Things to Do With Kids in San Antonio: 19 Can’t-Miss Places to Play, Learn, and Explore

This isn’t just a theme park—it’s your family’s personal adrenaline factory. You’ve got gravity-defying coasters like Iron Rattler (yes, the one that launches from a cliff) and the Wonder Woman Golden Lasso, the first single-rail coaster in the world. But it’s not all screams and speed—little ones get their fun too in Kidzopolis, with colorful kiddie rides, splash pads, and climbing zones.

The water park inside (White Water Bay) is free with your ticket, so don’t forget swimsuits. There’s a wave pool big enough to lose your dad in and water slides that’ll have your kids shrieking with joy. Shows happen throughout the day, and food isn’t just your usual hot dog stand—you’ll find BBQ, funnel cakes, and even tacos. Arrive early, stay late, and wear good shoes. This place is massive.

Where else can you cheer for a leaping dolphin, scream on a record-breaking roller coaster, and hand-feed a stingray all in the same day? You can’t visit San Antonio without seeing SeaWorld’s blend of thrill rides and up-close animal encounters is perfect if your crew can’t agree on what they love more—coasters or creatures.

For thrill seekers, don’t miss Texas Stingray (a wooden coaster that flies through the trees) or the floorless Great White. Little ones will lose their minds at Bay of Play, a Sesame Street-themed water and play zone with mini rides and splash areas. Animal lovers? The beluga whales, sea lions, and flamingos are always crowd-pleasers, and scheduled feedings keep things extra interactive.

Bonus: holiday events like Spooktacular and Christmas Celebration are legit magical.

Aquatica is the summer-day superhero of water parks—equal parts laid-back paradise and full-blown thrill zone. Teens will be racing each other down Tamauta Racer, screaming on Walhalla Wave (a family raft slide that makes your stomach do a flip), or zipping through the dark tunnels of Tassie’s Twisters.

For younger kids, Stingray Falls is the star—it’s part lazy river, part animal encounter, part surprise tunnel adventure. The toddler zone has bubbling fountains and pint-sized slides, and there are sandy beaches and private cabanas for parents who just want to chill for a second. Don’t forget water shoes—the concrete gets hot enough to fry an egg by noon.

This is the kind of thing your kids will tell their grandkids about. No plane. No parachute. Just your kid floating in a giant wind tunnel like an action movie star. After a short intro class, they suit up, slap on goggles, and take flight—with an instructor by their side the whole time.

Even the shyest kid walks out grinning like they just saved the world. Perfect for kids 3+, teens who are too cool for everything, and parents who secretly want to feel like superheroes too. Book ahead—weekends sell out fast.

Ever see a cowboy get launched off a bull while holding a Dr Pepper in one hand? You might here. This weekly rodeo is the real deal—broncs, bulls, roping, the works. It’s family-owned, rowdy in the best way, and incredibly fun for all ages.

There’s a petting zoo for toddlers, pony rides, and a BBQ dinner that tastes like Texas. When the arena clears, the live band kicks up and everyone two-steps under the stars. It’s not a theme park—it’s Texas culture with a side of cowboy chaos.

Think of this place as LEGO heaven. It’s got rides (yes, actual rides), a 4D cinema with flying popcorn and water sprays, and stations where kids can build, race, and destroy LEGO creations as fast as their little hands can go.

The Miniland exhibit recreates San Antonio with thousands of bricks and fun hidden scenes. Toddlers love the DUPLO play area, while older kids can go full architect mode. Bonus points for being indoors, air-conditioned, and totally stroller-friendly.

Hopscotch is like walking into your kids’ imaginations—except it’s real, 20,000 square feet big, and filled with glowing tunnels, color-shifting floors, fog-filled rooms, and interactive installations that move and react as you play.

It’s the perfect combo of art and chaos, and you don’t need to explain anything—just let the kids run wild (within reason). Parents will love the on-site bar and patio with rotating food trucks. And yes, your camera roll will be full.

Smaller than some aquariums, but it absolutely delivers on wow-factor. There’s a full walk-through ocean tunnel where sharks and rays swim overhead, hands-on touch pools, and themed tanks filled with creatures that look straight out of Finding Nemo.

Timed feeding demos give the kids something to look forward to, and the space is fully indoors and stroller-accessible. Great for a short visit or when your crew needs a breather from all the sun.

This aquarium feels more like an animal adventure zone. You can hand-feed stingrays, birds, and tortoises—and even pet a baby shark if you’re brave. There are lemurs hopping around in glass enclosures and reptiles everywhere.

Don’t skip the bounce house or arcade in the back—it turns an aquarium visit into a full afternoon of energy-burning chaos. A little rough around the edges, but packed with fun.

This place is weird. In the best way. You’ll find a mirror maze, a 4D moving theater that jerks and blasts air at you, and hundreds of strange-but-true displays—from shrunken heads to vampire-killing kits. It’s great for kids 6+ who love silly, gross, and surprising. It’s loud, it’s chaotic, it’s packed with oddities, and they’ll be begging to go again.

This zoo is not just massive—it’s wild in all the right ways. You’ve got Big Cat Valley with its elevated walkways, a butterfly house that feels like you’re in a Disney movie, and a brand-new hippo exhibit that lets you see them swim underwater.

There are interactive zones where kids can feed birds and goats, plus a splash pad near the café that’s perfect for cooling off mid-day. The zoo train, which cruises through Brackenridge Park, is a hit with toddlers and exhausted parents alike.

Want to blow your kids’ minds? Take them underground. These caverns stretch deep below Texas hill country with towering ceilings, dramatic rock formations, and tours led by guides who somehow make geology exciting.

Above ground, there’s a ropes course that’ll test your kids’ bravery, gem mining, and a 5,000-square-foot outdoor maze. Bring sneakers—it’s not stroller-friendly. Also, bring jackets—the cave is a chilly 70°F year-round.

It’s part nature walk, part climb zone, and part “can we please stay longer?” The Family Adventure Garden has splash zones, sand pits, tree stumps to jump across, and hands-on nature play spaces.

Parents can stroll the rose gardens or glass conservatories while the kids build stick forts or chase butterflies. A great in-between stop if you need fresh air but not full chaos.

This is your all-purpose family pit stop. Picnic areas? Check. Trails for scooters or strollers? Yep. A small train that loops through the park? You bet. It connects directly to the zoo and Witte Museum, making it the perfect spot to pause, snack, and regroup. If your kids just need space to run or climb, it’ll deliver.

Serene but never boring, this free garden is like stepping into a fairytale. Waterfalls tumble over stone paths, koi fish swim through ponds, and kids love exploring the bridges and alcoves. It’s stroller-friendly, shaded, and perfect for a snack break or low-key photos. Pair it with the zoo for a nature-packed day.

Zoom to the top in a glass elevator and see San Antonio spread out like a toy town beneath you. The observation deck has telescopes and maps, and the 4D theater downstairs gives you a quick, motion-filled history of Texas.

It’s great as a first stop to get your bearings—or to end the day with a city-light sunset. Fountains and grassy areas outside are perfect for kids who need to burn off some zoomies.

It’s like a mash-up of Ripley’s, Cabela’s, and an old western saloon. You’ve got walls of antlers, taxidermy oddities, historical artifacts, and an entire replica of early 1900s San Antonio.

Add in a shooting gallery, a café with old-timey drinks, and even a gift shop with sheriff badges, and your kids will feel like junior rangers in no time.

Tired of dragging your kids from stop to stop? Let the trolley do the work. You can hop on and off at major attractions, hear live commentary, and get a mini tour without having to wrestle with maps or parking.

It’s stroller-friendly and makes sightseeing way less stressful. Tip: Start early in the day and use it as your main mode of getting around downtown.

Dinosaurs? Check. Giant human heart you can walk through? Double check. Live science demos, interactive art stations, and ever-changing exhibits mean no two visits are the same.

It’s the kind of place that sneaks education into all the fun—so your kids feel like they’re playing while they’re low-key learning. The museum café even has decent food (win-win).