Things to Do with Kids in Austin

Hands-on STEAM exhibits for infants through early elementary. Big outdoor water play area, kitchen lab, light and shadow studio. Baby Bloomers hours Fri-Sat 8-10am are under-4 only. Free Tuesdays 3-7pm and Sundays 3-5pm.

Three-acre spring-fed pool, 68-70 degrees year-round. Shallow wading end for little kids, diving board for bigger ones. Closed Thursdays 9am-7pm for cleaning. Lifeguards on duty 8am-10pm; before 8am is swim-at-your-own-risk.

Free nature center in Zilker Park. Rescued hawks, owls, reptiles, and small mammals up close. Fossil dig pit and nature trails. Camps cost extra but the exhibits are always free.

15-minute miniature train loop through Zilker Park near Barton Springs. Buy tickets at the depot, first-come first-served. Cash and credit. Under 2 rides free on your lap.

The building alone is worth a visit. Dedicated kids' floor with free storytimes, crafts, and STEM activities. Weekly storytimes for ages 0-5 including Spanish sessions. Rooftop garden. Free underground parking.

Two 18-hole courses, open since 1946. The whimsical one works for little kids; the challenging one is real mini golf. BYOB after sunset (cans only, no glass). Cash and credit.

Free splash pad, May through October, 8am-10pm daily. Playground and restrooms right there. Shaded trails along Shoal Creek for when the kids finally dry off. You'll burn at least two hours here. Pack a towel.

Free park with peacocks just walking around. Two acres of gardens, water lily ponds, and trails. Peacocks show off their tail feathers February through June. Nature preserve next door has easy walking trails. Good for a quick visit or a longer picnic.

Touch tanks where kids handle starfish, feed sharks, and pet stingrays. Tropical fish, reptile encounters, rotating exhibits. Plan 2-3 hours with younger kids. Under 2 free.

Japanese garden with koi ponds, real fossilized dinosaur footprints, and a children's garden with scavenger hunt from the gift shop. Streams, waterfalls, stone pathways to explore. Under 2 free. Cheap for Austin residents.

Texas history from dinosaurs to the space age, three floors of hands-on exhibits and 500+ artifacts. IMAX and 4D theater cost extra but kids love them. Free first Sunday of every month. Under 3 always free.

21,000 works on the UT campus. The Ellsworth Kelly chapel with colored glass windows mesmerizes kids with shifting light. Free Tuesdays. Under 5 always free. Grab a family gallery guide at the front desk.

Sprawling free park along the Colorado River with a nature-themed playground (4 slides, bridges, climbing structures, spinners, nature sounds buttons), paved trails for bikes and strollers, soccer fields, and disc golf. One of Austin's best playgrounds.

284-acre botanical garden dedicated to native Texas plants. The Luci and Ian Family Garden has water features, a stone tower, and exploration caves kids love. Wildflower meadows peak March through May. Children 4 and under free. Stroller-friendly throughout.

Free hike up 102 hand-cut limestone stairs to the highest point in Austin. Takes about two minutes — even small kids can do it. Panoramic views of Lake Austin and the Hill Country. Free parking. Best at sunset, less crowded mornings.

Oldest swimming pool in Texas, spring-fed and city-maintained since 1936. A Texas Historic Landmark. Main pool for laps and older kids, wading pool for toddlers. Much less crowded than Barton Springs. Free swim hours offered periodically.

Rescue zoo in the Hill Country with 300+ animals that cannot be returned to the wild — big cats, bears, primates, farm animals. Petting zoo and train ride are kid favorites. Smaller and more intimate than big-city zoos. Kids 2 and under free.

Free garden designed for kids with whimsical paths, hands-on planting areas, and shady picnic spots. Part of the Mueller development. Open daily, free admission.

Natural history museum on the UT campus with dinosaur fossils, Texas wildlife dioramas, mineral collections, and a mounted 40-foot pterosaur. Free on the fourth Sunday of every month. Children 5 and under always free.

12-mile greenbelt with hiking and biking trails, swimming holes, and limestone cliffs. Sculpture Falls and Twin Falls trails are family-friendly with shallow wading pools when water flows. Free to access. Dogs welcome on leash.

Family entertainment complex with go-karts, mini golf, laser tag, bumper boats, batting cages, and an indoor arcade. Pay per activity or buy combo passes. Good rainy-day option. About 15 minutes north of downtown.

Modern park with a large playground, splash pad (seasonal), lake with walking loop, and open lawns. One of the best playgrounds in Austin — climbing structures for all ages. Thinkery children's museum right across the street.

A collapsed grotto with a 50-foot waterfall and jade-green swimming hole in a limestone canyon. One of the most beautiful natural swimming spots in Texas. Reservations required — sells out fast. Steep trail down; ages 4+ recommended.

Free outdoor concerts most Sundays at the Long Center lawn overlooking Lady Bird Lake. Bring a blanket and a picnic. Family-friendly programming, mix of genres. The terrace has stunning skyline views.

A 22,000-square-foot outdoor skate park with bowls, rails, and street features for all skill levels. Free to use — no admission charge. Helmets required for kids under 18. A separate beginner area makes it accessible for younger kids learning to skate or scooter. One of the largest free skate parks in Texas.