San Antonio, Texas is known for the Alamo and the River Walk. However, there is more to this city to explore, especially if you’re traveling with kids. This city is home to numerous theme parks, playgrounds, and museums that will make your family vacation to one of Texas’ best cities to visit unforgettable. You won’t have a boring trip with this list of things to do in San Antonio with kids.
Ride a Rollercoaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
What Is It?: Six Flags Fiesta Texas is one of the top amusement parks in America, with thrilling roller coasters, gentle kid rides, family rides, water rides, and live shows.
Why Do It?: This amusement park is the biggest of its kind in the area and is dubbed the “thrill capital of south Texas.” Even if you or the kids are not fans of rollercoasters, the park has six themed areas with various entertainment options, games, and shops.
Good to Know: The waterpark portion of Six Flags Fiesta Texas is open from April to September. Known as White Water Bay, this waterpark’s admission comes with the general admission ticket to Six Flags Fiesta Texas.
Learn and Play at The DoSeum
What Is It?: This two-story children’s museum features engaging and interactive exhibits that inspire learning through play. The exhibits here focus on a variety of topics but expect to learn about STEM subjects, literature, and the arts.
Why Do It?: If the weather in San Antonio is too hot or wet, the DoSeum is the perfect attraction to keep the kids entertained. The museum has rotating exhibits as well as permanent ones. Exhibits range from tinkering with simple machines in the Innovation Station to making music at the DJ Station within the Sensation Studios exhibit. There is a lot to learn and explore here.
Good to Know: This museum shouldn’t be reserved just for a rainy day. The DoSeum has over 39,000 square feet of outdoor play space, too, and could be a fun free (or almost free) thing to do if you go when they’re offering free or discounted tickets.
Build with Legos at LEGOLAND Discovery Center San Antonio
What Is It?: Lego-obsessed kids will love visiting LEGOLAND Discovery Center, an indoor LEGO-themed attraction with ten different play zones, a 4D cinema, and two rides.
Why Do It?: LEGOLAND Discovery Center is located inside the Shops at Rivercenter, making it a perfect place to stop and play while shopping. Other nearby attractions are the RiverWalk and Alamo.
Good to Know: You can purchase a combo pass that grants admission to both LEGOLAND and the Sea Life aquarium, which is located right next door.
Spend an Afternoon at Kiddie Park
What Is It?: Kiddie Park is America’s oldest amusement park for kids. The rides here are gentle and were created for young riders. You’ll find classic rides like a carousel and train ride, along with unique rides like a flying saucer ride and boat ride.
Why Do It?: The rides here were specifically designed for kids in mind. Therefore, none of the rides have a weight or height requirement, so all children can enjoy the attractions at the park.
Good to Know: Since Kiddie Park is located next to the San Antonio Zoo, you can purchase a bundle ticket for both attractions, making this a budget-friendly thing to do in San Antonio.
Slide Down a Waterslide at Aquatica
What Is It?: This seasonal waterpark is perfect for a Texas vacation with the kids in tow. It features water slides, marine animal encounters, a lazy river, and a few kid-friendly water play areas.
Why Do It?: One of the best ways to beat the Texas heat during the summer months is to cool off in the water. Aquatica is an excellent option for both entertaining the kids and enjoying a sunny day in San Antonio. Big kids will enjoy Cutback Cove, which features a corkscrew water slide, while parents with toddlers will find Kookaburra Cove a safe place for little ones to splash around.
Good to Know: Kids up to age 12 must be supervised by an adult.
Feed a Giraffe at the San Antonio Zoo
What Is It?: Located next to Kiddie Park, the San Antonio Zoo is a 35-acre outdoor zoo that is home to over 750 different animal species.
Why Do It?: Named the best zoo in Texas, the San Antonio Zoo doesn’t just have animals on display. Here, visitors can engage in fun experiences, from feeding flamingos, giraffes, hippos, and other animals to riding the zoo trains or carousel.
Good to Know: The zoo regularly hosts events and education programs. If you’re visiting during fall and winter, make sure to check out the zoo’s popular events like Zoo Boo! during Halloween and Zoo Lights during the holiday season.
Learn About Dinosaurs at Witte Museum
What Is It?: Witte Museum is a history and science museum that features historical artifacts and Texas art. The dinosaur exhibit is a must-visit for dino-obsessed kids.
Why Do It?: The Witte Museum is ideal for visitors of all ages. However, older kids will especially enjoy the interactive exhibits in the Body Adventure gallery, from tracking your stride to exploring the body through a life-size touchscreen anatomy table.
Good to Know: Attend a family-friendly science workshop at the Witte Museum on certain Sundays. Known as STEAM Sundays, these workshops are an hour long and cost an additional fee.
Explore a Cave at Natural Bridge Caverns
What Is It?: Explore one of San Antonio’s natural wonders: Natural Bridge Caverns. This cavern is the largest commercial cavern in the state, with two cave systems. Visitors travel 180 feet underground on a guided cave tour.
Why Do It?: Curious children will love heading underground to see the limestone cavern. However, the cave isn’t the only that gets kids excited about visiting Natural Bridge Caverns. Above ground, you’ll find a zip line, ropes course, climbing play area, and a maze.
Good to Know: You’ll want to dress in comfortable clothes and walking shoes for the cavern tour. Additionally, only closed-toe shoes are allowed for guests wishing to do the zipline and ropes course.
Connect With Nature at San Antonio Botanical Garden
What Is It?: As the city’s official botanical garden and one of the best in Texas, the San Antonio Botanical Garden, which spans 33 acres, features native, endangered, and rare plant species. Explore the garden’s various horticulture displays and historical structures through the walking trails.
Why Do It?: Families with children should visit the Family Adventure Garden found here. Connect with nature through the 15 unstructured outdoor play areas. Play chase on the grassy lawn, find rocks along a dry creek bed or build a fort at the wooded nature play zone.
Good to Know: The San Antonio Botanical Garden regularly hosts family classes and workshops, like family cooking classes and morning hikes.
Attend a Show at Magik Theatre
What Is It?: Watch a live show or musical at Magik Theatre, San Antonio’s premier live entertainment company focusing solely on family and kid-friendly shows.
Why Do It?: Magik Theatre often puts on literature-based productions. Your little bookworm will love watching their favorite storybook come to life here.
Good to Know: This theater company offers sensory-friendly performances, which are designed specifically for people with sensory sensitivities. Limited audience size, lowered sound levels, and access to sensory-regulating toys are just a few modifications you’ll find for these performances.
Ride the Ferris Wheel at Morgan’s Wonderland
What Is It?: Morgan’s Wonderland is a theme park where everyone can have fun, as it’s an accessibility-focused theme park. As the world’s first theme park of its kind, Morgan’s Wonderland has a wheelchair-accessible Ferris wheel, swings, and other rides where everyone can participate.
Why Do It?: This park is perfect for kids. There are a number of great family-friendly rides and entertainment options. Take a ride on the train, splash around at the Water Works splash play area, or even do some catch-and-release fishing at the wharf.
Good to Know: Free admission is available for guests with special needs. Visit Morgan’s Wonderland to learn more about this generous perk.
Visit the Touch Tanks at the San Antonio Aquarium
What Is It?: There is no need to head to the Texas coast to learn about marine and aquatic life. Visit the San Antonio Aquarium, which features impressive fish tanks, touch tanks, and other interactive exhibits.
Why Do It?: Kids who love animals will enjoy a visit to this Texas aquarium. The aquarium is home to thousands of species. Birdwatch in the parakeet aviary, see sharks up close or visit the rainforest exhibit full of reptiles and the resident sloth. If the animals can’t keep your little one’s attention, then head to the I-Guana Jump House, a room full of bounce houses.
Good to Know: Starting at noon, the aquarium hosts hourly animal encounters.
Play and Have Fun at Hemisfair Park
What Is It?: One of the best things to do in downtown San Antonio, this public space is a historic district that has walking trails, restaurants, playgrounds, shops, and historic homes.
Why Do It?: Take the kids to Yanaguana Garden, an outdoor play area that is home to a splash pad, play structures, and a sand play area.
Good to Know: Hemisfair Park is open every day from 5 a.m. till midnight. Various events occur at the park, too, from fitness classes to story times.
Drive Through Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
What Is It?: One of the best things to do with kids in Texas Hill Country, this wildlife ranch is a drive-through wildlife refuge that is home to free-range animals, like zebras, giraffes, rhinos, deer, and many more.
Why Do It?: This unique attraction is perfect to do at the end of your trip, as it does not require a lot of walking. You can enjoy the safari in the comfort of your own vehicle or book a guided tour.
Good to Know: Visit Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch in the morning to witness more animals and beat the heat.
