Things to Do with Kids in San Antonio: 17 Fun Activities to Try

Follow along to discover the 17 best things to do in San Antonio with kids.

Peppered with popular attractions, this Lonestar City caters to children of all ages. Make a splash as you encounter seahorses, turtles, and sharks at the aquarium. Or, inject your vacation with some adrenaline when you take on the Steel Eel roller coaster at SeaWorld.

Whether you’re on the hunt for ‘free things to do in San Antonio with kids’ or need some ‘indoor play San Antonio’ to save the day, we’ve got you covered.

Throw down at a real live Rodeo with some barrel racing and BBQ, or build a brick masterpiece at LEGOLAND Discovery.

From museums to amusement park madness, you’ll always have your hands full with all of the things to do in San Antonio with kids!

San Antonio Hotels

Yeehaw! Revved and ready to conquer all of the amazing things to do in San Antonio Texas with kids? Make the most of your time in the Alamo City when you extend your stay. Reserve any of our kid-friendly San Antonio Hotels and enjoy amenities such as pools, complimentary breakfast, and fitness facilities.

Rest up in the heart of downtown San Antonio and easily stroll through the Riverwalk or secure lodgings just moments from SeaWorld. As always, book your stay stress-free knowing you are guaranteed our lowest rates online.

Fun Things To Do with Kids in San Antonio

SEA LIFE San Antonio Aquarium

Enter a watery world of sea anemones, coral reefs, and rays when you swim with the fishes at SEA LIFE San Antonio Aquarium. Experience San Antonio’s only Underwater Ocean Tunnel and come face to fin with Zebra sharks, Cownose Rays, and Moon Jellyfish.

Feel the velvety soft skin of a sea anemone, catch an ocean tank feeding, or count the schooling bannerfish. Watch playful seahorses dart in and out of mangroves, or wave hello to rescued sea turtles and Moray Eels. With over 20 immersive marine exhibits you’ll easily spend a full day under the sea.

SeaWorld San Antonio

Equal parts amusement park and aquarium, SeaWorld Antonio is an award-winning destination designed with kids in mind. Encounter everything from thrilling roller coasters to Killer Whales when you enter the confines of this 250-acre marine mammal park. Scream your head off as you ride the Tidal Surge, or soar to even higher splashtastic heights with the water flume action of the brand new Catapult Falls.

Watch Bottlenose dolphins show off their agility and athleticism, or take a pause to peer at the waddling penguins. Spring for a special Beluga encounter, or enjoy 360-degree flips from the Orcas. Little ones will love putting the pedal to the metal at the Super Grover’s Box Car Derby. And the whole family can strap in for a crazy river rafting encounter on Rio Loco.

Need a Big Bird fix? Make sure to head to Sesame Street® Bay of Play® at SeaWorld San Antonio to reunite with Elmo, the Count, and Cookie Monster. This muppet-themed kiddie park contains 3 acres of attractions, water rides, and play areas. Hop on for a ride on a Grover’s Round-Up, a colorful carousel, or refresh with “Elmo’s Dolphin Dive.”

LEGOLAND Discovery Zone San Antonio

Brick builders unite! Zoom over to the ultimate indoor play place in San Antonio, and unleash your inner LEGO architect. This epic San Antonio indoor playground is overflowing with rides, LEGO attractions, and 4D cinema experiences. With 30,000 square feet of LEGO action to enjoy, your brood of LEGO fans will be in heaven at LEGOLAND Discovery Zone San Antonio.

Head to medieval times when you save the princess of the Kingdom Quest ride or settle in for a blockbuster-worthy screening in the LEGO 4D Theater. Come to Merlin’s aid and cast a magical spell to make your enchanted cart soar higher, or practice your engineering skills by crafting a race track-worthy vehicle at LEGO Build and Test.

Don’t forget to grab a tasty snack at the LEGO cafe and snag that social media-worthy selfie with your favorite LEGO friend.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Screaming ziplines, ice cream, and live mariachi entertainment oh my! Daredevils of all shapes and sizes will be clamoring for more time at Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Prime your body for the stomach-churning drops and breakneck turns of the Krypton roller coaster, or settle in for more low-key exhilaration with their vast selection of kid rides.

Spin round and round in a giant tea cup, climb the rope ladders of a pirate ship, or get wild with the wacky Taz’s Tornado. Leave your fate in the hands of Daffy Duck, or hop all aboard the Foghorn Leghorn’s Barnyard Railway for a cartoon-worthy train ride. Fuel up after your afternoon of nonstop thrills with some nachos or Blue Snowman Soft Serve.

Tejas Rodeo Company

Spirit away from the city and reconnect with your rural routes when you set your sights on Bulverde Texas. Pull out those cowboy boots because it’s time to show off those roping and line dancing skills at the Tejas Rodeo. Feast on real Texas BBQ, ride a mechanical bull or jam out to some traditional country music.

Plan your western-themed outing for Saturday night and you’ll get to participate in an authentic rodeo. Holler and shout as you cheer on the drill team and watch the bull riders do their thing.

Bring along a fully charged camera as you won’t want to miss a second of the kid-friendly Team Roping and Barrel Racing speed events, Mutton Bustin’ and Calf Scramble.

Fun Places for Kids in San Antonio

Natural Bridge Caverns

On the prowl for some award-winning natural attractions? Take your intrepid tykes on an unforgettable underground sojourn when you stop at one of the world’s premier show caverns. Stroll 180 feet below the ground as you take in a half a mile of underground chambers at the Natural Bridge Caverns.

Pause for a moment so you can absorb the stunning rock formations, stalagmites, stalactites, flowstones, and more. Once you complete your cavern education, have fun conquering one of the only permanent outdoor mazes in Texas. Or, test your balance and agility skills with a treacherous ropes course or zip line run.

San Antonio Zoo

All things furry, feathery, and scaly can be found at the San Antonio Zoo. Prime yourself for a full day of animal adventure when you meander through 56 acres of over 750 diverse species. Spot lions sunning themselves on the plains of Africa, or go behind the scenes with toothy giant hippos.

From tigers to amphibians, you and your tykes will spot every type of animal. Travel from Australia to Asia as you catch glimpses of cuddly kangaroos and Komodo dragons.

Round out your Zoo visit with a lovely locomotive journey when you climb aboard the San Antonio Zoo. This miniature locomotive has chugged along the tracks in Brackenridge Park since 1956.

Yanaguana Gardens San Antonio

Soak in some sunshine and let your wee ones blow off some steam with a rejuvenating outing to the Yanaguana Gardens. Filled with colorful mosaics, tons of trees, and a variety of playground fixtures,( both locals and residents alike flock here for some outdoor fun.

Since 2015 the park has served as a modern beacon of play with its variety of unique climbing structures, swings, splash pads, and a giant chessboard. Slide, climb, and splash your heart out and when you’re ready for a snack hit up any of the onsite culinary offerings which range from fruit-flavored paletas to Neopolitan pizza.

Free Things to Do with Kids San Antonio

San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology

The future is looking pretty cool at the San Antonio Museum of Science and Technology. Blast off into hyperspace and encounter a galaxy of robots, augmented reality, and coding when you take on the museum’s newest venture. AREA 21 is SAMSAT’s new museum, industry showcase, and center for learning.

This self-guided experience is completely free and allows techies to get a hands-on look at factory robots, autonomous driving, 3D printing, and more.

Visit the Alamo

For over 300 years the Alamo has served as the very beating heart of Texas. Treat your youngsters to a hearty serving of history when you tour the grounds of this iconic church. Originally established in 1718 as Mission San Antonio de Valero, the former mission now is more readily known as the site of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo.

An integral part of U.S. history, families from all over the world congregate here to tour the church, view Spanish Colonial artifacts, or seek out restored Alamo cannons. Don’t skip out on snapping a selfie with the gorgeously tri-colored Bella, the Alamo’s official cat since 2015.

Please know that while visiting the church is always free, a timed reservation is required to enter this jewel of Texas.

Slab Cinema

Pop some popcorn and get cozy because San Antonio’s Slab Cinema is bringing out some blockbuster-worthy bangers. Savor a whole season of free outdoor cinema when you sneak in a screening at the Historic Pearl, HemisFair, or Bulverde Community Park. Slab Cinema provides completely complimentary movie screenings all over San Antonio.

Check their schedule and see what’s on the dock, and then settle in for a magical night with beloved favorites such as the Goonies, the Lion King, Grease, and more. Movies will begin promptly at dusk so simply pack up your blankets, lawn chairs, and snacks and enjoy the show!

Witte Museum

Lifelong learning begins now! Dive into the exquisite history, science, and culture of Texas when you round up your rugrats for a completely gratis Witte Museum experience. Located in Brackenridge Park, the Witte Museum is proud to offer free general admission every Tuesday from 3 pm– 6 pm.*

Awaken an interest in Texas’s heritage as you immerse yourselves in the lives of frontiersmen, oil workers, chile queens, and cattle kings. Educate yourself on the origins of the cattle industry, or peel back the curtain on the hunter and gatherers who lived in the Lonestar State for over 9,000 years.

From traditional folk art to Antarctic dinosaurs, there’s always something new to discover at the Witte.

*Please note that the museum always provides free admission to children 3 and under.

Restaurants with Playgrounds San Antonio

Nothing can invoke fear into the heart of a parent faster than a cry of ‘Im hungry.’ However, not all restaurants are suitable for the juice box crowd. If you’re looking for an indoor playground in San Antonio where you can also chow down, you’ll be met with a bevy of options.

From free indoor playground San Antonio fixtures to outdoor choices, there’s no shortage of places to play, eat, and party:

• The Cove -Is your tummy crying out for some lighter fare after a week of brisket and BBQ? Sample a smattering of offerings including vegan nachos, hummus, and grilled shrimp tacos at the Cove. With a special kids’ menu and kids’ play area, tiny tots can let loose on the patio after they enjoy their grilled cheese, apple slices, and juice.
• Peter Piper Pizza – an indoor arcade plus mountains of ooey gooey cheese pizza? Yes, please! Treat your kids to a gorgeous pepperoni pie and then let them rack up high scores on everything from skeeball to the newest adventure video games.
• Chicken n Pickle – adults will flip over getting to practice America’s fastest-growing sport, while the youngsters will have their hands full of giant games of Battleship, Jenga, Bocce, and more. After your fun, fuel up on their menu of chicken, ribs, burgers, salads, and wings.

Related Post: Where are the Best Places to Eat in San Antonio?

• Two Bros BBQ Market – mouthwatering BBQ and wholesome family fun is what’s being served up every day at Two Bros. Tots can work off their zoomies as they slide and crawl all over their outdoor play structure. While famished parents can savor mouthfuls of slow and low-cooked pulled pork, beef brisket, and baby back ribs. Don’t forget about sides either, as you’ll need to sample creamy coleslaw, baked beans, and mac and cheese.
• Magic Time Machine – loads of neon lights, kooky characters, and live music come together in perfect harmony at the Magic Time Machine. This San Antonio watering hole easily provides hours of entertainment. Dig into chicken tenders, fried mozzarella sticks, chopped steak, and more.

A fiercely independent spirit, miles and miles of windswept plains, and tons of cowboy culture have long been enticing travelers to head to Texas. San Antonio aka the River City embodies the very best of what the Lonestar state has to offer.

From awe-inspiring natural underground caverns where you can learn the difference between a stalagmite and stalactite, to loop de loops on the Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster, every second of your San Antonio adventure will be filled with fun.

Keep toddlers entertained with splash pad fun and swings at the Yanaguana Gardens, or make it a Hollywood-worthy evening with an outdoor screening of Black Panther.

Whether you have your eye on indoor arcades and pizza or want to devour fried chicken after a rousing pickle ball game, families from all over will be singing the praises of San Antonio.

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