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Last Updated: May 2026 Austin has outstanding art camps for every kind of young creator — from hands-on studio camps for young kids to painting intensives for teens. Top picks include Cherrywood Treehouse Art Studio (boutique East Austin studio, ages 8–12), Art Amore Studios (full-day painting intensive, ages 6–18), Cordovan Art School (40+ themed camps,…

Posted by Amy Kiska, Co-founder & CEO of Recess Last Updated: May 2026 Austin has exceptional sports camps for nearly every interest — from soccer and gymnastics to climbing, ice skating, and martial arts. Top picks include Stellar Soccer, Capital Gymnastics, Crux Climbing, Kula Karate, and ChampionsLT for multi-sport. For soccer, Stellar Soccer, First Touch…

Looking for the best STEM camps in Austin for summer 2026? Whether your child is into coding, robotics, engineering, or hands-on science experiments, Austin offers a wide range of programs designed to spark curiosity and build real-world skills. This guide breaks down top-rated STEM camps for kids ages 3–14+, so you can find the right…

Meet your ultimate free guide to Austin with kids! Discover the best no-cost activities for families in 2025, from splash pads to playgrounds and (shhhh!) hidden local gems.

When Michael DeGeeter stepped into his new role as Director of Marketing and Communications at Camp Quality USA, he wasn’t starting from scratch – he was coming home. After 16 years of personal involvement with the organization, Michael knows firsthand what Camp Quality means to children facing cancer and the families who love them. Camp…

Why camp can support development, and how to help your child feel ready By Dr. Mona Amin: Parent, Pediatrician and Recess Expert Summer camp can bring up a lot for parents. For some families, it feels exciting. A chance for kids to try something new, build confidence, get outside, and have experiences that look different…

At Recess, we know that choosing camps, classes, and activities for your child is about so much more than filling a schedule. It’s about supporting their development, honoring their unique temperament, and creating space for them to explore, grow, and simply be kids. That’s why we’re thrilled to launch the Recess Expert Series – a…

By Amy Kiska, Co-Founder & CEO of Recess  |  9-min read The best activities for your child depend on their age and developmental stage. Children ages 1–4 thrive in open-ended, sensory-based classes. Ages 5–10 are ideal for trying a variety of sports, arts, and STEM programs. By age 10+, kids are ready to go deeper…

The National Inclusion Project began with a friendship. In the early 2000s, Clay Aiken was a college student at UNC-Charlotte pursuing a degree in special education when he met 13-year-old Michael, who had been diagnosed with autism. The bond they formed extended to Michael’s mother, Diane, and together, Clay and Diane discovered they shared more…

Why child development experts recommend structured summer activities, and how to plan without the stress If you’re an Austin parent wondering when to start planning summer camps, you’re asking the right question at exactly the right time. The beginning of the year is when Austin’s summer camp market opens up: providers release full schedules, early…

School calendars are full of student holidays and staff development days, and we know how it feels to be left scrambling for coverage. To combat those pesky gap days, we’ve pulled together a guide to help you plan ahead, with programs and camps for each upcoming day off. Whether your kids want to burn energy,…

Last Updated: May 2026 Austin has some of the best outdoor summer camps in the country — from multi-sport and soccer academies to nature-based farm camps, water sports on Lady Bird Lake, faith-based adventure programs, and forest school. Top picks for 2026 include Austin Youth Fitness (Cycle the City and Fit n’ Fun camps at…

We’re Molly and Amy, two moms and the co-founders of Recess. We started Recess because we know firsthand how challenging it can be to find and book the right activities for your kids. We believe that discovery should be easy, registration should be seamless, and finding great programs should feel like a joy, not a…

The fast-growing startup partners with schools and leading kids’ activity brands to help families book trusted camps, classes, and after-school programs. DALLAS and HOUSTON, Texas — June 1, 2026 — Recess, the kids’ activities marketplace helping families discover and book camps, classes, after-school programs, and enrichment activities, today announced its expansion into Dallas and Houston…

Kathy Dupuy is a force. As the founder of Balance Dance Studios, owner of Dance Spot ATX, and founder of Mom’s Best Friend, she has built a career centered on supporting families – while raising four children and maintaining her own lifelong love of dance. We sat down with Kathy to talk about entrepreneurship, motherhood,…

Brought to you by Recess and Hello Nanny, supporting families through every season of care. Use code RecessNanny10 for 10% off! Every summer parents are handed their marching orders: Sign up for camps early but make sure the camps fit your work schedule and budget, but also ensure they’re learning, but also don’t forget they…

For over 30 years, Dr. Courtney Robinson has researched the school-to-prison pipeline and racial socialization of children. But research alone doesn’t change lives – action does. That’s why Dr. Robinson founded The Excellence Project, an Austin-based organization working to replace punitive school culture with restorative practices that empower young scholars to thrive. We connected with…

PTA volunteers juggle a lot. From fundraising, event planning, family engagement, and everything in between. The last thing you need is to hunt through endless emails or folders just to find the right resource. That’s why we created this space. This page is your one-stop hub for PTA support, designed to make your job easier. Below, you’ll find…

Recess camps + “indoor lifesavers” for cold snaps, rainy days, and cabin fever Some days you open the door, feel the “cold” air (aka when it drops below 60 in Texas), and go: nope. Not today! Whether it’s cold, rainy, or you just need to get everyone out of the house before your living room…

The presents have been opened, the wrapping paper is (mostly) cleaned up… and now your kids are fully into a select few gifts. You know the ones: the karaoke machine that’s somehow turned your house into a Taylor Swift tour at 6am, the Lego set that’s living permanently on the table, the art kit that’s…

It might feel like a long way off, but summer camp season has a sneaky way of showing up faster than expected. While you’re thinking about winter break and holiday plans, many of the most popular summer camps are already opening registration and filling spots. If you’ve ever found yourself scrambling in April or May…

Winter in Austin doesn’t mean hiding indoors — it means gliding, strolling under sparkling lights, and soaking up cozy vibes with friends and family. Here are some of our favorite holiday-season events around town that feel like a little magic break from day-to-day life. ❄️ Lace up & Chill: Ice Skating & Winter Rinks Ice…

Tennis legend Andy Roddick founded the Andy Roddick Foundation in 2000, just as he was ranked the world’s #1 junior tennis player and about to turn pro. Inspired by advice from his hero Andre Agassi, who admitted his biggest regret was not giving back sooner, Roddick committed early to making a difference. More than two…