Cultivating Play: Summer Fun in Austin

In her book The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown illustrates ten guideposts one should follow in order to live wholeheartedly. One such guidepost—far more difficult than it may sound—is “Cultivating play and rest: Letting go of exhaustion as a status symbol and productivity as self-worth.” With summer just beginning, the kids at home, and life slowing to a (perhaps slightly?) more manageable pace, now is the perfect time to focus on cultivating play. Here are some suggestions for summer family fun in Austin:
Movies for you and your daughter:
The Fault in our Stars (PG-13)—This heart-wrenching drama about two lovestruck teens suffering from terminal cancer is angsty, poetic, and inspiring. Based on John Green’s young adult book of the same name, the movie tackles serious themes of resilience, loss, and the many ways we can leave an imprint after we’re gone. It’ll make for a great mother-daughter date, but minor sexual content and a sad ending should give you pause before bringing children under 12.
Maleficent (PG)—Besides needing tutoring on how to pronounce the title, I highly recommend the new Disney film of the summer. In a refreshing twist (for adults, anyway) on Disney’s typically one-dimensional characters, the main character in the film was not good or bad, but rather struggling with a very realistic and relatable quest to find love and belonging. Think of it as the “Wicked” of Sleeping Beauty—a familiar tale told through the villain’s eyes—and a film for all ages.

Local activities worth checking out:

Blue Starlite Drive-In—A nostalgia-inducing trip to the movies at this old-fashioned urban drive-in. You can pack your own drinks and snacks or buy at the concession stand. The kids will love this cozy picnic twist on the movies! $5 general admission. 1901 E 51^st St. http://www.bluestarlitedrivein.com/
Bats—As locals may know, Austin is home to the largest urban colony of Mexican free-tailed bats. Every night from March through October, stand at the Congress Avenue bridge around 8pm and watch the bats fly out into the night in a spectacular natural show.
Mount Bonnell—An easy, short walk (even for kids!) up Mount Bonnell offers breathtaking views of the river, the skyline, and Austin’s A-list homes. A great afternoon trip for free.
Peter Pan Mini Golf—An 18-hole sculpture garden of fun for the whole family. A BYOB option after 9pm makes for a good date night as well! Cash only, $6 for one course and $9 for both. 1807 Barton Springs Rd. http://peterpanminigolf.com/
Tubing—Spend an hour or two or even a day floating the San Marcos River for a relaxing getaway right here at home. Rentals start at $10. http://www.tubesanmarcos.com/
Schlitterbahn—For a special occasion or a weekend family trip, you can’t get the kids much more excited than this. Three full parks for the price of one. (I’d recommend starting at Schlitterbahn East for the best, most modern rides). You can even stay overnight in the park’s cabins—there’s plenty to do for two full days. $47 per person for one day, with deals available on half-day or two-day stays. New Braunfels, TX. http://www.schlitterbahn.com/
For a list of more Austin activities than you’ll have time to do in three summers, visit http://www.austinmonthly.com/AM/May-2014/Features/114-Fun-Things-to-do-This-Summer/.
 Finally, Austin Therapy for Girls is offering a fun summer opportunity in the form of our middle school and high school art journal groups. Groups will be based on the bestselling book by Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection, and art projects will cover such topics as letting go of anxiety, developing self-compassion, and forgiving ourselves for mistakes. The June group is already full, but the July group has several slots left! Find out more by visiting https://austintherapyforgirls.com/therapy-groups/