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The Ultimate Austin Kids Bucket List for 2023

The Ultimate Austin Kids Bucket List for 2023

If your intention for the new year is to get out and adventure or explore more, we’ve got some inspiration for you! Here are some local Austin adventures you can have with your kids this year. This is the Ultimate Austin Kids Bucket List for 2023.

The Ultimate Austin Kids Bucket List for 2023

January: Take a Hike

We try to do a First Day Hike every January 1 and take hikes almost every weekend. January is full of brisk, sunshine filled days that are perfect for afternoon hikes. Here’s a list of our favorite kid-friendly trails in Austin for strollers, toddlers, big kids and more!

February: Watch the Sunset from Mt Bonnell

When’s the last time you climbed Mt Bonnell? We highly recommend going at dusk and watching the sunset from the top/on the way back down.

March: Volunteer at It’s My Park Day

It’s My Park Day is your chance to give back to the Austin community! Teach your kids how to look outside themselves and their bubble and make an impact on the lives of those around them. Sign up for It’s My Park Day (Saturday, March 4, 2023) and help clean up the Austin area parks. Go here for more volunteering opportunities with kids in Austin.

BONUS MARCH ACTIVITIES:

April: Climb a Tree

If you have kids who love to climb, consider taking them out to one of these spots and hang out in the trees for a day!

BONUS APRIL ACTIVITIES:

May: Mother’s Day Tea Party/ Stop and Smell the Roses

Take mom out for a magical Mother’s Day tea party at Rivery Coffeehouse in Georgetown (call ahead for tea party reservations) or the Driskill Hotel in Austin. Then see some flowers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center or Zilker Botanical Garden.

BONUS MAY ACTIVITIES:

June: Take Dad to a Kid-Friendly Brewery

We’ve got a list of all the kid-friendly breweries in town (or just outside of town) that would be the perfect way to spend Father’s Day.

BONUS JUNE ACTIVITIES:

  • National Donut Day (get a free donut!)
  • Free entry to the Wildflower Center with Nature Nights, every Thursday in June

July: Swing on a Rope

One of the best ways to cool down on a hot summer day in Austin is to find a rope swing at a local watering hole! Here’s our list of favorite rope swings in the area.

BONUS JULY ACTIVITIES:

August: Flip off the Diving Board at Barton Springs

Because the water is so cold, and August is so hot, this is the perfect time to visit Barton Springs. Here are all our tips on visiting Barton Springs with kids.

BONUS AUGUST ACTIVITY: GET ON ISLAND TIME AT SON’S ISLAND

September: Stand Under a Waterfall

St Edwards Trail

Check out our list of local Austin area waterfalls to hike to (or stand under). Every hike is better when it includes a waterfall!

BONUS SEPTEMBER ACTIVITIES:

October: Visit a Farm/ Pumpkin Patch

There are so many cute family-friendly farms close to Austin, some of them even turn into pumpkin patches as well. Here’s our guide to local pumpkin patches.

BONUS OCTOBER ACTIVITIES:

November: Take A Day Trip

If you have the time off for the week of Thanksgiving, the weather is usually nice enough to do a little traveling. You can stick close to home by going on a quick little day trip! Here is a list of our favorite places to hike that are close to Austin, plus a Weekend in Wimberley With Kids and a Weekend in Fredericksburg with Kids.

BONUS NOVEMBER ACTIVITIES:

December: Light It Up

We have a huge guide to the holidays in Austin, everything from where to see lights, where to see Santa, even where to find snow!

You should check this out:

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Austin Fun For Kids

austinfunforkids

1,040 59,175

🙋🏼‍♀️ A guide for exploring Austin with kids 🛝 parks, hikes, restaurants, day trips, etc!

🧗‍♀️ @cruxccpflugerville @cruxcc CHECK OUT THE NEW PFLUGERVILLE LOCATION! 🤩

📍 18817 N Heatherwilde Blvd Bldg 3, Pflugerville, TX

🎟️ Kids 5 & under are $5

There’s so much for kids to do here! An entire kids section that has bouldering, a slide, a warped wall, ropes climbing/belay, and more!

I also love how welcoming they are towards kids in the adult section. My kids wanted to try some more challenging stuff out in the big area and they were encouraged to try it! There’s a helpful code system that has cute little animal faces to show the difficulty level. For example, my kids mostly stuck to the “Sloth” belays (the easiest ones).

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🧗‍♀️ @cruxccpflugerville @cruxcc CHECK OUT THE NEW PFLUGERVILLE LOCATION! 🤩 📍 18817 N Heatherwilde Blvd Bldg 3, Pflugerville, TX 🎟️ Kids 5 & under are $5 There’s so much for kids to do here! An entire kids section that has bouldering, a slide, a warped wall, ropes climbing/belay, and more! I also love how welcoming they are towards kids in the adult section. My kids wanted to try some more challenging stuff out in the big area and they were encouraged to try it! There’s a helpful code system that has cute little animal faces to show the difficulty level. For example, my kids mostly stuck to the “Sloth” belays (the easiest ones).
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🐠 Simar Seafood & Steak 🥩

📍 9503 Research Blvd Unit 400, Austin

@simar_atx is such an ideal place to eat out for families in Austin! Here’s why we love it:

🧸 Indoor/outdoor play area. Is it indoors? Is it outdoors? It’s both! 👏 Such a genius concept and I’ve never seen anything else like it. Perfect for patio season (right now!!!) but also hot weather or cold weather. It’s covered and indoors but also right off the patio so it’s sort of outside too? Whatever you call it, I think it’s perfect!! There’s so much to play with and it’s a large play area so even if it’s crowded there’s still plenty of room and lots to do!
🌮 Everything was delicious but my favorite hands down was the mini starter tacos 🤤
🪑 They have a gorgeous patio that’s covered so you can enjoy it almost year round.
🤩It’s a big place and would be a great spot for a large group/family gathering!
🎹 They even have a piano in the front!
🍔 Kids eat free on Sundays with the purchase of an adult meal!
🙌 Use code: TIDE10 for 10% off your total bill!!

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🐠 Simar Seafood & Steak 🥩 📍 9503 Research Blvd Unit 400, Austin @simar_atx is such an ideal place to eat out for families in Austin! Here’s why we love it: 🧸 Indoor/outdoor play area. Is it indoors? Is it outdoors? It’s both! 👏 Such a genius concept and I’ve never seen anything else like it. Perfect for patio season (right now!!!) but also hot weather or cold weather. It’s covered and indoors but also right off the patio so it’s sort of outside too? Whatever you call it, I think it’s perfect!! There’s so much to play with and it’s a large play area so even if it’s crowded there’s still plenty of room and lots to do! 🌮 Everything was delicious but my favorite hands down was the mini starter tacos 🤤 🪑 They have a gorgeous patio that’s covered so you can enjoy it almost year round. 🤩It’s a big place and would be a great spot for a large group/family gathering! 🎹 They even have a piano in the front! 🍔 Kids eat free on Sundays with the purchase of an adult meal! 🙌 Use code: TIDE10 for 10% off your total bill!!
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🩰 Opening weekend for @balletaustin The Nutcracker at @longcenter is Dec 6-8!

For one weekend only, guests will a free magical experience before the show! Professional holiday photos, Clara’s Dreamland and photos with Clara, a coloring station, magician, character parade, and more!

👀 Purchase tickets to see @balletaustin at the link in my bio!

These special events take place before the show on opening weekend only!

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🩰 Opening weekend for @balletaustin The Nutcracker at @longcenter is Dec 6-8! For one weekend only, guests will a free magical experience before the show! Professional holiday photos, Clara’s Dreamland and photos with Clara, a coloring station, magician, character parade, and more! 👀 Purchase tickets to see @balletaustin at the link in my bio! These special events take place before the show on opening weekend only!
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🚀 @stargazerbar has landed in East Austin! 🙌

📍 979 Springdale, Suite 130 Austin, TX 78702 (formerly Austin Eastciders)

☕️ Coffee, cocktails, mocktails, lite bites, kolaches from @batchatx , gluten free treats from @maaribuatx , @lickicecreams and 2 food trucks: @dippingspringstenderco and Santo Patio

🍕 You can even order and pick up pizza from @bambinoatx (with a discount!)

🚀They have a gorgeous tree covered patio with a space ship playground for kids! Such a fun spot to meet for a playdate! 🤗

⏰ Open daily from 7am-late

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🚀 @stargazerbar has landed in East Austin! 🙌 📍 979 Springdale, Suite 130 Austin, TX 78702 (formerly Austin Eastciders) ☕️ Coffee, cocktails, mocktails, lite bites, kolaches from @batchatx , gluten free treats from @maaribuatx , @lickicecreams and 2 food trucks: @dippingspringstenderco and Santo Patio 🍕 You can even order and pick up pizza from @bambinoatx (with a discount!) 🚀They have a gorgeous tree covered patio with a space ship playground for kids! Such a fun spot to meet for a playdate! 🤗 ⏰ Open daily from 7am-late
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🍣 ALL YOU CAN EAT SUSHI 🍣

@machisushiatx has all you can eat sushi! This is the perfect spot for a special dinner for your teens who never seem to get full (spoiler alert: they will finally be full lol!)

📍 2200 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Austin

🧋 My kids all like boba tea so we got that too (it’s not all you can drink fyi!) They also love Ramune Japanese soda where you pop the little ball inside and watch it fizz so we got those too!

🍣The sushi was delicious! The Shaggy Dog was our favorite roll.

🍣My youngest isn’t a big eater, so we were able to order a single roll for him a la carte and not pay the All You Can Eat price!

🍦The fried ice cream at the end was a fun experience too.

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🍣 ALL YOU CAN EAT SUSHI 🍣 @machisushiatx has all you can eat sushi! This is the perfect spot for a special dinner for your teens who never seem to get full (spoiler alert: they will finally be full lol!) 📍 2200 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Austin 🧋 My kids all like boba tea so we got that too (it’s not all you can drink fyi!) They also love Ramune Japanese soda where you pop the little ball inside and watch it fizz so we got those too! 🍣The sushi was delicious! The Shaggy Dog was our favorite roll. 🍣My youngest isn’t a big eater, so we were able to order a single roll for him a la carte and not pay the All You Can Eat price! 🍦The fried ice cream at the end was a fun experience too.
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🎅🏻 Santa on the Terrace 📸

📍 @longcenter
701 W Riverside Dr, Austin

📅 Nov 30 from 11am-2:30pm

📸 Free photos with Santa! No tickets required.

🐶 Pets are welcome too!

🍦 Last year there was an ice cream truck and yard games to play!

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🎅🏻 Santa on the Terrace 📸 📍 @longcenter 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin 📅 Nov 30 from 11am-2:30pm 📸 Free photos with Santa! No tickets required. 🐶 Pets are welcome too! 🍦 Last year there was an ice cream truck and yard games to play!
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🍺 HOPS FOR HOUSES BEER PASSPORT 🍺

Right now the beer passport is only $20 (lowest price ever!) and you get a beer at 16 places! That’s practically a dollar per beer!

👀 The link to purchase is in my bio! All proceeds will benefit @habitatwilcotx

How it works:
1️⃣ Buy a beer passport at the link in my bio. You will get one beer at 16 local businesses. Right now it’s only $20 (but will eventually go up to $25).
2️⃣ Bring your passport with you once it arrives in the mail. I recommend keeping it in your purse or your car so you don’t forget it. There is no way to use the passport electronically. If you forget to bring it with you, you are out of luck!
3️⃣ The brewery will stamp your passport and you will select one free beer. Some spots let you choose whatever you want and others have a limited passport menu.
4️⃣ Use your passport as early as Dec 1 and all the way through April 30, 2025!

Several of the spots on this passport are kid friendly! Here’s the list of participating businesses:

🍺 @austinbeerworks (turfed play area)
🍺 @sprinklevalley_abw (playground)
🍺 @stwbrewing (playground)
🍺 @barkingarmadillo (turfed area and indoor arcade)
🍺 @theloosescrewtaylor (brewery inside @oldtaylorhigh with a huge outdoor space plus a candy/ice cream shop and arcade inside)
🍺 @3rdlevelbrew (board games available)
🍺 @redhornbrew (board games available, 2 locations)
🍺 @infamousbrewing (they used to have a playground, not sure if it’s back!)
🍺 @tejasmeatsupplygtx (one stop on the Georgetown Square)
🍺 @mesquitecreekoutfitters another spot on the Georgetown Square)
🍺 @goldenrulegtx (3rd spot on the Georgetown Square)
🍺 @powerbrewingproject (Hutto)
🍺 @phantomwarriorbrewingco (Killeen)
🍺 @nolancreekbrewery (Belton)
🍺 @sangabrivbrew (Liberty Hill)

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🍺 HOPS FOR HOUSES BEER PASSPORT 🍺 Right now the beer passport is only $20 (lowest price ever!) and you get a beer at 16 places! That’s practically a dollar per beer! 👀 The link to purchase is in my bio! All proceeds will benefit @habitatwilcotx How it works: 1️⃣ Buy a beer passport at the link in my bio. You will get one beer at 16 local businesses. Right now it’s only $20 (but will eventually go up to $25). 2️⃣ Bring your passport with you once it arrives in the mail. I recommend keeping it in your purse or your car so you don’t forget it. There is no way to use the passport electronically. If you forget to bring it with you, you are out of luck! 3️⃣ The brewery will stamp your passport and you will select one free beer. Some spots let you choose whatever you want and others have a limited passport menu. 4️⃣ Use your passport as early as Dec 1 and all the way through April 30, 2025! Several of the spots on this passport are kid friendly! Here’s the list of participating businesses: 🍺 @austinbeerworks (turfed play area) 🍺 @sprinklevalley_abw (playground) 🍺 @stwbrewing (playground) 🍺 @barkingarmadillo (turfed area and indoor arcade) 🍺 @theloosescrewtaylor (brewery inside @oldtaylorhigh with a huge outdoor space plus a candy/ice cream shop and arcade inside) 🍺 @3rdlevelbrew (board games available) 🍺 @redhornbrew (board games available, 2 locations) 🍺 @infamousbrewing (they used to have a playground, not sure if it’s back!) 🍺 @tejasmeatsupplygtx (one stop on the Georgetown Square) 🍺 @mesquitecreekoutfitters another spot on the Georgetown Square) 🍺 @goldenrulegtx (3rd spot on the Georgetown Square) 🍺 @powerbrewingproject (Hutto) 🍺 @phantomwarriorbrewingco (Killeen) 🍺 @nolancreekbrewery (Belton) 🍺 @sangabrivbrew (Liberty Hill)
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11/15
🎅🏻Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s
🦖 Jurassic Jamboree Dino Fest at @sweeteatsfruitfarm 9am-6pm
🧙 @hpforbiddenforestexperience
🎶 Free live music on the patio at @central_market North Lamar 6-8:30pm
⛺️ Fortlandia at @wildflowercenter 9am-4pm
🎥 Fall Family Movie Nights at @waterloo_austin 360/2222 at dusk: Frozen 2
🎥 Shrek at @skishores 7pm
🎡Carnival at @pinballz_lakecreek and @pinballzbuda
🌟Creek Show @waterloogreenway at Waterloo Park from 6-10pm
🎅🏻 @santasranch 6-11pm
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11/16
🔨 Free Kids DIY Workshop at Lowes from 10am-1pm: Holiday Countdown
🎨 Art in the Park at Wooten Park 10-11am @austinparksfdn
🧙@hpforbiddenforestexperience
🎅🏻Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s
🚲 Kids on Bikes in Parks @thetrailconservancy at Chicano Park 9am-noon
🍗Home For The Holidays Showcase at @heb 🏊 Family Fun Day at @BigBlueSwimSchool 10am-1pm free & open to the public
🦖Jurassic Jamboree Dino Fest at @sweeteatsfruitfarm 9am-6pm
⛺️Fortlandia at @wildflowercenter 9am-4pm
📖 Free Story Time at @paperbarkbirchbooks at 11am
😂 @excusedabsencecomedy kid-friendly improv 11am $5 at @coldtownetheater
📚 @texasbookfest Free! Downtown Austin
🌟Creek Show @waterloogreenway at Waterloo Park from 6-10pm
🎶Free live music on the patio at @central_market North Lamar 6-8:30pm
🎅🏻 @santasranch 6-11pm
🎥Fall Family Movie Nights at @waterloo_austin 360/2222 at dusk: The Descendants
🎡Carnival at @pinballz_lakecreek and @pinballzbuda
😂 @csz_austin Comedy Sportz at @pinballz_lakecreek at 7:30pm
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11/17
🎶Brunch Bunch at @joscoffee Red River with @strawbittyyops 10am-noon
🐐Baby Goats With Santa @goatshenanigans at @vistabrewing 11am-12:30pm
🎅🏻Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s
🦖Jurassic Jamboree Dino Fest at @sweeteatsfruitfarm 9am-6pm
⛺️Fortlandia at @wildflowercenter 9am-4pm
🧙 @hpforbiddenforestexperience
🎶Free live kids music at @cherrywood_coffeehouse 10am
🎶Free live music on the patio at @central_market North Lamar 1-4pm
😂Family-friendly improv at @hideouttheatre 4pm $5
📚 @texasbookfest Free! Downtown Austin
🎡Carnival at @pinballz_lakecreek and @pinballzbuda
🎅🏻 @santasranch 6-10pm

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11/15 🎅🏻Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s 🦖 Jurassic Jamboree Dino Fest at @sweeteatsfruitfarm 9am-6pm 🧙 @hpforbiddenforestexperience 🎶 Free live music on the patio at @central_market North Lamar 6-8:30pm ⛺️ Fortlandia at @wildflowercenter 9am-4pm 🎥 Fall Family Movie Nights at @waterloo_austin 360/2222 at dusk: Frozen 2 🎥 Shrek at @skishores 7pm 🎡Carnival at @pinballz_lakecreek and @pinballzbuda 🌟Creek Show @waterloogreenway at Waterloo Park from 6-10pm 🎅🏻 @santasranch 6-11pm ‌ 11/16 🔨 Free Kids DIY Workshop at Lowes from 10am-1pm: Holiday Countdown 🎨 Art in the Park at Wooten Park 10-11am @austinparksfdn 🧙@hpforbiddenforestexperience 🎅🏻Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s 🚲 Kids on Bikes in Parks @thetrailconservancy at Chicano Park 9am-noon 🍗Home For The Holidays Showcase at @heb 🏊 Family Fun Day at @BigBlueSwimSchool 10am-1pm free & open to the public 🦖Jurassic Jamboree Dino Fest at @sweeteatsfruitfarm 9am-6pm ⛺️Fortlandia at @wildflowercenter 9am-4pm 📖 Free Story Time at @paperbarkbirchbooks at 11am 😂 @excusedabsencecomedy kid-friendly improv 11am $5 at @coldtownetheater 📚 @texasbookfest Free! Downtown Austin 🌟Creek Show @waterloogreenway at Waterloo Park from 6-10pm 🎶Free live music on the patio at @central_market North Lamar 6-8:30pm 🎅🏻 @santasranch 6-11pm 🎥Fall Family Movie Nights at @waterloo_austin 360/2222 at dusk: The Descendants 🎡Carnival at @pinballz_lakecreek and @pinballzbuda 😂 @csz_austin Comedy Sportz at @pinballz_lakecreek at 7:30pm ‌ 11/17 🎶Brunch Bunch at @joscoffee Red River with @strawbittyyops 10am-noon 🐐Baby Goats With Santa @goatshenanigans at @vistabrewing 11am-12:30pm 🎅🏻Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s 🦖Jurassic Jamboree Dino Fest at @sweeteatsfruitfarm 9am-6pm ⛺️Fortlandia at @wildflowercenter 9am-4pm 🧙 @hpforbiddenforestexperience 🎶Free live kids music at @cherrywood_coffeehouse 10am 🎶Free live music on the patio at @central_market North Lamar 1-4pm 😂Family-friendly improv at @hideouttheatre 4pm $5 📚 @texasbookfest Free! Downtown Austin 🎡Carnival at @pinballz_lakecreek and @pinballzbuda 🎅🏻 @santasranch 6-10pm
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