January tends to be slower after the hubbub of December, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of fun events for families to try next month. Check out these:
Events
Whole Foods Skating on the Plaza. Go ice skating 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Jan. 15. Closed Christmas Day. $10 per person. Whole Foods Market, 525 N. Lamar Blvd. wholefoodsmarket.com
Car seat check. HaveAustin- Travis County EMS check your car seat. 9 a.m. Jan. 5, Montopolis Recreation Center, 1200 Montopolis Drive. 9 a.m. Jan. 8, CommUnity Care Clinic, 211 Comal St. 9 a.m. Jan. 17, Gus Garcia Recreation Center, 1201 E. Rundberg Lane. austintexas.gov
Safe Baby Academy. Learn baby safety with Austin-Travis County EMS. 9 a.m. Jan. 6. Seton Southwest Hospital, 7900 FM 1826. 9 a.m. Jan. 13. Seton Northwest Medical Center, 11113 Research Blvd. 9 a.m. Jan. 20, Seton Williamson Medical Center, 201 Seton Parkway, Round Rock. 5 p.m. Jan. 26 in Spanish. CommUnity Care Clinic, 2901 Montopolis Drive. austintexas.gov
Martin Luther King Jr. Day March and Parade. The parade starts at the Martin Luther King Jr. statue at the University of Texas campus and goes around the Capitol to Huston-Tillotson University. 9 a.m. Jan. 15. mlkcelebration.com
Austin Weather Fest. The Austin Meteorological Society explains the weather to you. Free. Noon–4 p.m. Jan. 7. Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez St. annual.ametsoc.org
Circus Chickendog takes on “The Nuttcracker” in “The Muttcracker (Sweet).”
Theatre
“The Muttcracker (Sweet).” Circus Chickendog reenacts “The Nutcracker” with rescue dogs. 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Jan. 1, Jan. 4-7. $35-$15. Vortex Theatre, 2307 Manor Road. chickendog.net
“Pete the Cat.” See the book become a live action show. Noon and 2 p.m. Jan. 20. $9-$12. One World Theatre, 7701 Bee Cave Road. oneworldtheatre.org.
Zach Theatre presents “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.” Head to Narnia in the C.S. Lewis tale. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, through Feb. 10. More shows through Feb. 10. $18-$24. Whisenhunt Stage, 1510 Toomey Road. zachtheatre.org
“The Adventures of Enoughie (Las Aventuras de Enoughie).” This bilingual puppet show teaches kids about kindness and is a collaboration between Zach Theatre, Teatro Vivo, Glass Half Full Theatre, and The Kindness Campaign. 7 p.m. Jan. 19, 2 p.m. Jan. 20, Jan. 21, 11 a.m. Jan. 27, 2 p.m. Jan. 27 and Jan. 28. More shows through February. Sign language, visual captions and sensory friendly show Jan. 28. $14-$16. Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River St. zachtheatre.org
Hideout Theatre Presents:Improv for Kids. Join the cast in creating the story. 11 a.m. Sundays. $5. Hideout Theatre, 617 Congress Ave. hideouttheatre.org
Harlem Globetrotters World Tour. Watch the Globetrotters do tricks with the basketball. 7 p.m. Jan. 26. $19-$130. Frank Erwin Center, 1701 Red River St. uterwincenter.com
Family programs at Zilker Botanical Garden include fairy tea parties. Zilker Botanical Garden
Museums
Bullock Museum.H-E-B Free First Sunday: Musical. Free family fun around the museum with the theme. Noon-5 p.m. Jan. 7. Living History Days. Re-enactors stroll through the museum. 10 a.m. Dec. 7. Little Texans: Choo Choo. 10 a.m. Jan. 11. Science Thursdays. 10 a.m. Jan. 18. Storytime Dance. Create stories with dance. 10 a.m. Jan. 25. Pop-up Exhibit:Bullock Arcade. Play vintage video games. Jan. 26-28. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. thestoryoftexas.com
Umlauf Sculpture Garden Family Day. Learn different forms of exercise as a family, plus make art. Noon-4 p.m. Jan. 14. Free. Umlauf Sculpture Garden, 605 Robert E. Lee Road. unmlaufsculture.org.
Neill-Cochran House Museum. Bright Ideas: The Light Bulb and the Electric Motor. Re-create an early lightbulb and motor. Recommended for ages 8 and up. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 7. Free. 2310 San Gabriel St. nchmuseum.org
Wildflower Center: Winter Tree Fest. Kids activities include tree climbing in a safe way. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 27. Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave. wildflower.org
Winter faerie tea parties. Dress for the fairies and drink tea, eat mini cakes and go explore the fairy lands. 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Jan. 14. $20. Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Road. Register online at https://austintexas.gov/parksonline
Garden Party with Spunky Kids. It’s an indoor garden party with edible gardens, tea, sensory play and more. 10:30 a.m. Jan. 11. $10 per child. Daddy and Me Playdate. 10:30 a.m. Jan. 13 and 20. Frozen Party. 10:30 a.m. Jan. 17. $10 per child. Mad Science Daddy and Me Time. 10:30 a.m.-noon Jan. 27. $12 a child for ages 3-5. Toybrary Austin, 2001 Justin Lane. toybraryaustin.com
Thinkery. Community Night. Get a sneak peak at Paramount Theatre’s “Go, Dog, Go.” 4 p.m. Jan. 3. Free. Art Start: Super Sculptors! 9:45 a.m. Wednesdays 1-year-olds, 10:45 a.m. Wednesdays, 2-year-olds. Jan. 3-Feb. 21. $20 per class, $140 for the series. Exploring Seasons. 9:45 a.m. 2-year-olds, 10:45 a.m. 3-year-olds Fridays, Jan. 5-Feb. 23. $20 per class, $140 for the series. Early Learners: Silly Science. 9:30 a.m. 1-year-olds, 10:30 a.m. 2-year-olds, 11:30 a.m. 3-year-olds January 15. $20 per class, Baby Bloomers. Boogie on Down in January. 9 a.m. Mondays and Saturdays, except Jan. 1 and Jan. 15.For birth to age 3. Petri Dish Art. Ages 4 and up. 10:30 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. Jan. 6-7, Jan. 20-21. $8. Art Bots. Ages 4 and up. 10:30 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. Jan. 13-15, Jan. 27-28. $8. Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave. thinkeryaustin.org
Hill Country Science Mill. Snow Day. Play in the snow and do snow science. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 20. Homeschool Day. All day, Jan. 11. Hill Country Science Mill, 101 Lady Bird Lane, Johnson City. sciencemill.org
Contemporary Austin. Families Create: Hit the Road.Make auto-themed art and listen to Austin musicians. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 13. Free. Laguna Gloria, 3809 W. 35th St. thecontemporaryaustin.org
Austin Nature and Science Center. Nature’s Numbers. This exhibit is all about how math is everywhere in Numbers. Jan. 20-May 6. Austin Nature and Science Center, 2389 Stratford Drive. austintexas.gov/ansc
“Despicable Me 3.” Universal Pictures.
Movies
That’s My Face Film Series: “Something the Lord Made.” 6:30 p.m. Jan. 12, Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina St. carver-museum.org
Alamo Drafthouse PBS Kids “Odd Squad.” 11 a.m. Jan. 13-14, Lakeline. drafthouse.com
Books
Children’s Book Fair. Meet Peter Rabbit, Froggy and Ladybug Girl and hear stories. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 6. Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave. wildflower.org
BookPeople events. Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spoon read “Unearthed.” 7 p.m. Jan. 11. story times. Things that Go. 10:30 a.m. Jan. 2. Snow Day. 10:30 a.m. Jan. 3. Paramount Theatre: “Go, Dog, Go.” 11:30 a.m. Jan. 5. All in the Family. 10:30 a.m. Jan. 9. Ms Staci. 10:30 a.m. Jan. 10. Author Cristee Cook reads. 11:30 a.m. Jan. 13. Armstrong Community School. 10:30 a.m. Jan. 16. Tiny Tails Petting Zoo. 10:30 a.m. Jan. 17. Matt Del La Peña and Loren Long read “Love.” 11:30 a.m. Jan. 20. Kids Book Club with Austin Allies. 12:30 p.m. Jan. 20. Baby Signs. 10:30 a.m. Jan. 24. Yoga Signs. 11:30 a.m. Jan. 25. Mother Goose. 2 p.m. Jan. 30. The New Year for Trees. 10:30 a.m. Jan. 31. BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar Blvd. bookpeople.com
Barnes & Noble Events: 11 a.m. Saturdays story times at all locations: “What Do You Do with a Chance?” Jan. 6; “Paddington,” Jan. 13; “You!”, Jan. 20; “Fancy Nancy: Oodles of Kittens,” Jan. 27.
At the library
Tabletop Tuesday. Play games in the children’s area and teen area. 5 p.m. Tuesdays. Central Library.
Bow Wow Reading with Aussie. 3:30 p.m. Jan. 3, North Village Branch. Reading with Bonnie. 11:30 a.m. Saturdays, Yarborough Branch. Read to George. 3:45 p.m. Jan. 10, Pleasant Hill Branch. Mornings with Moxie. 10 a.m. Jan. 13, Manchaca Road Branch.
Music and Movement. 11 a.m. Jan. 5, Old Quarry Branch. 11 a.m. Jan. 8, Pleasant Hill Branch. 11 a.m. Jan. 11, Manchaca Road Branch. 11 a.m. Jan. 11, 18 and 25, Howson Branch.
Family Movie Matinee: “Alice in Wonderland,” the 1951 version. 10:30 a.m. Jan. 6, Twin Oaks Branch.
Express Yourself through Media and Technology. For ages 8 and up. 1 p.m. Jan. 6, Jan. 27, Ruiz Branch.
Saturday Family Movie: “Despicable Me 3.” 2 p.m. Jan. 6. Windsor Park Branch.
Crafternoon. 3 p.m. Jan. 8, Dove Springs Branch. 4:30 p.m. Jan. 11, Twin Oaks Branch. 3 p.m. Jan. 22 and Jan. 29, Dove Springs Recreation Center. 3:30 p.m. Jan. 23, Windsor Park Branch. 3:30 p.m. Jan. 23, Howson Branch.
NBTween Book Club. “The First Rule of Punky.” 4 p.m. Jan. 10, Howson Branch. “Circus Mirandus.” 6 p.m. Jan. 18, Spicewood Springs Branch. “Amina’s Voice.” 6 p.m. Jan. 18, Twin Oaks Branch.
Ukulele Club. 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays beginning Jan. 10. Manchaca Road Branch.
Pajama Story time. 6 p.m. Jan. 10, Windsor Park Branch. 6 p.m. Jan. 25, Spicewood Springs Branch.
Art Smart: Native American Celebration. 3:30 p.m. Jan. 11, Twin Oaks Branch. 2 p.m. Jan. 13, Howson Branch. 6 p.m. Jan. 22, University Hills Branch. 4:30 p.m. Jan. 23, Little Walnut Creek Branch. 6:30 p.m. Jan. 31, Willie Mae Kirk Branch.
Teen Book Club “Beauty Queens.” 6:30 p.m. Jan. 11, Spicewood Springs Branch. “Speak.” 6:30 p.m. Jan. 16, Howson Branch.
Night Builders: Family Lego Lab. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11, Hampton Branch.
Saturday Movie Matinee: “Moana.” 2 p.m. Jan. 13, University Hills Branch.
Austin Ukestra. 1 p.m. Jan. 14, Recycled Reads Bookstore.
Book Circle. 3:30 p.m. Jan. 16, Twin Oaks Branch. 3:30 p.m. Jan. 30, Twin Oaks Branch.
Free Play Gaming. 3:30 p.m. Jan. 16, Windsor Park Branch.
Mother Daughter Book Club: “From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.” 6 p.m. Jan. 17, Hampton Branch.
Family Craft Night. 6:30 p.m. Jan. 17, Howson Branch.
Saturday Movie Matinee: “The Lego Batman Movie.” 2 p.m. Jan. 20, University Hills Branch.
Yoga Story time. 10:15 a.m. Jan. 25, Ruiz Branch.
Saturday Movie Matinee: “The Emoji Movie.” 2 p.m. Jan. 27, University Hills Branch.
