Austin, Texas has so much to see and do for both adults and children. Here are 16 fun things to do and see in Austin with kids.
Austin, Texas has so much to see and do for both adults and children. The Texas capital is full of beautiful parks, unique history, and cool outdoor activities! Parents will not have any problems finding fun and educational things to do with their kids both inside and outdoors. Below are 16 things to do with kids in Austin!
Zilker Park
Zilker Park is a 351-acre park that sits across from Lady Bird Lake and just beyond downtown Austin. The park has miles of trails, gardens, and waterways making it perfect for all kinds of outdoor activities. You will also find the Zilker Zephyr, a miniature train, that will take you on a 25-minute ride through the park and playgrounds.
Zilker Botanical Garden
With 26-acres, Zilker Botanical Garden has themed gardens such as rose, herb, and Japanese that are connected by streams, waterfalls, and Koi-filled ponds.
Austin Nature & Science Center
Located on the western side of Zilker Park, Austin Nature & Science Center is fun and educational with hands-on exhibits. Plus admission is free!
Canoe or Kayak
There are several spots along Lady Bird Lake where you can rent canoes, kayaks, and/or paddleboards. Kids love getting out on the water and exploring in a different way!
Barton Springs
Barton Springs Pool is a spring-fed pool that is one of the most popular summer spots in Austin. The 3-acre pool stays a cool 68˚F year-round. There is a shallow end for kids to splash in.
The springs are home to the Barton Springs Salamander, which is an endangered animal and the pool is it’s federally protected habitat. There is also an educational exhibit where you can learn more about the pool, it’s history and the springs that feed it.
Graffiti Art
Austin is known for its graffiti art found throughout the city. Some of the most popular sites are:
- I Love You So Much – written on the side of Jo’s Coffee at 1300 S. Congress was a message written by Amy Cook to her partner.
- Greetings From Austin – this is a very popular stop to snap a picture at 720 S. First Street.
- You’re My Butter Half – was part of a rebranding effort by the United Way and is a fun spot for a photo.
Inner Space Cavern
In 1963, when the Texas Highway Department was drilling to determine if the ground was stable enough to support a large highway overpass (I-35) the drill bit suddenly dropped 26ft and the team knew that there was something down there. The caverns opened to the public in 1966 and you can take three different types of tour depending on your adventure level. We went on the Adventure Tour where a guide leads you through the living caverns explaining the history.
We really enjoyed the tour, exploring all the different “rooms” and learning about how the limestone formations were made. The grounds also have a playground, a mining area, a gift shop, and several displays of fossils that were found in the cave
South Congress Bridge Bats
Under the South Congress Bridge, you can find the largest bat colony in North America. The 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats nest under the bridge from March through November. They come out at dusk each night to feed on bugs. You can see the droves of bats flying from the bridge, near the shore of Lady Bird Lake, at the Stateman’s Bat Observation Center or from a boat or kayak.
Laguna Gloria
Located on 12-acres overlooking Lake Austin is Laguna Gloria. The grounds include a 1916 Mediterranean-style estate, art museum, and sculpture park. This is probably one of our favorite places to visit in the city. We love exploring the grounds, finding sculpture, and dipping our toes in Lake Austin. Laguna Gloria is free on Tuesdays.
Thinkery
Austin’s Children’s Museum, Thinkery, has plenty of fun and interactive exhibits. STEM-based exhibits include the light lab, an innovators workshop, a kitchen lab, a farmer’s market area, an outdoor climbing area and of course a water play area.
Austin Aquarium
The Austin Aquarium is home to thousands of different species including reptiles, birds, fishes, sea animals and much more. Most of the exhibits are hands-on where you can put your fingers into the water and for an additional cost, you can purchase food to feed the animals.
Peter Pan Mini-Golf
An Austin tradition since 1948, Peter Pan Mini-Golf offers two 18 hole courses that are filled with characters and obstacles. It’s so much fun! In fact, we planned to only golf one course but ended up doing both courses. Also, Peter Pan Mini-Golf only accepts cash.
Hike
Being active outside taking in the fresh air is very popular in Austin and a great way to do that as a family is going on a hike that ends with a waterfall! Below are a couple of options:
- Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls along the Barton Creek Greenbelt
- McKinney Falls State Park where you can discover the Upper Falls and Lower Falls
- Hamilton Pool Preserve is a remarkable waterfall that is a little bit outside of town
State Capitol
Austin is the state capital of Texas, therefore a visit to the Texas State Capitol and it’s visitor center is a great learning experience. The visitor center has interactive exhibits that are kid-friendly and the grounds of the state capitol are beautiful with lots of sculptures.
Amy’s Ice Cream
Amy’s Ice Cream is an Austin-based ice cream parlor with lots of classic and unique flavors. There are multiple locations throughout the city, so there is bound to be a location near you. One of our favorite flavors is Mexican vanilla!
Lady Bird Wildflower Center
With 284 acres of cultivated gardens, an arboretum, and natural areas the Lady Bird Wildflower Center is a great place to explore. The family garden alone provides more than a dozen interactive and educational features made of natural materials including a maze, a grotto with caves and a picturesque waterfall, giant tree stumps to climb, and a flowing creek with dinosaur footprints and related water activities. The center also has over 2 miles of trails to explore.
If you are looking for more adventures in Texas, check out my Texas bucket list and day trips from Austin.
