20 of the Best Things to Do in San Antonio With Kids
Located in the Great State of Texas, San Antonio is a haven for adults and kids alike. If you’re looking for kid-friendly things to do in San Antonio, there’s no shortage of options.
You’re sure to find something for your little ones from fun-filled days at a zoo or educational science and art getaways. What’s more, everything on this list is also perfect for adults to enjoy too.
Here’s a selection of the best family things to do in San Antonio.
Top 20 Things to Do in San Antonio with Kids
Wondering what to do in San Antonio with kids? Wonder no more because this list will fill your weekends, whether you’re a local or just passing through as part of a grand tour of the Lone Star State.
Kids of all ages will have something to do, whether they’re just discovering the world for the first time or want to learn more about science and history.
1. San Antonio Zoo
No trip to the city would be complete without a visit to the San Antonio Zoo. The zoo covers a massive 35 acres of the city, with 3,500 animals and 750 species. It’s something that will tempt adults and kids alike.
The zoo is not just about seeing the animals. You can even schedule some behind-the-scenes interactions with certain animals. Spot the best African wildlife with giraffes, hippos, and rhinos included in the itinerary.
If the kiddos get tired, you can ride the zoo’s dedicated train to see your favorite animals or enjoy fun on the carousel. Ideal for all ages, so even dad won’t get bored.
2. San Antonio Aquarium
You’ve seen the best of what’s on land. Now it’s time to see the best of what’s hiding in the water. One of the best kids’ activities in San Antonio is a trip to the ocean in the middle of Texas.
It’s the perfect indoor activity to escape the summer heat. Learn something about the creatures that inhabit the briny depths. Some of the highlights of the aquarium include the glowing jellyfish, seahorses playing with each other, and a giant octopus.
What’s more, there are ample opportunities to interact with the animals. Your kids will be able to get up close and personal with mammals, reptiles, birds, and of course, fish. One of the best sessions is being able to feed the giant octopus by yourself!
3. Spin Art Classes
Are you ready to get messy with the kids? Schedule a spin art class if you’re looking for things to do in San Antonio with kids that’ll get those creative juices flowing.
Spin art is painting with a difference. Add paint to the canvas while it spins, creating incredible, amazing pieces of unique artwork. Spin Art Nation is ideal for all ages, and there are sessions dedicated to each age group, including whole families that want to join in on all the fun.
The best part about spin art is it doesn’t matter how artistically gifted your kids are. This is a nonjudgmental and inclusive environment where everyone is welcome to throw paint around for a few hours.
Just make sure you bring a spare pair of clothes!
4. LEGOLAND Discovery Center San Antonio
Set aside a whole day for the LEGOLAND Discovery Center San Antonio. Whether you’re spending the weekend in town or want to plan a birthday for your kids and all their friends, this is the place for an unforgettable experience.
LEGOLAND gives you ten different LEGO zones for the kids to explore, with a play area, two rides, and a 4D cinema theater. Perhaps the biggest attraction of San Antonio’s LEGOLAND is that all of San Antonio’s well-known landmarks have been faithfully recreated with Lego bricks.
5. SeaWorld San Antonio
If your kids want to get up close and personal with big animals, SeaWorld San Antonio is the place to be. Dive right in with epic rides and memorable shows.
Attend the Sesame Street Parade for a music highlight show featuring all the memorable characters from the show. With ten different themed boats and incredible performances, it’s an event that’s sure to enchant the kids.
You can spot crashing whales, diving sharks, and you may even be lucky enough to witness a dolphin battle.
If you’re ready for some adrenaline-filled action, sail to Discovery Point to see the dolphins or ride the Great White coaster to witness the ocean’s apex predators.
6. The DoSeum
Museums don’t have to be dry, dull affairs with lots of reading to do. Visit the museum where the kids will never get bored, The DoSeum.
The DoSeum offers an interactive experience for adults and kids alike. It’s like the school that doesn’t feel like school because the principle of this experience is interactive play. Your kids will never even realize they’re learning something new.
Even better, if you visit during the summer season, there are more than 40 camps to choose from. Kids can learn about the joy of creating their own fashion collections, the science behind cooking, and even digging for dinosaur bones.
7. Morgan’s Wonderland
Take a trip to the world’s only ultra-accessible family fun park covering over 25 acres. You’ll find rides, attractions, and great activities for children of all ages. Morgan’s Wonderland is all about inclusion for those with and without disabilities.
The success of this park has also led to the adjacent Morgan’s Inspiration Island, an ultra-accessible splash park over three acres, consisting of boat rides and five splash pads.
Bring along your swimsuit and cool off during the hot Texas summer.
8. Natural Bridge Caverns
Get into nature and show your kids some of the natural wonders of Texas. Natural Bridge Caverns is the oldest cave system in Texas, delving 180 feet below the Earth’s surface. Amaze them with the natural formations of the glittering underground chambers.
Take a guided tour before heading onto the world’s largest zip rails and ropes facility. Twisted Trails is an excellent option for older kids who want to get active. For the little ones, there’s Twisted Tykes.
Finally, your kids can even mine for precious gems and fossils at the Discovery Village Mining Company. They have a real working sluice your kids can enjoy. These are the San Antonio kids’ activities that’ll make any weekend.
9. Science Mill
Science can be fun, too, with the Science Mill located in nearby Johnson City. Get out of town and walk into a family destination that’s all about interactive learning. The Science Mill has built cutting-edge attractions and activities to keep the kids interested all day.
You’ll see that the Science Mill is based in an authentic mill from the 1880s. It’s big enough to house more than 50 exhibits indoors and outdoors.
Plan your visit and find out about some of the events on offer right now. If you’re looking for San Antonio things to do with kids that are also educational, this is the place to be.
10. The Witte Museum
If the temperatures are too high or the rain too much, head inside to the Witte Museum. The Witte Museum combines culture, nature, and science for an afternoon like no other.
Located on the riverside, this is one of the most fun things to do in San Antonio for kids because there is everything from theater players to cattle kings and dinosaur fossils. With so many flavors housed under one roof, there’s sure to be something your kids will just love.
11. San Antonio Botanical Garden
Explore the city’s very own urban oasis with a visit to the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Within the 38-acre space, you’ll also come across the Family Adventure Garden, perfect for exploring nature in a safe and unstructured environment.
The Family Adventure Garden comes with the concept of multigenerational design, so everyone can put down their smartphones and tablets and play like we used to do.
It is like stepping into another world, as you’ll discover babbling brooks, towering hills, sharp ridges, and soft sandy shores.
12. Urban Air Trampoline
Located in Northwest San Antonio, the Urban Air Adventure Park is the perfect place to enjoy one of the best things to do in San Antonio with kids. This is the ultimate adventure playground indoors, with trampolines, climbing walls, and countless other soft play areas.
If you’ve got a birthday party coming up, or you just want a family-filled fun day, visit Urban Air Trampoline, and discover why it’s so much more than an ordinary trampoline park.
13. Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Run an entertainment gauntlet with snake rides and Fright Fests. Six Flags Fiesta Texas is home to eight of the world’s best rollercoasters. Splash around in the summer at the Water Bay Park, or play some casual games like ladder climb, ring toss, or balloon pop.
Six Flags Fiesta gets busy during the holidays, so make sure you purchase your tickets online, and you’ll be able to skip the line and walk right in.
14. Graff 7A Ranch
Take a short ride out of the city to the Graff 7A Ranch and get a taste of classic country living. This ranch is fifth-generation owned and is renowned for its annual fall corn maze event, running from the middle of September to the end of November. The seven-acre corn maze is one of the top mazes in the world when it comes to challenges. It’s an excellent opportunity to let the kids run wild.
For the younger kiddies, there are a hayride, pig races, and a corn slide mountain to while away the hours on the farm. Graff 7A Ranch is one of the most enjoyable things to do with kids in San Antonio for a reason.
15. San Antonio Spurs
Dallas might have the Cowboys, and Houston may have the Texans, but San Antonio has the Spurs. In recent years, the Spurs have been the most successful sports teams in Texas.
The five-time NBA champions always have space available for families to enjoy an NBA basketball game. Check their schedule to see when they’re playing, and surprise your kids with a visit to the game.
Try to book ahead as the biggest games of the year always have a long waiting list.
16. San Antonio River Walk
Check out some of the city’s most accessible San Antonio activities for families. The River Walk doesn’t need to take up a whole day like some other activities on this list. Go for a stroll, and you’ll pass festivals, museums, parades, and stores.
When the walking gets too much for the kiddies, hop on a riverboat and take in San Antonio from the water.
Events regularly occur throughout the year, so it’s worth checking the city’s schedule to see what’s going on. It’s a place of culture, nature, and fun all rolled into one.
If you’re in the city for a few days, you could even take on different sections on varying days.
17. The Alamo
Did you know that Texas’s biggest historical site is located close to San Antonio? Get a slice of one of the most momentous events in the formation of the country we know and love today by taking the whole family to the Alamo.
Your kids will learn about the Alamo with dressed-up characters roleplaying famous figures from the day. They’ll learn about the guns of the time and the heroic last stand against the advancing Mexican military.
Make sure you plan your trip to the Alamo carefully. The spring season is the busiest time for a visit, with massively long lines in front of the church and crowded grounds. Try any other time of year, and you’ll have a much quieter experience.
Don’t worry, there are plenty of amenities on-site to keep the kids busy.
18. iFly San Antonio
Take to the skies with a visit to iFly San Antonio. The kids may be too young to go skydiving, but they can feel what it’s like in a safe and controlled environment. This is an activity that’s sure to be part of any young person’s bucket list.
Step into the wind tunnel and take off for one hour and fifteen minutes. An instructor will guide your kids every step of the way, and they’ll get two rides. Just make sure you’re comfortable with signing a waiver before letting the kids gear up.
19. Rio San Antonio Cruises
One of San Antonio’s newest attractions is brought to you by GO RIO. The company offers a fresh and enthralling way of exploring the city’s history with rides on colorful barges. These barges run up and down the river and include expert guides from the local area sharing their knowledge of the city.
GO RIO runs tours regularly, but you can also book shuttle services, chartered tours, and private cruises. There are five brightly colored barges running on eco-friendly electric engines, so they’re practically silent as they move through the water.
20. Kiddie Park
It may not have the cutting-edge technology of some of the other attractions on the list, but it’s always worth visiting the Kiddie Park. It happens to be one of the city’s most treasured sites. It has been open since 1925 and was restored in 2009.
Step back in time with the rides of old. There’s a Ferris wheel that is brought up to modern safety standards but still embraces the classic look. You’ll spot some of the most iconic rides for kids, including the Whip Ride, Flying Saucer, and a carousel crafted by hand.
There’s more to the Kiddie Park than rides. There’s always something fun at the weekends, with classic carnival games, face painting, and arcade options.
You can even book private events for social events and birthday parties if you notify them in advance.
