Austin Museum Day, when 45 local museums open their doors with free access to exhibits and activities, is Sunday, Sept. 18. Museums are a great way to explore art, culture, history and science in an educationally engaging environment. To make the most of a visit with...

Hint: Check the Landing Surface Playground injuries are increasing. Even though playground safety standards have improved, more children are getting hurt. Recently released data reports that: • Every year, more than 200,000 children get hurt on the playground badly...

Local Spelling Bee Champ Nihar Janga Talks About the Lessons of Competition by Sherida Mock Nihar Janga has spelled quite a few words in his 11 years, not the least of which was gesellschaft (a type of social  association). It was the word that clinched a...

Salty, breaded meats. Dome-shaped mashed potatoes. Canned fruit. Think you know school lunches? Think again! Here are eight ways Austin Independent School District (AISD) is reinventing food service and delivering fresh and flavorful student meals. 1 Growing Strong:...

  Whenever my children came back from a visit to their grandparents’ house (usually for a week in the summer), they came back with stories of new experiences and fun. I have witnessed developmental leaps as a result. They came back more independent and with...

By Sherida Mock   The talented Jill Blackwood has made a career of gracing Austin stages in plays and musicals. Now, this mother to two boys (Thomas is 13, and Joseph is 8) stars in Zach Theatre’s production of “Mary Poppins” starting July 20. In the title role,...

By Sherida Mock Let your kids get up close and personal with an array of creatures from the lowly to the exotic at these special places! Austin Aquarium Details: The 2½-year-old aquarium offers a substantial number of interactive exhibits. You can feed and touch many...

Real-World Money-Making Ideas for Teens and Pre-Teens One important way we parents can help kids develop into responsible adults is to teach them the rewards of having a job. Our kids can gain self-esteem, understand the value of a dollar and become more thoughtful in...

  Laura Ewing was an old hand at hosting birthday parties—she’d thrown countless shindigs for her two children at their home in Austin. But as her daughter Skylar’s 6th birthday approached, Laura knew she wanted to create a fresh and memorable celebration. An...

By Sherida Mock   Franklin is the famous name on the sauce-covered lips of every barbecue fan, not just in Austin, but around the world. He is owner of Franklin Barbecue, host of the PBS series “BBQ with Franklin,” and author of “Franklin Barbecue: A Meat-Smoking...

When a friend or family member is struggling through a difficult time, it is natural to want to lend a hand. Often, the families that need the most help are reluctant to ask for it, which makes it hard to know exactly how to help a friend. Here are nine ideas for ways...

  For many of us, the annual March for Babies is a chance to support an organization that works to end premature birth.  But when the three families profiled here join the march, they’ll be honoring the children who inspired them. Read on to learn how these...