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Does your child like to cook or is your child interested in learning how to cook? Or do you want to involve your kids more in everyday housework and help you in the kitchen? Or are your own cooking skills rather mediocre and want someone else to take over 😉?

Here’s a way to inspire a love of healthy cooking in your child. Read on to learn more about interactive online cooking classes with Sticky Fingers cooking and how to register for free classes in August and September.

We were sad to hear that Dart’em Up, one of our kids' favorite indoor fun place (read our review of Dart’em Up here), is in danger of having to close its doors forever due to COVID-19 and want to help them raise awareness of their ongoing fundraiser. 

Here's a message from Richard McVay, Owner and Founder of Dart’em Up, one of the kindest and nicest persons we've met and who deeply cares about kids. 

We have a new book review! These are my Pants was written by Jane & Katelyn Park and illustrated by Aniqa Ashfaq. This is a cute, colorfully illustrated book about a young squirrel named Sam who learns the importance of sharing. This book is great for 3-6-year olds.

Read the book review of a fellow Live Grow Play Austin reader and enter for a chance to win your own copy.

So, I was looking for a fun way to keep my kids active at home and I came across Mad About Hoops, a hula hoop enrichment program, taught by two lovely ladies, Amy and Madison, in Houston and Denver. Like so many businesses offering classes and activities for kids, Mad About Hoops was negatively impacted by the current situation. However, Amy and Madison got creative and put together several virtual class options, live as well as pre-recorded, that kids and adults can enjoy from the safety of their home.   

Read on to learn more about their classes and to get a $30 (or $10) discount.

Back in March, we couldn’t really prepare for remote learning, since nobody knew what to expect and what to prepare for. This time around it is different. I know exactly how to get ready and what to stock up on. Here’s my Back to Virtual-School List:

We have a new book review! Three Paws & Three Paws’ New Family was written by Karen Struck. With this book series, the author is encouraging children to "dream their life and live it".

The two-part series Three Paws and Three Paws’ New Family feature an Alaskan Grizzly cub named Boots. Boots sustains an injury that leaves him with a bit of a physical challenge. His dream has always been to be an expert salmon catcher, but this injury sets him back on his dream. 

Read the book review of a fellow Live Grow Play Austin reader and enter for a chance to win your own copy. This is a set of 2 books and comes with a cute teddy bear.

With the statewide mask mandate currently in place and – although not required – many parents voluntarily and out of precaution wanting their kids under the age of 10 to wear a mask, the demand for kids face masks is high.

Marianne, a stay-at-home mom of three kids (4, 3 and 15 months) from Cedar Park, sews for fun all the time (costumes, linens, alterations, etc). Here's how she started her face mask business The Grateful Thread. Plus, see our beautiful masks she made for us.

Many children in and around Austin participate in the free or reduced meals programs at their school. When school is over for the summer it can be an expensive time for many families.

Fortunately, many schools and organizations in and around Austin offer a Summer Food Service Program where children age 18 and under can visit a summer meal site throughout the summer while school is out of session to receive free meals, snacks and participate in fun activities. Read on for participating locations. 

Splash Pads are allowed to reopen. See below which splash pads are open and which splash pads are still closed. 

Note: splash pads hours subject to change. Always check the splash pad's website before visiting.

As we all know, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and assisted living communities have been hit extra hard by our current health crisis. As per the CDC, “Given their congregate nature and resident population served (e.g., older adults often with underlying chronic medical conditions), nursing home populations are at high risk of being affected by respiratory pathogens like COVID-19.” However, not only are they particularly vulnerable when it comes to their health, they’re also hit extra hard with isolation.

Many residents haven’t received in-person visits from family and friends since March, as most facilities limit community entry to essential visitors only (those necessary for resident care and community operations) and don’t allow in-house social visits, public events or outings.

In addition – and that is an ongoing situation and not specific to COVID-19 – some residents may not have family and friends close by or may not have visitors at all. 

We therefore invite families in and around Austin to join us in bringing a smile to many sad faces, and this is how.

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