aug. 27. Scottish Rite Theater, 207 W. 18th St. $12-$8. scottishritetheater.org
7th Annual Austin Pet Expo. See all kinds of pets and things for your pet. Free. Bring your pet. Palmer Event Center, 900 Barton Springs Road. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. austinpetexpo.com
Thinkery. Suminagashi Fabrics. Learn the ancient Japanese marbling technique. 11:15 a.m., 1:15 a.m. or 3:15 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. $8. Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave. thinkeryaustin.org
Austin Summer Musical for Children: “Jungle Book.” 11 a.m. 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday. Free. Boyd Vance Theater at George Washington Carver Museum. 1165 Angelina St.
Back to School Book Sale. 0 a.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Yarborough Branch.
Hill Country Science Mill is exploring eclipses on Sunday.
Sunday
Round Rock ISD Partners in Education Foundation School Supplies Sunday/Kutz for Kidz Event. Get free supplies and more. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Hernandez Middle School, 1901 Sunrise Road, Round Rock. rrisdeducationfoundation.org/school-supplies
Total Eclipse of the Sun. Celebrate the upcoming eclipse and learn why eclipses happen. You can make your own art using the sun to burn wood and make a solar system mobile. You’ll also get free eclipse glasses to take home from the Johnson City Library. 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Hill Country Science Mill, 101 S. Lady Bird Lane, Johnson City. sciencemill.org
PBS Kids at the Alamo. “Ready Jet Go! The Moon and More.” 11 a.m. Sunday, Lakeline.
Austin Symphony Hartman Concerts in the Park. 7:30 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 27. Free. The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive. thelongcenter.org
