AUSTIN -- Need to get your kids out of the house this summer? Need a free babysitter?
A handful of Austin parks are participating in a free "drop-in" program for children from June 11 to Aug. 3. Austin Parks and Recreation's "Summer Playgrounds Program" offers kids opportunities to take part in organized sports, arts and crafts, games and outdoor activities, teamwork and character building and fitness and nutrition lessons, the city said.
RELATED:
Eleven Austin parks will be available to children between the ages of 6 and 12 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
- Bartholomew District Park located at 5201 Berkman Drive
- Chestnut Pocket Park located at 2207 East 16th Street
- Davis-White Northeast District Park located at 6705 Crystalbrook Drive
- Dick Nichols District Park located at 8011 Beckett Road
- Franklin Park located at 4800 Copperbend Boulevard
- Garrison District Park located at 6001 Manchaca Road
- Oak View Neighborhood Park located at 10902 Oak View Drive
- Quail Creek Neighborhood Park located at 1101 Mearns Meadow Drive
- Ramsey Neighborhood Park located at 4301 N. Rosedale Avenue
- Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park located at 12138 North Lamar Boulevard
- Zilker Elementary located at 1900 Bluebonnet Lane
You can also drop off your 4- and 5-year-old kids at these four parks Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.:
- Bartholomew District Park located at 5201 Berkman Drive
- Franklin Park located at 4800 Copperbend Boulevard
- Garrison District Park located at 6001 Manchaca Road
- Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park located at 12138 North Lamar Boulevard
Go here to find out how to take advantage of this program.
If you are willing to pay, KVUE put together a list of other fun, engaging summer camps.
Any child under the age of 18 can also take advantage of free breakfast and lunch thanks to Austin Independent School District. Regardless of economic status or if the child attends AISD or not, any child can stop by any participating site to receive a healthy meal.