Austin Tourism Guide

Austin With Kids: The Complete Family Guide

Austin With Kids: The Complete Family Guide

The best things to do in Austin with kids are the Thinkery children’s museum, the free Austin Nature & Science Center with its fossil dig, a ride on the Zilker Eagle mini train, a swim at Barton Springs, the bat flight at the Congress Avenue Bridge and, for older kids, the Bullock Texas State History Museum and a paddle on Lady Bird Lake. Add a free splash pad in summer, a round at Peter Pan Mini Golf and a morning at McKinney Falls, and you have a week of family days that never needs a theme park.

This guide is for parents planning a trip with babies, school-age kids or teenagers. The caveat that matters most is heat: from late May to late September, highs sit at 90°F or more, so plan outdoor time for mornings and evenings and keep the afternoon for water or air-conditioning. Watch Mondays too, when the Thinkery and the Texas Science & Natural History Museum close. Prices, hours and closures were checked September 23, 2026 against official sources.

What’s closed or different right now?

  • The Thinkery’s backyard Climber is closed for maintenance from September 22 to October 12, 2026; the rest of the museum is open.
  • Zilker Park is set up for Austin City Limits. The Great Lawn is closed until October 18, 2026, but the Zilker playscape, Barton Springs Pool and the trails stay open. On festival weekends, October 2 to 4 and 9 to 11, the Zilker Botanical Garden closes.
  • The Austin Zoo no longer sells tickets online as of September 1; buy them at the gate.
  • The Texas Science & Natural History Museum closes on UT home football Saturdays, which this fall are October 17, 24 and 31 and November 21.
  • Fortlandia opens October 1 at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, whose café is closed for remodeling, so pack snacks.
  • Splash pad season ends in October, and Barton Springs closes on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. for cleaning.

Austin with kids at a glance

Ages Best picks Why
Babies and toddlers Thinkery (with Baby Bloomers sessions), splash pads, Zilker Eagle, Mayfield Park’s peacocks Short, flexible, lots of shade or water
Ages 4 to 8 Austin Nature & Science Center, Thinkery, Zilker Eagle, Peter Pan Mini Golf, Austin Zoo Hands-on, outdoors, easy wins
Ages 9 to 12 Barton Springs, the bats, Bullock Museum, Texas Science & Natural History Museum, McKinney Falls Real swimming, real history, real hikes
Teenagers Paddling Lady Bird Lake, the Capitol, all-ages concerts, Hamilton Pool, Enchanted Rock Independence and a bit of adventure

The best things to do in Austin with kids, ranked

The ranking weighs how much children actually enjoy each place, how easy it is for parents, and value. For the full list of Austin sights for all ages, see our ranking of Austin’s top attractions.

1. Thinkery

The red Thinkery children's museum building at Mueller, one of the top things to do in Austin with kids
The Thinkery at Mueller, Austin’s hands-on children’s museum, photographed in 2014.

The Thinkery, Austin’s children’s museum, is at 1830 Simond Avenue in the Mueller neighborhood. It’s built around hands-on science, art and play for kids from infancy up, and it’s open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; it’s closed on Mondays. General admission is $19.95 for everyone age 1 and over, Baby Bloomers sessions for the youngest are $9, and Family Night is pay what you can, with a suggested $9. The museum validates up to three hours of parking in two nearby garages through the Metropolis app. Verdict: the best rainy-day or hot-afternoon stop in the city for kids under 10. Go at opening on a weekday for the calmest visit. Heads-up: the backyard Climber is closed September 22 to October 12, 2026.

Best for: ages 1 to 10. Good to know: Mondays are closed, so plan it for a weekday morning later in the week.

2. Austin Nature & Science Center

The metal archway entrance to the Austin Nature and Science Center in Zilker Park, framed by trees and limestone
The entrance to the Austin Nature & Science Center in Zilker Park, home of the Dino Pit fossil dig.

The City’s Austin Nature & Science Center, in Zilker Park, is one of the best-value family stops in Texas: admission is free. Drop-in visitors can dig for fossils in the outdoor Dino Pit, walk the Forest Trail and the accessible trails around the ponds, see wildlife exhibits, and bring nature finds to the Naturalist Workshop and Trade Counter, which has limited trading hours. It’s open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Verdict: an ideal morning for ages 3 to 10, and easy to pair with the Zilker Eagle and a picnic. Bring a hat; the Dino Pit is outdoors.

Best for: ages 3 to 10. Don’t miss: the Trade Counter, where kids can bring nature finds to swap during its trading hours.

3. Zilker Park and the Zilker Eagle

Zilker Park, about 351 acres across Lady Bird Lake from downtown, is the city’s big backyard, and it has plenty for kids: a playscape, open lawns, the Zilker Botanical Garden and the Zilker Eagle, a mini train that loops through the park. The train runs Friday to Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., with a break from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., and doesn’t run on Wednesdays or Thursdays. Tickets are $6 plus tax, children under 2 ride free, and they’re sold only in person at the depot on the day of the ride, first come, first served. The Botanical Garden charges non-resident youth ages 3 to 17 just $4, and children 2 and under are free.

Parking at Zilker is free on weekdays, but from spring break through Labor Day, weekends and holidays cost $3 an hour. Verdict: the heart of any family trip. Ride the train early, before the heat and the lines, and keep an eye on ACL closures in early October.

Best for: all ages. Good to know: the playscape stays open even while the Great Lawn is closed for ACL, and the park itself is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

4. Barton Springs Pool

Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park, a long spring-fed pool with trees and grassy banks on both sides
Barton Springs holds 68 to 70°F all year. Non-resident children 1 to 11 pay $4 in the fee season.

Barton Springs, the spring-fed pool in Zilker Park, holds 68 to 70°F all year, which feels glorious in July and bracing in January. In the fee season, non-resident children ages 1 to 11 pay $4, juniors 12 to 17 pay $5 and infants are free. Lifeguards are on duty from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., except on Thursdays, when the pool closes from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. for cleaning. The rules matter for families: no food, coolers, glass, pets or portable speakers, and inflatables only in water 5 feet deep or less. Verdict: an Austin rite of passage for confident swimmers. The shallow end is gentle, but it’s a natural pool with a rocky bottom, so watch young children closely.

Best for: ages 5 and up who swim well. Good to know: entry fees apply from spring break through October, and heavy rain can close the pool, so check the City’s status page before you go.

5. The Congress Avenue Bridge bats

Mexican free-tailed bats flying at dusk by the Congress Avenue Bridge, with the Frost Bank Tower behind
The bat flight at dusk. It’s free, and it’s at its best from late July to mid-September.

From about March into the fall, Mexican free-tailed bats pour out from under the Congress Avenue Bridge around sunset, and it’s free to watch from the bridge or the lawn on the southeast bank. The best months are March to early May and late July to mid-September. If you’d rather watch from the water, a Capital Cruises bat tour costs $14 for adults, $9 for children 3 to 12 and nothing for under-3s, plus tax. Teach kids the one rule: never touch a bat, even one on the ground. Verdict: the best free show in Austin, and a guaranteed hit with kids who can stay up until sunset.

Best for: all ages. Good to know: sunset comes as late as about 8:38 p.m. at the end of June, so younger children often do better in spring or early fall.

6. Bullock Texas State History Museum

Bullock Texas State History Museum on the Capitol Mall, with its domed entrance and large star sculpture
The Bullock Museum. Children 5 and under are free, and everyone is free on the first Sunday of the month.

The Bullock, north of the Capitol, tells the story of Texas across three floors, and it’s more engaging for kids than a typical history museum. It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adults pay $22, youth ages 6 to 17 pay $16, and children 5 and under are free; exhibitions are free for everyone on the first Sunday of each month. Add an IMAX documentary ($8 for youth) or the Texas Spirit Theater ($6), and eat at the Star Cafe, which doesn’t require admission. There are no lockers, and backpacks must be smaller than 12 by 12 by 12 inches. Verdict: the best history stop for ages 8 and up, and a strong hot-afternoon plan.

Best for: ages 8 and up. Good to know: the next free first Sunday is October 4, 2026.

7. Texas Science & Natural History Museum

The former Texas Memorial Museum on the UT campus, at 2400 Trinity Street, is now the Texas Science & Natural History Museum, with fossils, dinosaurs and natural history. It’s open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m., and closed Mondays. General admission is $10, youth 5 to 17 pay $6, and children 4 and under are free. It closes on UT home football Saturdays. Verdict: a compact, affordable museum for dinosaur fans, and an easy pairing with the Bullock.

Best for: dinosaur fans of every age. Good to know: the paid San Jacinto Garage is next door.

8. City splash pads

The City of Austin runs 10 splash pads, free to use and open from May through October. Metz Splash Pad at 2400 Canterbury Street, Clarksville Splash Pad at 1811 West 11th Street and Ricky Guerrero Splash Pad at 1100 Brodie Street are among them. They’re neighborhood facilities rather than attractions, which is exactly why local families love them. Verdict: the best free way to cool off toddlers and young kids in summer. Check the City’s pools and splash pads page for hours before you go.

Best for: toddlers to age 8. Good to know: bring water shoes, sunscreen and a towel, and check each pad’s shade before you settle in.

9. Peter Pan Mini Golf

Peter Pan Mini Golf, at 1207 Barton Springs Road, has been an Austin fixture since 1948, with two 18-hole courses full of oversized characters and obstacles. It’s open Sunday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and tickets are sold until an hour before closing. A round of 18 holes is $11 for adults and $8 for kids 5 and under, and it’s $17 and $14 for 36 holes. Verdict: the perfect evening activity after a Zilker day, when the heat breaks and the lights come on.

Best for: ages 4 and up. Good to know: it’s BYOB for adults, with no glass allowed, and it sits on Barton Springs Road close to Zilker Park.

10. Austin Zoo

A peahen perched on a metal railing at the Austin Zoo, looking back over her shoulder
A peahen at the Austin Zoo, a rescue-focused zoo with more than 300 animals.

The Austin Zoo, on the southwest side of the city, is a rescue-focused zoo with more than 300 animals from over 100 species. From February 1 through October 31, it’s open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and until 6 p.m. on weekends and national holidays, with admission closing an hour earlier. Since September 1, tickets are sold only at the gate. Verdict: a good half-day for animal-mad kids, best in the morning before the heat. You’ll need a car.

Best for: ages 2 to 10. Good to know: hours change after October 31, so check before a winter visit.

11. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and Fortlandia

The Wildflower Center’s gardens and trails are a gentle half-day, and in the fall, Fortlandia fills them with outdoor fort installations that kids can explore; the ninth season opens with a party on October 1. Youth ages 3 to 17 pay $9 Monday to Thursday and $12 Friday to Sunday, children 2 and under are free, and adults pay $15 or $18. From September to May it’s open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last entry at 4 p.m. The café is closed for remodeling, so bring food and water. Verdict: best in spring for wildflowers and in fall for Fortlandia. Buy tickets ahead.

Best for: ages 3 and up. Good to know: summer hours run from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., June through August.

12. Paddling Lady Bird Lake

Kayakers paddling Lady Bird Lake below the downtown Austin skyline
Paddling Lady Bird Lake. Texas law requires children under 13 to wear a life jacket on paddlecraft.

Renting a kayak or paddleboard on Lady Bird Lake is one of the best things to do with older kids. The Rowing Dock, on the west edge of Zilker Park, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the last boat out at 7 p.m.; a single kayak is $20 an hour, a double $25 and a canoe $30. Texas law requires children under 13 to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket on paddlecraft. Swimming in Lady Bird Lake is prohibited, so plan the swim for Barton Springs. Verdict: great for ages 8 and up, in the morning or the last two hours before sunset.

Best for: ages 8 and up, with an adult. Good to know: keep dogs out of the water wherever algae warnings are posted.

13. McKinney Falls State Park

White water pouring over limestone ledges at McKinney Falls State Park under a clear blue sky
McKinney Falls, 13 miles from the Capitol. Children 12 and under get in free.

McKinney Falls State Park, 13 miles from the Capitol, has waterfalls over limestone ledges, easy trails and room to run. Adults pay $6, and children 12 and under are free. Day passes sell out every weekend and holiday, so reserve one; they can be booked up to a month ahead. The gate opens at 8 a.m. Verdict: the easiest real nature outing for families, best on a spring or fall morning.

Best for: ages 4 and up. Good to know: the visitor center keeps shorter hours than the park, and a burn ban has been in place since August 11, 2026.

14. The Texas State Capitol

The Capitol’s free guided tours last about 40 minutes and leave every 15 to 30 minutes, which is just about the right length for school-age kids. The building opens at 7 a.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. on weekends, the grounds have plenty of lawn, and the accessible entrance is on the north side, where wheelchairs can be borrowed. Verdict: a free, air-conditioned hour that older kids remember. Pair it with the Bullock, a few blocks north.

Best for: ages 7 and up. Good to know: motorized scooters aren’t allowed on the Capitol grounds.

15. Mayfield Park’s peacocks

Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve, on West 35th Street, is home to a free-roaming flock of peafowl that small children find endlessly entertaining. The park is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the walled gardens are usually open when not booked for events, most often Monday to Thursday. The City asks visitors never to approach, touch, feed or chase the birds, and no dogs are allowed. Verdict: a free, low-key hour with toddlers, easy to pair with Mount Bonnell nearby for older kids.

Best for: toddlers and preschoolers. Good to know: parking inside the gates is limited, with more on West 35th Street.

Austin with babies and toddlers

The youngest travelers do best with short, shaded outings and a pool or splash pad in the afternoon. The Thinkery’s Baby Bloomers sessions are built for them, the City’s free splash pads are ideal from May to October, and the Austin Nature & Science Center’s pond trails and Mayfield Park’s peacocks make gentle mornings. A carrier is more useful than a stroller on trails and at crowded evening events like the bat flight, while downtown sidewalks, the Capitol and the museums are easy on wheels. Keep naps in mind for evenings: the bats emerge at sunset, which can be well past bedtime in summer, so spring and early fall are easier.

Austin with teenagers

Teenagers want a bit of independence and something to tell their friends about. Rent kayaks or paddleboards on Lady Bird Lake, climb Enchanted Rock or swim at Hamilton Pool on a Hill Country day, and give them a night of music at an all-ages show: ACL Live at the Moody Theater is all ages, and Stubb’s outdoor amphitheater generally is too. The Blanton is free on Tuesdays, the Capitol tour is free every day, and food trucks let everyone eat something different. Our guide to live music in Austin explains which venues admit under-21s.

What to do with kids on a 100-degree day

Austin averages about 29 days a year of 100°F or more, mostly in July and August, and many more in the 90s. On those days, flip the schedule:

  • Before 11 a.m.: the Zilker Eagle, the Nature & Science Center, the zoo or a park.
  • 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: water or air-conditioning: Barton Springs, a splash pad, the Thinkery, the Bullock or the science museum.
  • After 5 p.m.: Peter Pan Mini Golf, a paddle, dinner, and the bats at sunset.

Carry water for everyone, use sunscreen and hats, and watch for signs of heat illness in children, who may not say they feel unwell. Parked cars heat up dangerously fast, so never leave a child in one, even for a minute.

Rainy-day backups

  • Thinkery: the obvious first choice for kids under 10 (closed Mondays).
  • Bullock Museum: three floors of Texas history, plus IMAX and the Texas Spirit Theater.
  • Texas Science & Natural History Museum: fossils and dinosaurs (closed Mondays and football Saturdays).
  • Blanton Museum of Art: youth 6 to 17 pay $8, children 5 and under are free, and everyone is free on Tuesdays.
  • LBJ Presidential Library: children under 12 are free, youth 13 to 18 pay $6, and adult tickets are half price on Tuesdays.
  • Austin Central Library: a free downtown building with a sixth-floor rooftop garden and a café.

Flash floods are a real risk in Austin storms, so on a stormy day, stay away from creeks and low-water crossings, and check park closures before heading to Barton Springs or the Greenbelt.

Keeping kids safe

  • Water: swim only where it’s allowed and supervised. Lady Bird Lake is off-limits to swimmers, Barton Springs is a natural pool with a rocky bottom, and creeks and swimming holes can flood quickly after rain.
  • Heat: plan outdoor time before 11 a.m. and after 5 p.m. in summer, carry water, and never leave a child in a parked car.
  • Wildlife: never touch a bat, even one on the ground, and don’t chase Mayfield Park’s peacocks. If anyone may have been bitten by a bat, call 3-1-1.
  • Fire ants: check the grass before you spread a picnic blanket; the mounds are low and the stings hurt.
  • Car seats and life jackets: required by Texas law for young children in cars and for children under 13 on paddlecraft.

Where should families stay in Austin?

Downtown and the Zilker area are the easiest bases for families. Downtown puts the Capitol, the Bullock and the lake within reach, and the Zilker area is closest to Barton Springs, the Nature & Science Center and Peter Pan Mini Golf. In summer, a hotel pool is a real asset: downtown, the Fairmont bills its rooftop pool as the city’s largest, and the Four Seasons has a back lawn and a saltwater pool; on South Congress, the Austin Motel has a kidney-shaped pool. Our guide to where to stay in Austin compares every neighborhood, including which ones get loud at night.

Eating out with kids

Austin’s everyday food is naturally kid-friendly. Breakfast tacos are cheap and fast, counter-service barbecue lets everyone pick, and food-truck parks give each child a different truck and parents a picnic table. Tex-Mex restaurants are loud enough that nobody notices a toddler. Plan barbecue for lunch, since the best places sell out, and remember that the Bullock’s Star Cafe, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., doesn’t require museum admission. For specific restaurants, see our guide to the best restaurants in Austin.

Strollers, car seats and getting around

  • Strollers: downtown, Zilker and the museums are stroller-friendly, but the Governor’s Mansion bans strollers on tours, and trails like Hamilton Pool’s steep quarter mile are not stroller territory. The Nature & Science Center has accessible trails around its ponds.
  • Car seats: Texas law requires children younger than 8 to ride in a child safety seat unless they’re taller than 4 feet 9 inches, so bring your own for rideshares and check with your rental company.
  • Transit: CapMetro buses cover downtown, Zilker and South Congress, but a car makes the zoo, McKinney Falls and the Wildflower Center much easier.
  • Life jackets: required for children under 13 on kayaks, canoes and paddleboards.

Three easy family days

Day Morning Afternoon Evening
Zilker day Nature & Science Center, then the Zilker Eagle Barton Springs Peter Pan Mini Golf
Downtown day Capitol tour Bullock Museum and the Star Cafe The bats at sunset
Museum and water day Thinkery at opening A splash pad (May to October) or the science museum A paddle on Lady Bird Lake

Adapt the plans to the calendar: the Thinkery and the science museum close on Mondays, the Zilker Eagle doesn’t run on Wednesdays or Thursdays, and Barton Springs closes on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more timed plans, see our Austin itineraries, which include a family day, and for the Hill Country, our guide to day trips from Austin flags the swimming holes and state parks that suit children.

What does a family day in Austin cost?

Free Under $10 per child Worth paying for
Austin Nature & Science Center; splash pads; the bats; the Capitol; Mayfield Park; the Bullock on the first Sunday Zilker Eagle ($6); Barton Springs ($4 for non-resident children); Zilker Botanical Garden ($4 youth); science museum ($6 youth) Thinkery ($19.95); Bullock ($16 youth); a bat cruise ($9 children); an hour in a kayak ($20)

Children also get in free at McKinney Falls (12 and under), the Wildflower Center (2 and under) and the LBJ Library (under 12), which makes a mix of free and paid stops easy.

When is the best time to visit Austin with kids?

Spring and fall, when the weather makes long days outside pleasant. March to May brings wildflowers and bats, though spring break is busy. October and November are comfortable, with Fortlandia at the Wildflower Center. Summer works if you build every afternoon around water, and winter is quiet and cheap, with museums as the backbone. For month-by-month weather, see our guide to the best time to visit Austin. And for more ideas beyond this list, outdoor activities in Austin like the Butler Trail and the Greenbelt suit older kids best in the cooler months.

Family events through the year

  • Spring: wildflowers at the Wildflower Center, spring-break crowds, and Rodeo Austin (March 12 to 27, 2027), the easiest big March event for families.
  • Summer: splash pads and pools, free Blues on the Green concerts in Zilker Park in early summer, and the late-summer bat flights.
  • Fall: Fortlandia at the Wildflower Center from October 1, the Texas Book Festival at the Capitol on November 14 and 15, 2026, and comfortable park days.
  • Winter: the Trail of Lights in Zilker Park in December, with 2026 dates still to be announced, and quiet museum days.

Big events change the city for families too. ACL weekends in October close parts of Zilker Park, and Formula 1 and SXSW fill hotels, so check our guide to Austin festivals and events before booking.

Austin with kids FAQ

What is the best thing to do in Austin with kids?

For young children, the Thinkery and the free Austin Nature & Science Center, with its Dino Pit fossil dig. For school-age kids, a Zilker day with the Zilker Eagle, Barton Springs and the bats at sunset. For teenagers, paddling Lady Bird Lake and a Hill Country hike. Almost every family trip should include the bats, which are free.

Is Austin a good place for a family vacation?

Yes, especially in spring and fall. The city combines a strong children’s museum, a free nature center, spring-fed swimming, a mini train, easy state parks and a nightly bat show, and much of it is cheap or free. Summer works if you build the afternoons around water, and the Hill Country adds bigger adventures for older kids.

Is the Austin Nature & Science Center free?

Yes. The City of Austin’s nature center in Zilker Park is free to visit. It’s open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m., with the Dino Pit fossil dig, the Forest Trail, wildlife exhibits and accessible trails around the ponds. It pairs well with the Zilker Eagle mini train nearby.

How much is the Thinkery?

General admission is $19.95 for everyone age 1 and over. Baby Bloomers sessions for the youngest visitors are $9, and Family Night is pay what you can, with a suggested $9. The Thinkery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Mondays, and it validates up to three hours of parking.

Is Barton Springs good for kids?

Yes, for confident swimmers and closely supervised little ones. The water is 68 to 70°F year-round, non-resident children 1 to 11 pay $4 in the fee season, and lifeguards are on duty from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. except Thursdays. It’s a natural pool with a rocky bottom, and food, coolers and glass aren’t allowed.

Where can kids cool off for free in Austin?

The City’s 10 splash pads, including Metz, Clarksville and Ricky Guerrero, are free and open from May through October. The Austin Nature & Science Center is free and shady, and the Austin Central Library and the Capitol are free, air-conditioned stops downtown. After sunset, the bat flight at the Congress Avenue Bridge is free.

Do kids need a car seat in Austin?

Yes. Texas law requires children younger than 8 to ride in a child safety seat unless they’re taller than 4 feet 9 inches. Rideshare drivers generally don’t supply seats, so bring your own or arrange one with your rental car company. On the water, children under 13 must wear a life jacket on paddlecraft.

Related Austin Guides

Sources and verification

The details in this guide were checked on September 23, 2026 against the attractions and agencies listed below. The guide is compiled from these official sources rather than from other family lists, and it doesn’t claim first-hand visits. Hours and prices change, so check with each attraction before you go.

Photo credits

Austin Tourism Guide