Things to Do in San Antonio with Kids & Family

San Antonio is best known for its family-friendly places that make it a perfect destination for family adventures. From its amazing zoos & aquariums to fun-filled parks & historic museums, San Antonio has a lot to offer to each family member. Here are the top picks for your next visit to San Antonio with Kids & Family!

Riverwalk Cruise

(Credit: Alice Gibble/Facebook)

When it comes to San Antonio, no visit to the city is complete without the iconic Riverwalk Cruise! This 15-mile waterway unwinding through the heart of the city has everything you wish to see and experience. A fun way to explore the riverwalk is to take a guided River Walk Boat Cruise that glides through the major attractions and tourist destinations along the way such as La Villita, the Old Mill Crossing, and Selena’s Bridge.

The tour guide sharing the history, relics, and tales of passing-by attractions would further add to your knowledge about the city. As your cruise meanders through the city’s downtown, you’ll come across scenic views of surrounding pathways, cafés, kiosks, shops, rest areas, and restaurants. You can also stop by the different children’s festivals or arts and crafts exhibitions coming your way.

Interact with the Wild at San Antonio Zoo

(Credit: San Antonio Zoo/ Official Website)

City Zoos are a must-visit if you’re accompanied by kids. Recently named the Best Zoo in Texas, San Antonio Zoo is home to 3500 animals representing 600 different species. San Antonio Zoo is best known for its Breastly Breakfasts and behind-the-scenes-feeding experiences. You can choose to dine in for breakfast at a seat where you can see Uma – the famous Hippo of the zoo – gliding through the water. Alternatively, kids can also choose a Breastly Breakfast with giraffes or kangaroos being the honor guest. At each location, the Animal Care Specialists would be there to brief you about the animals, assist you in taking candid shots with them, and arrange a private feeding opportunity. Kids would also get a chance to enjoy behind-the-scenes-feeding experiences with Flamingos, Okapis, Lorys, Kangaroos, Giraffes, and Hippos, and other friendly & well-trained animals.

If you happen to visit the Zoo anytime between March & November, you can experience the up-close interaction with hundreds perhaps thousands of butterflies at the enclosed butterfly exhibit. The 4D Theatre at the Zoo is all set to give kids goosebumps through the action spilling out of the screen with thrill-enhancing sensory special effects! The Zoo also has a miniature railroad that not only treks through the zoo, but the nearby Brackenridge Park, Witte Museum, Japanese Tea Garden, and Sunken Garden. You can extend your visit by taking a hop-on-hop-off tour to these destinations as well! 

Hop on to San Antonio Zoo Visit to experience a unique Zoocation!

Go on Adventure Spree at the Kiddie Park 

(Credit: Kiddie Park/ Official Website)

Located close to the San Antonio Zoo, Kiddie Park is a must-visit if you’re looking for a safe fun adventure for kids aged between 1 to 12 years. Flaunting itself as America’s oldest amusement park dating back to 1925, the old-school traditional rides & attractions of the park would remind you of your childhood days. The park offers a variety of rides including classic carousels, a small Ferris wheel, and plane-themed rides. The best part of this park is its simplicity, convenience, and small size where you won’t have to bother about the long queues around ticket houses or swarming crowds around the licensed characters. 

A simple and convenient, yet fun-packed adventure awaits you at Kiddie Park!

Pay a Tribute at The Alamo

(Credit: The Alamo Org/ Official Website)

Your visit to the Alamo City is incomplete without a visit to the Alamo – the jewel of Texas Heritage. Located in the heart of San Antonio, the Alamo has everything to engage visitors in interactive history lessons. Take a stroll through the historic buildings, and appreciate the priceless artifacts displayed. Take your kids to the Living History Encampment for a living experience of what the life of Alamos actually looked like centuries ago. The live demonstrations of Alamo’s life here would help your kids imagine how life would have been here in the 19th Century.

The tales and relics of the Battle of the Alamo would surely leave the children fascinated. Grab some activity books from the designated gift shop to further engage your kids and nurture their flare in history. After you’re done exploring the rich history of the Alamo, stretch your legs under some of San Antonio's oldest and most beautiful trees, while kids play and enjoy in the lush-green grass fields.

Don’t forget to buy souvenirs from the Alamo Gift Shop to serve as a memento for your trip to the iconic Alamo!

Visit San Antonio Missions National Park 

(Credit: National Park Service / Official Website)

After the Alamo, San Antonio is known for its Missions at the San Antonio Missions National Park. To know the roots of the city deeper, a visit to these Missions is a must. San Antonio Missions encompass four out of five Spanish frontier missions in San Antonio, Texas: San Jose, Mission Concepcion, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada. Each Mission has active catholic parishes, churches holding regular services, visitor centers, restrooms, and a theatre awaiting you to explore them.

Enrich your kid’s knowledge about Texan History by exploring each of these Missions in greater detail. The dam and aqueduct at Mission Espada, and the grist mill and demonstration farm at Mission San Juan would be areas of keen interest for kids. 

Grab a Junior Activity Guide for your kids, and embark them on the mission to score Junior Ranger Badge!

Climb Atop the Tower of Americas

(Credit: Tower of Americas/ Official Website)

Want to give your kids a unique experience while being in San Antonio? Try taking a panoramic view of the city from the famous Tower of Americas! This 750-foot-tall observation tower will take your adventure to new heights, where you can take a mesmerizing bird’s-eye-view of this magnificent city. Treat yourself to the Tower's revolving Chart House Restaurant with your favorite food. Allow your kids to head to the Flags Over Texas Observation Deck and take zoomed-in views of the city down there.

Photos displayed on the deck’s floor would help kids identify their surroundings and engage in wonderful discussions. The captivating murals on the walls would add to knowledge about the history of the six flags that once flew over Texas. You can add further thrill to your adventure by taking the 4D Theater Ride. You’ll see your kids over the moon as the 4D ride would zoom on scenes such as the space shuttle at NASA or the Friday-night high school football game! 

Learn-By-Doing at the DoSeum

(Photo Credit: DoSuem/ Official Website)

Specifically designed hands-on museum for younger kids, the DoSeum should be your next stop. Predicating on the idea that kids learn the best by doing, DoSeum aims at growing curious minds, connecting families together, and transforming communities. Your kids would love keeping their minds at play as they stroll through exhibitions, participate in interactive programs and classes, and undertake field trips. Other kid’s favorites include HEB Kid’s Market, Tinkerfest, Monster Mix & Match, Power Ball Hall, and Science City.

Attending a Family Workshop would turn out to be a unique family experience as you explore STEM & arts concepts together as a family. With its inclusive environment where all visitors are welcomed equally regardless of religion, nationality, ethnicity, gender, and culture, your kids would take home valuable lessons of coexistence and inclusion. You can also shop at the DoSuem Store to take the fun home. 

Altogether, the DoSuem experience is an inclusive experience connecting your young minds to STEM, arts, and literacy!

Make Aquatic Friends at the SeaWorld

(Photo Credit: SeaWorld/ Official Website)

Your tour to the River City would be incomplete if you miss the opportunity to visit the SeaWorld, and pay tribute to the diverse sea life that San Antonio nourishes. Here, the live family-friendly presentations and activities would take your adventure deeper into ocean life. The Orca Encounter with the killer whales, an amazing showcase of beluga whales and dolphins at the Ocean Discovery, and Sea Lion & Otter Spotlight Shows would be your kids’ favorite returns. Kids can also enjoy the unique ‘O Wondrous Night’ that narrates the story of the Nativity from the eyes of the animals who witnessed the adversities of time. Kids would also love to cuddle & pose with their favorite Sesame characters at the Sesame Street Photo Ops. The Animal Adventure Tours, In-Water Dolphin Beach Interaction, and other Animal Experience Tours are a must to interact with sea friends in their natural habitats. 

To sum it up, SeaWorld would be a perfect choice if you’re looking to escape the scorching heat of San Antonio on a hot summer day!

Have a Splash at Aquatica

(Photo Credit: Aquatica/ Official Website)

Located close to SeaWorld, Aquatica is famous for its thrilling rides and splashy water slides that are a fun fit for adventurers of all ages. Park features a variety of water slides where you can feel the rush at the Tonga Twister, experience the exhilarating drop thrills of Ihu’s Breakaway Falls, race down the high-speed Taumata Racer waterslide, unwind through the high wall turns of the Kiwi Curl, allow a free slip through the Riptide Race, and spin inside the Tassie’s Twisters. 

The Pools and Lazy Rivers of the park are all set to give your teens and tiny tots an incredible water splash. Your little body surfer can swash in at the Big Surf Shores with water spelling up to 5 feet. Kiddies with a height of 48” and above can engage in tropical pool activities at Cutback Cove. Younger ones can also have a safe splash at Kata's Kookaburra Cove featuring whimsical sea creatures. Other pools awaiting to be explored include the Loggerhead Lane, Slippity Dippity, Walkabout Waters, Whanau Waters, and Zippity Zappity. 

In essence, a day at fun fit Aquatica has everything to make your family adventure a memorable one!

Shop Around the Tex-Mex El-Mercado 

Explore San Antonio’s quintessential Hispanic heritage at the El-Mercado (the Market Square). This historic Market Square is best known for family-friendly events, live entertainment, and dancing. This lively village that brings San Antonio’s Hispanic heritage comes to the forefront is a must-explore area. Kids would love to take a walk under the fiesta-decorated Papel picados filled with shopping, dining, and entertainment. There’s so much to do! Grab the Tex-Mex drinks on the go from the stalls & pushcarts. Have a seat at the eateries offering authentic Mexican taste and experience new fusions of Texan & Mexican food.

Shop souvenirs from the local stalls as relics of this unforgettable street. You’ll find it difficult to choose what to buy from the wide variety of Mexican artifacts including pinatas, mini guitars, singing bird whistles, Mexican dresses, dream catchers, curios, jewelry, singing frogs, and fine art. You should also expect to come across a variety of Hispanic festivals offering a unique blend of Guadalajara lights, mariachi music mix, and Mexican dances.

All in all, a visit to El-Mercado will allow you to experience the aborigine San Antonio vibes!

Admire the Otherworldly Natural Bridge Caverns

(Photo Credit: Natural Bridge Caverns/ Official Website)

The underground Natural Bridge Caverns are illuminated by state-of-the-art lighting are a jewel in the crown of San Antonio. Rock formations formed by single drops of water over time illuminated by state-of-the-art lighting will mesmerize you. Take the Hidden Passages Tour underground where shadows dancing on the rock formation will make you wonder at the mystery of these shadows.

On the ground, the twisted trails will take your adventure to new heights through the zip rails and ropes courses. Also, kids can enjoy old-fashioned fun at the Mining Company where they can mine gems, fossils, and other treasures.

Enjoy Breathtaking Sights at Texas Hill Country 

If you’re done with the thrilly parts of your San Antonio adventure, consider a slow-pace outing at the Texas Hill Country. Here, small-town charm, rolling hills, endless Texas skies, scenic countryside, and endless outdoor activities will warmly welcome and take you into their fold. Tour through the curio shops in Comfort and Boerne, have a stroll at the Weekend Market if you’re traveling on weekend, select souvenirs from Main Street, and visit the Luckenbach for country music.

On the way, you’ll find many remnants of the German & Eastern Europeans who once settled the Texas Hill Country. Kids would love hiking and biking trails weaving through the rugged canyons, scenic overlooks, spring-fed creeks, and rolling prairies. If your visit to this place falls on a summer day, you should consider cooling off the heat by tubing down the Guadalupe, San Marcos, Comal, and Frio rivers. 

Marvel at the San Antonio Aquarium 

(Photo Credit: Hatzenbühler Jason/ Facebook)

While being in the River City, it would be unjust to not pay a tribute to the city’s aquarium! At this premier family entertainment center, your kids will have a once-in-a-lifetime experience with sea animals ranging from sharks to Sloths. At the interactive exhibits, they’d love watching jellyfish gently floating through the water, colorful corals flaunting their beauty, and huge turtles swimming near the boundaries. The animal encounters would provide them the dream-come-true interactions with stingrays, sharks, iguanas, tortoises, lorikeets, and much more! Kids can also participate in video games at the Arcade to win awesome prizes. 

The Bottom Line

To put it all together, San Antonio has everything you’d wish for during your family adventure to the Alamo City. From quick history lessons at its missions & museums to fun-packed adventures at its amusement parks, the city has everything to make your family tour to San Antonio an unforgettable one! If you’re considering San Antonio to be your next destination for a family tour, don’t give it a second thought!