15 Best Fun Things to Do in Austin with Kids in 2023
October 20, 202315 Best Fun Things to Do in Austin for Kids
Austin, the city that prides itself in its weirdness, is a culturally diverse city with so many attractions and establishments fighting to get your attention. It can be harder to choose, especially if you have the little ones with you, so we’ve compiled a list of 15 fun things to do in Austin with kids to help narrow down your choices!
List of 15 Best Things to Do in Austin, TX for Kids
- Spend a Day at the Austin Zoo
- Visit the Austin Aquarium
- Marvel at the Cathedral of Junk
- Visit the Texas Science & Natural History Museum
- Get a Taste of the Museum of Ice Cream
- Play a Game at Peter Pan Mini Golf
- Spend a Weekend at Kalahari Resort & Conventions – Round Rock
- Visit the Texas Capitol
- Catch Some Air at Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
- Visit the Elisabet Ney Museum
- Fly Through the Trees at Zip Lost Pines
- Take On the Crux Climbing Center
- Spend a Day at the Alliance Children’s Garden
- Take Your Kids to the Thinkery Children’s Museum
- Play and Dine at Pinballz
1. Spend a Day at the Austin Zoo
Address: 10808 Rawhide Trail, Austin, TX 78736, United States
Phone: +1 512-288-1490
Unlike other large zoos in Texas, the Austin Zoo serves as a nonprofit rescue and rehabilitation center for a variety of animals. Though the species it holds may vary, the Austin Zoo makes sure to host fun and different activities to keep your kids entertained and educated! So if you’re looking for something fun to do in Austin with your kids, be sure to check out the Austin Zoo; it serves a good cause and you might even learn something on your visit!
Notable animals:
Luna, Jagger, Vera, Oliver, Charlie, Festus, Marv, Rene, Willow, Earl, Cheyenne, Wood, Emilio, Richards, Watts, Kira, Roxy, Shadow, Beaux, Keanu
Hours:
- Thursday 9 am–3 pm
- Friday 9 am–3 pm
- Saturday 9 am–5 pm
- Sunday 9 am–6 pm
- Monday 9 am–3 pm
- Tuesday 9 am–3 pm
- Wednesday 9 am–3 pm
2. Visit the Austin Aquarium
Address: 13530 US-183 Hwy #101, Austin, TX 78750, United States
Phone: +1 512-222-5586
As the weather in Texas starts to vary, an indoor activity for the family starts seeming like a better option. Luckily, the Austin Aquarium provides plenty of indoor activities for the family to enjoy! Whether you want your kids to get a closer look at the beautiful sea life or see them interact with parrots or lemurs, the Austin Aquarium is a great choice if you’re looking for something fun to do with kids in Austin.
Hours:
- Thursday 10 am–7 pm
- Friday 10 am–8 pm
- Saturday 10 am–8 pm
- Sunday 10 am–7 pm
- Monday 10 am–7 pm
- Tuesday 10 am–7 pm
- Wednesday 10 am–7 pm
3. Marvel at the Cathedral of Junk
Address: 4422 Lareina Dr, Austin, TX 78745, United States
Phone: +1 512-299-7413
One of Austin’s more eclectic wonders is the Cathedral of Junk. It’s exactly what the name entails, a cathedral structured out of all sorts of junk: tools, dolls, car parts, scrap metal, toilets, and anything you can think of. We know it may seem a bit too weird, even by Austin’s standards, but this amazing piece of art, created by Vince Hanneman in his own backyard in 1988, is a wonder to walk through!
4– Visit the Texas Science & Natural History Museum
Address: 2400 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78712, United States: 2400 Trinity Street
Phone: +1 512-471-1604
Museums are the first on the list when looking for fun things to do in Austin with kids, and for good reason! The Texas Science & Natural History Museum is Austin’s first science museum and holds everything from dinosaur and fossil displays, gems and minerals, and Texas wildlife. You can’t miss out on the educational value that this museum offers.
Hours:
- Thursday 10 am–5 pm
- Friday 10 am–5 pm
- Saturday 10 am–5 pm
- Sunday 1–5 pm
- Monday Closed
- Tuesday 10 am–5 pm
- Wednesday 10 am–5 m
5. Get a Taste of the Museum of Ice Cream
Address: 11506 Century Oaks Terrace #128, Austin, TX 78758, United States
This one will probably make the top of your list if you’re visiting Austin with kids, the Museum of Ice Cream is every ice-cream lover’s dream. Drawing you in with its bright pink exterior, the Museum of Ice Cream aims to show its visitors the beauty and colorful whimsy of ice cream through various interactive and immersive exhibits, there’s even a slide that leads to a pool full of ice cream sprinkles!
Hours:
- Thursday 12–6 pm
- Friday 11 am–7 pm
- Saturday 10 am–7 pm
- Sunday 10 am–7 pm
- Monday 12–6 pm
- Tuesday Closed
- Wednesday Closed
6- Play a Game at Peter Pan Mini Golf
Address: 1207 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704, United States
Phone: +1 512-472-1033
Here is an iconic staple if you’re looking for fun things to do in Austin with kids: Peter Pan Mini-Golf. Have your kids come out of the house for a day and encourage some friendly competition between them at Peter Pan Mini-Golf! With colorful and unique courses and affordable refreshments (even BYOB adult drinks as long as they’re not glass containers), take some time out of your week to visit this legendary, beloved Austin location!
Hours:
- Thursday 9 am–10 pm
- Friday 9 am–11 pm
- Saturday 9 am–11 pm
- Sunday 9 am–10 pm
- Monday 9 am–10 pm
- Tuesday 9 am–10 pm
- Wednesday 9 am–10 pm
7- Spend a Weekend at Kalahari Resort & Conventions – Round Rock
Address: 3001 Kalahari Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78665, United States
Phone: +1 877-525-2427
Looking to get out of the house but not necessarily leave the Austin area? Take a staycation at Kalahari Resort at Round Rock! This resort houses an enormous indoor/outdoor waterpark, an arcade, and delicious food that will make your weekend melt away. We recommend spending at least one weekend here if you’re looking for something fun to do in Austin with kids!
8- Visit the Texas Capitol
Address: 1100 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701, United States
Phone: +1 512-463-4630
Everything is bigger in Texas, even our state building! Located in the heart of downtown Austin, the Texas Capitol building is an architectural feat and a historical landmark in Texas history. Don’t ignore it if you’re looking for fun things for you and your kids to do in Austin; they offer daily tours and often host cultural fairs and events!
Texas Capitol hours
- Thursday 7 am–8 pm
- Friday 7 am–8 pm
- Saturday 9 am–8 pm
- Sunday 9 am–8 pm
- Monday 7 am–8 pm
- Tuesday 7 am–8 pm
- Wednesday 7 am–8 pm
Representative Rene Oliveira
- Thursday 8 am–5 pm
- Friday 8 am–5 pm
- Saturday Closed
- Sunday Closed
- Monday 8 am–5 pm
- Tuesday 8 am–5 pm
- Wednesday 8 am–5 pm
Texas Music Office
- Thursday 9 am–5 pm
- Friday 9 am–5 pm
- Saturday Closed
- Sunday Closed
- Monday 9 am–5 pm
- Tuesday 9 am–5 pm
- Wednesday 9 am–5 pm
9- Catch Some Air at Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
Address: 13201 Ranch Rd 620, Austin, TX 78717, United States
Phone: +1 512-292-0163
Here’s another option for those of you looking for an air-controlled outing for you and your kids: Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park is a year-round, indoor amusement park that strives in keeping your kids safely entertained and active. With everything from wall-to-wall trampolines, battle and obstacle courses, and rock walls and rope courses, Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park is a hotspot for people looking for something fun to do in Austin with kids!
Hours:
- Thursday 4–8 pm
- Friday 4–10 pm
- Saturday 10 am–10 pm
- Sunday 11 am–8 pm
- Monday 4–8 pm
- Tuesday 4–8 pm
- Wednesday 4–8 pm
10- Visit the Elisabet Ney Museum
Address: 304 E 44th St, Austin, TX 78751, United States
Phone: +1 512-974-1625
This historic art museum located in Hyde Park is a remarkable glimpse into the life and work of renowned German sculptor, Elisabet Ney. Housed in her former art studio, the Elisabet Ney Museum aims to preserve and celebrate the diverse art history in Austin!
Hours:
- Thursday 12–5 pm
- Friday 12–5 pm
- Saturday 12–5 pm
- Sunday 12–5 pm
- Monday Closed
- Tuesday Closed
- Wednesday 12–5 pm
11- Fly Through the Trees at Zip Lost Pines
Address: 1760 State Hwy 71 W, Cedar Creek, TX 78612, United States
Phone: +1 512-761-2323
Roughly a half-hour drive from Austin, but worth all the trouble, is a spot for the adventurers out there. Zip Lost Pines is a zip line park located in Cedar Creek, Texas, and ensures safety, adventure, and enjoyment for everyone- even kids! If you’re willing to make the drive, Zip Lost Pines is an amazing outing for anyone looking for something fun to do near Austin with kids.
Hours:
- Thursday 8 am–8 pm
- Friday 8 am–8 pm
- Saturday 8 am–8 pm
- Sunday 8 am–8 pm
- Monday 8 am–8 pm
- Tuesday 8 am–8 pm
- Wednesday 8 am–8 pm
12- Take On the Crux Climbing Center
Address: 121 Pickle Rd #100, Austin, TX 78704, United States
Phone: +1 512-931-3911
The Crux Climbing Center is a location that caters to everyone- regardless of experience or age. It has everything- bouldering areas, lounge areas, a spa, a kid’s area, and even a yoga studio! If you’re looking for a place to get active and lounge around with your kids, Crux Climbing Center is a great spot.
Hours:
- Thursday 6 am–11 pm
- Friday 6 am–11 pm
- Saturday 10 am–10 pm
- Sunday 10 am–10 pm
- Monday 6 am–11 pm
- Tuesday 6 am–11 pm
- Wednesday 6 am–11 pm
13- Spend a Day at the Alliance Children’s Garden
Address: 1000 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704, United States
The Alliance Children’s Garden is a remarkable place to spend a day outdoors with your kids, especially with the weather cooling down! It has all the slides, climbing walls, sand pits, and play places your kid could ever need. There’s even a giant chess board, different musical features, and a large climbing ropes net for your kids to take on! It’s a fun, free spot to add to the list of fun things to do in Austin with kids!
Hours:
- Thursday Open 24 hours
- Friday Open 24 hours
- Saturday is Open 24 hours
- Sunday is Open 24 hours
- Monday is Open 24 hours
- Tuesday Open 24 hours
- Wednesday is Open 24 hours
14- Take Your Kids to the Thinkery Children’s Museum
Address: 1830 Simond Ave, Austin, TX 78723, United States
Phone: +1 512-469-6200
Thinkery is Austin’s premiere children’s museum. This hands-on children’s museum has several varying exhibits and activities that hope to get children engaged in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. (S.T.E.A.M.) Have your kids visit the Fresh! Farmer’s Market or the Light Lab and watch as they engage in fun, meaningful playtime. Thinkery is an amazing, educational experience if you’re looking for fun things to do in Austin with kids.
Hours:
- Thursday 9 am–3 pm
- Friday 10 am–5 pm
- Saturday 10 am–5 pm
- Sunday 10 am–5 pm
- Monday Closed
- Tuesday 9 am–7 pm
- Wednesday 9 am–3 pm
15- Play and Dine at Pinballz
Address: 13729 Research Blvd, Austin, TX 78750, United States
Phone: +1 512-537-8737
Created when the owner’s personal collection started to outgrow their space, Pinballz launched in 2010 and has grown to be one of the largest arcades in Texas! Whether you’re trying to show your kids the classic pinball machines or learn the new arcade games with them, Pinballz is a fun, exciting place to check out if you’re looking for something fun to do in Austin with kids!
Hours:
- Friday 11 am–2 am
- Saturday 10 am–2 am
- Sunday 10 am–12 am
- Monday 11 am–12 am
- Tuesday 11 am–12 am
- Wednesday 11 am–12 am
- Thursday 11 am–12 am
Conclusion
We hope to have captured the diversity and weirdness that Austin has to offer in their attractions and establishments with this list of the best fun things to do in Austin with Kids. Our personal favorites are Pinballz and Peter Pan Mini-Golf, you just can’t beat the classics!
A Texan through and through, her passion for the Lone Star State is evident in every word she writes.Hailing from the vast plains of West Texas, Eva has a deep appreciation for the unique blend of tradition and innovation that defines the Texan spirit. Eva crafts articles that celebrate the diverse tapestry of Texas, from its bustling urban centers to its serene rural landscapes.
