April is that magical time when we bridge from the warmth of spring to the heat of the summer. It’s a great time to get out there and enjoy the wildflowers, a spring festival or try some science.
Here is our list of family events happening next month in and around Austin:
Sherwood Forest Faire is open on the weekends.
Events
GirlStart Starry Nights. Look at the mini planetarium and enjoy hands-on activities. 5:30 p.m. April 5. GirlStart. 1400 W. Anderson Lane. girlstart.org
Insect Safari Hike on the Water Quality Protection Lands. Find and look up bugs in this family-friendly event. 10 a.m. April 7. Register and then get directions. austintexas.gov/water/wildland
Sherwood Forest Faire. Travel back in time to merry ol’ England with this fair. 10 a.m. to dusk, Sunday and Saturday. $12-$22. 1883 Old “uU.S. 20, McDade. sherwoodforestfaire.com
Monster Jam. Seriously big trucks crush other trucks. 7 p.m. April 21, 2 p.m. April 22. $20-37. Erwin Center, 1701 Red River St. uterwincenter.com
City Nature Challenge. Find things in nature and record and share what you find. April 27-30. Get help at these events: 3 p.m. April 27, JJ Seabrook Greenbelt; 9 a.m. April 28, Mabel Davis District Park; 3 p.m. April 28, Willowbrook Reach; and 3 p.m. April 29, Gracywoods Neighborhood Park. tpwd.texas.gov/naturechallenge
EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens is celebrating the Butterfly Festival in April.
Domain Northside Kids. Come to the lawn at the Domain Northside for activities for kids 18 months to 6 years old. This month it’s all about the Earth. Free. 10 a.m. to noon April 4. Register at domainnorthside.com.
Children’s Picnic. Local food vendors and farmers, plus make your own eco pot, enjoy storytelling, music and an imagination station. 105 p.m. April 8. Rosewood Park, 2300 Rosewood Ave. edibleaustin.com
Butterfly Festival. Games, crafts and live butterfly release. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 21. Free. The EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens, 1101 FM2325, Wimberley. emilyann.org
Game Chica Conference. For girls ages 9 to 18. Learn how to design video games with experts from Austin technology companies. $15 includes lunch. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 28. HomeAway at the Domain, 11800 Domain Blvd. No. 300. gamechica.com.
Safe Baby Academy. Learn how to care for your baby. In Spanish, 4 p.m. April 2, People’s Clinic, 1101 Camino La Costa. 9 a.m. April 7. Seton Southwest Medical Center, 7900 FM 1826. 9 a.m. April 14, Seton Northwest Medical Center, 1113 Research Blvd. 9 a.m. April 28, CommUnity Care Clinic, 2901 Montopolis Drive. austintexas.gov
Car seat check. 9 a.m. April 3, Dove springs Recreation Center, 5801 Ainez Drive. 9 a.m. April 6, Buda Fire Station 2, 151 FM 2001, Buda. 9 a.m. April 12, BabyEarth, 106 E. Old Settlers Blvd. Suite 100, Round Rock. 9 a.m. April 14, Covert Hutto Chevrolet, 1200 U.S. 79, Hutto. 9 a.m. April 18. Gus Garcia Recreation Center, 1201 E. Rundberg Lane.austintexas.gov
Fairytale Tea Party. Dress in princess attire, play games and make crafts. Free. 10 a.m. April 28. Gus Garcia Recreation Center, 1201 E. Rundberg Lane. austintexas.gov
Museums
Totally Cool Totally Art Teen Art Exhibition. April 13-April 26. Free. Dougherty Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Road. austintexas.gov
From left, Briana So-Morris, 5, Alec Blondin, 13, and his sister, Ashley Randall, 5, uncover a Mastadon at the Dino Pit at the Austin Nature & Science Center. 2004 American-Statesman
Austin Nature & Science Center. Austin’s Nature Day Nature and Art. 9 a.m. to noon April 21. Free. Austin Nature & Science Center, 2389 Stratford Drive. austintexas.gov/ansc
Bullock Museum. Living History Days: Re-enactors stroll through the museum, 10 a.m. April 5. Little Texans: Cowboys and Cowgirls. For ages 2-5, 10 a.m. Aoruk 12. Science Thursdays: 10 a.m. April 19. Storytime: Nature. 10 a.m. April 26. Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave. thestoryoftexas.com
Contemporary Austin. Teen Event: Destination Laguna. Explore the museum after hours with snacks and activities for teens. 6-9 p.m. April 13. Free for teens 13-18. Saturdays are for Families: Ships Ahoy. Enjoy a nautical-themed art-making day. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 14. Free. Laguna Gloria, 3809 W. 35th St. thecontemporaryaustin.org
Science Mill. The Science of Sports. Test your balance, see how hard you can hit and more. 10 a.m. April 14. Homeschool Day. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 11. Earth Day Butterfly Bonanza. Learn more about butterflies. Noon-4 p.m. April 22. Science Mill, 101 Lady Bird Lane, Johnson City. sciencemill.org
Neill-Cochran House Museum. Getting the Message: The Telegraph & The Crystal Radio. Make your own switches. 1 p.m. April 1. Neill-Cochran House Museum. 2310 San Gabriel St. nchmuseum.org
Mexic-Arte Museum. Family Day: The Art of Resistance. Enjoy activities around the current exhibit. Free. Noon-5 p.m. April 15. Mexic-Arte Museum, 419 Congress Ave. mexic-artemuseum.org
Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. Sábados en Familia. 10 a.m. April 14. Free arts and wellness programs for the whole family, plus free lunch. Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. 600 River St. austintexas.gov/esbmacc
Thinkery. Sensory Friendly Hours. Free breakfast tacos from Hat Creek Burger Company and a free screening of Trolls at the Alamo Drafthouse Mueller. Free.8 a.m. April 29.Art Start: My Many Colored Days: 9:45 a.m. Wednesdays (1-year-olds), 10:45 a.m. Wednesdays (2-year-olds), Wednesdays, through May 9. $20 a class, $140 for the series. Namaste and Play: Sense-ational: 9:45 a.m. (2-year-olds), 10:45 a.m. (3-year-olds), Fridays, through May 11. $20 a class, $140 for the series. Baby Bloomers: Spring has Sprung. Learn about light. 9 a.m. Mondays and Saturdays. For birth to age 3. $5. Decoding DNA. Ages 4 and up. 10:30 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. April 7-8, April 21-22. $8. Seed Paper Making. Ages 4 and up. 10:30 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. April 14-15, April 28-29. $8. Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave. thinkeryaustin.org
Peppa the Pig is coming to Toybrary Austin. Cartoon Network
Toybrary Austin. Spanish class. 10:30 a.m. April 3. $5. Gardening Class. 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Free with admission. Music Class with Miss Ariel. 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. $10. Peppa Pig Visits. 10:30 a.m. April 5. $12. Silly Sparkles Super Silly Show. $10:30 a.m. April 12. $10. Bubblefest with Milly McSilly. 10:30 a.m. April 26. $10. Firetruck visits. 10:30 a.m. April 27. $7. Family concert and picnic. 5 p.m. April 28. Toybrary Austin, 2001 Justin Lane. toybraryaustin.com
Umlauf Sculpture Garden Family Day. Learn different forms of exercise as a family, plus make art. Noon to 4 p.m. April 8. Free. Umlauf Sculpture Garden, 605 Robert E. Lee Road. unmlaufsculture.org
Wildflower Center. Sprouts. Preschool program. 10 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Free with admission. Nature Play Hour. 10 a.m. Saturdays. Free with admission to the gardens. Afternoon Explorers: Wild about Wildflowers. For ages 6-10.$15 one child and adult. 3:30 p.m. April 20. Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave. wildflower.org
Tina Steiner smiles as she records a historical presentation at The Williamson Museum on the Chisholm Trail. Photo by: Megumi Rooze
Williamson Museum. Hands on History. Learn about the founding of Williamson County as the county celebrates 170 years, plus make a craft of the county namesake. Free. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 14. Williamson Museum, 716 Austin Ave., Georgetown. williamsonmuseum.org
The Williamson Museum on the Chisholm Trail. Chisholm Trail Day in Round Rock. Live cowboy music, Dutch oven cooking, hands-on activities and more. Free. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 7. 8 Chisholm Trail, Round Rock. williamsonmuseum.org
“The Smartest Girl in the World” is at Austin Playhouse.
Theater
“Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote.” Pancho Rabbit goes through dangerous journey with little help from his guide. 11 a.m. April 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29, 12:30 a.m. April 21-22, April 28-29. $8-$12. Scottish Rite Theater, 207 W. 18th St. $3 adults, $1 children. scottishritetheater.org
Fifth Annual Greater Austin High School Theatre Awards. See who wins, plus some snapshots of the best shows. 7:30 p.m. April 18. Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive. thelongcenter.org
“Disney on Ice: Reach for the Stars.” Mickey and friends in a star-studded extravaganza. $15-$50. 7 p.m. April 25-28, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. April 28, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. April 29. H-E-B Center, 2100 Avenue of the Stars, Cedar Park. hebcenter.com
Zach Theatre presents “Goodnight Moon.” The classic children’s book comes to the stage. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through May 27. $18-$24. Kleberg Stage, 1421 Riverside Drive. zachtheatre.org
Austin Playhouse presents “The Smartest Girl in the World.” Two kids dream of helping their family by going on a game show. For grades second- through sixth-graders. Pick your price. 7 p.m. April 3, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. April 7 and 14. Austin Playhouse at ACC’s Highland Campus, 6001 Airport Blvd., South Entrance. austinplayhouse.com
Alamo Drafthouse is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the “The Sandlot.”
Movies
That’s My Face Film Series: “The Making of Claudia Rankin.” For young adults. 6:30 p.m. April 27. Free. George Washington Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina St. austintexas.gov
Alamo Drafthouse. “The Sandlot” Movie Party. Celebrate the 25th anniversary of this movie. 1 p.m. April 8 Lakeline and Slaughter Lane., and 7:15 p.m. April 9-12, Slaughter Lane. “PBS Kids: Explore the Outdoors.”10:30 a.m. April 20-21, Mueller. 10:15 a.m. April 14-15, Lakeline.drafthouse.com
Movies in the Park. “The Lion King.” 8:15 p.m. April 5. Northwest District Park, 7000 Ardath St. Free. austinparks.org
Books
BookPeople events: Junot Díaz reads “Islandborn.” 6:30 p.m. April 4. Emma Berquist reads “Devils Unto Dust.” 6 p.m. April 14. Donna Janell Bowman reads “Abraham Lincoln’s Dueling Words. 2 p.m. April 15. Stuart Gibbs and Sarah Mlynowski reads “Waste of Space” and “Two Peas in a Pod.” 6 p.m. April 23. Charlie Rose and Dan Peeler read “Dragons of Romania: Star of Doom.” 2 p.m. April 7. 10:30 a.m. story times: Pets are the Best, April 3. Poets Who Know It, April 4. Imagination Station, April 7. We Love Libraries, April 10. Ms. Staci, April 11. Yoga, April 14. Armstrong Community Music School, April 17. Tiny Tails to You Petting Zoo, April 18. Mrs. Purple Urple, April 21. Preposterous Puppet Show, April 24. Favorite Read Aloud, April 25. BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar Blvd. bookpeople.com
Barnes & Noble Events: 11 a.m. Saturdays, story times at all locations: “The Giving Tree,” April 7. “Pig the Star,” April 14. “Here We Are: Notes for Livng on Planet Earth,” April 21. “Scientist, Scientist, Who Do You See?” 11 a.m. April 28.
Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez), who struggles against his family’s generations-old ban on music, creates a secret space where he can play his guitar and soak up the on-screen talent of his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt), in “Coco.” Contributed by Disney/Pixar
At the library
Crafternoon. 3 p.m. Mondays, Dove Springs Recreation Center. 2 p.m. April 11, Carver Branch. 4:30 p.m. April 12, Twin Oaks Branch. 3:30 p.m. April 24, Howson Branch.
Pajama Storytime. 6 p.m. Mondays, University Hills Branch. 6 p.m. April 3, Yarborough Branch. 6 p.m. April 24, Milwood Branch. 6 p.m. April 24, Old Quarry Branch.
Book Circle. 3:30 p.m. April 3 and April 24, Twin Oaks Branch.
Tabletop Tuesday. Play games every Tuesday. 5 p.m. Tuesdays. Central Library.
Art Smart: Celebrating Asian Dragons. 10:15 a.m. April 4, Howson Branch. 4:30 p.m. April 4, Willie Mae Kirk Branch. 3:30 p.m. April 6, University Hills Branch. 10:15 a.m. April 11, Dove Springs Recreation Center. 4:30 p.m. April 17, Little Walnut Creek Branch. 3:30 p.m. April 18, St. John Branch. 10:15 a.m. April 26, Pleasant Hill Branch.
Bow Wow Reading with Aussie. 3:30 p.m. April 4, North Village Branch. Bow Wow Reading with George. 3:45 p.m. April 11, Pleasant Hill Branch.
Music and Movement. 3:30 p.m. April 4 and April 11, Ruiz Branch. 11 a.m. April 5, Manchaca Road Branch. 11 a.m. April 9, Pleasant Hill Branch. 11 a.m. Thursdays, Howson Branch. 11 a.m. April 13, Old Quarry Branch. 3:30 p.m. April 25, Ruiz Branch.
Chess Club. 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Willie Mae Kirk Branch.
Money Smart Week: Savvy Shopper. 3:30 p.m. April 5, Carver Branch.
Express Yourself with social media. 1 p.m. Saturdays, Ruiz Branch.
Saturday Family Movie: “Coco.” 1 p.m. April 7, St. John Branch.
Austin Ukestra. 1 p.m. April 8, Recycled Reads Bookstore.
“Anansi and the Golden Box of Stories.” 3:30 p.m. April 9, Spicewood Springs Branch. 3:30 p.m. April 17, Twin Oaks Branch. 3:30 p.m. April 18, Ruiz Branch. 1 p.m. April 21, Recycled Reads Bookstore.
Kids’ Yoga. 3:30 p.m. April 9, April 16, April 23, Yarborough Branch.
NBTween Book Club. “The Tale of Despereaux.” 4 p.m. April 12, Cepeda Branch. “Flora & Ulysses.” 6 p.m. April 19, Twin Oaks Branch. “Counting by Sevens.” 6 p.m. April 19, Spicewood Springs Branch.
Tech Thursday. 4:30 p.m. April 12, Ruiz Branch.
Teen Book Club: “Popular.” 6:30 p.m. April 12, Spicewood Springs Branch. “Revolver.” 3 p.m. April 14, Central Library. “Persepolis.” 6:30 p.m. April 17, Howson Branch.
Night Builders: Family Lego Lab. 7:30 p.m. April 12, Hampton Branch.
Friday Movie Matinee “Moana.” 3:30 p.m. April 13, Carver Branch. “Hop.” 3:30 p.m. April 13, Old Quarry Branch.
Doodling for Families. 4 p.m. April 13, North Village Branch.
Perler Bead Saturday. Noon April 14, University Hills Branch.
Sign Me Up! Sign-Making Party for teens. 1 p.m. April 14, Central Library.
Teen Harry Potter Club. 2 p.m. April 15, Central Library.
Mother-Daughter Book Club: “A Snicker of Magic.” 6 p.m. April 18, Hampton Branch.
Family Craft Night. 6:30 p.m. April 18, Howson Branch.
Tween Anime Club: “Sgt. Frog.” 2 p.m. April 27, Twin Oaks Branch.
World Dance Day. Noon April 29, Central Library.
Featured Flicks: “Coco.” 4 p.m. April 30, North Village Branch.