20 Things to do in San Antonio With Kids
Traveling with the kids is only as enjoyable as your mindset, whether it’s a long car trip, a quick flight, or a day trip from home. If you’re not sure how to keep the kids entertained and happy, you’re going to find that things are difficult. A good attitude and an even better itinerary are exactly how you plan an amazing travel – these two things are all you need even with the myriad of parenting hacks for every experience littering the internet. If you’re planning a trip to San Antonio, Texas, with your family, you’ll want to know what to do, what to see, and how to keep your kids entertained no matter their ages.
Some of the most fun things to do in San Antonio are good for the entire family. This is not to say that the places your kids will have the best time are going to be your favorite, but it’s worth adding in a little something for everyone. After all, spending some time each day doing things the kids enjoy allows you to negotiate time doing things you enjoy that they might not love the most. Not every activity is going to work for kids of all ages, but each one is carefully considered, thought out, and appointed so you know what works best for your child while traveling. That said, here are 20 of the best things do to in San Antonio, Texas, with kids.
20. The San Antonio Zoo
Few things are more fun to small kids than a trip to the zoo. Perhaps even your older children will enjoy the specifics of the San Antonio Zoo. It’s not the largest or the most cumbersome zoo to navigate, but it’s certainly not short on entertainment and family fun. What we love the most about the zoo – aside from the amazing exhibits and animals, of course – is the fact that you can let the kids run around and check out the animals without being too confined. Nothing is as difficult as a day with a confined child.
19. San Antonio Aquarium
The aquarium is a fan favorite for a few reasons. The first is that children love sea creatures. Unlike land animals that are cool but not quiet as cool as sea creatures, these underwater animals have an almost mystical-like quality to them. They are mysterious and exciting, and the simple fact is that the vast majority of this location is indoors. This means family fun without the oppressing heat of being outdoors all day.
18. The Kiddie Park
Be forewarned that this is not the place to go if you have older kids. However, this is exactly the place to go with your little ones. They’ll find everything they could ever imagine here, and you will find yourself happy that you visited. There are some cute rides here, but it also has the distinct honor of being the oldest amusement park in America specifically catered to children.
17. Morgan’s Wonderland
Think about it; you have 25 acres of rides, attractions, and snacks. It’s a kid’s dream come true, and you won’t mind it yourself. It’s a cute place with plenty for everyone. The rides aren’t too intense for your younger kids, but they’re also fun for older children. The butterfly park and amphitheater are cool to visit, and you can pack a picnic lunch and utilize the ample space to enjoy a beautiful meal al fresco.
16. Fall at the Graff 7A Ranch
This is a place you can visit any time of the year, but we do recommend a fall season visit. The farm becomes a magical corn maze and fall favorite family activity during the fall, which means you get to have some much-needed family fun. The family photo opts during the fall season are also pretty special.
15. Science Mill
Some kids adore science and the way things come together to work. If your kids are those kids, they’ll love it here. This interactive, hands-on science environment is all about technology, science, and keeping you involved in all of it. Your kids will have a great time, but you might have a better time.
14. Book a Room at The La Cantera Resort and Spa
What we love abou this resort is that it’s just outside of San Antonio, but stilly only 20 minutes from the airport. This means you get to have a little peace and quiet outside of the city but with amazing access to all of it. A world-class spa, five sparkling pools, and lovely restaurants are just a few of the things you’ll find entertaining about this resort. It’s family-friendly, luxurious, and worth the time.
13. The DoSeum
Not everyone is a museum fan, and that typically includes small kids who would rather be somewhere they can run, touch, and be loud. The museum is not that place. Except that the DoSeum is exactly that place. It’s the kind of place that you can go to visit interactive experiences that also allow you to touch things and have fun without worrying that your kids will break things. It’s all about interactive fun and experiences, and kids love that kind of thing.
12. Dine at The Rainforest Café
The Rainforest Café is a Disney favorite in Florida, but did you know there is one in San Antonio, too? It’s a great restaurant with a hot take on dining with the animals. They are everywhere – but they are not real – and the kids will love it. The menu caters to both adults and children, which means everyone is going to find something they love – including an adult beverage if you are so inclined.
11. Walk Through The Dino Safari San Antonio
It’s not Jurassic Park, but it’s the next best thing. It’s one of the coolest places for kids in the world. You get to walk through a sort of prehistoric encounter that takes approximately 45 minutes. It’s a long walk, but it’s also not so long that your younger kids won’t enjoy themselves on the walk. It’s such a cool thing to experience with the kids because there are only a few of these locations in the world.
10. Make Reservations to Dine at The Magic Time Machine
Since 1973, this San Antonio landmark has been a place for families. The entire point of the owner’s theme for this restaurant is to have fun, not take things seriously, and to have a good time as a family and as friends. This with the menu is good, the atmosphere is family-friendly, and everyone leaves happy.
9. Book A Room at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
A JW Marriott is a high-end luxury resort perfect for families. Take it from me – our family loves a JW Marriott, and we’ll choose them over just about anything else. They are family-friendly, but they’re also perfectly high-end. This means you’ll all have something to enjoy from upscale dining to lovely pool areas, and this resort property is no exception. The rooms are spacious, suites are available, and the JW Marriott always boasts the best bathrooms with ample space and plenty of countertop for your personal belongings.
8. The Alamo
You cannot visit San Antonio without a trip to the Alamo. It’s the most famous landmark in the city, and it’s filled with history. Your kids might simply think it’s a cool looking place to visit, but they’ll also love learning about the history of the Alamo and what it meant for those living in Texas in the past. This is the kind of history lesson kids actually enjoy.
7. The Natural Bridge Caverns
This is not the place to go if you are worried about being underground. The caverns are more than 200 feet below ground level, which can feel claustrophobic for some. However, your kids will love to venture into the earth to see these cool caverns and all they have to offer. What’s also cool about this location is that there is a gem mining activity for kids, as well as a ropes course and a canopy zip line (above ground, of course). There’s fun here for the entire family no matter how old your kids are.
6. The San Antonio River Walk
Perhaps the second most famous landmark in San Antonio aside from the Alamo is the San Antonio River Walk. It is a place where everyone goes to have fun. There is dining, shopping, and activities galore here, and that includes so many options for the children. Your kids can help you choose a restaurant, and you’ll want to sit outdoors by the river. It’s lovely, and it’s a great place to spend the day as a family.
5. Sea World
Theme parks are not for everyone, but Sea World is a good one if you’re going to try one out. It’s so cool to see the animals. The shows are fabulous, and your kids have the opportunity to get up close and personal with some cool sea creatures. Have you ever reached down into a shallow water and played with a stingray before? Because you will when you’re here. There are also roller coasters, rides, and interactive activities for everyone. Did we mention there’s also ice cream?
4. Take in A San Antonio Spurs Game
If you have kids who are into basketball, this is the place to go. The San Antonio Spurs play a long season, and it’s a great time for the entire family. Even if you are not a Spurs fan, it’s an experience worth sharing with your kids when you are visiting the area.
3. Aquatica
Kids love water parks. Even if you don’t love a water park, you’ll enjoy this one. The Sea World sister theme park is worth a visit. From water slides to wave pools to water activities, restaurants, and more, you will certainly find something worthwhile when you’re visiting the area. It’s a great daytime activity, especially when the weather is hotter than you care to enjoy without water.
2. LEGOLAND Discovery Center
Do not get this confused with the LEGOLAND amusement park, because this is not the same thing. However, it is one of the most fun things for kids in the San Antonio area. Your kids will love to hang out here, and there are multiple reasons why. There are ten different zones with rides, games, and interactive play. There’s a theater (4D) that kids love, and there is an area in which most of San Antonio’s most famous landmarks have been recreated with Legos. It’s very cool.
1. Six Flags Fiesta
While we cannot say this for certain, we’ve heard rumors that there are eight roller coasters here that rival some of the best in the world. It’s pure rumor, speculation, and personal opinion, of course, but there is only one way for you to find out. Take the kids and spend a day at Six Flags so you can see for yourself. You’ll find that there is plenty to do here, and the kids will love it. Did we forget to mention there’s a water park in Six Flags? You can wear your swimsuit and have fun in the water when you’re in town – especially when the summer sun is beating down on you.
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