Home to a number of attractions ranging from nature trails, thrilling theme park rides, and museums that will surely feed your mind, San Antonio, Texas, is definitely an ideal place for a family-friendly fun holiday. You will never go wrong taking your kids to educational museums and interactive exhibits to learn new things. This part of Texas is also a great spot to let them visit a safari surrounded by amazing creatures this school break. Discover the unique fares with the entire family and experience the top things to do with kids in San Antonio, Texas, that you can enjoy all year round, offering sheer fun for all ages.
1. Discover and learn about the colonial Spanish mission (from USD 99.0)
Known for its beautiful missions, visit the historic Queen of the Missions - Mission San Jose when touring around San Antonio. Explore the colonial past of Texas and marvel at the sight of this unique architecture that is considered the biggest mission of the five missions in San Antonio built in 1720. Let your guide paint a picture for you to envision mission life back in the 1800s and see how this historical landmark may have looked more than 250 years ago. Be sure and take a look at the rose window or even attend the Mariachi mass when you happen to be on the site on a Sunday at noon.
San Antonio Missions Tour with Downtown Hotel Pick Up
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
2. Learn and have fun at the Witte Museum
Visit this exceptional museum that is definitely very child-oriented, but caters to adults too. Go back to the time when giant crocodiles, T-Rex, and other dinosaurs roamed the earth through awesome exhibits. Know more about this part of America through an educational experience that tells the tales of Texas, from Prehistoric to modern times, including a great deal of old west artifacts and several animals native only to Texas. Take delight in its modern buildings with a huge drop-off area, nicely manicured landscaping, bright light, and attractive displays that have a little bit of everything for every kind of taste and age. This unique attraction is just a quick seven-minute walk from Brackenridge Park.
Witte Museum
Address: 3801 Broadway St, San Antonio, TX 78209
Website: Witte Museum
Opening hours: Mon, Wed - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Tue: 10am - 8pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm
Price: 14 USD (free entry on Tue)
3. Revisit your childhood at Kiddie Park
Make your way to the oldest amusement park in the country and relive your childhood memories while creating fun moments with your kids. Enjoy a nostalgic day of old-fashioned fun while riding a carousel, roller coasters, a Ferris wheel, and other variety of rides perfect for an affordable trip to an amusement park. Save more of your budget as parents ride free with kids and take delight in the tranquility of the place with an intimate setting less than the fanfare of the bigger parks. Don’t forget to grab some quick bites at the concession stand that serves classic amusement park cuisine at a very reasonable price.
Kiddie Park
Address: 3015 Broadway St, at Mulberry Street, San Antonio, TX 78209-7036
Website: Kiddie Park
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 10am - 7pm (closed from Mon - Tue)
Price: 2.50 USD onwards
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Get acquainted with aviation history at Texas Air Museum
Drench yourself in the history of flight at the Texas Air Museum featuring a collection of artifacts and models of aircraft from an early military flight, Army Air Corp, and Air Force. Salute the friendly volunteers who will go the extra mile to welcome all the visitors and answer all questions about aviation history even though they don’t get monetary help from the city. If you fancy American history and want to learn more or see some kind of cool things from all the wars, this is definitely an attraction that you should include in your itinerary when visiting San Antonio.
Texas Air Museum
Address: 1234 99th St, San Antonio, TX 78214
Website: Texas Air Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 9am - 4pm (closed from Sun - Mon)
Price: 6 USD onwards
5. Enjoy a safari at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
Have up-close encounters with animals including tons of exotic bovines, antelopes, llamas, and ostriches in this drive-thru African Safari in Texas style. Let the kids enjoy the sights of over 40 species of wildlife wandering around a vast expanse of rolling hills, creek beds, and magnificent oak trees right in the comfort of your own car and feel the thrill of watching them grazing, sleeping, and looking right back at you. Grab the chance of feeding these adorable creatures in the petting zoo or alongside your car window with the pellets sold at a very reasonable price near the main entrance.
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
Address: 26515 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd., San Antonio, TX 78266
Website: Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily); closing time varies per season
Price: 24.50 USD onwards
6. Feel the thrill of racing at K1 Speed
Feel the adrenalin and race at full speed in this indoor go-cart facility that features a professionally designed racetrack and high-end electric carts. Experience the thrill of European-style racing and let the kids have a blast while encouraging competitiveness through racing in safe and fun spaces. Whether an experienced adult driver or no karting pilot at all, you get to drive 14 laps around the track for about 40-45 mph (64-72 kph). Though the line to the race is not long at all, drop by the well-stocked concession stand with delicious food and drink options and enjoy seating on a comfortable leather couch or enjoy the arcade games and air hockey to pass the time while waiting.
K1 Speed
Address: 6955 Northwest Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78238
Website: K1 Speed
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 12pm - 10pm; Fri: 11am - 11pm; Sat: 10am - 12am; Sun: 10am - 9pm
Price: 22 USD onwards
7. Witness a phenomenon at the Bracken Cave Preserve
Wear your most comfortable shoes and go adventurous, especially during the summer months, by visiting Bracken Bat Cave to witness the sight of bats leaving the cave in an amazingly spiraling exit. Watch the Mexican free-tailed bats fly above you for about an hour and fill the sky like a black cloud from a scary movie. Before taking off, everyone is encouraged to listen to a short lecture and ask questions to learn and appreciate the role of this creature in the ecosystem. If you have the means, make sure to bring your own binoculars to fully enjoy the view and watch for the raptors who arrive on the scene to predate the bats.
Bracken Cave Preserve
Address: 26101 FM3009, San Antonio, TX 78266
Website: Bracken Cave Preserve
Opening hours: 24/7 (best time to visit is right before dusk)
Price: Free
8. Enjoy innovative experiences at The DoSeum
Look out for the ultimate fun and frolic as you head down to DoSeum bursting with fun activities that are creatively organized in separate rooms suitable for kids of all ages. Let your kids explore the two floors inside packed with challenging but well-defined tasks including a visit to the Little Town, a splash around some water, and a visit to any, if not all, of the six major exhibition halls and themed galleries. Grab a quick lunch in the little cafe serving freshly prepared and good-tasting foods to make sure that your kids have the energy to embark on all the exciting hands-on experiences including the huge outdoor yards.
From this tourist destination, you’ll only need to drive for seven minutes to reach San Antonio River Walk and other nearby attractions such as LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Hemisfair Park, Alamo Plaza, and Travis Park. Meanwhile, San Antonio Botanical Garden is just a mile away from here.
The DoSeum
Address: 2800 Broadway St, San Antonio, TX 78209
Website: The DoSeum
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 6pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm
Price: 14 USD onwards
9. Explore more on a boat cruise (from USD 69.0)
Get a glimpse of the unique view of San Antonio’s rich history and grand architecture in a 40-minute River Walk boat cruise along the San Antonio River. This enjoyable boat ride allows your kids to rest their tired feet while admiring the beautiful views from a different perspective. Take delight in the knowledgeable tour guide giving excellent and humorous commentary as you pass several notable landmarks and learn some fun facts that you’d never know unless you go on board.
San Antonio River Walk Cruise and Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Duration: 1 day
10. Take a snap of the tallest cowboy boots
Snap a picture with the tallest cowboy boots at the North Star Mall after wandering around more than 200 stores and restaurants. Located outside of Saks Fifth Avenue, park your car and take a selfie of this famous landmark featuring a pair of 40-foot-tall (12 meters) cowboy boots made from concrete and fiberglass. Kids will surely love the sight of this masterpiece especially those who have the inner cowboy in them so don’t forget to drop by after a day of shopping. Park in the mall garage and carefully cross over to the pedestrian sidewalk if you want to walk right up to the boots.
World`s Largest Cowboy Boot
Address: 60 Northwest Loop 410 #18, San Antonio, TX 78216, USA
Have a fun holiday with your kids in Texas
A holiday is expected to be a great way to bond with each member of the family including kids who usually have a different call for an adventure than grown-ups. San Antonio is a superb destination and discovery point for kids and the kids at heart. From getting closer to nature to thrilling rides in theme parks, try to include something in your daily activities to meet everyone’s expectations.
Impress even your pickiest travel companions and include any of these things to do with kids in San Antonio, Texas, that even the young-at-hearts will surely love.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to