It’s Spring Break and if you are in Austin, you have things to do and see! Get your cooler packed with food and water. Have extra clothes and sandals for post-exploring comfort. Pack it all up the night before and don’t rush getting the family moving in the morning–it’s spring break. No traffic! Enjoy your kids. Get moving.

March 13, 2010
FREE! Rodeo Rumble at Rodeo Austin Fairgrounds. Kids 1K is open to kids 12 and under. Enter your kids on race morning or at packet pick-up@ RunTex at the Triangle (4615 N. Lamar). If you miss the Rumble, it’s still rodeo time! Wear your comfy, closed-toe shoes and walk through the petting zoo. The rodeo has rides for kids and Adults. Special events and hours can be found at www.rodeoaustin.com

March 13 or 18th,
Drive to Cedar Park and watch the Texas Stars play hockey! Face-off at 7 and 7:30. 512-GO-STARS. www.texasstarshockey.com

March 15-17,
Harvey Penick Golf Campus. Golf camp for kids ages 7-17. Camp is from 9-3pm and is $180. www.firstteeaustin.org

Visit Camp Mabry
www.texasmilitaryforcesmuseum.org
2200 West 35th St. A photo I.D. is required for entry and they’ll make you open your minivan hatch! Closed Monday and Tuesday. Open Wednesday-Sunday from 10-4p.m. Check out the indoor museum and it’s weapons and miniature displays. Play outside on the tanks before eating a picnic lunch on the tables by the security check point. Bring some friends and play capture the flag after lunch! Kids love camo and facepaint! 512-782-5659

Wildflower Center. Pack your lunch and your camera. Bluebonnets will be out soon! 4801 laCrosse Avenue. Open 9-5:30. Check the website to make sure they are open. Admission is charged. Bring your bikes and rollerblades and make the 3.1 mile loop around the veloway before driving home. www.wildflower.org

Colbert Ranch. www.ridecolbertranch.com (Bertram, Texas) Go ride horses at Colbert Ranch! Riders must be 7 but childcare for younger kids is available. Invite your friends or plan a family day for just yourselves as you spend the day at a real horse ranch. Patti and Joe Colbert love kids and nature!

Gus Fruh entrance to the Barton Creek Greenbelt. 2642 Barton Hills Drive (respect private property). This is one of the best spots for kids and creeks! It’s an easy hike/stroll but the kids will love it. You could even get a baby jogger down this path. Follow the footpath down to Barton Creek. With all the rain it will be flowing! Bring water shoes or old sneakers for you and the kids. Let the kids move rocks around and make their own dam. Pack some water color paints and brushes for the kids and let them spend hours painting the rocks and themselves. Bring a towel (or two) for the kid who always gets wet. Pack snacks and drinks and the camera. Don’t be in a hurry and don’t fall asleep–always take care around kids and water. As with all entrances to the greenbelt, hide your valuables and lock your doors before you head down the trail.

UT Baseball. You can’t beat the price of a Kid’s ticket on the grassy berm–$5! The Longhorns play a bunch over spring break. Three games against Iowa and three games against Nebraska. March 12th-March 21st. Check the website for current game times and be aware they may reschedule the game for inclement weather. Over the break you should have no problem buying your tickets at the gate. Try the burgers from the trailer by the berm–they’re pretty good! Kids will want the frozen lemonade. Both will cost more than your ticket! www.texassports.com

UT Rowing. Hike your kids over to the Mo-Pac pedestrian bridge to watch the Longhorn Invitational. March 19th-21st. www.texassports.com