School may be out for the summer, but keeping kids entertained for weeks on end can be a challenge for many parents. Fortunately, one local resource is making it easier for Central Texas families to find affordable adventures, community events and kid-friendly activities all season long.
On We Are Austin, Sierra Waggoner welcomed Tiare Nord, creator of Mom What’s Next North Austin, to share her free Summer Guide and highlight some of the best ways families can make the most of their summer break.
On We Are Austin, Sierra Waggoner welcomed Tiare Nord, creator of Mom What’s Next North Austin, to share her free Summer Guide and highlight some of the best ways families can make the most of their summer break.
Nord launched Mom What’s Next North Austin as a resource to help parents discover local events, activities and hidden gems without spending hours searching online. Through her Instagram and Facebook pages, she shares family-friendly restaurants, playgrounds, weekend events and local attractions throughout Williamson County and North Austin.
“It’s a kid resource page,” Nord said. “I share all things family-friendly like playgrounds, restaurants and events that are happening mostly in Williamson County and the North Austin area. On Thursdays I share weekend events, and on Sundays I share other events happening throughout the week, as well as reels and posts focusing on places in the area.”
As a mom herself, Nord understands the challenge many families face once school lets out. While summer offers plenty of opportunities to make memories, it can also leave parents searching for new ways to keep children active, engaged and entertained.
“I would say it’s so fun having your kids home. You get a lot of fun time together, but inevitably you’re going to get that question, ‘Mom, what’s next?’ or ‘Mom, I’m bored,'” Nord said. “To me, the biggest challenge is trying to find fun things that we can do somewhere exciting. For my own sanity, I like to have outings planned so we can get out of the house and change things up.”
To help answer that very question, Nord created a free Summer Guide that has become a go-to resource for local families.
“It’s an almost 100-page guide that has all things events, indoor places, outdoor places, shaded parks, ice cream treats, water parks, splash pads and pools all in one easy spot. If you’re trying to figure out what to do next, you can just go to the guide, click on the section you want, or if you’re looking for an event on a specific date, there’s a calendar you can click that takes you right to those events.”
“I created it to answer the question, ‘Mom, what’s next?'” she said. “It’s an almost 100-page guide that has all things events, indoor places, outdoor places, shaded parks, ice cream treats, water parks, splash pads and pools all in one easy spot. If you’re trying to figure out what to do next, you can just go to the guide, click on the section you want, or if you’re looking for an event on a specific date, there’s a calendar you can click that takes you right to those events.”
While the guide features attractions across Central Texas, Nord says some of the best family activities don’t cost anything at all.
While the guide features attractions across Central Texas, Nord says some of the best family activities don’t cost anything at all.
While the guide features attractions across Central Texas, Nord says some of the best family activities don’t cost anything at all.
“My favorite thing is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have fun,” she said. “The local libraries and their summer reading programs are amazing. They have so many fun shows, crafts and events, and it’s all free. I also love splash pads that are free, especially the fenced-in ones so your little runners can’t escape.”
With the Fourth of July approaching, Nord has also created a dedicated holiday guide featuring fireworks shows, festivals, parades and community celebrations happening throughout the area.
With the Fourth of July approaching, Nord has also created a dedicated holiday guide featuring fireworks shows, festivals, parades and community celebrations happening throughout the area.
“So many cities do really fun festivals,” she said. “On my Fourth of July guide, I share details about what they do, who’s performing, because everyone has live music, and what local businesses are doing too.”
With the Fourth of July approaching, Nord has also created a dedicated holiday guide featuring fireworks shows, festivals, parades and community celebrations happening throughout the area.
What began as a page followed mostly by friends has grown into a thriving community for local parents looking for new adventures close to home.
“So many cities do really fun festivals,” she said. “On my Fourth of July guide, I share details about what they do, who’s performing, because everyone has live music, and what local businesses are doing too.”
“So many cities do really fun festivals,” she said. “On my Fourth of July guide, I share details about what they do, who’s performing, because everyone has live music, and what local businesses are doing too.”
“It’s been really great,” Nord said. “People tell me they come to my page when they’re trying to find something to do for the weekend. It takes a village to raise kids. It can be hard—and so fun—but also hard. I love knowing this might make their life a little bit easier.”
She says the community has become a two-way conversation, with parents regularly sharing their own favorite discoveries.
“I have moms sharing the fun places they go so I can share them on my page, too,” Nord said. “When I started, it was just my friends following me, but now it’s grown so much. It’s been so fun to know there are moms all over Williamson County and North Austin finding fun things to do with their kids.”
Families can download the free Summer Guide here, browse the Fourth of July Guide, and find even more family-friendly recommendations by following @MomWhatsNextNorthAustin on Instagram or Facebook.
Families can download the free Summer Guide here, browse the Fourth of July Guide, and find even more family-friendly recommendations by following @MomWhatsNextNorthAustin on Instagram or Facebook.