Ben Villalpando does his own engineering at the Thinkery over winter break last year.
Nicole Villalpando/American-Statesman Staff
Let’s face it, parents: This can be a challenging week. Christmas is over, and you’ve still got another week to keep kids entertained. Here are some suggestions of some special events, as well as some tried-and-true-places to go to fill your week.
Museums
The Bullock Museum. Create Your Own: Fantastic Fossils. Make your own fossils to take home. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday.Create Your Own: Historic Writing Kit. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m Tuesday. Create Your Own: La Belle Artifact. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesday. Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress Ave. thestoryoftexas.com.
The Thinkery. Space 8 Workshop: Winter Wearables, for ages 8 and up. Use 3-D printing, circuitry and textile art to make wearables. 10:30 a.m. Sunday. $39 per adult and child. There’s no Baby Bloomers on Monday, but the museum is open all day. There is Baby Bloomers 9 a.m. Saturday, during which kids ages birth to 3 will learn about “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” When kids are on vacation, the Thinkery gets busy. Buy your tickets online for guaranteed admittance. And don’t forget to feed the ducks and climb on the playground at the park across the street from the museum. The Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave. ThinkeryAustin.org.
Outside
Ice skating on the Plaza. $10 per person. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. through Jan. 9. Whole Foods Market rooftop, 525 N. Lamar Blvd.wholefoodsmarket.com.
Zilker Park. Sure, the Great Lawn is closed for Trail of Lights cleanup, but you can still explore the playground and the Zilker Zephryr, the Zilker Botanical Garden and Hartman Prehistoric Garden as well as the Austin Nature and Science Center. Don’t forget to hit the trails at the nature center, too. The nature center is closed on New Year’s Eve, and the gardens are closed New Year’s Day. The Zilker Holiday Tree is still lighted through New Year’s Eve. Spin underneath it 6 p.m. to midnight. austintexas.gov/department/zilker-metropolitan-park
Find more of our favorite trails to explore as a family:
Families and birds flock to Mueller Lake Park across the street from the Thinkery.
Mayfield Nature Preserve Trail. Trails, plus peacocks. 3805 W. 35th St.
Mary Moore Searight Metro Park Trail. Hike and bike and then play on the playground. 907 W. Slaughter Lane.
Dick Nichols Park. An easy paved 1-mile loop great for riding bikes, and then play basketball or volleyball or climb on the playground. 8011 Beckett Road.
Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park. You can hike or bike on these trails. 12138 N. Lamar Blvd. austintexas.gov/page/trail-directory
Books
BookPeople story times: It’s a Snowy Snowy Story time, 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, and a Wildcard Story time, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. There is no Saturday story time. 603 N. Lamar Blvd. bookpeople.com.
Barnes & Noble story times: Hear “Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast,” 11 a.m. Saturday at all locations.
Happening at the library:
Night Crafters Jr. Make crafts for ages 5-10. 6 p.m. Monday, Faulk Central Library.
Mario Kart 8 Wii U Tournament. Play games and compete for glory. 4 p.m. Monday, Hampton Branch; 2 p.m. Wednesday, Manchaca Road branch.
Family Movie Matinee: “Shaun the Sheep.” 2 p.m. Saturday, Windsor Park Branch.
Movies
Alamo Drafthouse Kids Camp: “Annie,” 10:05 a.m. Sunday-Thursday, Lakeline; 9:25 a.m. Sunday-Wednesday and 10:10 a.m. Thursday, Slaughter Lane; “Little Rascals,” 9:30 a.m. Sunday-Monday, 11 a.m. Tuesday-Friday, Village. Pay $1-$3 donation.
