Austin, Texas, is known for its vibrant outdoor lifestyle, but when the weather gets too hot or rainy, there are still plenty of ways to keep kids entertained indoors. Whether you’re looking to engage toddlers, elementary schoolers, or preteens, Austin offers a range of indoor activities that cater to various interests, from science to creativity to physical play. This guide, brought to you by The Kids Point, will explore the top indoor kids activities in Austin, ensuring families can have fun no matter the season!
Thinkery
Thinkery, Austin’s children’s museum, is a favorite destination for kids and parents alike. It blends play with education through interactive exhibits that encourage hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM). Each exhibit is thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity and creativity in kids of all ages.
- Little Builders Exhibit: Perfect for toddlers, this space offers a safe environment for building with oversized blocks and interacting with age-appropriate sensory objects.
- Currents Exhibit: For older kids, the water exhibits allow them to experiment with water flow, dams, and channels, all while staying dry with provided raincoats.
- Spark Shop: Kids can dive into the world of engineering by designing and building their own creations.
- Kitchen Lab: This exhibit teaches kids the science behind cooking through fun food-related activities.
The Thinkery also hosts seasonal camps and workshops, making it a perfect year-round destination for learning through play.
The Austin Aquarium
For kids fascinated by marine life, The Austin Aquarium offers an up-close encounter with sea creatures and other exotic animals. Unlike many aquariums, this venue encourages interactive experiences, allowing children to touch and feed various species. The engaging atmosphere is ideal for curious kids who want to learn about aquatic ecosystems and conservation.
- Interactive Touch Tanks: Children can touch and feel stingrays, starfish, and sea anemones under the guidance of knowledgeable staff.
- Animal Encounters: Beyond marine life, kids can get hands-on with animals like sloths, lemurs, and parrots. These encounters offer a chance to learn about different species in an up-close setting.
- Mermaid Experience: A unique touch to the aquarium is the Mermaid Experience, where performers dressed as mermaids interact with guests, delighting younger kids with whimsical stories and interactions.
The Austin Aquarium is perfect for an afternoon visit and is particularly engaging for younger children and animal enthusiasts.
Mt. Playmore
If your child loves to climb, run, and explore, Mt. Playmore is Austin’s largest indoor playground, designed for kids to burn off energy in a safe and supervised environment. This massive playscape is ideal for children of all ages and offers hours of physical activity with slides, tunnels, ball pits, and climbing structures.
- Toddler Zone: A special area for younger kids offers age-appropriate activities and smaller play equipment.
- Massive Playscape: With a multi-story play structure, older kids can climb, slide, and navigate through tunnels, mazes, and bridges.
- Arcade: Mt. Playmore also features an arcade area with a variety of games that both children and parents can enjoy.
- Comfortable Seating for Parents: One of the highlights for parents is the comfortable seating areas strategically placed to allow supervision while relaxing with a cup of coffee.
This facility ensures safe play with padded flooring and friendly staff, making it an excellent option for rainy days or when the Texas heat becomes too much.
Urban Air Adventure Park
Urban Air Adventure Park is another fantastic indoor option for active kids. Known for its trampolines and adventure courses, Urban Air offers a wide range of physical activities that cater to different age groups and energy levels.
- Trampoline Zones: The park features various trampoline areas, including a freestyle jump section, a slam dunk zone for basketball, and dodgeball courts.
- Warrior Obstacle Course: Kids can channel their inner ninja by tackling challenging obstacle courses, improving their strength, agility, and balance.
- Sky Rider: A thrilling indoor zipline experience allows kids to soar through the air in a safe and controlled environment.
- Soft Play Area: Younger children have their own soft play area with climbing structures and smaller trampolines.
Urban Air offers birthday party packages, making it a popular choice for celebrations, and their all-day pass ensures families get maximum entertainment value.
Blanton Museum of Art
While an art museum may not be the first place that comes to mind for kids, the Blanton Museum of Art offers a range of kid-friendly activities and exhibits. The museum is a peaceful retreat where children can explore creativity and artistic expression in a hands-on way.
- Family Days: The museum frequently hosts family days, where special art-making activities are offered to engage kids of all ages.
- Interactive Art Stations: These are designed to let children get creative with drawing, painting, and sculpture after being inspired by the museum’s extensive art collection.
- Art Trek: This is a self-guided family tour that encourages exploration and interaction with specific works of art throughout the museum. A scavenger hunt is also available to make the experience more engaging for kids.
For families looking to introduce their children to the world of art and culture, the Blanton Museum offers a blend of education and entertainment in a serene setting.
Epic Fun
Epic Fun truly lives up to its name by offering a wide array of activities under one roof. Whether your child is an adventurer, a gamer, or a creative thinker, Epic Fun provides options for everyone.
- Laser Tag: One of the top attractions at Epic Fun is the high-energy laser tag arena, perfect for older kids who love competitive, active games.
- Bowling: A kid-friendly bowling area offers bumper lanes and lighter bowling balls for the little ones.
- Climbing Walls: Several climbing walls cater to varying levels of difficulty, offering kids a chance to build strength and confidence.
- Arcade Games: The arcade section features a mix of classic and modern games that are sure to entertain.
- Bumper Cars and Soft Play Area: Younger kids can enjoy a soft play area, while older children may prefer the bumper cars for some fast-paced fun.
The venue also offers party packages and group events, making it an excellent location for birthday celebrations or family outings.
The Thinkery’s Baby Bloomers Program
If you have toddlers or preschool-aged children, the Thinkery’s Baby Bloomers Program offers a calm and stimulating environment for early learners. The program is designed for children aged 0-3 and features exhibits and activities that encourage early childhood development.
- Toddler Town: This specially designed area offers young kids a safe and exploratory environment with soft blocks, climbing structures, and sensory toys.
- Themed Play Areas: Each week, Baby Bloomers explores a different theme, ranging from animals to space to colors, introducing new learning opportunities for children.
- Music and Movement Classes: In addition to the interactive exhibits, Baby Bloomers also hosts music and movement sessions, where kids can explore rhythm, dance, and social interaction.
The program offers a quieter museum experience, making it perfect for parents looking for a more relaxed, age-appropriate environment.
Jumpoline Park
Another fantastic option for active kids, Jumpoline Park, is an indoor trampoline park that offers high-flying fun for children and adults alike. This colorful facility features wall-to-wall trampolines, providing endless opportunities for jumping, flipping, and bouncing.
- Main Trampoline Arena: Kids can bounce to their heart’s content in the main trampoline area, which includes foam pits for soft landings.
- Dodgeball Courts: For older kids, trampoline dodgeball adds an extra layer of excitement to a classic game.
- Toddler Jump Time: The park offers designated times for toddlers to jump in a more controlled, calmer environment.
- Inflatable Slides and Bounce Houses: In addition to trampolines, the park also features inflatable slides and bounce houses for younger children.
Jumpoline Park is ideal for a family day out or a fun place to burn off energy on a rainy day.
The Little Gym of Austin
For families seeking a blend of physical activity and skill development, The Little Gym of Austin offers gymnastics-based classes designed to promote physical coordination, balance, and confidence in children. The classes are divided by age groups, ensuring that activities are developmentally appropriate for each child.
- Parent/Child Classes: For babies and toddlers, parent/child classes offer a supportive environment where little ones can explore movement with the help of their caregiver.
- Pre-K Gymnastics: For preschoolers, The Little Gym provides classes that introduce the basics of gymnastics, helping children develop strength, flexibility, and coordination.
- Grade School Gymnastics: For older kids, more advanced gymnastics classes focus on tumbling, balancing, and learning new gymnastics skills in a safe, supportive environment.
The Little Gym also offers birthday party packages, where kids can enjoy gym activities with their friends.
Austin Public Library – Central Library
The Austin Public Library’s Central Branch is a wonderful indoor destination for kids of all ages. The library offers much more than just books, with dedicated spaces and programs designed to engage young minds.
- Children’s Section: The expansive children’s area is filled with books, interactive displays, and reading nooks that make reading fun and accessible.
- Storytime and Crafts: The library regularly hosts storytime sessions, puppet shows, and craft activities that entertain and educate young children.
- Technology and Play Areas: Kids can explore interactive learning games on tablets or engage in hands-on STEM-based activities.
- Teen Lounge: For older kids and teenagers, the library’s teen lounge offers a space to relax, play video games, or collaborate on projects with peers.
The Central Library is an excellent spot for families seeking a quiet and educational indoor activity, with plenty of areas to explore and discover.
From adventure parks to educational exhibits, Austin has a wealth of indoor activities that cater to every child’s interests and energy levels. Whether you want to inspire creativity at the Thinkery, burn off some energy at Mt. Playmore, or relax with a good book at the Central Library, these indoor destinations provide the perfect opportunities for year-round fun.
At The Kids Point, we understand the importance of keeping children engaged, active, and learning, even when the weather keeps you indoors. That’s why we are dedicated to providing resources and recommendations that make family life more enjoyable. Austin offers so many options for indoor fun, so don’t let the weather stop you from creating wonderful memories with your kids!