Top 10 Parents Night Out places in Austin, Texas

Top 10 Parents Night Out places in Austin, Texas

by | Feb 3, 2020 | advice / tips

*** UPDATED FOR 2023 ****

If you’re lucky to have family in town or kids old enough for sleep-overs or to stay home by themselves – you may not need this advice. And while we have some favorite babysitters, we’ve also been checking out the local Parents Night Out options around town. So I wanted to share what I’ve researched. Here are some options if you want your kids to get a night out at the same time as you get a date night:

Thinkery

Location: 1830 Simond Ave, Austin, TX 78723

Age range: 4+ years old (must be potty-trained)

Cost: $45 first child, $25 each additional child ($5 discount for Members)

Details: Kids have the museum to themselves and live it up with pizza, hands-on STEAM activities, exhibit exploration and MORE!

Extra perks: Check out the special discounts offered in the Mueller community for your date night

Schedule and to book: Tend to fall on Friday nights from 5:30pm – 10pm

Crenshaw’s

Location: 5000 Fairview Dr, Austin, TX 78731

Age range: 5-11 years old

Cost: $30 first child, $20 for second child

Details: Night out of fun that includes gymnastics, trampoline, pit time, recreational swimming, games, snack, and a full length movie (G-PG) on a HUGE movie screen (includes a mid-evening light snack and a drink). Don’t forget to bring a bathing suit and a towel.

Schedule and to book: Saturday nights once/month 6:30pm – 10:45pm (Registration for each Kids Night Out starts TWO weeks before the date of the night.)

YMCA

Location: various

Age range: 3 – 12 years old

Cost: $30 members ($60 non-members)

Details: swimming, gym games, pizza, crafts and more

Schedule and to book: Saturdays from 5:00pm-9:30pm

Austin Ninjas

Location: 6001 W Parmer Ln #430, Austin, TX 78727

Age range: 5 – 12 years old

Cost: $30/child

Details: Gym time, 2 slices of pizza and water bottle included (must sign waiver)

Schedule and to book: Saturday nights, once/month, 6:30pm – 10pm

Lifekido

Location: 3636 Bee Caves Rd #212, Austin, TX 78746

Age range: 5 – 7 years old

Cost: $35 for current students, $30 additional siblings; non-members: $40 for first, $35 for additional siblings

Details: martial arts games, an obstacle course, movie AND pizza!

Schedule and to book: Saturdays from 5:30pm – 8pm (usually once/month during the school year)

crux climbing gym

Crux Climbing Center

Location: 121 Pickle Rd #100, Austin, TX 78704

Age range: 4 – 10 years old

Cost: $35/child (members); $45/child (non-members)

Details: Date Night is a 4 hour guided play session run by our professional and experienced staff. During these 4 hours your kids will climb and play in our awesome Pandamonium room! Kids will have toys, games, and all the climbing they can handle! Our classes are capped at 6 participants to ensure that your child gets plenty of attention and supervision. Crux will provide cheese/ peperroni pizza for your kids for no additional cost!

Schedule and to book: Ever first Friday of the month from 6:00pm – 10pm

My Gym

Location: 5307 W US Hwy 290 Service Rd, Austin, TX 78735

Age range: 2-9 years old

Cost: $30/child members, $35/child non-members (discounts are offered when enrolling siblings)

Details: games, rides, songs, dances, relays, obstacle courses and more.
* Pizza and juice are provided for dinner.

Schedule and to book: Fridays from 5:30pm – 8:30pm

toybrary mural

Toybrary

Location: 2001 Justin Ln, Austin, TX 78757

Age range: Site doesn’t list age range

Cost: $35/child ($10 per additional sibling)

Details: Kids craft, play dress up, play outside and more

Schedule and to book: Saturdays from 5pm – 8pm

LittleLand

Location: Various locations in and around Austin

Age range: 2+ years old

Cost: $45/child (10% discount per additional sibling)

Details: Kids play and get pizza and juice

Schedule and to book: Alternating Friday and Saturdays from 4:30pm-8:30pm

Austin Bouldering Project

Location: 979 Springdale Rd #150, Austin, TX 78702

Age range: 5-12 years old

Cost: $40/child, $30 for sibling ($20/child and $15 sibling if Members)

Details: Kids climb and get pizza and a movie

Schedule and to book: Two Fridays a month from 5:30pm-10pm

Austin Gymnastics Club

Location:13776 US-183 Hwy, Austin, TX 78750

Age range: 4+ years old and up

Cost: $40/child, $35/sibling, $45/day of walk-in

Details: Gymnastics, pizza, games and crafts

Schedule and to book: Monthly – see site for dates

Capital Gymnastics

Location: They have Cedar Park, Pflugerville and Round Rock locations

Age range: 3-12 years old

Cost: $30/child, $25/sibling, +$5/day of walk-in

Details: Gymnastics, movie and dinner

Schedule and to book: Fridays from 6pm-10pm – see site for dates

Code Ninjas

Location: 3621 E. Whitestone Blvd. Suite 500, Cedar Park, TX 78613

Age range: 7+ years old

Cost: Not listed on site

Details: Games, puzzles, building and more

Schedule and to book: See site for dates

Enjoying dinner out on South Congress WITHOUT OUR CHILDREN

Now if you need ideas for things to do WITH your kids, you can also check out my blog posts on:

  1. Top 10 Hikes around Austin with Kids
  2. Top 12 Ideas from January to December in Austin with Kids

Now Booking – Winter 2020 Portrait Sessions

Now Booking – Winter 2020 Portrait Sessions

by | Jan 11, 2020 | photography

Now Booking Winter Portrait Sessions

Click on the calendar below to book your Winter Portrait Session this January or February 2020 in Austin, TX.

A $50 deposit is required to hold your spot. The remainder of the fee (package information here) is due following your session.

 

Questions?

Interested in another type of photo session? (Photo booth, personal branding, etc.)

Contact me below first:

 

Paper Sister – Band Photo Session

Paper Sister – Band Photo Session

by | Jan 6, 2020 | branding, Creative Business Stories, photography

For my last photo shoot of 2019, I went downtown with Paper Sister for a band portrait session. If you’d like to hear their music, their Instagram bio has the most current local show dates or you can check out their Soundcloud.

We explored the Seaholm and Central Library downtown area during their session. They were good sports about being stuck in some plants as well 😉

I hope you’ve enjoyed these sneak peeks from their band photo session downtown. To see all the (password protected) images, visit their gallery HERE.

1. How do you know Stephanie Friedman Photography?

Stephanie and I met through the amazing Etsy Austin group a little over ten years ago. I made jewelry at the time, and she made sewn art and prints. Even though we aren’t crafting anymore, it’s great to see we’re both keeping up with creative ventures.

Slightly out of focus but still having fun Stephanie and Camille at an Etsy Austin show in 2010

2. What was your favorite part of your photo session?

It was reassuring that Stephanie had a strong vision for our photos. She had so many great ideas, knew where to take pictures, and gave us great direction. I struggled with finding examples of what I wanted before the session, and it was so helpful to have decisiveness and clear direction from Stephanie.

3. What advice would you give to other groups planning a photo session?

Try to find inspiration for your photos ahead of time. Even if you can’t find many examples of what you want or don’t have a clear vision, Stephanie can fill in the gaps.

If you’d like to book your own photo session, please contact me below:

Woodbine Mansion – Holiday Family Photo Session

Woodbine Mansion – Holiday Family Photo Session

by | Dec 19, 2019 | family, photography

I met up with this family at the Woodbine Mansion. In case you’re not familiar with that location, it’s a Victorian Mansion situated in downtown Round Rock right off Main Street.

For their holiday photo session, we started outside taking photos on the porch and landscaped grounds.

Then we explored the gazebo and lawn.

Next we made our way inside to appreciate all the different room settings. Their red velvet couch was definitely a favorite.

Finally we headed upstairs for even more rooms to see.

What a beautiful location – full of photogenic spots! You can see some of the location scouting pics I took with my phone below to get a better sense of all this venue has to offer.

I hope you’ve enjoyed these sneak peeks from their family photo session at the Woodbine Mansion. To see all the (password protected) images, visit their gallery HERE.

ps. You may also remember we did their Halloween photo session the same morning!

1. How do you know Stephanie Friedman Photography?

Stephanie has been taking family photos since my daughter was an infant.

2. What was your favorite part of your photo session?

I greatly appreciate the pre-planning. Each year, I come to Stephanie with my daughter’s Halloween costume idea and she scouts multiple locations that would lend for the most realistic portrayals of the alter-ego. She encourages my kid to be a kid, with pretty shots, funny shots, and dancing shots so it doesn’t feel like a stuffy photo shoot (like you would get in a mall).

3. What advice would you give to other families planning a photo session?

We combine our Halloween and Christmas photo shoots (with a quick change in between). With a slightly longer session, you can get two amazing sets of photos for family and friends!

4. Anything else you’d like to add?

Every year I believe she has outdone herself and yet every year she pulls off photographic magic and delivers the most stunning images, themed to my daughter’s crazy imagination.

If you’d like to book your own family photo session, please contact me below:

 

Seaholm to the Butterfly Bridge – Family Photo Session

Seaholm to the Butterfly Bridge – Family Photo Session

by | Dec 10, 2019 | family, photography

I met up with this family and their sweet dog for a downtown family photo session. We started at the Seaholm Power Plant. Then we explored our way around the Butterfly Bridge and Central Library block.

I hope you’ve enjoyed these sneak peeks from their family photo session downtown. To see all the (password protected) images, visit their gallery HERE.

1. How do you know Stephanie Friedman Photography?

Friend’s referral

2. What was your favorite part of your photo session?

The organization! I loved that during this hectic time I didn’t have to worry about logistics. Stephanie had it all covered and was a benevolent director of the entire experience for my “all over the place” family and dog.

3. What advice would you give to other families planning a photo session?

Just read what Stephanie sends you and try not to overthink anything. If you’re like me take this short time to be in the moment and just enjoy your family. Let the professional give directions for a change. Your kid(s) will listen to a pro better anyway, right? Mine kind of did… and when my daughter or dog were all over the place it may have provided the most real content to capture.

4. Anything else you’d like to add?

Bring treats for your dog… And if your kid/dog are easily distracted, use the fart machine.

If you’d like to book your own family photo session next year, please contact me below: