Got an infant or a toddler and are looking for an excuse to get out of the house? Here are our ideas of things to do in Austin with your little ones:
- Alamo Drafthouse – On Tuesdays before 2pm, visit Alamo Village, South Lamar, Lakeline or Slaughter to enjoy Baby Day. Infants are welcome to these shows and are free. Lights are up a bit, the sound is down a bit, so you can all enjoy some time out of the house!
- Austin Nature & Science Center – The ANSC provides hands-on exhibits and activities to increase awareness and appreciation for the natural world. Little ones enjoy splashing in the creek, seeing the animals and digging in the Dino Pit.
- Austin Public Library – The library is a great way to get you out and in the larger world. The library’s website has lots of ideas for activities and allows you to find recommended books and reserve them to pick up at your closest branch. The library has several storytimes for this age group: Books and Babies for ages 0-18 months, Toddler Storytime for children ages 18 months to 3 years, All Ages Storytime for kids 5 and under and Dual Language (and Spanish) Storytime for kids of all ages. There is even a Sensory Storytime for children of all ages and abilities. Check the calendar for more details.
- Austin Steam Train – Take a ride on a piece of history as you watch Central Texas through your window.
- Austin Zoo – This rescue zoo is a great place to take kids of all ages. In addition to seeing the animals, the littlest visitors may enjoy a train ride, feeding the goats and checking out what’s inside the Reptile House.
- Baby Earth – This store (which, in full disclosure, is in Round Rock), has lots of events, including storytimes, signing classes, music and more.
- Blanton Museum of Art – I remember strapping my son in my front-facing carrier and taking him and a friend to the Blanton on a Thursday. He saw lots of art that day – that is, when he wasn’t sleeping. Parents of toddlers might have a harder time worrying about kids careening into a piece of art.
- BookPeople – This local bookstore has weekly storytimes, including their popular once-a-month Tiny Tales To You Petting Zoo storytime.
- Bullock Texas State History Museum – In addition to exploring the museum’s hands-on exhibits, the Bullock offers drop-in storytimes for the tiniest Texans, game days and take-home art creations.
- Classes – There are too many classes to list here, but a few are Heartsong Music‘s Babies, mixed-aged and intergenerational classes; Little Yoga House’s Postnatal Yoga, Baby Yoga and Parent & Toddler Yoga classes; Gymboree; The Little Gym and FIT4MOM.
- The Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria is a magical place to walk around and explore the gardens and sculptures in the Sculpture Garden (just keep in mind that some cannot be touched).
- Crowe’s Nest Farm – Located in Manor, this working farm helps cultivate a conservation ethic in children. In addition to open houses in the fall and spring, you can book a tour of the farm.
- The Dinosaur Park – This outdoor museum, located in Cedar Creek, is lots of fun for dinosaur lovers. Walk by replicas, dig for fossils and enjoy a picnic on the grounds.
- Elisabet Ney Museum – The Elisabet Ney Museum would be another great place to have a kid in a carrier. Toddlers could explore the grounds and Shipe Park next door.
- French Legation – You can explore the grounds of the French Legation or check out one of the storytimes.
- Catch Air – A fun indoor playground with a special area for littles with two locations in the Austin area – Round Rock and North Austin.
- Kiddie Acres – Littlest kids will enjoy the carousel and can ride the train and Ferris Wheel with you.
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – Your wee ones can visit the Little House and scavenge for “bugs” in courtyard containers, swing in the Arboretum, have a picnic on a shady table, look for caterpillars in the insectary in the spring and summer, count the turtles and fish in the Wetland Pond, walk on the trails, look for butterflies and, of course, enjoy the flowers.
- Little Land Play Gym – This facility has equipment to help with sensory development and fine and gross motor skills. There is a special “baby area” for the little ones who need extra padding.
- Parks – This is a big one! There are so many parks to choose from in Austin. Our favorites for littles are Bartholomew, Zilker, Northwest, Mayfield, Pease, Perry and Reed. During the summer months, enjoy splash pads and baby pools at the parks.
- Pioneer Farms – Any place with animals is a hit for the littlest ones, and Pioneer Farms has barnyard animals and a life-sized teepee.
- Pump It Up – Another indoor inflatable playground for when you want fun indoors.
- Texas Capitol – You can take your littlest ones to explore the state capitol building at your own pace. A picnic on the grounds is fun and for extra credit, you can roll down the grassy hill!
- Texas Memorial Museum – This natural history museum, located on the UT campus, has dinosaurs and fossils, Texas wildlife and gems and minerals on display for visitors.
- Texas Military Forces Museum – This free museum at Camp Mabry is huge and has lots of eye-catching exhibits, as well as space to walk around outside. Read more about it here.
- Thinkery – Austin’s children’s museum offers Baby Bloomers on Monday and Saturday mornings to offer special programming for the 0-3 set. Guided activities – including storytime, sing-alongs and Little Explorers Lab – are designed to engage the youngest visitors in fun learning and investigation. Thinkery also offers workshops and classes for little ones.
- Toybrary Austin – In addition to having a toy lending library, you can drop-in and play at Toybrary.
- Trains – In addition to what we have already mentioned above, we have a whole list of places to ride trains in Austin you might want to check out.
- Umlauf Sculpture Garden – This museum is different than many in that the outdoor bronze sculptures has been washed and waxed for gentle touching. Climbing is prohibited, as is touching works of art inside the Gallery.
- Zilker Botanical Garden – Stroll through the grounds to find your favorite flower. Dinosaur lovers will enjoy visiting the Hartman Prehistoric Garden.
What’s your favorite thing to do with your infants and toddlers in Austin?
