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

✨ NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS FOR 2025 💫

☀️ @1000hoursoutside (or just get outside more by hiking, taking walks, going to parks)

😂 Laugh more! Try family-friendly improv at @excusedabsencecomedy ad @csz_austin

📚 Read more at independent book stores like @firstlightbooks and @paperbarkbirchbooks

🎨 Get a creative hobby like cookie decorating with @pennyroyalbakerytx or art at @saplingsatx and @createstudioatx

🚲 Learn a new skill like roller skating at @pins.and.wheels.at.playland 🛼 riding a bike at @woombikesusa 🚲 and ninja warrior at @ninjanationatx

🍽️ Take manners classes at @southern_etiquette_consultants

💦 Do something daring like sliding down the Ingram Dam or jumping off the diving board at @bartonspringspool

🍣 Try a new food like sushi from @kurasushi_usa

🗿Take more adventures like to see Stonehenge II, visit the @sciencemilltx or do the rope swings at @blueholeregionalpark or @krausesprings

🧗‍♀️Find a new exercise like rock climbing at @cruxccpflugerville @cruxcc or yoga with @atxyogagirl

💆‍♀️Self care at @austinsaltroom

🎉 Have more fun! Try the spinning bumper cars or go karts at @pinballz_lakecreek

Need some last minute gift ideas?

👉Year-round passes to dozens of places:
💝 @pogopass_austin_sanantonio (use code: austinfunforkids for half off)
💖 @getoutpass (use code: AFFK for a discount!)
‌
👉Day of fun:
🏎️ K1 Speed
🛶 @rowingdock SUP or kayak rental
🏔️ @mtplaymore
💜 @indigoplayaustin
⛳️ @peterpanminigolf
🛼 @pins.and.wheels.at.playland
⛳️ @theofficialaustins
🏎️ go karts at @pinballz_lakecreek
🍦 @museumoficecream
🌀 @museumofillusions_austin
🌳 @laketraviszipline
🎮 @cidercade_austin for all-you-can-play video games
🦬 @naturalbridge.wildliferanch or @exoticresortzoo drive-thru safari tour
🔫 @dartemup for a couple hours of dart gun battles with their friends
🎸 @austin_schoolofrock for music lessons
🍭 A trip down to South Congress for shopping and treats at Big Top Candy Shop or Amy’s Ice Cream
🎮 Sandbox VR
🫖 fancy tea party at @riverycoffeeandbagels in Georgetown
🍣 fun experience dinner at Kura Revolving Sushi Bar (they even have robots delivering your drinks)!
😎 iFLY
⛳️ Top Golf
🎨 Painting With A Twist often has family painting days
🏰 Sherwood Forest Faire tickets
🎭Children’s theater tickets
🍦Favorite restaurant, ice cream place, or bakery
🌀Trampoline jump places
🧑🏻‍🍳 Kids Cooking Classes at Foodie Kids
🥷 Ninja class or parkour at @austinninjas @ninjanationatx or @junglemovement Academy
🎨 Pottery painting at @cordovanartschool
💦day at Kalahari & Tom Foolery’s (or for a more low-key experience, try a day at @splashshack )
⚽️ Sports tickets (Austin FC tickets or Round Rock Express baseball tickets)
🎳 Bowling at Uncle Bucks Fish Bowl
🎶 Concert tickets or Disney on Ice
‌
👉Memberships/ Annual Passes:
🏓 @austinpickleranch
💗 @austinsaltroom
🦖 @texassciencemuseum
🎨 @createstudioatx
🌸 @wildflowercenter
🐣 @sweeteatsfruitfarm
❤️ @thinkeryatx
🌳 @texasstateparks Pass
🧗‍♀️ @cruxcc and @cruxccpflugerville
🎭 @zachtheatre
🎭 @georgetownpalace Theater
🌀 @urbanair_austin @urbanairsouthaustin
🌀 @altitudeatx
🧡 @pikopyestown
💦 @typhoontexas or Rock ‘N River Season Passes
🩷 @thetherapyxploriment
‌
For more ideas, go to the link in bio!

🎉 Ring in the new year at these kid-friendly NYE events in Austin (all on Dec 31)

🎉 @pikopyestown Lakeway has a balloon drop, dance party, and visit from Bluey from 9am-noon!
‌
🎉 @indigoplayaustin will have all this free with paid admission:
⏰ 11am-1pm
🎈 Balloon drop at noon
🍕 Free pizza at 12:30pm
🥂 Champagn for adults, juice for kids
‌
🎉 @thinkeryatx
⏰9-11am or 1-3pm
🎈Balloon & scarf drops
🎨 Maker activities
🎟️ $35

🍺 @stelmobrewing
📍 both locations but Springdale has a playground
⏰ 11am-6pm
🥂 fun drinks (even for kids!), face painting, & more

🎉 @stargazerbar
⏰ 3-7pm
🍕 @bambinoatx
🥂 cocktails & mocktails
🎶 DJ dance party
🚀 rocket ship playground
‌
🎉 @sparetimetexas
⏰5-8:30pm
🎟️$38-43
🎳Bowling, shoes, unlimited video games (no prizes), pizza, desserts, soft drinks, and more
‌
🎉 @pinballz_lakecreek
⏰10am
🎟️$15 (VIP is $20)
🎈Countdown Balloon Drop, crafts, activities, arcade games, and more
‌
🎆Austin’s New Years at Auditorium Shores
⏰7pm-midnight
🎟️Free & open to the public
‌
🎉 @kalahariresortsroundrock
🍕Buffet at 6pm
✨Glow Party at 8pm
🎈Balloon Drop
‌
🎉 @totboxplaycafe
⏰Countdown/Balloon drops happen at 11:15am, 2pm, & 4:15pm
💻Book your play time slot online
🧸Dance party with Tot Box Teddy
🫧 Bubbles
🥂Cider toasts & more
‌
🎉 @high5
💻Book at either location
🎟️$99-129 for family bowling session also includes game cards & champagne/cider toasts
‌
🎉 @austinpubliclibrary
📍 Yarborough Branch, 2200 Hancock Dr., Austin
⏰10:30am-noon
📕 Storytime, make your own wishing star, firework art, noisemaker, bubbles, and a big balloon drop. All ages welcome!
‌
🎉 @cedarparklibrary
⏰11am-noon
💃🏼 Dance party, countdown, and more (ages 2-12)

❄️ TODAY ONLY!!! ❄️ Dec 21 until 4pm!

Real snow, snow tube slide, rides, bounce houses, crafts, games, and more! All for FREE!!!

📍 @chascofamilyymca
1801 N Interstate Hwy 35, Round Rock, TX 78664

🚗 Off-site parking will be located at:

YMCA Camp Round Rock/Boles Family Sports Complex on N. Mays Street
Starry Building – 1300 N. Mays Street
First United Methodist Church – 1004 N. Mays Street
Central Texas Beauty College – 1400 N. Mays Street
Bus transportation will be running 9:30am-4:30pm from all locations listed above.

4️⃣ Austin Hikes With Playgrounds 🥾

First day hike ideas! Do you do a hike every year on Jan 1? It’s a fun tradition (that’s FREE!) to do every New Year’s Day.

Here are 4 Austin area hikes that also have playgrounds:

1️⃣ Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park, 12138 N Lamar Blvd, Austin
2️⃣ Spicewood Valley Trail/ Mountain View Park, 8900 Westerkirk Dr, Austin
3️⃣ Balcones District Park, 12017 Amherst Dr, Austin
4️⃣ Great Hills Trail, 10700 Floral Park Dr, Austin

Got out of town guests coming to visit for the holidays? Stop by this hidden playground at the airport cell phone lot!

Just park near the public restrooms at the cell phone lot by the airport while you wait for your visitors to land, the kids can play while you wait! 🤗