Weekend Top 10 FREE Events (Jan 11-13, 2013)

1. Camp Fire USA at Cedar Park Farmers' Market - Saturday, January 12, from 10 a.m. to noon.   Camp Fire USA will be at the market with cool kids' activities related to the ocean, seashells and patterns of nature, plus a story related to the theme. Also, Chef Jessica returns for a special Kids' Cooking Event at the market to sample booth from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.  Chef Jessica will be teaching kids how to make spinach and goat cheese ravioli. We think it will be a ton of fun for the kids as they learn how to stuff raviolis with delicious and nutritious spinach and creamy goat cheese. Of course, they'll get to sample the fruits of their labor too.  FREE. Lakeline Mall behind Sears & Dillards, Cedar Park.
2. What's the Story Steve? - Saturday, January 12 at 10 a.m. Steve, the improvising poodle, welcomes guest performers Nat Miller (ZACH Theater) and Pierce Purselley (Story Wranglers!) as they perform an original improv format, just for children. Nat and Pierce are leaders in the Austin Youth Theater scene and two of the most experienced, delightful performers you can see.  Pay what you wish. ColdTowne Theater, 4803 Airport Blvd., Austin.
3. Free Improv for Kids Sample Class - Saturday, January 12.  Choose from one of five free sample classes, based on the age of your child.  There are classes for kids age 5 - 17.  FREE but registration required.  The Hideout Theatre, 617 Congress Avenue, Austin.
4. Hands on History at The Williamson Museum - Saturday, January 12, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Bring the family to Hands on History this Saturday. Kids can pretend to make a news broadcast, listen to some of the most famous radio programs in history, and make a radio necklace to take home. Step back in time and imagine how people received news or enjoyed entertainment in theirs homes from the 1930s through the 1950s primarily from radio broadcasts; particularly during World War II people tuned regularly to hear updates about the war. This program is FREE for children of all ages.  The Williamson Museum, 716 S Austin Avenue, Georgetown.
5. Make an All About Me Flip Book - Saturday, January 12, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Children create their own unique flip book, then write a story that's all about them. Print a coupon for the store before you go. FREE.  Lakeshore Learning, 9828 Great Hills Trail, Austin.
6. Silly Storytime at BookPeople - Saturday, January 12 at 11:30 a.m. OK, young jokesters, this storytime is for you! Come join us in BookKids this morning for some super silly stories that will leave you rolling on the floor laughing! We'll read Ducks Don't Wear Socks along with other hilarious tales to tickle your funny bone! Don't be late for a fun morning of jokes, giggles and goofiness! FREE. BookPeople, 603 N Lamar, Austin.
7. Circus Chickendog Show - Saturday, January 12 at 3 p.m.  You're invited to another Music Forever Music Together-gives-back event featuring Circus Chicken Dog: 5 trick dogs, a singing parrot that tells a pirate story, and a clown who was the main juggler and unicyclist in the Royal Lichtenstein Circus! Listen to stories about the dogs' adventures while they re-enact them, showing off amazing tricks, and watch Darren perform world-class juggling and uni-cycling (while playing live accordion music at the same time), a circus balancing act, yo-yo tricks and lots more! This is one very unique and hilarious show!  FREE.  St. George's Episcopal School Playground (in the case of bad weather, the event will take place in Kleberg Hall), 4301 N. I-35 at Airport Blvd., Austin (enter off of Crestwood - parking in the lot on Crestwood). 
8. Groundwork Music Orchestra Kids Show - Sunday, January 13 at 10:30 a.m. The Groundwork Music Orchestra records and performs songs that are part of the Groundwork lesson plan. With guest appearances in and out of the studio, The Groundwork Music Orchestra shares the quality of its classroom content with the community at large. Introducing the Groundwork Music Orchestra is the first recording in a series that will be used in the classroom and distributed to families with children in the program. The album features guest appearances from Ben Kweller, David Garza, Guy Forsyth and other renowned musicians. The songs are available for FREE download here.  Cherrywood Coffeehouse, 1400 E. 38 1/2 Street, Austin.
9. Cars and Coffee - Sunday, January 13, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Bring the kids to Cars and Coffee Austin to see over 100 cars. If your child is a race car fanatic, don't miss the chance to show them the 2013 Lotus Evora GX race car. See the event flyer here. FREE. The Oasis, 6550 Comanche Trail, Austin.
10. Get Fit! Ballet Austin Classes - Sunday, January 13, from 1:30 - 5:30 p.m.  GetFit! 2013 is FREE. Held at Ballet Austin's Butler Dance Education Center, located in the heart of the 2nd Street District in downtown Austin. The day will offer the opportunity to sample the many fitness and Pilates classes offered year-round at Ballet Austin's Butler Community School and Pilates Center. Sample one or all of the classes offered. Classes include: Arms & Abs, Ballet Fit, Barre Cardio, Below the Belt, Better Balance & Movement, Body Sculpting, Bollywood Fit, Feldenkrais®, Foam Roller Body Massage & Stretch, Pilates Ballet Barre Workout, Pilates Cardio, Pilates Mat Workout, Pilates Resistance Band Workout, BollyFit, Turbo Kick®, Zumba®, and more.  New this year is the GETFIT! KIDS ZONE! Classes for kids and parents and kids to get active and have fun. Kids classes include: Mommy & Baby Fit, Kids Active Play (ages 3 & 4), Zumbatomic (ages 4-8), Kids Dance Around the World (ages 5-10), and more.  Go here for the complete schedule. Ballet Austin’s Butler Dance Education Center, 501 W. 3rd St., Austin.