8 Best Things to Do with Kids in Austin

This 351-acre metropolitan park south of the Colorado River from downtown Austin is packed with fun things to do. There are beautiful picnic sites, playgrounds, volleyball courts, botanical gardens, an outdoor theatre and a nature centre.

Kids will especially enjoy the 20-minute tour of the park provided by the Zilker Zephyr miniature train. The star attraction, however, is the Barton Springs Pool. Formed by natural springs and spanning 3 acres, the water here is at a constant temperature of about 20°C throughout the year. It’s a popular place for Austinites and visitors to relax and cool off in summer.

This museum was designed to tell 'the Story of Texas', and does so across 3 floors of interactive exhibits. Each floor has a different theme covering the Texan land and identity. There are sections detailing the state history from its earliest inhabitants to the modern day.

The main feature is the 400-seat IMAX cinema, which shows new and classic films. Be sure to check out the original NASA Mission Control consoles and oil field drill bits on the 3rd floor. Head to the Story of Texas Café for local comfort food and snacks.

This intriguing museum in Zilker Park focuses on the hands-on approach to learning when it comes to the natural world. Children are encouraged to touch and handle exhibits while discovering an increased appreciation for the environment around them. There are both indoor and outdoor exhibits, including a dinosaur pit where kids can practice excavating fossils, a butterfly garden, a nature walk and even a small zoo.

Don’t miss the cool art installations like the wooden and steel Arboreal Passage or the colourful ceramic and glass snake. Best of all, entrance is free, though some special workshops come with a small fee.

Austin is known for its weird and wonderful attractions, and Peter Pan Mini-Golf is perhaps one of the best examples. First opened in 1948, there are 2 courses, both with 18 holes and littered with bizarre but charming statues and obstacles. Many of them are naturally related to the popular tale of the boy who never grew up, while others are seemingly random but no less fun.

The family-owned venue regularly adds to the collection and local artists refresh the beloved characters when they need a coat of paint. The giant Peter Pan perched at the entrance has become a bit of a local celebrity, so be sure to snap a selfie with him.

Dedicated to vintage playthings, games and action figures, the Texas Toy Museum and Arcade is a great day out no matter your age. Parents will love the nostalgia trip and the interesting look at childhood education and entertainment through the years. Children of any age will adore the many interactive exhibits, making it almost more like a giant toy box than a museum.

The collections include an original 1959 Barbie doll in her iconic swimsuit, classic 80s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures, vintage Star Wars playsets and many more. The admission fee includes unlimited gameplay on retro arcade games such as Space Invaders, Donkey Kong and Dance Dance Revolution, so you can play to your heart’s content.

Located in the northeast of the city, near Mueller Lake Park, Thinkery is a hands-on learning lab for youngsters, focussing on lessons surrounding science, technology, engineering, maths and arts.

The museum has plenty of art spaces, play areas, workshops and other areas for kids so they can exercise their creativity while developing their skills and knowledge with the help of expert staff. Thanks to tailored activities, it’s suitable for any age group. While tickets are available on the door, it’s recommended you book in advance.

Pioneer Farms brings the early days of Austin to life in a 90-acre living museum and park. The area is split into 6 themed areas, including a Native American encampment, a petting zoo and various kinds of farms and villages you’d typically find on the edge of the Wild West around the mid- to late-1800s.

You can taste old-fashioned foods, try your hand at historical trades and crafts and see demonstrations of the farming practices of the time. They also run special events for holidays like Halloween, so if your visit coincides, you’re in for a treat.

The Original Pinballz Arcade has a truly massive selection of pinball machines spread across 3 Austin venues. However, it’s more than just bouncing silver balls around, you can also play modern and retro arcade and video games and take on the escape room puzzle. Really get into the nostalgia vibe and play those games you haven’t seen in years.

If you need a break from the fun and games, there’s a café serving all-day breakfast tacos. It’s a popular establishment with local Austinites, who are fond of their old-school entertainment, and their tacos.