CULTURE CLUB
ORCHILL INTHESHADE Plenty to do in Hutto, Taylor for kids and adults
In the aftermath of sports banquets, graduations and end-ofschool parties, summer is here. With the school kids out, it’s time to have some fun and keep them busy this season.
Meanwhile, adults can find a new sport or hobby this summer.
There is even a new entertainment venue open in Hutto for movies, games and dining.
TAYLOR PARKS AND RECREATION
With its home base in Murphy Park, 1412 Davis St., Taylor’s Parks and Recreation Department keeps residents active while having fun. The summer calendar is packed with free and low-cost activities, from free Sports Pop-Ups to Splash Pad Pop-Ups to new fitness classes.
Visit https://www.taylortx.gov/27/ Parks-Recreation Kids can pick up a sport with the free Sport Playdays this summer in Taylor. The one-hour clinics are free and located in Murphy Park. With tennis, football, soccer, gymnastics and cheer options, children can spend weekday mornings making new friends and staying active.
KIDS POP-UPS AND MORE
Starting in June, there will be sports and games pop-ups every Tuesday and Thursday, plus arts and crafts 9-11 a.m. every Wednesday. All the fun will be located in the Murphy Park Pavilion at 1600 Veterans Drive in Taylor.
Starting in July, the sports and games and the arts and crafts will meet indoors at the Taylor Independent School District Event Center Gym. Sports and games pop-up will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m. to noon, and the arts and crafts pop-up will be on Wednesdays at the same location, 3101 N. Main St.
In the evenings, Robinson Park is the place to be with the Taylor Park and Rec Summer in the Park series. Kids will find dodgeball, basketball, food, plus arts and crafts at 1009 E. M.L.K. Jr. Blvd. every Tuesday and Thursday from 7-8:45 p.m.
Taylor features two splash pads and the Parks and Recreation Department will host splash pad pop-ups during June and July. Robinson Park’s Splash Pad Pop-Up will be on Mondays from 10 a.m. to noon.
The Heritage Square Splash Pad Pop-Up, 400 N. Main St., will be on Fridays at the same time.
JUNE ACTIVITIES IN TAYLOR
• Free Sports Playdays
every Tuesday and Thursday 9-11 a.m. at Murphy Park Pavilion
• Arts and crafts
every Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. at Murphy Park
• Free Sports Clinics in Murphy Park: Tennis: 10 a.m. June 24 Cheer Skillz: 9 a.m. June 24 and June 26 Football: 10 a.m. June 10 and June 12 Soccer: 10 a.m. June 17
• Summer in The Park
every Tuesday and Thursday from 7-8:45 p.m. at Robinson Park starting June 10 and through July.
• Splash Pad Playdays
Mondays at Robinson Park 10 a.m. to noon Fridays at Heritage Square 10 a.m. to noon
JULY ACTIVITIES
• Free Sports Playdays Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m. to noon at Taylor ISD Event Center Gym
• Arts and crafts every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon at Taylor ISD Event Center Gym
• Splash Pad Playdays
Mondays at Robinson Park 10 a.m. to noon Fridays at Heritage Square 10 a.m. to noon
• Movies at the Dickey-Givens Community Center, 1015 E. M.L.K.
Jr. Blvd. on Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m., preregistration required.
SUMMER ADULTS’ FITNESS CLASS
Based at Memorial Stadium, 1300 Davis St., the city hosts adult fitness classes from Monday to Friday. From SeniorFit classes to its Walk 2 Run and Track Time, residents will find options to stay fit this summer.
New for June, Butts ’N’ Guts will replace DrumFIT on Thursdays at 6 p.m.
This class targets abs, legs and glutes in a fast-paced setting.
According to parks and rec officials, Butts N’ Guts is designed to shape, sculpt and strengthen butt, thigh, back and core muscles in a structured, brisk environment. Most fitness classes incorporate a variety of exercises and can be adjusted to different levels and goals.
For adults looking for a team sport, volleyball is from 5-8 p.m. at the Taylor Middle School Gym, 304 Carlos G.
Parker Blvd. N.W. and runs until July 27.
Each session is registered separately.
For more, visit taylortx.gov/1172/ Adult-Fitness-Classes
UPCOMING
The Back to School Bash is scheduled for 5:30-10:30 p.m. Aug. 15 at Murphy Park Pavilion in Taylor.
TAYLOR PUBLIC LIBRARY
Back for 2025, Taylor’s Public Library, 801 Vance St., will host free events for families from June until mid-July. The first is Movie Monday at 2:30 p.m., followed by an arts-and-crafts session at 2:30 p.m.
Tuesdays.
Teens have their own arts-and-crafts session 5 p.m. Thursdays.
HUTTOPARKSAND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Hutto will offer summer break camps again this year. The camps will be themed weeklong sessions and include field trips to the Scott Metzer Pool.
Camp sessions are divided into two age groups: 5 to 8 and 9 to 12. Each camp runs from Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Each weeklong session starts at $160 per camper.
For older kids, there are Saturday excursions for teens. Teens hop a bus and head to places including Schlitterbahn Water Park in New Braunfels and Kalahari Water Park in Round Rock. Day trips start at $50 per trip.
For more on the youth camps, visit huttotx.gov/281/Youth-Programs.
SUMMERTIME FUN AT HUTTOFAMILYYMCA
The Hutto Family YMCA, 200 Alliance Blvd., will offer half-day specialty camps all summer. With offerings including science, technology, engineering, arts and math to Top Chef, gymnastics and soccer, these sessions work on hobbies and new skills.
Camps will run weekly from 8 a.m. to noon until Aug. 8. The camps will be held Monday through Friday, and individual camps start at $165 per session per camper.
For more and to register, go to https:// ymcactx.org/camp/specialty/#camps.
The summer camps are open to all.
TEMPLE COLLEGE CAMPS
School-age kids can sign up for camps hosted by Temple College at the Hutto and Taylor campuses. From a mad science camp for younger kids to several coding camps, e-sports and gaming camps, kids can play and learn new skills over the summer.
The weekly sessions run until Aug. 1.
Camps are divided into age groups, with sessions for rising kindergarteners to those entering ninth grade. They start at $215 per student for morning or afternoon sessions.
The Temple College Summer Camps at Hutto are at 1600 Innovation Blvd.
The Taylor campus camps are at 516 N.
Main St.
For more and to register, visit www. templecollege.edu/workforce/wce/ community/k-12-camps.html or email [email protected]
AREA ART CLASSES FOR ALL
With the growing arts community in eastern Williamson County, kids, teens and adults can get their hands dirty and have some fun. From ceramics and sculpture to painting, local art studios welcome folks to their summertime camps.
Adults will find classes throughout the year.
“Summer art classes give kids a chance to explore their creativity, build confidence and express themselves in ways they often don’t get to during the school year. It’s not just about making art — it’s about making memories, developing problem-solving skills and discovering the joy of creating something with your own hands,” said Elizabeth Bonura, artist and owner of Bonura Studios in Hutto.
ART OFF CENTER
Art Off Center is hosting two Summer Clay Boot Camps for Kids in June.
The three-day sessions cover the basic skills of coil building, slab building, pinch pots and decorating with underglazes.
Located at 116 W. Second St., Suite 108 in Taylor and down in the McCrory Timmerman basement, off Potters Alley.
For more, visit artoffcenter.com.
BBK CERAMICS
In June, BBK Ceramic will offer a Pottery Wheel Class. Students will learn how to make bowls, mugs and cylinders on the wheel, then glaze their creations.
The Thursday class runs from 4-5:30 p.m. June 12, June 19 and June 26 at 3333 CR 119, Suite 26, Hutto. For more, visit www.bbkceramics.com.
BONURA ART STUDIO
Bonura, a professional sculptor, offers classes for kids and teens in June and July.
From its pet-sculpting class, Paws and Claws, to its Sweet Sensations class and its Flower Frenzy class, students can mix and match two-hour classes with morning and afternoon sessions.
Located at 3333 CR 119, Suite 17, Hutto, you can learn more about classes by visiting bonurastudios.com.
EVERY TIME INSTITUTE
New to Taylor, Every Time Institute’s Nicolas Nadeau will host Creativity Summer Camps for Kids and Teens at Old Taylor High. The camps are from June 16 to June 19, with morning sessions for kids 8 to 12 and afternoon sessions for teens.
The camps are at 410 W. Seventh St., Room 203. For more, visit www. everytimeinstitute.com.
HOOKYHUTTO
Hooky Hutto is a 54,400-square-foot venue with bowling lanes, an interactive arcade, movie theaters with IMAX projection and Dolby Atmos sound and luxury recliners. Its chef-crafted food and beverage menus elevate dining, company representatives said, and there are private event spaces.
Newly opened, the site is at 150 Alliance Boulevard, Suite 100 in Hutto.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily.
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