By Amy Kiska, Co-Founder & CEO of Recess | Updated March 2025 | 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…
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…
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…
North Austin summers tend to fill up fast, and for good reason. With so many families balancing full workdays, long breaks, and kids who need structure, having solid camp options makes all the difference. From high-energy sports and movement camps to STEM, art, and enrichment programs, North Austin offers a wide range of summer camps…
Central Austin offers one of the widest selections of summer camps in the city, which is both a blessing and a challenge. With so many great options close by, families can mix and match camps by week, interest, and age. Central Austin summer camps include everything from sports and STEM to creative arts and enrichment,…
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…
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. January is when Austin’s summer camp market opens up: providers release full schedules, early bird discounts go live,…
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…