Category: Family Fun

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Area Attractions Events Family Fun

City of Kyle Founders Day Parade

The first lots in Kyle sold around October 15, 1880. It inspired the city and its residents to start a tradition of holding parades through downtown in mid-October. That parade became known as the Founders Day Parade. This tradition recognizes this great town’s founders.

The City of Kyle is still holding the Founders Day Parade in 2020! They won’t let this unusual year stop them!

About the 2020 Founders Day Parade

This won’t be a typical Founders Day Parade. But then again nothing in 2020 has been typical. This year’s parade is going virtual and its theme is “Life in Kyle.”

The way it will work is that groups and organizations will submit a photo and a description. The photo and description will be placed in a video that will air on the City Live Feed and the City Facebook page. Watch the City of Kyle website for the link. This web page also has photos from past Founders Day Parades.

You can also check the City of Kyle Parks and Recreation Department Facebook page for updates.

A Little Kyle History

Settlers from nearby Blanco and Mountain City founded the town of Kyle in 1880. Sometime between 1870 and 1880, the International and Great Northern Railroad planned to build a line between Austin and San Antonio. The planners saw there were no towns on the route between Austin and San Marcus. They decided to establish a station on that route.

Captain Fergus Kyle and David Moore’s family donated 200 acres for this site. The Texas Land Company deeded the land to develop the town. Within a week, someone surveyed the town and filed it with the county clerk. Officially designated as Kyle, Texas, in honor of one of the people who donated the land.

The town held an auction in October of 1880 beneath Kyle’s famed Oak tree. This is where all the business and residential lots were auctioned off. To encourage more bids, the railroad offered free train rides to those who participated in the sale. The railroad donated the land surrounding this tree. And it became the home of Kyle’s first school, Kyle Seminary.

Want to explore more? Check out these Kyle historical markers.

To stay on top of what’s happening in Kyle, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Area Attractions Family Fun

What’s Happening in Kyle

Residents of Kyle’s Crosswinds community love living here because the city has much to offer. Kyle Library offers regularly scheduled events in the City of Kyle calendar. It’s a great way to meet fellow residents who share the same interest as you do.

Note that some events in the calendar are temporarily suspended. For example, Lego Club meets in the library monthly. Currently, the library isn’t holding events. They’re still open as they provide curbside pickup. You can still enjoy your books!

Some groups have adapted by going online. Be sure to follow up with the group you’re interested in to find out the current status.

Younger Ages

Kyle Library has many options for the little ones who aren’t yet elementary school age. Here are the activities they might enjoy.

Baby Lapsit (ages 0 to 18 months): Baby Lapsit storytime features short stories, simple concepts, and fun songs introduced with fingerplays that emphasize specific motor skills. It closes with a sensory experience.

Toddler Time (18 to 36 months): This is the time for toddlers to enjoy interactive stories, songs, and activities that encourage their emerging language skills.

!Los Cuentos¡ (ages 0-5): This is dual-language storytime for the younger set.

Sensory Fun Storytime (ages 2-5): This is designed to engage children through movement, music, preschool stories, and sensory activity play. It’s ideal for kids with special needs including sensory challenges, social integration, and developmental delays.

Little Yogis (ages 3-6): This is yoga storytime that focuses on early literacy and physical activity through yoga-like poses and movement.

Preschool Express Storytime (ages 2-5): This is an opportunity for parents and caregivers to introduce children to reading and language in a fun, creative way. There will be activities that promote the development and learning through stories, music, fingerplays, and activities.

Older Children

These activities tend to occur after school hours or on weekends making it possible for school-aged children to attend.

Art Hour (ages 8-12): Budding artists meet to do a short studio experience covering a variety of media.

Magic: The Gathering (ages 10+): Trading card game. This is currently held online.

Pajama Storytime: Children can enjoy stories, songs, fingerplays, and a craft.

Lego Club (all ages): Brick-by-brick, attendees build something with Lego in accordance with the monthly theme. The library provides the Lego.

Teen Chat and Chill (ages 12-17): Teens have a safe place to gather and chat.

Teen Anime (ages 12-17): Teens who are fans of anime gather to talk about Japanese and various animation.

Teen Gamers (ages 12-17): This is the time for gamers to gather and talk gaming.

Adults

Love to read? Write? Play games? Or need help to find a job? You have great options here.

Dungeons and Dragons: Dungeons and Dragons still goes strong after many decades of entertainment. It’s so popular that Kyle Library has two online biweekly D&D groups available. D&D Group 1 meets on the first and third Wednesdays. Group 2 meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays. To ask questions and sign up, please contact mlynch@cityofkyle.com.

Page Turners Book Club: The book club meets online on the third Thursday at 6 pm. Visit the book club page to see the current year’s lineup of books. Jesus Hernandez, KPL’s Adult Services Librarian, leads the book club.

Kyle Writers Group: The group meets monthly on the first and third Wednesdays from 6 to 7:45 pm. They welcome everyone including latecomers. Visit the group page to learn more about the group.

Job Search Help: Kyle Public Library cardholders can request personalized job searches, industry information, and job skills training and video. To get started, fill out this form.

There’s truly something for everyone and every interest. Learn more about Kyle Library Offerings.

To stay on top of what’s happening in Kyle, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Area Attractions Family Fun

Doc’s Drive-in Theatre in Kyle

Miss going to the movies? Now you can go to the movies in a different way that’s reminiscent of 1950s. Check out Doc’s Drive-In Theatre on 1540 Satterwhite Rd. in Buda. It’s more than a drive-in theater.

The Doc’s Drive-In Theatre Experience

Doc’s contains two large screens playing modern and classic movies from every genre. It’s your chance to see your favorites in a unique setting and discover new ones. Well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcome to join the fun.

To enhance your experience, bring chairs, blankets, pillows, and any necessities such as medicine and emergency items. Order traditional and no-so-traditional movie food from Doc’s Patio Diner. They even have vegan chicken wings and s’mores. You can order beer and wine options from Mama Merlot’s, their on-site bar. Because they have a restaurant on-site, they ask no one bring outside food and drinks.

You can even make a weekend of it by staying in a themed tiny home.

Take a Hollywood-Style Vacation

Located behind Doc’s Drive-In is Weewok Village. There, you can enjoy a stay in one of three themed tiny homes: magical, classical, or galactical.

Fan of Harry Potter’s? Want a magical getaway? Head to the Wizarding World Theme tiny house. The room has a queen bed, TV with a DVD player, and contains all the Harry Potter books and films. A bathroom and shower stocked with homemade soaps and lotions await. The living room has a couch that turns into a small bed. And the kitchen is stocked with appliances and movie snacks.

Drawn to the classics? Experience Breakfast at Tiffany’s in real-life in the Breakfast at Audrey’s theme filled with sass and class that sleeps five. Featuring two loft bedrooms, the mini home has a king and queen bed. Watch all your favorite Audrey Hepburn films and discover a couple you haven’t seen. Relax in your private deck and yard while taking in the sights and sounds of Buda.

Does the name Weewok make you think of Ewoks? Perhaps, you’d like to go on a space adventure in the Galaxy, Far, Far Away theme. With space for four, the mini home has a king-sized bed in the loft, a couch that turns into a small bed, and a twin blow up bed. The kitchen has all the appliances you could want and movie snacks. You can watch all the Star Wars films, read, and play games.

Everyone from Kyle needs to experience Doc’s Drive-In Theatre at least once!

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle and nearby, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Area Attractions Family Fun

Geocaching in Kyle: Go on a Treasure Hunt

Want to get outside and discover new places around Kyle? You can do that by going on a geocaching adventure! It’s fun for the whole family and you may uncover places you never knew existed in your community. Geocaching regulars say they love it because they experience moments of serenity and have stories to tell.

With more than three million geocaches hidden all over the world, you’re bound to find them in your backyard and on your travels.

What Is Geocaching?

Geocaching is a GPS-based treasure hunt game that’s open to everyone all over the world. The purpose is to hide and find hidden geocache with a global positioning system (GPS). It’s a handheld radio-based navigation system. Most people use a phone app for the GPS to look up a location’s longitude and latitude address with coordinates.

Hiders place a container with an object hidden inside. This is called a cache. The hider provides the item’s coordinates. Although it sounds simple, some are harder than others to find. GPS can get you within 40 feet of the hidden cache. The rest is up to the seeker to find. And that’s the fun part.

Some people prefer to hide caches. They want to see how long it takes people to find it. For both hider and seeker, it’s a great way to improve your navigation skills. One tip is to bring a compass in case a phone loses its signal.

If you have a child who is in Scouting, it’s possible to earn a badge. Girl Scouts offers a Geocacher badge. For Cub Scouts, Cub Scout Ideas has a useful geocaching guide. A Geocaching merit badge is available for BSA Scouts.

How to Get Started Geocaching in Kyle

To start geocaching, all you need is a cell phone loaded with the official Geocaching app and a pen. The app is free to use. It does contain premium features, but they’re not required to enjoy geocaching. After you create an account on the app or at www.geocaching.com, you’ll view a map of geocaches near you. The app will help you navigate.

After you spot the geocache, sign and date the logbook. Return the geocache to its hiding spot for others to find. Be sure to share your experience online too.

To help you #ExploreKyle, pick up the passport from the Kyle Chamber of Commerce’s Kyle Texas GeoTour. You’ll use it to log your caches. In the Geocaching app, search for “Kyle Texas GeoTour” and select a geocache to start your search. The first 250 people who reach 25 points are eligible to receive a trackable geocoin.

Good luck in your geocache hunt and enjoy exploring Kyle!

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Area Attractions Family Fun

Kyle Railroad Depot and Heritage Center

The restored Kyle Railroad Depot and Heritage Center (100 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640) makes it home in a building constructed in 1917. As soon as you walk in, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time to the depot’s heyday.

Inside, you’ll find two waiting rooms with period furnishings and a documentary on the founding of Kyle. The station master’s office contains an audio loop with the sounds of a train station from its golden days.

You’ll also hear announcements and sounds of trains boarding and arriving, calling for passengers, and telegraphs being sent and received.

Take a Trip Through Kyle’s Past

Sadly, many communities have lost their depots. Kyle is grateful to retain this link to its past. The center’s restoration is the result of private donations and grants. Kyle voters also passed a bond to budget $250,000 for the renovation.

The Hays County Historical Commission welcomes visitors to the depot on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm or by appointment. Admission is free. Watch the City of Kyle’s website for special events held at the depot.

Walking through the depot, you’ll learn about the economic, social, racial, and logistical impact of the railroad. At some point, it will have a restored caboose added to its collection.

A Photo Is Worth a Thousand Words

Be sure to stop by the Kyle Railroad Depot and Heritage Center Facebook page to see breathtaking photos of trains. One intriguing photo shared shows a train wreck near Lufkin, Texas in 1893. It’s a fascinating photo with two dressed up ladies on the left, a heavily bearded man in the middle, and the reactions of everyone on or beside the train.

It’s clear the train is wrecked. Yet, males and females stand or sit on top of the train. Look closer and you’ll see a dog resting on the train. It turns out staging wrecks was a pastime from the late 1890s until the 1930s according to an Atlas Obscura story.

Do you know the names of the parts of a switch on a railroad? A photo on the Facebook page shows you where the frog point rails are as well as the frog, point of the frog, heal, switch road, and more.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Area Attractions Family Fun

Keep It Kyle: Unchartered Adventures

Running out of ideas of new things to do in Kyle? You’ll find not one but multiple activities at Unchartered Adventures. Formerly known as 512 Rage Room, Unchartered Adventures calls itself untraditional entertainment. It wants to give you a place to relax and unwind with unforgettable experiences.

The cool thing about this place is they recycle many items that would otherwise end up in the landfill. They either use or donate the found items. They recycle construction material for axe throwing. Junk cars and salvaged objects from demolitions jobs will get a new lease on life in the zombie tactical experience or the base at the dog park.

Smash Rooms

Unchartered Adventure offers the only smash room aka rage room experience in the Austin and San Antonio area. It’s your opportunity to destroy random items in a safely controlled environment. Bad day at work? Come smash things. Celebrating graduation? Come smash things. People even hold divorce parties in the rage room.

You’ll be armed with a helmet with a face shield, gloves, and coveralls. Step two is easy. Just smash anything and everything. You can even add a GoPro to record your session. Anyone ages 10 and up can bang around as long as a parent or guardian signs a waiver for minors. The smash rooms also offer splatter paint with no age limitations.

Axe Throwing

What’s more relaxing than throwing an axe at a target in hopes of landing on the bull’s eye? Bring three of your friends and enjoy an hour of axe throwing. You’ll learn how to safely handle and chuck the axe. And then you’ll have an axellent time! This station is for adults only.

Interactive Dog Park

Looking for someplace to take your fur baby? Coming soon is a half-acre dog park. It’ll be a great place to bring your dog, relax, and drink a cold and refreshing brew. You’ll be able to listen to live music and look at the stars. The park will contain immersive stations around the perimeter. It’s a great opportunity to dress your dog up to match the different themed scenes and take pictures.

Keep visiting the website. They plan to add a Zombie Tactical Experience and sand volleyball.

Per the Hays County ordinance starting 06/22/20, all customers and employees must wear masks until the order expires.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team.

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Area Attractions Events Family Fun

Where to Celebrate 4th of July Near Kyle, TX

Many of us are looking forward to the 4th of July this year. It’s a chance to get out and enjoy fireworks and live music. Here’s where to go to celebrate the birth of America.

City of Kyle Independence Day Celebration

The City of Kyle will celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks launched from Plum Creek Golf Course. The show starts around 9 pm and runs for 20 to 30 minutes. For that perfect viewing spot, head someplace where you can see the tall water tower next to Hays CISD PAC on Kohler’s Crossing. The safest location to park is on the paved parking lots around Kohler’s and Kyle Parkway.

If Mother Nature decides to put a damper on the fireworks, the make-up will be on July 5th. Same time. Same place. Viewing is not allowed at the Plum Creek Golf Course this year.

Red, White, and Buda

Due to COVID-19 concerns, Buda is doing things a little differently this year for Red, White, and Buda. They will have a fireworks show. In fact, they’re having TWO shows! Fireworks will be launched from Buda Sportsplex and City Park on July 4th between 9:15 pm and 9:30 pm.

For your safety and to ensure social distancing, there will be no parking available to view the fireworks at these locations. City Park and Buda Sportsplex will be closed to the public. The city encourages you to watch the fireworks from home or from a safe location where social distancing is observed. Watch for updates on the City of Buda’s Website or Facebook page.

Jaws at the Drive-in

Blue Starlite Drive-in Austin and Round Rock will air one of the most iconic American movies on 4th of July. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this classic tells the story of a great white that terrorizes beachgoers. Can the oceanographer and salty old shark hunter track this monster down?

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle

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Area Attractions Family Fun

Find a New Home in Kyle, Texas This Summer

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to browse new homes in Kyle, now’s the time. The hottest time of the year to find a home is during literally the hottest time of the year, which is in the summertime before school starts. Shopping now offers advantages for home shoppers. For one, rates are lower.

Another reason is that you’ll have a large inventory from which to choose. This improves your chance of discovering a home and community that meet your requirements. One you want to add to your list is Crosswinds master-planned community. It captures the area’s natural beauty and it’s just 20 miles south of Austin.

Here are some of the homes available.

Gehan Homes

Although new to the community, Gehan has been building homes for 25 years. They’ve garnered awards for their design, floor plans, and customer service.

277 Spinnaker Loop

  • Available now
  • Chestnut plan
  • 1,760 square feet
  • 1 story
  • 3 bedrooms
  • 2 bathrooms
  • $279,990

Check out the floor plan to see what the Chestnut floor plan looks and feels like. Featured options include front extension and master shower.

Pacesetter Homes

QUALICO’s Pacesetter Homes has built homes in the Texas Hill Country since 2007. Builder Magazine has recognized Pacesetter Homes as one of the top 10 fastest growing homebuilding companies in the U.S. Only four homes are available for quick move-in, so check them out before they’re snapped up.

298 Tailwind Dr.

  • Available now
  • 1,705 square feet
  • 3 bedrooms
  • 2 bathrooms
  • $289,900

A former model show home, this one-story home comes loaded with upgrades beginning with maple wood floors. Because it’s a model home, it has more landscaping to brighten the front. Cream shaker cabinetry in the kitchen with crown molding gives it a bright and clean look that meshes well with the countertops. You’ll also appreciate having an extra-long driveway and enjoy many nights in the backyard pergola.

Highland Homes

Since 1985, Highland Homes has been welcoming Texas families to their beautiful, high-quality homes. The cool thing is that employees own 100% of the company. Everyone you meet there is an owner. This motivates them to make sure you’re very happy with your home.

762 Spinnaker Loop

 

  • Available now
  • 2,279 square feet
  • 4 bedrooms
  • 3 bathrooms
  • $339,477

Take a virtual tour of this home to experience it for yourself. The entire home contains wood-style floors. No worries about carpet stains. And though it’s one story, it has a three-car garage.

If you’re looking to build, Highland Homes offers a choice of 50-foot lots with 24 floorplans and 60-foot lots with 23 floorplans.

The right home is waiting for you right here in Crosswinds in Kyle, TX. Explore all things Crosswinds by connecting with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Area Attractions Education Family Fun

Kyle Library Offerings

If you love libraries as much as we do, you’re going to love Kyle Library. Residents can do much more than borrow books. As a Kyle resident, you have access to audiobooks, magazines, and DVDs. You can search the catalog as well as reserve and renew books from its website. This barely scratches the surface of the library’s offerings. Here’s what you can do with your Kyle Library card.

TexShare Databases

The TexShare Databases give you access to an extensive collection of articles from more than 27,000 journals, 171,000 ebooks, and 15 million images, videos, and interactive resources. These resources include business, career and job skills, education, genealogy, history, health and medicine, and do-it-yourself.

It’s also a useful resource for homework help. Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) administers the resource sharing program.

Computer and Business Services

The library has free wi-fi and you can log into its computers with your library card. Computer and Business Services consist of printing and copying documents, sending and receiving a fax, and scanning documents. Some services come with a low fee.

The Computer Skills Center can take you through the computer and internet basics. It offers video courses for Microsoft software, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop.

Events and Programming

The library calendar contains a variety of programs and events for all ages. Currently, the library has a Digital Summer Reading program with digital storytimes, online performances, and reading incentives. They have Dungeons and Dragons, Lego Club, Kyle Writers Group, and more.

Ancestry.com

Explore your family history with Ancestry.com. Next time you visit the library, log into the genealogy website to browse indexes to birth, death, and marriage records, immigration, passenger lists, and naturalization records.

Little Free Libraries

Finished a book you own? Consider dropping it off at one of Kyle’s Little Free Libraries. If you find an interesting book, go on and take it.

Kyle Library Thrift Shop

Operated by the Friends of the Kyle Public Library, the Kyle Library Thrift Shop is a resale shop on Lockhart Street. Funds from the shop support the library. Visit its page for the latest news.

The library is always adding new programs. Check out the website or follow Kyle Library’s Facebook page.

To stay on top of great resources from Kyle, connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Looking to move? Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle or contact our Crosswinds team

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Area Attractions Family Fun

Drive-in Theater in Kyle, Texas

Whoever thought drive-in movies would make a comeback? And it’s right in Kyle! EVO is living up to its tagline of being the EVOlution of entertainment. It has evolved the movie theater by moving it from inside to outside with the EVO Drive-In Experience.

About EVO Drive-in Experience

The drive-in is so popular that tickets sell out quickly. Be sure you sign up to receive an email alert when tickets become available. You have a choice in more than one drive-in. EVO San Marcos is only 10 miles from Kyle. If you’d like to go a little further, Schertz is about 45 minutes away.

If you’d like to enjoy the fresh air, bring lawn chairs. You can sit outside your vehicle as long as you stay within your space and respect social distancing.

The drive-in films take place on the exterior wall of the EVO building. It contains a high-grain white paint to enhance visibility. Movie-goers listen to the sound via the AM/FM radio in their vehicles.

Before You Go

Check the “What’s Playing” page for showtimes and to order your tickets. EVO’s movie selection contains a nice variety that includes comedy, musicals, horror, and action. The movies can be classics or as recent as 2019. They have a late-night side-show in which they run R-rated movies at 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

EVO has thought of everything. If you want to order food and pay for it, just use the mobile app. The entire process is contactless. You won’t have to worry about cash payments. Runners wear masks and nitrile gloves when delivering your order.

EVO shares its relaunch plans, so you know how they’re adapting to the changes to serve you. They’re still providing curbside and home delivery via EVO Market. You can shop for pre-built meal kits for pizza, breakfast, grilling, dessert, or margaritas.

Explore the inventory of new homes in Kyle. You can contact our Crosswinds team or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.