Parents Resources

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best place for family community service in Austin, Keep Austin Beautiful offers the community a variety of programs to clean and beautify Austin's schools, parks, streets, and other public spaces. Families wanting to participate in one-time or ongoing events can find volunteer applications on the website.

In addition to retail outlets, which accept and sell donated second-hand goods, Goodwill offers many volunteer opportunities.

The Birthday Wagon is a non-profit organization that brings birthday parties to children residing in shelters throughout the Austin area. Donations are appreciated, and the organization is always looking for volunteers to help plan and put on the parties.

The Austin Nature and Science Center offers a wide variety of programs, including elementary school programs, high adventure activities, and camps.

Its animal exhibits feature more than 90 native Texas animals that can't be returned to the wild. Kids can visit owls, hawks, and ravens in the Birds of Prey exhibit, or check out the tiniest Austin residents in the Small Wonders exhibit. Or take a stroll through the woods (quietly) and try to find some residents that are running free!

Indoor activities and exhibits are housed in the Beverly S. Sheffield Education Center, in the old Barton Springs Pool Bathhouse in the heart of Zilker Park. The Splash! exhibit offers a fun and exciting learning experience deep inside a simulated limestone cave. Multimedia displays and interactive exhibits demonstrate how the aquifer was formed and how it maintains its average daily flow of 32 million gallons of water at Barton Springs.

The endangered Barton Springs salamander and other native aquatic species on display illustrate the diversity of life dependent on the water quality of local springs, creeks, and rivers. Visitors can also see how routine human activities can impact local water quality.

The Dino Pit is an outdoor paleontology exhibit that recreates an authentic paleontological site where visitors can excavate replicas of some of the incredible fossil finds in the state of Texas.

Themed birthday parties (wildlife, dinos, and more) can be held at the nature center, for kids ages four and up. Fees start at $175.

ANSC offers camp activities during school breaks. Its Summer Camp gives children ages three to 16 the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities, swim at Deep Eddy and Barton Springs Pools, go on adventures, and learn about everything from insects to camping.

The center also offers a variety of workshops for homeschoolers. Check the website for current options.

Spanish Inspirations uses the "Si" method, designed to make children comfortable hearing and speaking Spanish. The group teaches at preschools, meets with playgroups, and offers a syllabus for home-schoolers.

Like a virtual children's art museum, Artsonia is an online collection of kids' artwork from around the world. Kids can take the masterpieces they've created and upload them onto the website. Family and friends can then visit the artwork and participate in activities that allow them to take an active role in a child's art education, even if they live far away. There is no cost to participate, and Artsonia currently has artwork from children in over 100 countries.

There is no cost to participate and the site includes artwork from children in more than 100 countries. Artsonia is a young, Chicago-based company, and was recognized by the National Art Education Association (NAEA) in 2005 for its outstanding contribution to art education in the United States.

Homeschoolers can also find a variety of complete lesson plans created by art teachers. And many artsy gift items available for sale online.

Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas offers not only emergency and outpatient services, but also a family resource center and a "Just for Teens" center.

Ah, to have a personal chef. Dream Dinners comes pretty close: Show up at one of its locations, prepare several ready-to-eat meals from a monthly rotating menu, and take them home to the freezer.

Most recipes contain meat, although there are some vegetarian and dessert options. Guests can make as little as three meals or as many as 12. All freezer packaging is provided; side dishes, such as rice or noodles, are often included, too.

Ah, to have a personal chef. Dream Dinners comes pretty close: Show up at one of its locations, prepare several ready-to-eat meals from a monthly rotating menu, and take them home to the freezer.

Most recipes contain meat, although there are some vegetarian and dessert options. Guests can make as little as three meals or as many as 12. All freezer packaging is provided; side dishes, such as rice or noodles, are often included, too.

Everyone knows that everything's bigger in Texas, and Freebirds World Burrito fits right in. Originally introduced in Santa Barbara, California, in 1987, Freebirds moved its headquarters to College Station in 1990, and now has four locations in Austin. At this funky, casual restaurant, the burritos are truly Texas-sized, especially if you venture up from the regular Freebird burrito to the Monster, or - gulp - the Super Monster.

The menu does not feature a wide variety of dishes such as enchiladas, tamales, and the like, because Freebirds sticks to what it does best, and does it well, serving up quick, high-quality, customized burritos, tacos, and quesadillas, stuffed to the max with grilled steak or chicken, fresh vegetables, rice, beans, and a choice of fresh salsas ranging from mild to off-the-charts ("yeowwwww!"). Vegetarians can fill up on the veggie burrito, salad, or nachos.

Tortillas come in flour, wheat, cayenne, and spinach, and bean options include refried, pinto, and black beans.

The kids' menu ("Little Monsters") is also spare, with a choice between only quesadillas and tacos, for $2.75 - $4.25. But as with the rest of the menu, the quality and taste more than make up for any lack of variety. Kids' meals include a side of fresh tortilla chips and a drink. High chairs are available.

To-go orders can be called in for pick-up, and Freebirds also offers full-service catering and large-order delivery.