FREE Things To Do With Kids in Austin This Summer
Looking for some wallet-friendly adventures that will keep your kids entertained this summer? Well, you’re in luck! Austin, the vibrant and creative capital of Texas, is teeming with exciting activities that won’t cost you a dime. From outdoor escapades to captivating cultural experiences, we’ve curated a list of the best free things to do with kids in Austin. Get ready to embark on a budget-friendly journey filled with laughter, joy, and unforgettable memories! We’ve got some free things to do with kids in Austin this summer listed right here!
Free Things To Do With Kids in Austin This Summer
Summer Reading Challenges
We love doing our local library’s summer reading program, plus a few others as well! Here’s a list of all the places your kids can participate in a Summer Reading Challenge in Austin this summer.
Zilker Summer Musical
This is my favorite thing about an Austin summer! I love the FREE Zilker Summer Musical. This year it’s Singing In The Rain! The musical is at the Zilker Hillside Theater and runs July 10-Aug 15, 2026 (Thursdays-Sundays). It usually starts around 8:15 p.m. Bring blankets or low-back chairs, snacks, and drinks. Read more tips here.
Splash Pads
Almost all of these splash pads are free! The only ones that charge are Garey Park and Quarry Splash Pad.
Take a Hike
Hikes are free and can be refreshing if you do one that also has water! This is the ultimate list of the best trails for kids. There are stroller-friendly hikes, toddler-friendly hikes, hikes with water, and more!
“Beaches”
These might not be actual beaches, but close enough! If you and your kids are craving some water in a beach-like setting but you can’t get away to an actual beach, you can still have beachy fun at these spots! All are free except Emma Long.
Free Indoor Fun
Here’s our list of all the best places to play inside (where’s it’s cool) for FREE!
Free Crafting Fun
Entertain the kids at one of these free crafting events in Austin.
Go Bowling For Free
Spare Time Bowling Free Summer Fun Pass: kids ages 5-14 can enjoy ONE FREE Game of Bowling (shoes included) or ONE FREE Laser Tag Mission each weekday before 6 p.m.
Kids Bowl Free at Main Event and High 5 (ages 2-15). Sign up here (shoes may cost extra).
Kids Eat Free
Don’t want to spend a ton on going out to eat? Here are all the places where kids eat free in Austin.
Playgrounds
Here’s a list of all our favorite playgrounds in Austin.
Real Dinosaur Tracks
If you can figure out where to park (it’s tricky right now due to construction!) then go on a hunt to see the real dinosaur tracks in Leander!
FREE KID-FRIENDLY EVENTS THIS SUMMER
Story time every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at BookPeople
Free Kids Events at Lakeshore Learning on June 13 & 27, 2026 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department “Pop Up Play Day” is a free morning of fun at various parks in Round Rock. This summer’s dates are: June 13, 2026 and July 18, 2026 from 9-11 a.m.
Free Kids DIY Workshop at Lowes are on June 13, July 18, and Aug 15, 2026 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Lowe’s has workshops to guide you through a variety of popular home projects, from simple bath updates to complete lawn makeovers. Register to join live online or in store.
Free live kids music (almost) every Sunday morning at 10 a.m. at Cherrywood Coffeehouse. Check their calendar before going to make sure!
Free Tuesdays at The Blanton. Visitors get free admission every Tuesday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
IKEA in Round Rock has Free Family Nights every Wednesday from 5-6 p.m. in the restaurant area. Make a craft for free! Must register online to attend. Kids also eat free at IKEA on Wednesdays with purchase of adult meal.
FREE KID-FRIENDLY EVENTS THIS SUMMER
The Music on Main Spring Concert Series is on Wednesday nights through June 24, 2026. Free live music at Prete Plaza in downtown Round Rock from 7-9 p.m. Bring blankets and chairs and drinks/a picnic (and the kids!)
Laguna Gloria has free admission every Thursday and the second Saturday of each month!
Friday Fun Night at Yonders Point (Luau) is July 24, 2026 from 7:30-10:30 p.m.
H-E-B Free Fourth Sunday at Texas Science & Natural History Museum. Get free admission on the 4th Sunday of each month!
Zilker Botanical Garden Free Days is free on June 21 and July 12, 2026 the botanical garden is free for all. On Free Days, no admission price is required, but donations are always welcome.
Free First Sunday at The Bullock Museum from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Enjoy FREE exhibition admission all day during H-E-B Free First Sundays, held the first Sunday of every month. Activities are from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Families can explore the Story of Texas through three floors of exhibitions that showcase artifacts from around the state.
Free Kids DIY Workshop at Home Depot. Go to any Home Depot on the first Saturday of each month between 9 am – 12 pm for free in-person Kids Workshops.
Umlauf Sculpture Garden Free Family Day from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Umlauf Sculpture Garden has Free Family Day every second Sunday of the month from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sculpture Searches, crafts, and free admission for visitors of all ages. 605 Azie Morton Rd, Austin
FREE KID-FRIENDLY EVENTS THIS SUMMER
Juneteenth Festival Round Rock is June 20, 2026 from 4-11:30 p.m. FREE Round Rock Round Rock Juneteenth Festival at the Lakeview Pavilion and festival area in Old Settlers Park. The event is FREE for the entire family. Parking may cost $$
Make a free craft at all JCPenny stores from 11 a.m. – noon on the second Saturday of each month!
Juneteenth Block Party of Leander is June 19, 2026 from 5-9 p.m. In collaboration with the Leander Public Art and Culture Commission, the City of Leander commemorates Juneteenth with a block party at Robin Bledsoe Park. This free, family-friendly event is jam-packed with musical performances, food vendors, and carnival attractions.
Tiny Tails To You is at BookPeople on the third Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m.
FREE KID-FRIENDLY EVENTS THIS SUMMER
Moonlight Movie Nights at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock: Pirates of the Caribbean on June 12, 2026 from 7:30-10 p.m. and Zootopia on July 17, 2026.
Parade and Frontier Days from 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. Rock Rock Texas knows how to celebrate Independence Day! Patriotic festivities including parade, festival, carnival, music and fireworks. Parade will take place on the 1.5 mile route along Mays Street between Mays Crossing and Highway 79. The parade will start at 8:30 a.m. Frontier Days opens at noon at Old Settlers Park with patriotic fun and festivities including carnival rides, entertainment, LIVE music, Swifty Swine Racing Pigs, Pepper Eating Contest, Sam Bass Shootout, vendors and more! Keep Calm and Sparkle On with a fantastic firework show at dark!
H-E-B Austin Symphony July 4th Concert & Fireworks This community-wide, free to the public, family-friendly 4th of July event is put on by your Austin Symphony Orchestra with support from the City of Austin and our generous event sponsors. Long Center for the Performing Arts and Vic Mathias Shores (formerly Auditorium Shores).
Free Slurpee Day! Every July 11th is free Slurpee Day at 7-11 stores!
FREE MUSEUMS
- Take a free tour of the Capitol.
- First Sunday at the Bullock (free admission on the first Sunday of the month).
- Blanton Art Museum (free on Tuesdays) and Laguna Gloria (free on Thursdays)
- Austin Nature & Science Center is always free.
CHEAP THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS IN AUSTIN THIS SUMMER
- Cheap Summer Movies For Kids
- Barton Springs
- Quarry Splash Pad ($2) & Cedar Rock Railroad ($3.75) Both are at Southwest Williamson County Park!
- Cidercade has a $12 entry fee and free all you can play games once inside.
- Half-price Twilight Hours at Rock’N River Waterpark every night from 5-7 p.m. (closed Wednesdays)
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