The best things to do in Austin with kids

Though putt putt golf is always a fun treat for all ages, when temperatures soar north of three-digits, having an indoor golf option is just the par for the course. Enter: Holey Moley, which opened in 2024, offering three quirky, air-conditioned, 9-hole mini golf courses that blow traditional putt putt out of the water. Each course leans heavily on 1980s and 1990s nostalgia, with kitschy themed holes featuring raining cash, “ET” and ferris wheels, offering plenty of photo opps. 

You can also book a private room for karaoke for up to 15 people, because who among us doesn’t love embracing the cringe and rocking the mic like no one is listening, except our darling progeny? Do not miss the themed drinks, some of which arrive in adorable glassware like disco balls, unicorn and bathtub vessels, and burgers and fries that come on trophy pedestals and shopping carts. Seriously so fun.

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One of the newest family-friendly activities is tucked away in the Domain. Activate Austin is a series of rooms filled with a nearly endless number of larger-than-life electronic games, physical challenges and puzzles. Book your time slot, sign in and you’ll be equipped with a chip-embedded band that lets you access the various rooms and challenges.

This is ideal for families with older school-aged kids to teens; parents will challenge their kiddos to plenty of competitive thrills, too. Try throwing balls to destroy asteroids, playing match games, shooting hoops, racing against the clock across a room to reach the “safe zone” or testing your memory skills with giant, light-up pianos.

During the summer months, local pools, splash pads and waterparks become a necessity for Austin-area families. Though it’s fun to challenge yourself to try them all, one of the most spacious and fun is Pflugerville’s Typhoon Texas, which has areas for everyone, from splash pads for babies and toddlers to the most daring straight-drop slides for teens and adults, along with a just-the-right-speed lazy river for everyone.

Dining options are available thanks to an on-site cafeteria and poolside huts serving up burgers, pizza, chicken fingers and French fries. There are also a variety of bars serving alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. Insider tip: If you plan to visit more than once per season, purchasing a season pass will save you money.

Though it may not officially be the largest indoor waterpark in the country anymore (as it was when it first opened in 2020), Round Rock’s Kalahari, measuring 1.5 million square feet, is still one of the largest. In addition to the usual waterpark thrills (of which there are many—30 slides, 20 pools, and outdoor pool and bar spaces, too), there’s also an immersive gaming space called Tom Foolerys Adventure Park that many families schedule an entire day to explore. There are small roller coasters here, a ropes course and every imaginable arcade game. Day passes are available, but generally, you can stay overnight (which includes waterpark passes) for about the same price, so it’s worthwhile to make this a staycation.

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Kids with tons of energy to burn (which is—checks notes—most of them) love finding novel ways of burning that energy off. One of the hidden gems in Austin is at Mesa Rim, which is a full-scale, serious climbing facility that has a “bouldering” section that is perfect for school-aged children. Day passes for kids ages 4 to 17 are just $20, in addition to climbing gear (they’ll need to wear special shoes). There are a variety of course types that range from easy to difficult, and your kiddo can spend a few hours testing their strength. It’s a fun indoor fitness activity for the family to do together year-round.

Originally opened as “Austin’s Park and Pizza” in 2003 and serving as the backdrop for many  birthday parties, this combination indoor/outdoor amusement park—now simply called “Austin’s”—received a major glow-up in 2021 and now features laser tag, a large indoor amusement park and gaming section, in addition to a bowling alley, go-karts, a rock wall, XD theater and a putt-putt golf course. You’ll pay for a wristband to access unlimited attractions all day, and there’s also an add-on option for an all-you-can-eat buffet. It’s not a bad way to spend a school break, exploring this huge space filled with thrills.

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Cidercade is a novel business that combines the thrill of arcades (including a nice mix of new games plus classics like Donkey Kong) with a bar that is fully stocked with Texas-brewed beers, hard ciders and sodas. There is also a selection of fresh-baked pizzas and wings to keep you fueled while you game the day away. The best part is that the experience is easy on your wallet. More than 150 games are all free to play for one admission fee, which is currently just $12. The only catch for families: watch the clock, as this venue is strictly 18 and up after 9pm.

It’s probably safe to say we’ve all visited some pretty lame mini-golf courses, but South Austin’s Peter Pan Mini-Golf hasn’t lost its edge since opening in 1948, and it’s so beloved, a petition to grant the family-run business historic designation in Austin garnered thousands of signatures in 2024. For just a few bucks, you and your young’uns can conquer two courses complete with plenty of iconic challenges, including the uphill Giant Tyrannosaurus Rex, the Whale, the Old Mill, the Turtle, and of course good ol’ Pan himself. Party and picnic reservations are available, and there's a huge bonus for (responsible) parents/guardians: Peter Pan is BYOB (just no glass, please).

Thinkery is the ultimate space for families to discover a plethora of “whys” and “hows” using fun, scientific and physical experimentation.

The innovative building houses countless hours' worth of activities: Peering through microscopes or learning at the Animation Station in the Innovators’ Workshop; practicing concepts of aerodynamics with the object launcher in the Spark Shop; drawing with light or freezing shadows in the Light Lab; uncovering the link between water and sound in the Currents exhibit; or settling in with a wide variety of picture/story books in the cozy Story Nook.

And if the weather’s right, don’t forget to visit the outdoor area complete with a space-age playground and a stream stocked with buckets and sieves for aquatic antics. 

Ice cream lovers, of which ATX has many, rejoiced when the Museum of Ice Cream (MOIC) opened at The Domain in 2021, and it has since continued to be a reward destination for kiddos who behaved themselves all week long. As you’d expect, the giant pink building is dedicated to the sweet stuff and its history across 12 multi-sensory installations. You can jump in their famous sprinkle pool, ride the animal cookie carousel, and of course, there are ice cream breaks throughout the experience to stop and refuel at (read: unlimited helpings). MOIC also has seasonal specials such as “Pinkmas” in the winter, and if you don’t want to fork out for tickets, you can also visit the cafe and shop anytime for free.

Though it’s technically 12 miles east of Austin, near Bastrop, the local Dinosaur Park is a hotspot you won’t want to neglect if your little peeps are prehistorically inclined. Unlike a traditional dino museum, this park features full-scale statues on a mile-long trail depicting the creatures as they were when they ruled the Earth, plus a Dino Dig for unearthing some life-size “fossils.”

On a nice afternoon, it’s an ideal site for a birthday or picnic. And if it’s the right season, the grounds offer up a fantastic lesson in local wildlife; you can often spot lizards, wild rabbits, large stick insects and roadrunners as you traverse the path.

For young and old detectives alike, The Escape Game Austin will put all those problem-solving skills to the test. You have an hour to race against time with the goal of making it through the back door before the buzzer. Players can choose from themed rooms like a prison break, gold rush and a heist (and there’s also a playground room, in case the kids miss school over the holidays!), and all come with your own personal games master who will flash clues over the duration of the game. A chance to put teamwork into practice, this group activity is fun for all ages from tween up.

If you’re traveling with a pack of adrenaline-loving tweens and teens then Texas’ longest and fastest zipline will give y’all quite the thrill. Lake Travis Zipline Adventures offers day tours whereby guests take on five different ziplines that progress in speed and height as they work their way through. All the necessary equipment is included, plus transfers from the dock to the lakefront. And for you? There may be a secret bar at the end to reward your efforts. 

As Central Texas’s biggest indoor playscape, Mt. Playmore is an ideal spot for hours of supervised, spatial fun. Better yet, if your underage urchins prove exhausting, there are plenty of comfortable couches in a central seating area where it’s easy enough to keep close watch. There’s also an arcade and restaurant to complete the party package, plus a toddlers-only area if you’re toting tykes on the younger side.

10808 Rawhide Trail, Austin, Texas 78736

With its underlying mission to assist animals in need through rescue, rehabilitation and education, the Austin Zoo is a fantastic choice to give the kids an up-close encounter with a wide variety of critters and feel good about it.

Your nominal admission price goes directly to efforts to save endangered species and the care of the zoo’s animals. Check out more than 300 animals of over 100 different species while exploring the 15-acre expanse of beautiful hill country. For the most scenic tour, take the 20-minute train ride and see some longhorns, alpacas and emus along the way.

With three floors, a cozy café and plenty of quirky Keep-Austin-Weird decor, it’s no wonder that BookPeople—the largest independent bookstore in Texas—has been voted the capital city’s best bookstore year after year. One of its most beloved sections is the kid's area, which features a colorful, carpeted mini-amphitheater perfectly suited for weekly story times and summer competitions. No matter what tale they tell, you can count on the store’s staff to send your kids home with a smile—they even occasionally bust out their 'preposterous puppeteers' for special events.  

For kids who like to get their hands dirty, a trip to the Austin Nature & Science Center is educational and hands-on. A few of the areas located in the western corner of Zilker Park are indoors, but most of the center's activities—designed for people of all ages—are outside, with the goal of helping visitors 'increase awareness and appreciation of their natural environment. Check out all the programs, relating to biology, astronomy and paleontology, among many other subjects.

Are your kids into song and dance? We’ve got you covered. The ZACH is Austin’s top non-profit, theatrical experience that brings together the best local talent for showstopping musicals, plays, and the like. The 2024/25 calendar highlights include “The Wizard of Oz” and “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical.” During the school holidays, the theater hosts camps to help youngsters find courage, connectivity and connection.

As the home of the annual Austin City Limits Music Festival, the Trail of Lights, the Blues on the Green concert series and dozens of other outdoor activities, Zilker Park is an Austin institution.

You and your kids can explore the sprawling playground, stroll through the stunning Umlauf Sculpture and Zilker Botanical gardens and rent a canoe or kayak the tranquil waterways, including Lady Bird Lake. Don’t miss out on a cool-off at Barton Springs Pool during the hotter months. And in 2024, the Zilker Eagle mini train returned to the park, a beloved 60-year tradition for Austin families with little ones.

Enjoy a picturesque stroll among the beautiful muster of peacocks at  West Austin’s Mayfield Park and Preserve. You and your young ones can picnic or explore the gardens while observing these magnificent birds, whose original descendants were introduced to this estate in 1935. Fun fact: a male peacock can shake his tail at a rate of 26 times per second. When you’re finished, head next door to Laguna Gloria to check out a fabulous collection of outdoor sculptures in a beautiful forest setting; and if you’d like a physical challenge, Mount Bonnell’s 102 stair steps is less than a mile down the street.

One of Central Texas’s great riches for families is the number of restaurants with spacious patios and playscapes that allow kids to run off their energy in between bites of chicken strips and cheeseburgers, while their parents enjoy some much-deserved adult conversation over a glass of wine or beer. In the Austin area, check out the several locations of Hat Creek Burger Company, which began right here in 2008; Phil’s Ice House, another ATX staple; and Salt Lick BBQ, with locations in Driftwood and Austin. Slightly farther afield is Good Luck Grill in Manor, a rural restaurant that sits on 10 acres of land with plenty of room for kids to roam. 

Get the kids active by hitting the many miles of easy hiking trails that weave around Austin. Though not far from the hustle and bustle of the city, these wooded trails run along babbling brooks and rocky cavelike structures, lending themselves to natural picnic spots and imagination-fueled play areas. Among some of our family’s favorites include Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park; Bull Creek District Park; and McKinney Falls State Park.

Located near Bastrop just a short drive south of Austin, McKinney Roughs Nature Park is a gem in the rough for families throughout the Year, with tons of fun programs for kiddos and grownups. Operated by the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), programs include primitive fire-building classes, insect sampling, ziplining and UTV rides through bumpy terrain. The summer camp options are among the best in the area, equipping kids with new skills and lots of fun.

Far from the average history museum, the Bullock is chock-full of exhibits that truly bring Texas history to life, from a replica of the Alamo’s facade to amazing artifacts from the historic shipwreck of the La Belle. Not to be missed: the multisensory Star of Texas Theatre, which takes viewers on thrilling rides through chapters of Texas history, complete with seat rumbling and flashing lights. The Bullock also boasts an IMAX theater, which shows first-run films like Gladiator II, Moana II, and Wicked.