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Updates to the 4th Edition (2023)

Austin keeps changing, ya’ll! Here are quick updates to location and name of two entries from the fourth edition, published this past April 2023: * The annual event Touch-A-Truck has moved location

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NEW Edition!

An updated, fourth edition is now on shelves and ready to be ordered! In revisiting allllll of the places for this final edition, I found myself reflecting back on my family’s adventures over the yea

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Good Mornin' Dolly Storytime

I'll be reading two of my favorite picture books at one of my favorite places this weekend! Join me at Good Mornin', Dolly on Sunday, November 13, at Laguna Gloria. The event is a fundraiser by R&B (R

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Happy Trails

Happy new year! My family welcomed in 2021 by hitting the trails. Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge had been on my bucket list for years. It turned out even prettier and better marked than

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Can You Still Explore in a Pandemic?

Yes! Here are some ways: 1) Get outside -- where it’s easy to social distance! Pull out your Exploring Austin with Kids guidebook or open the app. Then check out the Table of Contents "by interest”

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Holiday Event

The annual holiday event Luminations is glowing and growing - now spanning two weekends. Visit the Wildflower Center at night where pathways are lined with candlelight, one of the most beautiful holid

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Raising Young Environmentalists

I was asked by the Parents’ Climate Community to share ideas for encouraging outdoor play and raising young environmentalists. As I started a list of tips for getting out, I thought, “Wait a minute!

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A Kid's Perspective

“How long did it take you to write the book?” I often get asked. “Four years,” I answer. The next question usually follows, “Did you go to every place you wrote about?” “Yep, and always with kids

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Holiday Book Special

BUY ONE BOOK, GET ONE FREE! To celebrate the spirit of giving, purchase a copy of Exploring Austin with Kids and you'll receive a free one to give - plus free shipping! Makes a great gift for teacher

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Exploring Austin with Kids App

Summer is only halfway over . . . Looking for new ideas for fun with the kids? Try the revised & updated Exploring Austin with Kids app! It contains the same content as the guidebook with listings b

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BATS BY BOAT

If it hadn’t been for research for Exploring Austin with Kids, seeing bats by boat would still be on my bucket list. Instead, it turned out to be one of my favorite things to do in Austin. In fact,

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Second Edition Is Hitting the Press!

Named the country’s fastest growing city, Austin keeps changing. While a few favorite places have closed their doors since the first edition of Exploring Austin with Kids, a slew of new places have p

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Barton Hill Farms

Barton Hill Farms had been on my “to do” list for a couple of years. Recently, the kids and I got to check it out. The day trip was a hit! It reminded us of the surprises that make exploring new plac

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Austin City Limits Festival

The Austin City Limits Festival spans two weekends and showcases over one hundred bands, bringing local musicians and big acts from across the globe to play on its eight stages. Fans come to catch the

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Summer Special!

In celebration of summertime adventures, order your copy of Exploring Austin with Kids and get 20% off and free shipping! * Get new ideas for summer fun, from swimming holes and stargazing to farm

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Sample entry: Veloway

Biking on smooth pavement in the Hill Country sans cars makes an outing to the Veloway worth the trip, especially for young bikers. The 3-mile loop (that can be shortened to 1 mile with a shortcut

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Tips for Hiking with Kids

Pack snacks and water. My kids actually get excited to carry their own water (and will drink more) when it’s in Camelbak packs on their backs or when they carry their own stash of snacks and a drink

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Sample Entry: Camp Mabry

Camp Mabry, an operating military post open to the public, offers a surprising range of activities for young civilians, from tank and aircraft displays to a military museum and even fishing. Extendin

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Meet the Toymakers!

Note: Upon the retirement of owners Paul and Georgean Kyle, Rootin' Ridge Toymakers closed its doors in December 2015. It will be missed! If Fred Rogers were still alive, exploring his neighborhood,

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Holiday Book Special

BUY ONE BOOK, GET ONE FREE! To celebrate the spirit of giving, purchase a copy of Exploring Austin with Kids and you'll receive a free one to give - plus free shipping! Makes a great gift for teacher

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Texas Book Festival signing

Come see me at the Texas Book Festival! I'll be signing copies with the Texas Writers' League from 4:00-5:00 on Sunday. Look for me in Tent 4. Here's a map. If you have a copy already, bring it! My

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Camping Checklist

You're used to packing clothes and toiletries for a trip. When camping, don't forget these things too! Home away from home √ Tent √ Tarp for beneath tent and/or for shoes outside tent door √ Slee

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New book event added to calendar

Looking for something to do with little ones under 5? Come learn about animals that live at night and find out where you can spot them in Austin, dance to animal-themed music, create a bat craft and g

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Zilker Park Map for Kids

Contained within the bounds of Zilker Park, there are over a dozen family-friendly things to do! To make it easy to find them all, I created this handy dandy kid-centric map. You can download a copy o

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Mother's Day App Sale

The app is on sale this week! It's to honor those planner moms who spend hours researching fun things to do as a family and could use a break or a smidgeon of inspiration, the spontaneous moms who whi

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My Editor

My ten-year old daughter thought my author bio a bit too dry (and not funny). So she spruced it up and added a bit of spice. I think she captured the essence of our family pretty well (better than I d

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Book Signings and Events Calendar

Looking for fun ways to get your signed copy? Come on out! Sunday, 11/12/23 Author Signing at Texas Book Festival 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm I'll be signing books at the Texas Book Festival this Sunday wit

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The App Is Out!

And it's so COOL!!! Not only is it the lightest way to carry the book around with you, but you can call ahead, check hours, or pull up the websites of the places you're headed at the touch of a bu

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Book signing at the Bullock Museum!

This Sunday, March 2nd, Annette Lucksinger will be signing copies of Exploring Austin with Kids and giving sneak peeks of the app! Drop by during the Bullock Museum Free First Sundays event 12:00 - 3

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Book Launch Party!

Come on out to Hill's Cafe on Sunday, March 2nd, from 4:00-6:00 for the big book launch! There will be lots of fun kid activities in addition to the book signing! A juggler and balloon twister will be

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Sample Entry: Big Top Candy Shop

Step into this narrow slip of a store, seemingly miles long to children as their eyes pop at the ceiling-to-floor candy selections, and the phrase “like a kid in a candy shop” is taken to a whole ne

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Sample Entry: Austin Duck Adventures

Visitors will enjoy this open-air tour of the city in an amphibious vehicle that travels from downtown into Lake Austin. Locals will likely learn some new nuggets of information as well. For instanc

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