Family events in Austin, TX

Cool Kids Party Co. is hosting a Back to School Drive to help families get ready for a successful school year. This free community event offers 200 backpacks filled with school supplies while they last, complimentary haircuts, free food, and bounce houses for kids. The focus is on bringing neighbors together so every child can start the year feeling prepared and confident. Presented in partnership with Change Through Faith Foundation and Bounce With Joy Rentals. Changing lives, restoring hope, and building futures.

Children, families, and neighbors from Austin’s Rundberg community and nearby areas are invited to a free back to school skate gathering at Pins & Wheels, formerly Playland. Enjoy roller skating, music, and family activities along with complimentary food and drinks, plus raffles and giveaways. Every student can receive a free backpack filled with school supplies while supplies last. Admission is free, and organizers ask families to register so they can plan accordingly. The event is presented by Upbring’s Child Wellbeing Zone program in partnership with JPMorganChase, The PFaith House, and the Bertha Carson Heart Foundation. Upbring has supported children and families for more than 150 years through foster care, education, residential treatment, community services, and prevention, including Child Wellbeing Zones in Austin’s Rundberg neighborhood and Dallas’s Oak Cliff community.

Lonestar Table Tennis is presenting a USATT 3-Star grand opening tournament at its new facility in Austin, TX. The competition offers a $5,625 prize pool with awards in every division, along with more than $500 in equipment raffles for blades, rubbers, balls, and cases sponsored by Rio Grande Valley TTC. Divisions include U11, U13, U17, and a range of rated events.

Unparalleled Preparatory Academy, in partnership with LeadHer to Purpose, hosts a free Community Resource Fair that connects Austin-area families with educational, health, and community support ahead of the new school year. Families can meet local organizations and service providers, take tours of UPA's new campus, enjoy free snacks, and participate in activities for all ages. Registered families may pick up backpacks and school supplies. Guests can also explore school information, community programs, and other helpful local services. The fair is free and open to the entire community.

POP Cats 2026 brings an immersive, pop-meets-feline festival to Austin, transforming the Palmer Events Center into a playground for cat lovers and pop culture fans. Expect creative environments to explore, adoption areas known as catios, interactive workshops, standout cat art, and cat-themed activities. Browse exhibits from rescue organizations and vendors, hunt for hard-to-find merchandise, capture plenty of photo moments, and even get playful cat-themed tattoos. Designed as a weekend experience, it offers something engaging for families, hobbyists, and superfans alike.

Nature's Treasures Texas presents its ninth annual celebration of rocks and fossils at a new location, offering an educational and family friendly experience. The gem and fossil dig returns for kids, and aura photography will be available along with additional activities. Visitors are welcome to bring rocks for professional identification by the Austin Gem and Mineral Society and the Paleontological Society of Austin. The Austin Gem and Mineral Society will also host a membership booth and share lapidary demonstrations.

The 15th Annual Paddle for Puppies brings dog lovers and paddlers together on Lady Bird Lake, hosted by Austin Subaru and Rowing Dock. This community tradition raises essential support for Austin Pets Alive!’s Parvo Puppy Program, which treats a contagious yet curable virus and helps hundreds of puppies each year. Every registration directly funds the specialized care that helps vulnerable puppies recover. Participants launch from Rowing Dock and can paddle single or double kayaks, canoes, SUPs, or dog friendly RUFF SUPs. Personal watercraft are welcome, and rentals are available through the dock. Registration is required for each individual, including kids and additional guests. Fees are nonrefundable, and if attendance changes the payment is counted as a donation to the cause. Dogs are welcome on the water, but please keep water safety in mind. Avoid letting pets swim or drink if the water is warm or stagnant, or if there is visible scum, surface film, or algae mats. Bringing a pet is at your own risk, and an additional waiver acknowledging these risks will be signed during on site check in. Parking near Zilker Park is limited, so consider ride share, biking, or CapMetro. A large gravel lot east of Mopac offers paid parking and a short walk to the dock. Stratford Drive is a no parking zone with enforcement, so use designated areas only to avoid tickets or towing. Please avoid bus and accessible lanes at the neighboring Nature and Science Center. A small number of first come, first served spaces may be available under the Mopac bridge. Do not leave valuables in vehicles due to recent thefts in the area.

Second Sunday at Mueller is a family-friendly gathering with activities for kids, held every second Sunday.

Paramount Summer Classic Film Series presents a Family Film Series Double Feature at Stateside at the Paramount, pairing The Princess Diaries with The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. The original 2001 film marks its 25th anniversary and follows Mia Thermopolis as she learns she is heir to Genovia, navigating etiquette lessons, a media whirlwind, jealous classmates, and a scheme against the throne. Directed by Garry Marshall, it screens in color from DCP, runs 115 minutes, and features Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway with Hector Elizondo, Heather Matarazzo, Mandy Moore, Sandra Oh, and Robert Schwartzman. The 2004 sequel continues Mia’s journey as the future queen who discovers she must marry quickly to keep her family’s crown, sparking a comedic search for identity and true romance. Also directed by Garry Marshall, it is presented in color from DCP, runs 113 minutes, and stars Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway with Callum Blue, Hector Elizondo, John Rhys-Davies, Heather Matarazzo, and Chris Pine.

The Hideout Theatre revives its family improv with Pick Your Own Path, an interactive performance where the audience helps steer the story. The cast builds a lively tale and pauses along the way so everyone can choose between different directions. If a selection leads down a dark, twisty dead end, they rewind the action and, with the crowd’s help, take another route. After a brief hiatus following the closure of the theatre’s former home, these family-friendly shows return at the Annex space, creating a new adventure every time.

Picture books come to life alongside artworks in the Blanton galleries during this popular summer program. Families can enjoy read-aloud stories followed by guided, kid-friendly looking at pieces from the museum’s collection that encourages careful observation, creativity, and curiosity. It is best suited for children ages 4 to 8, and all ages are welcome. The program takes place inside the Blanton galleries, and Visitor Services staff at Check-In can direct guests to the location. Admission to the program is included with museum entry, and space is limited on a first-come basis. To safeguard the art, diaper bags, backpacks larger than 11 x 15 inches, and large-framed child carriers are not permitted in the galleries. Complimentary lockers are available in the Smith Building. Soft frontpacks and strollers are allowed, with a designated stroller storage area available through Visitor Services at Check-In. Paid parking is available in the Brazos Garage. Blanton Members receive $4 discounted parking when paying at the Visitor Services Desk, and general visitors pay regular rates directly at the garage.

Take advantage of a recurring deal at The Original Pinballz Arcade with 25 percent off every arcade video game. No code or sign-up is required, just walk in, pick any eligible cabinet, and the discount is applied while you play. The offer spans both nostalgic favorites and newer titles, making it easy to revisit classics or try something different.

Make the most of summer nights with extended evening hours at the LBJ Library, offering extra time to explore engaging exhibits and reflect on pivotal chapters of American history. On select evenings, local adults are eligible for discounted admission of $12 by presenting a Texas-issued driver’s license or ID with an address in a zip code that begins with 787, 786, or 789.

Jamie Krueger Group hosts a full band blues jam each Thursday, bringing together local musicians for an easygoing night of blues. Food and drinks are available, and the setting is kid and dog friendly. Performers should bring their own instruments, while a backline and drums will be provided.

Movies on the Lake transforms the lakeside at Mozart’s Coffee Roasters into a one-of-a-kind outdoor cinema on beautiful Lake Austin, with screenings under the stars and a choice of deck or on-the-water viewing. Deck seating is free, and advance RSVPs are encouraged since complimentary tickets often sell out. For an elevated experience on the water, limited rentals are available and booking ahead is recommended. Options include paddleboards for $20 per board for the duration of the movie, 2-person floater chairs for $30 per chair for the duration, and donut boats for $150 for 2.5 hours that can be used for a sunset cruise or to anchor near the screen. Water rentals are operated by Lake Austin Calm, and guests who reserve a paddleboard, float, or donut boat through Lake Austin Calm do not need to RSVP separately through this listing. Arrive early for live music, sunset views, themed concessions, and specialty drinks inspired by the evening’s film. The café and concession stands serve movie-style popcorn, giant pretzels, candy, and more, and a pop-up bar from Quince Lakehouse features a specialty frozen cocktail tied to the film, along with beer, wine, and hard seltzers.