Summer time can come with a lot of pressure for parents. We are fed these lines of “well you only have 18 summers with your kids, make them count!” I call B.S. because I am 35 and STILL harassing my parents! HAHA!! We have compiled a list of activities summer reading programs activities that are either discounted, free or somewhere in between to help make some memories with your kids without spending $100 every time you leave the house.
Summer Reading Programs and Special Events at Libraries
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- Austin Public Library– APL does such a wonderful job of having so many fun events for kids (and adults) of all ages!! From Tuneful Tales (story time with the Austin Symphony!!) to Mad Science demonstrations, crafts, reptile shows and so much more. There’s always something going on and BONUS some of these events are happening on the weekend for working parents!
- Cedar Park Library– Their updated kids play space is SO COOL and they’re putting on lots of programs for older kids too! You gotta check this place out!
- Round Rock Public Library– They have such a wonderful printer friendly calendar to check out all their activities they’re doing for kids!
- Bee Cave Library– They have so many fun reading programs! They use the same app to track as Austin Public Library so it makes it easy to stack multiple challenges.
- Westbank Libraries– Westbank runs a full summer of events and programs for all ages. Special events, movie matinees, weekly story times, art exploration, reading dog story times, and more are offered throughout the summer at both the Westbank and Laura’s Library locations. Check their calendar for 2026 Summer Discovery Program dates.
- Barnes and Noble– So simple! Read 8 books, fill out your log and turn it in for a free book!!
- HEB- read 10 books, log it in the tracker and submit it to the address on the tracker and you can win a H-E Buddy plush toy
- BookPeople– They are calling it the Take 5 Book Dive! Super simple, read 5 books, document them on their tracker and turn it in for $5 off your next purchase!
- Pizza Hut BOOK IT! – Summer of Stories BOOK IT! Summer of Stories runs June through August and is open to PreK through 6th grade. It’s free and enrollment for 2026 is open. Sign up through the BOOK IT! app, create a profile for each child, and set monthly reading goals. Kids who hit their goal earn a free single-topping Personal Pan Pizza from participating Pizza Hut locations. Must complete the “Enroll for Summer” step in the app each year — it does not carry over. Add all readers upfront, as you cannot add additional readers later
Discounted Movies!
- Alamo Drafthouse– These movies are happening at most of their locations around town. They are doing showings on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.
- Cinemark– Tickets are $1.75. These movies are showing only at their Southpark Meadows location on Wednesday at 9:30am. Bonus! Discounted concessions like $1 OFF deals on kids’ snack packs and any size popcorn & drink combos!
- Regal Cinemas– Tickets are $1 and this only applies to the first showing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Summer Movie Express guests can purchase a specially priced $5 Snack Pack, which includes a junior-sized drink, snack-sized popcorn, and fruit snacks. Save an additional $3 when paired with an order of Dippin’ Dots!
- AMC– Mondays and Wednesdays at 11am and 2pm. Tickets are $3 and you can see the list of movies available (Dreamworks Animation movies) on their website.
- EVO Cinemas– Everyday at 10am- one select movie is $1 with discounts on concessions too! There’s a location in Belterra and one in Kyle!
Live Music and Musicals
- Hartman Foundation Concerts in the Park– every Sunday starting in June. The concerts happen on the lawn of The Long Center and begin at 7:30pm. Tickets are not required. We recommend bringing a lawn chair, blanket, insect repellent, and beverages to stay hydrated. Parking is available in the Palmer Events Center Garage for $10. I recommend checking out the Liz Carpenter Splash Pad before hand. The lights are synchronized to the water and it’s so cool to see!
- The Drop in at The Long Center– another fantastic offering by The Long Center. Every Thursday night, there will be a different band playing on their 3D printed stage presented by H-E-B. There will be also be food trucks there for dinner! Perfect for a family picnic!
- Zilker Summer Musical is back. This year, they are preforming Singing in the Rain! The show is running from July 10-August 15 on Thursday-Sunday evenings starting at 8:15pm. Always happens at the Hillside Theatre! One thing to note- parking is now paid, a new change in 2025 to off set the rising cost of production!
- Hill Country Galleria Summer Musical– Addams Family the Musical presented by Magnolia Musical Theatre. the show runs from July 15-August 15 and begins at 8pm!
Kids Events and Series
Humane Heroes– the Austin Humane Society is back for their 14th annual summer kids series where they are hosting a multitude of events like kitten yoga, dog days, story time, teddy bear surgery and much more!
Blanton Art Museum– story time returns to The Blanton Art Museum in Austin every Tuesday morning starting on June 2-August 11 for picture book readings and guided looking at artworks in the Blanton’s collection. Storytime will inspire close looking, creativity, and curiosity. Best suited for children ages 4-8, but open to all ages.
Giraffic Summer Series– every Wednesday from 10:30-11:30 at the Warren Wildlife Gallery kids ages 4-9 are invited to gather and learn about a different animal though a lesson, arts and crafts and a STEM experiment. Tickets are required for both parents and kids and can be found on their website.
Discounted Visits and Play Passes
- Urban Air- pass costs $69.99 and is valid at the park that it is purchased at. It is valid for 120 days from the day it is purchased.
- Kids Bowl Free– 2 free games of bowling per day! 5 locations across Austin! You can $40 for up to 4 more people. Pass is only valid at one location
- Spare Time– Once they’re signed up, each child (ages 5-14) can redeem their Summer Fun Pass every single weekday (Monday-Friday before 5PM) for one FREE Bowling Game + Shoes or one FREE Laser Tag Mission or one FREE 30-min. Arcade Card!
- Main Event– 2 types of passes, basic and premium. Get all the details on their website
- Chuck E Cheese–
- Monthly Memberships: You get all of the benefits below for a low monthly fee charged to your credit card each month. You have to agree to stay in the program for a minimum of 12 months, but you can EASILY cancel anytime after that.
- 2 Month Fun Pass: Same benefits as Membership, except you pay up front for two months and for a limited time you get a third month free.
- Pins and Wheels at Playland skate center- Kids eat free every Monday, as well as half off skate admission (normally $14 down to $7) on Wednesday and Thursday,
- Top Golf– Fun Pass is $179 and includes daily play plus you can bring up to 5 guests free!!
- Hooky Entertainment– All In Summer Pass is $99 and gets you $100 arcade game card, a daily free game of bowling (Monday-Thursday before 6pm for 5 guests, shoes not included) 1 free movie ticket and 1 refillable popcorn
- Pinstack Austin– $10/hour bowling from 10am-12pm for up to 8 people and half off games every Tuesday
- Dave and Busters– Summer Season Pass is a tiered program ranging from $69-$99 which includes free games, discounts on food and beverage and more!