Top 9 Free Activities for Kids in Austin
Austin is full of incredible activities for families. The best part? Many of them are completely free! Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, creative experiences, or local events, there are plenty of budget-friendly ways to keep kids entertained. Here’s our list of the top 10 free activities for kids in Austin that you can enjoy year-round.
Top Free Activities for Kids in Austin
1. Austin Nature & Science Center
We love coming to the Austin Nature & Science Center. They have a small indoor section with fossils and interactive exhibits, as well as a large outdoor space with a pond, Dino Pit sandbox, real live animals, and more.
2. Local History Museums: Free Activities for Kids
Explore the Bullock Museum, which is free the first Sunday of each month from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Or see the fossils at the Texas Science & Natural History Museum for free on the fourth Sunday of each month.
3. Free Art Museums
Art museums are a great source of fun, but they can be pricey to get in, especially for a whole family. The good news is that Austin’s local museums both host free days in which you and your kids can enjoy some fun activities for the whole family. You can visit Laguna Gloria for free on the second Saturday of each month. The Umlauf Sculpture Garden hosts free family days typically once a month. These are some of my favorite activities for kids near me.
4. Hikes
Most hikes in the Austin area are free, and there are so many right in the heart of the city! That’s one of our favorite things about living here! Check out our guide to all the best trails in the city and surrounding area to get a better idea of where to go.
5. Playgrounds/Parks
Going to the playground is an age-old, well-known free activity, but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Austin boasts some of the most unique playgrounds and parks, so take advantage of the wide variety of free playgrounds in Austin. Whenever I’m looking for activities for families near me, I make sure to consult my list of favorite playgrounds.
6. Central Public Library
We love all libraries, but few can compare to the biggest and best library in Austin: The Central Public Library! Whether your kid wants to read a book or explore the building, there are so many fun things to do right under your nose.
7. Story Times for Kids
While libraries are obvious spots for story times, you can find fun story times all around Austin. Some of our favorite locations for story time activities for families near me are Whole Foods (inquire at your local store), Letterpress Play, Paper Bark Birch, First Light Books, and BookPeople. Story times are engaging, educational, and entertaining ways to spend an evening.
8. See Live Music
You can’t live in or visit the live music capital of the world and not go see live music! Lucky for us, there are plenty of places where you can find it for free as well. Central Market North Lamar has live music on their patio most Thursdays-Sundays (check here for updates). Cherrywood Coffeehouse has free live kids shows every Sunday on their patio at 10 a.m. The Hive often has live kids music as well.
9. Ride The Zilker Eagle (and visit Zilker Park)
Did you know that the Zilker Eagle Mini Train has FREE Community hours on every first Friday of each month, rides will be free to the public between 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. This will surely be a hit in your family!
Austin is full of more events than you could imagine, and many of them are very affordable if you know where to look. Looking for more fun activities for kids in Austin? Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter, or follow us on social media, to learn the ins and outs of free fun.
FAQ
What are the best free outdoor summer activities for kids in the Austin area?
Free splash pads, outdoor live music, and hikes are some of the best things to do in the summer with your whole family. They’re low-cost and take advantage of the freedom of summer!
What kind of live music can I see for free?
Central Market has shows ranging in genre from funk to blues to rock and roll! In any given month, you can find any and every genre of music that you and family want to hear–that’s the beauty of Austin!
Where should I hike with my family in Austin?
We have a conveniently listed guide for the best spots in and around Austin! It’s fun for the whole family–and, in most cases, totally free! Whether you need a stroller-friendly hike or you and your little ones want some real action, we’ve got you covered with our family activities guide to hiking.
I’m looking for activities for kids near me that won’t break the bank–where should I go?
Going to a local story time, exploring a museum, seeing some beautiful nature, and getting some quality play time in at the playground–all of these are free or inexpensive ways to spend some quality family time. Check out my site for even more ideas.
