The Ultimate Summer Bucket List For Kids in Austin

Summer’s almost here, and despite the heat, it’s my favorite time of the year! I love getting a little bucket list together so I don’t have to put too much thought into how we’ll fill our days. Here is your ultimate summer bucket list for kids in Austin, including plenty of free things to do with your whole family!

New This Year: FREE AUSTIN SUMMER BUCKET LIST PRINTABLE! ⛱️

All you have to do is download and print our FREE Summer Bucket List Printable for easy access to loads of awesome summer fun for your whole family. Whenever you’re bored and looking for something to do to entertain the kids this summer, just go to your list and check something off!

All Summer Long:

• Join a local Summer Reading Challenge! Local libraries, bookstores, and more are hosting summer reading challenges for kids of all ages all summer long. And while you’re at it, check out one of these local independent bookstores that are great for kids!
• Get wet at one of these Austin Splash Pads
• Check out a local waterpark!
• Take a day trip!
• Check out the Zilker Botanical Gardens Faerie Trail May 18 – July 13, 2024.
• Visit Waco and check out the zoo, Mayborn Museum, and Dr Pepper Museum.
• Visit a nearby Children’s Museum!
• Do each one of these 5 Amazing Austin Itineraries With Kids!
• Eat at one of these restaurants with playgrounds.
• Play a round of mini golf (both indoor and outdoor)!
• Take a hike!
• Visit Malin the Troll at Pease Park (and cool down in the splash pad)
• See free live music every Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. through June 26 in downtown Round Rock at Music on Main
• Take the kids climbing at one of these bouldering/rock climbing centers.
• Catch a ball game at Kids Day for the Round Rock Express.
• Grab a slice of pizza at one of these pizza places with playgrounds.
• Spend a kid-friendly day in Round Rock.
• Take your little animal-lover to one of these animal encounters around town.
• If it just gets too hot outside, here are all the FREE INDOOR PLACES TO PLAY IN AUSTIN. And here’s a list of more places to play indoors that are not free.

More Things To Do All Summer Long:

• Get out on the race track at one of these go-kart places in Austin.
• Get crafty at one of these FREE crafting fun places around town.
• Do a fun escape room!
• See the FREE ZILKER SUMMER MUSICAL! This is always a summer highlight for me. This year’s musical is Legally Blonde and it runs July 12 – August 17 (Thursdays through Sundays) at 8:15 p.m.
• Take a weekend getaway to Seguin and see the World’s Largest Pecan.
• Feed the animals on this wild drive-thru safari.
• See all the quirky road-side attractions around the Austin area & beyond.
• Visit the giant life-size replicas of dinosaurs at the Dinosaur Park in Cedar Creek.
• Plan an ice cream playdate with your besties at one of these ice cream places with playgrounds around Austin.
• Spend a day out exploring South Congress.
• Try camping with kids at Buescher State Park.
• Not ready for camping with kids yet? Try glamping at Son’s Rio Cibolo in an air-conditioned cabin right on a creek!
• See the South Congress Bridge bats either from above or from a bat cruise out on the water.
• Road trip to Johnson City and check out the Science Mill.
• Take the kids out to eat at one of these places where Kids Eat Free.
• Take the kids on a glass-bottom boat ride and more on a day trip to San Marcos.
• Got a baby, toddler, or preschooler? Here are our favorite spots! Also: how to have the Best Toddler Day in Austin.
• Check out a local farmers market.
• Take a day trip to Wimberley or Fredericksburg?

Even More Things To Do All Summer Long:

• Take the teens out for a day of fun.
• Play at one of our favorite local playgrounds.
• Ride bikes along the Brushy Creek Trail and visit each of the 6 playgrounds along the way.
• Make a day of it by planning one of these adventures with food pairings.
• Beat the heat at one of these swimming holes (assuming there’s been enough rains to fill them up)!
• Search for real dinosaur tracks in Leander. And more dinosaur-related fun around Austin.
• Spend the day at Cidercade playing video games for free once you’re inside (just pay the cost of admission).
• Nothing beats a day at Blue Hole in Georgetown followed by milkshakes from Hat Creek!
• Check out Jessica Hollis Park followed by lunch at Oz Tap House.
• Let your kid push around a tiny cart inside H Mart while you get cotton candy from the vending machine, play some arcade games, try a new food at the food court, and pick out a new produce veggie or fruit to bring home.
• Go for a swim at Deep Eddy Pool and treat everyone to Jim-Jim’s Water Ice (iykyk).
• Spend a day at the Domain at these kid-friendly spots.
• Plan a coffee date where the kids can play.
• Save the hottest day of the year for a trip to the chilly Barton Springs and dare each other to go off the diving board!

The Ultimate Summer Bucket List For Kids in Austin: MAY EVENTS

May 17

Rock The Park! Mueller, KUTX, and Dell Children’s Medical Center are excited to rock the amphitheater at Mueller Lake Park again this spring with another round of free, family-friendly concerts curated by KUTX and our Sunday-evening kids’ show Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child. Come early to grab a spot on the lawn! 6:45 p.m.

May 18

Pop Up Play Day is on May 18 from 9-11 a.m. at Bradford Park: 2615 Andres Way, Round Rock. Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department “Pop Up Play Day” is popping into YOUR community park to bring the PARTY to YOU! Join us in YOUR park for FREE family activities, music and dance, food and refreshments and get active fun with your Parks and Recreation team while checking out YOUR neighborhood park.

Woodland Fairie Trail at the Zilker Botanical Garden is returning this summer! This is such a sweet and magical experience and my kids always love this. Kicks off May 18 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The trail closes on July 13, 2024.

May 19

Sunday Makebreak: Summer Tie Dye from 2-4 p.m. at any Michael’s. Free, all ages. Come in-store and make a tie-dyed shirt. This event is free, and all supplies are included, but you must provide the shirt.

Kids Day at Round Rock Express at 1:05 p.m. Take your kids to a Round Rock Express baseball game on Sunday home games for Kids Day and enjoy free train rides and inflatables before the game. Kids even get to run the bases after the game!

Music in the Park is on May 19, 2024 from 5-7 p.m. at Pfluger Park.

May 21

Skater Tots at Playland Skate Center is every Tuesday from 9 a.m. – noon. Kids 5 and under can skate for $8 (includes skates). Bring ride-on toys or scooters too! Parents and infants are free!

May 22

Music on Main from 7-9 p.m. Music on Main in downtown Round Rock is every Wednesday evening from 7-9 p.m. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy live music at Prete Plaza through June 26, 2024.

May 25

Michael’s Kids Club: Friendship Bracelets from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at any Michael’s. Free, all ages. Come in-store and make a friendship bracelet. This event is free, and all supplies are included.

Quarry Splash Pad opens on May 25, 2024! They are open Wednesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (closed Mondays and Tuesdays except for Memorial Day and Labor Day). $2/person, credit cards only.

May 28

Skater Tots at Playland Skate Center is every Tuesday from 9 a.m. – noon. Kids 5 and under can skate for $8 (includes skates). Bring ride-on toys or scooters too! Parents and infants are free!

May 29

Music on Main from 7-9 p.m. Music on Main in downtown Round Rock is every Wednesday evening from 7-9 p.m. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy live music at Prete Plaza through June 26, 2024.

The Ultimate Summer Bucket List For Kids in Austin: JUNE EVENTS

June 1

Summer Reading kicks off at Austin Public Library. The challenge is for you to read or be read to at least 20 minutes a day from June 1st – August 10th, and complete three (3) activity badges!

Pop Up Play Day is on June 1 from 9-11 a.m. at Clay Madsen Park: 1600 Gattis School Road, Round Rock. Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department “Pop Up Play Day” is popping into YOUR community park to bring the PARTY to YOU! Join us in YOUR park for FREE family activities, music and dance, food and refreshments and get active fun with your Parks and Recreation team while checking out YOUR neighborhood park.

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.

Pfishing Day at Lake Pflugerville is on June 1 from 9 a.m. – noon. Why come to Pfishing Day? In addition to a pfun gathering and competition, we provide fishing poles (first come, first served), bait and volunteers to help with setting up poles and casting. 

9th Annual Maker Pfest is June 1 from 2-5 p.m. at the Pflugerville Public Library. Join local makers and artisans for an afternoon of demos and hands-on learning activities. All ages are welcome to attend. No registration required.

June 2

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. Celebrate the newest federal holiday Juneteenth with a documentary screening, crafts, and hands-on activities for the whole family.

Kids Day at Round Rock Express at 6:35 p.m. Take your kids to a Round Rock Express baseball game on Sunday home games for Kids Day and enjoy free train rides and inflatables before the game. Kids even get to run the bases after the game!

Sunday Makebreak: Andy Warhol Inspired Pop-Art from 2-4 p.m. at any Michael’s. Free, all ages. Come in-store and art for free. This event is free, and all supplies are included.

June 4

Skater Tots at Playland Skate Center is every Tuesday from 9 a.m. – noon. Kids 5 and under can skate for $8 (includes skates). Bring ride-on toys or scooters too! Parents and infants are free!

Red, White and Boom Pfireworks show is every night at 9 p.m. beginning June 4, 2024 through the 4th of July. Enjoy watching a citywide fireworks show launched from Typhoon Texas. Fireworks launch at dark.  You do not have to enter the waterpark to view the fireworks show. 

June 5

Music on Main from 7-9 p.m. Music on Main in downtown Round Rock is every Wednesday evening from 7-9 p.m. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy live music at Prete Plaza through June 26, 2024.

June 7

National Donut Day is June 7, 2024! Get free donuts at participating donut stores. Shipley offers a free glazed donut with a purchase. Krispy Kreme also offers free donuts on National Donut Day.

Rock The Park! Mueller, KUTX, and Dell Children’s Medical Center are excited to rock the amphitheater at Mueller Lake Park again this spring with another round of free, family-friendly concerts curated by KUTX and our Sunday-evening kids’ show Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child. Come early to grab a spot on the lawn! 6:45 p.m.

June 8

Second Saturdays are for Families at Laguna Gloria from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Free admission and family activities every second Saturday.

Second Saturdays For Kids at Texas Farmers Market Lakeline from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Second Saturday For Kids at Texas Farmers’ Market Lakeline. Every Second Saturday, enjoy fun activities for kids at TFM at Lakeline! Activities will vary each month so keep an eye out here for details as the Second Saturday approaches.

Michael’s Kids Club: Summer Painted Rocks from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at any Michael’s. Free, all ages. Come in-store and paint rocks. This event is free, and all supplies are included.

June 9

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

Second Sundays For Kids at Texas Farmers Market Mueller. Second Sundays For Kids at Texas Farmers Market Mueller. Bring the whole family and enjoy  fun activities for kids every second Sunday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The Ultimate Summer Bucket List For Kids in Austin

June 11

Skater Tots at Playland Skate Center is every Tuesday from 9 a.m. – noon. Kids 5 and under can skate for $8 (includes skates). Bring ride-on toys or scooters too! Parents and infants are free!

June 12

Music on Main from 7-9 p.m. Music on Main in downtown Round Rock is every Wednesday evening from 7-9 p.m. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy live music at Prete Plaza through June 26, 2024.

Terra Toys is having their annual Fairy Tea Party on June 12, 2024 from 2-4 p.m. Tickets available for purchase in store only. Craft your own custom fairy!🧚‍♂️Enjoy complimentary face painting and delicious tea & cookies!🧚‍♂️ Play on our “troll” obstacle course and see countless fairies and forest folk! 💗Fairy tickets are $5 each and magically turn into a $5 unicorn gift coin to use in store on the day of the event!

June 13

Movie In The Park: Jaws at Deep Eddy Pool on June 13, 2024 at 8 p.m.

June 15

Free Kids DIY Workshop at Lowes 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.

Juneteenth Festival Round Rock from 4-11:30 p.m. 17th annual 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 $$

Juneteenth Block Party of Leander is June 15 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.

June 16

Kids Day at Round Rock Express at 6:35 p.m. Take your kids to a Round Rock Express baseball game on Sunday home games for Kids Day and enjoy free train rides and inflatables before the game. Kids even get to run the bases after the game!

The Ultimate Summer Bucket List For Kids in Austin

June 18

Skater Tots at Playland Skate Center is every Tuesday from 9 a.m. – noon. Kids 5 and under can skate for $8 (includes skates). Bring ride-on toys or scooters too! Parents and infants are free!

Kids Yoga // Pease Park (FREE) with ATX Yoga Girl at 9 a.m. on June 18 and July 16 at Pease Park.

June 19

Toddler Yoga // Pease Park (FREE) with ATX Yoga Girl at 9 a.m. on June 19 and July 17 at Pease Park.

Music on Main from 7-9 p.m. Music on Main in downtown Round Rock is every Wednesday evening from 7-9 p.m. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy live music at Prete Plaza through June 26, 2024.

June 22

Sweet Eats Fruit Farm Sunflower Festival is June 22 – July 7th from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. $19-24. Pick your own sunflowers at the Sunflower Festival! We love going to Sweet Eats for the day. There’s just so much to do! You can bring your own food/drinks here too, so pack up a big picnic and stay for the whole day. Pig races, apple slingshots, bounce pillows, petting zoo, pony rides, and so much more!

Michael’s Kids Club: Pom Pom Butterfly Wreaths from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at any Michael’s. Free, all ages. Come in-store and make a butterfly wreath. This event is free, and all supplies are included.

June 23

Juneteenth at Pfluger Park on June 23, 2024 from 5-7 p.m.

June 25

Skater Tots at Playland Skate Center is every Tuesday from 9 a.m. – noon. Kids 5 and under can skate for $8 (includes skates). Bring ride-on toys or scooters too! Parents and infants are free!

June 26

Music on Main from 7-9 p.m. Music on Main in downtown Round Rock is every Wednesday evening from 7-9 p.m. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy live music at Prete Plaza through June 26, 2024. Last show of the season!

June 30

Kids Day at Round Rock Express at 6:35 p.m. Take your kids to a Round Rock Express baseball game on Sunday home games for Kids Day and enjoy free train rides and inflatables before the game. Kids even get to run the bases after the game!

The Ultimate Summer Bucket List For Kids in Austin: JULY EVENTS

July 2

Skater Tots at Playland Skate Center is every Tuesday from 9 a.m. – noon. Kids 5 and under can skate for $8 (includes skates). Bring ride-on toys or scooters too! Parents and infants are free!

July 4

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!

Independence Day Pfireworks in Pflugerville

H-E-B Austin Symphony July 4th Concert & Fireworks from 5-10 p.m. 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).

Kyle’s Independence Day Fireworks Show at 9 p.m. Join the City of Kyle in celebrating the Fourth of July with the Independence Day Celebration Fireworks Show on July 4. The fireworks show will last approximately 20 minutes. The city has also arranged a special treat in partnership with radio station KAZI 88.7 FM to stream music as you watch the show. Residents will be able to watch the show from the Hays Performing Arts Center. But the show will also be able to be seen from many locations throughout Kyle. But all residents viewing the fireworks display should exercise caution when selecting their viewing location and avoid parking on curbs, shoulders or medians.

July 6

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.

July 7

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. Experience the culture of lowriding with free admission and fun family activities.

July 9

Skater Tots at Playland Skate Center is every Tuesday from 9 a.m. – noon. Kids 5 and under can skate for $8 (includes skates). Bring ride-on toys or scooters too! Parents and infants are free!

The Ultimate Summer Bucket List For Kids in Austin

July 12

See the Zilker Summer Musical: Legally Blonde the Musical! July 12- August 17, 2024 at 8:15 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays at the Zilker Hillside Theater. It’s FREE!

July 13

Second Saturdays are for Families at Laguna Gloria from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Free admission and family activities every second Saturday.

Second Saturdays For Kids at Texas Farmers Market Lakeline from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Second Saturday For Kids at Texas Farmers’ Market Lakeline. Every Second Saturday, enjoy fun activities for kids at TFM at Lakeline! Activities will vary each month so keep an eye out here for details as the Second Saturday approaches.

July 14

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

Second Sundays For Kids at Texas Farmers Market Mueller. Second Sundays For Kids at Texas Farmers Market Mueller. Bring the whole family and enjoy  fun activities for kids every second Sunday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Zilker Botanical Garden Free Days from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. the botanical garden is free for all. On Free Days, no admission price is required, but donations are always welcome. You can reserve admission for free days via the General Admission button above.

July 16

Skater Tots at Playland Skate Center is every Tuesday from 9 a.m. – noon. Kids 5 and under can skate for $8 (includes skates). Bring ride-on toys or scooters too! Parents and infants are free!

Kids Yoga // Pease Park (FREE) with ATX Yoga Girl at 9 a.m. on June 18 and July 16 at Pease Park.

July 17

Toddler Yoga // Pease Park (FREE) with ATX Yoga Girl at 9 a.m. on June 19 and July 17 at Pease Park.

July 20

Free Kids DIY Workshop at Lowes 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.

Pop Up Play Day is on July 20 from 9-11 a.m. at Memorial Park: 600 N Lee St., Round Rock. Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department “Pop Up Play Day” is popping into YOUR community park to bring the PARTY to YOU! Join us in YOUR park for FREE family activities, music and dance, food and refreshments and get active fun with your Parks and Recreation team while checking out YOUR neighborhood park.

July 21

Celebrate National Ice Cream Day at the Museum of Ice Cream or at one of these ice cream spots with playgrounds.

Kids Day at Round Rock Express at 6:35 p.m. Take your kids to a Round Rock Express baseball game on Sunday home games for Kids Day and enjoy free train rides and inflatables before the game. Kids even get to run the bases after the game!

July 23

Skater Tots at Playland Skate Center is every Tuesday from 9 a.m. – noon. Kids 5 and under can skate for $8 (includes skates). Bring ride-on toys or scooters too! Parents and infants are free!

July 26

Friday Fun Nights at Yonders Point from 7:30-10:30 p.m. “Friday Fun Nights” at Yonders Point IS BACK for 2023! Join your Parks and Recreation Department for the FREE “Friday Fun Nights” at Yonders Point at Old Settlers Park. Bring the entire family and enjoy fun themed activities.

July 30

Skater Tots at Playland Skate Center is every Tuesday from 9 a.m. – noon. Kids 5 and under can skate for $8 (includes skates). Bring ride-on toys or scooters too! Parents and infants are free!

The Ultimate Summer Bucket List For Kids in Austin: AUGUST EVENTS

August 3

Pop Up Play Day is on August 3 at Micki Krebsbach Pool: 301 Deep Wood Dr., Round Rock. Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department “Pop Up Play Day” is popping into YOUR community park to bring the PARTY to YOU! Join us in YOUR park for FREE family activities, music and dance, food and refreshments and get active fun with your Parks and Recreation team while checking out YOUR neighborhood park.

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.

August 4

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. Get ready to go back to school with free admission and fun family activities.

Kids Day at Round Rock Express at 6:35 p.m. Take your kids to a Round Rock Express baseball game on Sunday home games for Kids Day and enjoy free train rides and inflatables before the game. Kids even get to run the bases after the game.

August 6

Skater Tots at Playland Skate Center is every Tuesday from 9 a.m. – noon. Kids 5 and under can skate for $8 (includes skates). Bring ride-on toys or scooters too! Parents and infants are free!

August 10

Second Saturdays are for Families at Laguna Gloria from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Free admission and family activities every second Saturday.

Second Saturdays For Kids at Texas Farmers Market Lakeline from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Second Saturday For Kids at Texas Farmers’ Market Lakeline. Every Second Saturday, enjoy fun activities for kids at TFM at Lakeline! Activities will vary each month so keep an eye out here for details as the Second Saturday approaches.

August 11

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

Second Sundays For Kids at Texas Farmers Market Mueller. Second Sundays For Kids at Texas Farmers Market Mueller. Bring the whole family and enjoy  fun activities for kids every second Sunday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

August 13

Skater Tots at Playland Skate Center is every Tuesday from 9 a.m. – noon. Kids 5 and under can skate for $8 (includes skates). Bring ride-on toys or scooters too! Parents and infants are free!

August 17

Free Kids DIY Workshop at Lowes 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.

August 18

Kids Day at Round Rock Express at 6:35 p.m. Take your kids to a Round Rock Express baseball game on Sunday home games for Kids Day and enjoy free train rides and inflatables before the game. Kids even get to run the bases after the game!

August 20

Skater Tots at Playland Skate Center is every Tuesday from 9 a.m. – noon. Kids 5 and under can skate for $8 (includes skates). Bring ride-on toys or scooters too! Parents and infants are free!

August 23

Friday Fun Nights at Yonders Point from 7:30-10:30 p.m. “Friday Fun Nights” at Yonders Point IS BACK for 2023! Join your Parks and Recreation Department for the FREE “Friday Fun Nights” at Yonders Point at Old Settlers Park. Bring the entire family and enjoy fun themed activities.

August 27

Skater Tots at Playland Skate Center is every Tuesday from 9 a.m. – noon. Kids 5 and under can skate for $8 (includes skates). Bring ride-on toys or scooters too! Parents and infants are free!

Free Ongoing Weekly Events

• Free story time Tuesday-Friday at Central Public Library at 10 a.m.
• Free story time every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at BookPeople
• Live Music on the Patio at Central Market North Lamar every Thursday thru Sunday night from 5:30-8 p.m. Grab food from the store or café, sit out on the patio and listen to the live music while the kids run and play on the playground.
• Free Community Sundays and Community Tuesdays at The Thinkery. The Thinkery has free community Sundays from 3-5 p.m. and Tuesdays from 3-7 p.m. Register online to secure your spot.
• Cherrywood Coffeehouse has free live kids’ music on most Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. Call ahead or 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.
• Zilker Summer Musical: Legally Blonde is every Thursday-Sunday night at 8:15 p.m. from July 12-August 17. This event is free and is held at the Zilker Hillside Theater.

More Summer Fun Ideas

• See the bats! Austin is all about the bats, but standing along a bridge in the heat with young kids isn’t the most fun thing ever. We like seeing them emerge from a bat cruise. It’s a fun thing to do if you have people visiting you over the summer.

• Swing on a Rope: Rope swings give quintessential Austin summer vibes. Here’s where you can find some.

• Cool Off at a Splash Pad: For the younger set, you can’t beat a day of splashing around town. We like to challenge ourselves and try to go to as many as we can in one day! Here’s where you can splash in Austin.

• Ride the Cedar Rock Railroad mini train which is right next to the Quarry Splash Pad! They say their mini golf course will be opening soon too!

• More mini golf ideas: Visit Peter Pan Mini Golf or Dreamland in Dripping Springs.

• Visit a local waterpark! Here’s a list of the ones we’ve tried and how to choose which one would be best for your family.

• Barton Springs: I find it hard to go a whole summer without visiting Barton Springs. It can feel daunting to take your kids, but here are some tips to make it easier!

• Hike to a waterfall! Here’s a whole list of where you can find waterfalls around Austin. Hopefully they will be flowing (this depends on rainfall and drought).
• Playground challenge! How many playgrounds can you cross off your list this summer? Here’s a list of our favorite ones, and here’s all the playgrounds along the Brushy Creek Trail if you’d like to attempt to play at all 6!

More Summer Fun Ideas

• Go for a hike! We are big hikers and try to go a couple times a week. One of the best spots to explore in Austin is the Barton Creek Greenbelt. I love this for summer, because there are so many trailheads that it makes for a fun challenge to try them all. See more kid friendly hikes here.

• Day trip! Here’s a fun list of places you can make it to and back in a day.

• Cold AC! When it’s too hot outside to play, here’s a list of all the great indoor places to play.

• Treat Yo’ Self! Here’s a few of our favorite ice cream spots around Austin. Or check out the Museum of Ice Cream if you’re a die-hard fan and want to slide into a pool full of sprinkles! And here are all the ice cream spots with playgrounds.

• Swimming holes and beachy swims: While not technically real beaches, Austin has some beach-like spots that are just perfect for summer fun. Check them out here! And here’s our round up of swimming holes around Austin!

More Summer Fun Ideas

• Fredericksburg peaches: Chances are, if you live in hill country, you’ve tried a Fredericksburg peach. But have you ever picked your own? Well, you can at Jenschke Orchards! And here’s even more things to do with kids if you want to spend a whole weekend in Fredericksburg.
• Keep those kids reading all summer long! Sign up for a summer reading program at your local library branch, or check out Barnes & Noble or Half Price Books for their programs.
• Float, SUP, Ride, or Boat out on the water. Basically, just get out on the water in some capacity! You can rent SUP, kayak, canoe, drive a retro boat, or even pedal a swan on Town Lake. You can take tubes and float down the San Marcos, Comal, or Guadalupe rivers. We also rented a “party barge” last summer with our friends out on Lake Travis and it was so fun we are going to go again this summer!

• Race each other on go-kartz at K1 Speed, Austin’s Park, or inside Pinballz Lake Creek.

• Visit the Dinosaur Park in Cedar Creek or the real dinosaur tracks in Leander.

• Check out the BMX tracks at 9th St Dirt Jumps or Elizabeth Milburn Park.

• We usually end up going roller skating a couple of times every summer. Playland Skate Center has a new program called Skater Tots that’s just for kids 5 & under the first Tuesday of the month from 9 a.m. – noon!

More Summer Fun Ideas

• Go bowling! We like Mel’s Lonestar Lanes, Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl, Spare Time Texas, and inside Tom Foolery’s at Kalahari (they have epic milkshakes at this one!) Spare Time has a Free Summer Fun Pass for kids. June 1- August 31, kids can bowl one game free every weekday before 5 p.m. Register before you go to get this offer.

• Drive through safari at Exotic Resort Zoo in Johnson City. Ride on the tractor-pulled guided tour and buy the large feed bucket ( you can use it in the petting zoo as well)!

• Visit the goats at Jester King or the llamas at The Shady Llama. Jester King is one of our favorite breweries. They have goats, a giant field for kids to run around, and they even got a new playground! For more kid-friendly breweries, go here!

• McKinney Falls + Meanwhile Brewing. We adore this combo and did it last summer. I think we are going to repeat it every year- it was that good! Wear your swimsuits and go floating around the falls at McKinney Falls, then dry off and change and head over to Meanwhile Brewing for some lunch/dinner/beer! They have the best patio (with a playground) in Austin!

• Get a snow cone. We love visiting Sno Ride at Littlefields (such a cute little play space!) or Woody’s Shave Ice (it’s right by one of our favorite hikes- Lost Creek!)

• Visit the swimming pool at Blanco State Park.

• Visit the Wildflower Center. They usually have a free day every summer for Lady Bird Day (in July- check their calendar for updates).

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