10 Things to Do with Kids in San Antonio

Brackenridge Park, founded in 1899, is one of the oldest public parks in San Antonio. Spanning over 300 acres (121 hectares), it has loads of picnic tables, playgrounds, trails and historical sites. Locals often gather at the park for morning yoga, jogs and a variety of sports activities.

If you’re a fan of birdwatching, Brackenridge Park is where you can spot woodpeckers, red-shouldered hawks, chickadees and wrens. You’ll also find San Antonio Zoo within the park grounds, where you can see over 3,500 species of animals.

Located right next to Brackenridge Park, The Witte Museum is a firm family favourite in San Antonio thanks to its many hands-on exhibits. There’s a particular focus on local wildlife, ranging from bison and piney woods black bears right back to dinosaurs like T-Rex and triceratops.

There’s also some place devoted to Texas’s human history. The H-E-B Body Adventure area, which spans 4 floors, is especially fun and teaches families about health and wellness. Make sure you have at least half a day to spend here.

As the name suggests, Kiddie Park is especially suitable for the really young ones, generally between the ages of 1 and 12. First opened in 1925, it claims the title of being the oldest amusement park in the US, and many of the rides and attractions are appropriately old-school.

The rides include a carousel, a small Ferris wheel and a number of classic carnival games. Adults accompanying their kids on the carousel can ride for free. All the other rides are primarily designed for children.

The DoSeum is a museum which focusses heavily on learning by doing, making it an engaging and interactive place for visitors. The 2-storey centre near Kiddie Park features a range of areas, with most designed to promote curiosity and learning in science, technology and maths. These subjects are approached in creative and artistic ways, ensuring that the learning experience is both fun and educational.

There are quite a few outdoor play spaces, allowing you to also take advantage of San Antonio’s fantastic weather.

San Antonio Central Library is where you can find thousands of books, magazines, DVDs and CDs of various genres. Located along Soledad Street, it occupies an imposing 6-storey building overlooking River Walk and downtown San Antonio.

You get to enjoy activities such as storytelling, movie screenings and author lectures all year round. The first floor features an art gallery displaying temporary exhibits by local artists. Numerous murals and art installations can be found throughout San Antonio Central Library, one of which is a blue neon-lit room installed by Stephen Antonakos.

Big’z Burger Joint is not only a great place to get a burger but it’s also remarkably family-friendly. There’s an extensive kids’ menu with generous servings, as well as plenty of space to play outside, with trees and toys aplenty in the backyard.

Being suitable for kids does not mean that the quality suffers, though. Expect finest Angus beef patties with multiple toppings and, for the grown-ups, beer and wine available. The restaurant is a little out of the way, well to the west of the city centre, but worth it for a fun mealtime.

The Mexico-themed Six Flags Fiesta Texas amusement park near San Antonio is perhaps a little small, when compared to other parks of the same brand, but still packs a punch. There are about 20 family rides, spanning an impressive range of styles, from the world’s first 4D free-fly coaster to a 200-foot (61-metre) power freefall drop tower.

There’s also a water park, which is a great place to cool off in the Texas summer. Naturally, most of the rides are aimed at older children, though there is a section for toddlers. On select Saturdays in the summer, there’s a great fireworks show in the evening.

Located just a 20-minute drive from downtown San Antonio, the Aquatica San Antonio waterpark offers thrilling water slides and a fun way to cool off on a hot summer’s day. From adrenaline-pumping water slides to the relaxing the lazy river and inviting pools, Aquatica San Antonio is packed with fun activities for the whole family.

One of the park’s most popular rides is the one-of-a-kind Stingray Falls, where you get to take a raft down to an underwater grotto and get up close with stingrays and tropical fish. To make the best of your time at Aquatica San Antonio, get your tickets ahead of time to avoid the long lines.

Morgan’s Wonderland is quite a unique theme park concept, with a special focus on being completely accessible to all, regardless of disabilities. Its motto boasting that it’s a place 'where everyone can play' is well-deserved; the 25-acre (10-hectare) park contains more than 25 custom-designed rides and attractions.

Check out The Wharf, where you can take command of your own remote-controlled pirate ship or fish for catfish and bass. The wheelchair accessible Ferris wheel is also noteworthy, offering stunning views of the park.

The Natural Bridge Caverns are fascinating to explore in their own right, with beautiful ancient rock formations to see on the guided tours. However, that’s just the start of the family fun. There’s also a zip lining and ropes course, an interesting gem mining attraction and a maze to explore.

The caves can get a bit hot and humid in the summer, so it’s generally best to visit this place in the cooler winter months. Prices vary according to the activities you choose.