Winter
The Winter category showcases the best winter activities for family fun in Austin. From holiday events to cozy indoor activities and festive outdoor fun, explore the top winter things to do in Austin for families.
🦕 DINOSAUR TRACKS IN LEANDER!!
🚗 We parked at Green Valley Dr & US Hwy 183 on the shoulder of the road behind a couple of other cars. You can access it by going south on the 183 service road just past where the San Gabriel River crosses under the 183. If you travel north on 183, turn left on Green Valley Dr.
⚠️ Please note that this is not an actual parking area! There are signs on one side of the road saying No Parking (do not park there!). We ended up getting a spot along the shoulder on the other side of the road behind 2 other cars, and there weren’t specific No Parking signs on that side. Park at your own risk!!! Also please leave a comment if you find a better parking situation than this so it helps others.
👉 Head left down the path towards the riverbed down the big hill.
👉 Go left (west) down the trail. If you want to stay completely dry, there’s a path up on the left.
👉 Go back down into the riverbed once it’s not too deep. Keep going past the big boulders. If you can still see the 183 bridges, you haven’t gone far enough.
👉 The tracks will appear in the riverbed just past when the path curves to the right.
👉TIPS:
☀️ There won’t be much shade along the trail. Bring lots of water, sunscreen, and hats.
🥾 Wear water hiking shoes like Keens if you want to walk in the riverbed. You definitely can avoid getting wet entirely if you want. There’s a path on the left side.
🚽 No bathrooms so plan accordingly!
🚗 The parking area is small, go on an off time to guarantee parking.
👶 No strollers on this one 🙅🏼♀️
👀 https://austinfunforkids.com/how-to-find-real-dinosaur-tracks-in-leander/
FREE FUN JANUARY IN AUSTIN
1/1
🎨 Family Fun Night at IKEA 5-6pm (RSVP)
🧙 @diagonalley 5:30-9pm
1/2
🚂 Model trains at the City Arts Center in Round Rock 11am-5pm
1/3
🚂 Ride the @zilkereagle mini train for free on the 1st Fri of each month 11am-5pm
🚂 Model trains at the City Arts Center in Round Rock 11am-5pm
1/4
🔨 Kids DIY Workshop at Home Depot 9am-noon
📚 Story time at @bookpeople 10:30am
📕 Story time at @paperbarkbirch 11am
1/5
⭐️ Free admission to @bullockmuseum 10am-5pm
🎶 Live kids music with @strawbittyyops at @cherrywood_coffeehouse 10am
1/7
📚 Story time at @bookpeople 10:30am
❤️Free admission to @thinkeryatx 3-7pm
1/8
📚 Story time at @bookpeople 10:30am
🎨 Family Fun Night at IKEA 5-6pm (RSVP)
1/11
📕 Story time at @bookpeople 10:30am
📚 Story time at @paperbarkbirch 11am
🖼️ Second Saturdays Are for Families at Laguna Gloria 11am-3pm @contemporaryatx
😎 Cool Creations at Lakeshore Learning 11am-3pm
1/12
🎶 Live kids music at @cherrywood_coffeehouse 10am
🖼️ Family Day at @UmlaufSculpture Garden– free admission 11am-4pm
1/14
📕 Story time at @bookpeople 10:30am
❤️Free admission to @thinkeryatx 3-7pm
1/15
📚 Story time at @bookpeople 10:30am
🎨 Family Fun Night at IKEA 5-6pm (RSVP)
1/16
🐇 @TinyTailstoyou Petting Zoo Storytime at 10:30am at @BookPeople
1/18
🔨 Kids DIY workshop at Lowes from 10am-1pm
📚 Story time at @bookpeople 10:30am
📕 Story time at @paperbarkbirch 11am
1/19
🎶 Live kids music at @cherrywood_coffeehouse 10am
1/20
🌸Free admission to @zilkerbotanicalgarden 9am-5pm
1/21
📖 Story time at @bookpeople 10:30am
❤️Free admission to @thinkeryatx 3-7pm
1/22
📖 Story time at @bookpeople 10:30am
🎨 Family Fun Night at IKEA 5-6pm (RSVP)
1/25
📚 Story time at @bookpeople 10:30am
📕 Story time at @paperbarkbirch 11am
😎 Cool Creations at Lakeshore Learning 11am-3pm
1/26
🎶 Live kids music at @cherrywood_coffeehouse 10am
🦖 Free admission to the @texassciencemuseum 1-5pm
1/28
📚 Story time at @bookpeople 10:30am
❤️Free admission to @thinkeryatx 3-7pm
1/29
📖 Story time at @bookpeople 10:30am
👀 More ideas: click the link in the bio!
🎉 NOON YEARS EVE DANCE PARTY + PARK 🕺🏻
📍 The new Cedar Park Public Library
425 S Parkwest Dr, Cedar Park
📅 Tuesday December 31
⏰ 11am-noon
🛝 Play at the brand new playground next to the library, then join the dance party inside the brand new library! Recommended for ages 2-12.
✨ LAST CHANCE ✨
See these 2 Austin lights displays before it’s too late!
🌟Luminations at @wildflowercenter
📍 4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin
📅 Ends Jan 5 (closed on Jan 1)
⏰ Entry from 5:45-7:45pm (closes at 9am)
🎟️ $18-28
🚗 Onsite parking is $25. You can also take your chance with free street parking or take the free shuttle from St. Augustine’s University.
⛺️ New this year: explore Fortlandia while you’re at Luminations! This essentially makes your ticket a “two-for-one”! 🙌 My boys loved climbing the forts at night.
🦽Jogging strollers are ok! Gravel path.
🧙See @diagonalleyatx for the last time ever!
📍 Circle C Neighborhood (cross streets are Slaughter Lane and Bungalow)
🏠 This is a house in the neighborhood that does an extravagant lights display in the theme of the Yule Ball at Hogwarts. Every Harry Potter fan should see this before they close!
📅 Last night is Jan 1!
⏰ Display is lit from 5:30-9
🎟️ Free to see but please consider donating!
🚗 You can drive past the house if you don’t want to get out and walk up. We parked down the street and walked up to get a better view and avoid the heavy traffic.
36 KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANTS, BREWERIES, & COFFEE SHOPS WE VISITED IN 2024
@bouldinacres
@hatcreekburgers Georgetown
@southparkmeadowstx
@12foxbeer
@jesterkingbrewery
@goodluckgrill_manor
@garboslobster
@nomadic_outpost
@wholefoods North Lamar
@dearaustintx
@phils183
@fastfriendsbeer
@frontyardbrewing
@campoutatx
Kawaii Shaved Ice in Round Rock
@lazarusbrewing
@topnotchsince1971 Hutto
@floresmexican William Cannon
@rockabillybrewing
@dahliacafetx Liberty Hill
@kurasushi_usa
@txsizesnowballs
Margaritas Liberty Hill
@angels_icehouse
@thefieldhousetexas
@central_market North Lamar
@camp_briteside Georgetown
@cherrywood_coffeehouse
@stelmobrewing Springdale
@philsicehouse South Lamar
@hmartofficial Lakeline
@waterloo_austin
@simar_atx
@stargazerbar
@stwbrewing Marble Falls
@flitchcoffee
🍜 Make-Your-Own-Ramen Cafe
📍 @kramyuncafe
1821 S Lakeline Blvd STE 102, Cedar Park, TX
🍜Do your kids love ramen as much as mine do? This charming little store/cafe has a wall of ramen packets you can try! You grab the noodles you want and some toppings and make it all yourself.
🔥 Pro tip if you have a kid who is sensitive to spice, even the mild flavor ramen could be too spicy. Only add half of the flavor packet to make it less spicy!
📸 Don’t forget to take cute pictures at the Photo Booth in the back and hang a copy on the wall! ✌️
12/27
🚂 Free holiday model train exhibit at City Arts Center of Round Rock 11am-5pm
🌈 @37thstreetlights sunset-10pm
✨ @mozartscoffee Lake Austin Festival of Lights
⛸️ @visitmarblefalls Winter Ice Rink & Walkway of Lights
🎥The Santa Clause @skishores 7pm
⛸️Ice skating at @longcenter
✨Trail of Lights @cityoflakeway 6pm-midnight
⛸️Bee Cave On Ice @hillcountrygalleria
⛸️Ice Rodeo at @fsaustin
⛺️ Fortlandia at and Luminations @wildflowercenter
🎭It’s A Wonderful Life at @penfoldtheatre
🚗 @peppermintparkway 6-9pm
🚗 @thelightpark at Dell Diamond
🚗 @santasranch 6-11pm
🚗 @maywaldchristmaslightdisplay 6-10pm
12/28
🚂 Free holiday model train exhibit at City Arts Center of Round Rock 11am-2pm
🌈 @37thstreetlights sunset-10pm
✨ @mozartscoffee Lake Austin Festival of Lights
✨Trail of Lights @cityoflakeway 6pm-midnight
🎭It’s A Wonderful Life at @penfoldtheatre
⛸️ @visitmarblefalls Winter Ice Rink & Walkway of Lights
⛸️Bee Cave On Ice @hillcountrygalleria
⛸️Ice skating at @longcenter 12/5-1/5
⛺️Fortlandia and Luminations at @wildflowercenter
⛸️Ice Rodeo at @fsaustin
📚 Story Time at @BookPeople at 10:30am
🚗 @peppermintparkway 6-9pm
📖 Free Story Time at @PaperBarkBirchbooks at 11am
😂 @excusedabsencecomedy kid-friendly improv show at 11am $5 at @coldtownetheater
🇯🇵 Dual language story time at Milwpod Branch Library at 1:30pm @austin_japan_community
🚗 @santasranch 6-11pm
😂 @csz_austin Comedy Sportz at @pinballz_lakecreek at 7:30pm
🚗 @thelightpark at Dell Diamond
12/29
🍳 Gospel Brunch at @frontyardbrewing 11:30am
🌈 @37thstreetlights sunset-10pm
✨ @mozartscoffee Lake Austin Festival of Lights
✨Trail of Lights @cityoflakeway 6pm-midnight
⛸️ @visitmarblefalls Winter Ice Rink & Walkway of Lights
⛸️Bee Cave On Ice @hillcountrygalleria
⛺️Fortlandia and Luminations at @wildflowercenter
⛸️Ice skating at @longcenter 12/5-1/5
⛸️Ice Rodeo at @fsaustin
🎶 Brunch Bunch at @joscoffee Red River 10am free live kids music
🎶 Free live kids music at @cherrywood_coffeehouse 10am
🚗 @peppermintparkway 6-9pm
🚗 @santasranch 6-10pm
🚗 @thelightpark at Dell Diamond
“It’s not the giving, it’s not the getting, it’s the loving.”
(Name that obscure Christmas movie!)
Merry Christmas everyone! Thanks for sharing our adventures!
