# Things to do with toddlers and little kids in Austin: the parent guide

> Austin is easy with little kids: a children’s museum with baby-only hours, a Trail of Lights with free nights in December and free storytimes in many languages across Austin Public Library.

- Last checked: 2026-10-18
- 17 places for ages 0–6, with admission and menu prices from each place’s own site
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/austin/guide/
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/austin/index.md
- Visiting guide (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/austin/visiting/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/austin/llms.txt

## Kid-friendly restaurants

### Kerbey Lane Cafe (Kerbey Lane) (Central, 3704 Kerbey Lane)

- The original Kerbey Lane Cafe, a locally owned Austin all-day café open since 1980.
- Price level: $$
- Menu prices: kids’ meals $3.99–$6.49; one free kids’ meal per adult entrée on Tuesdays (12 and under)
- Hours: Daily 7am–10pm
- Good for: Breakfast at any hour.
- Skip if: you’re in a hurry at weekend brunch.
- Price source: https://www.kerbeylanecafe.com/menu (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.kerbeylanecafe.com/locations

### Bouldin Acres (South Lamar) (South Lamar, 2027 S. Lamar Blvd.)

- A big South Lamar hangout with food, outdoor seating and a full playground for kids.
- Price level: $$
- Hours: Sun–Wed 11am–11pm; Thu–Sat 11am–midnight
- Good for: Lunch outside while the kids run on the playground.
- Skip if: you want it quiet; it’s a lively sports bar and patio.
- Website: https://lamar.bouldinacres.com/

## Indoor play and rainy days

### Austin Central Library (Downtown, 710 W. César Chávez St.)

- The downtown library, with a Children’s Area on the 3rd floor and storytimes most days.
- Price level: Free
- Good for: Free storytimes, music circles and Pajama Storytime.
- Skip if: you need parking at a busy hour; it’s downtown.
- Website: https://library.austintexas.gov/

### Twin Oaks Branch Library (South Austin, 1800 S. Fifth St.)

- A neighborhood branch with All Ages Storytime and a bilingual storytime.
- Price level: Free
- Good for: Saturday morning storytime.
- Skip if: you want a big, busy space.
- Website: https://library.austintexas.gov/

### Terrazas Branch Library (East Austin, 1105 E. César Chávez St.)

- An east-side branch with playgroups, music and messy art for little ones.
- Price level: Free
- Good for: Hands-on play and art.
- Skip if: you’re hoping for quiet.
- Website: https://library.austintexas.gov/terrazas-branch

### Indigo Play (Northwest Austin, 13530 Research Blvd.)

- A European-style indoor playground with a crawler area for babies 1 and under, a toddler area for 3 and under, and a sensory room.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: kids $13 (6–23 months); $19 (2–17); adults $3; Under 6 months free
- Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–8pm; Sat 9am–6pm; Sun 11am–6pm
- Good for: A hot or rainy day with a baby and a preschooler.
- Skip if: you only have an hour; admission covers the whole day.
- Price source: https://indigoplay.com/faqs/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://indigoplay.com/

### Catch Air Austin (Northwest Austin, 13450 N. Highway 183, Suite 107)

- A soft-play park built for kids 10 and under, with a Tiny Town area just for ages 4 and under.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: kids 1–10 $16.99 weekdays, $18.99 weekends (ages 3+); ages 1–2 $13.99 / $15.99; adults One adult free per child; Under 1 free with a paid sibling
- Hours: Sun–Wed 10am–7pm; Thu–Fri 10am–8pm; Sat 9am–8pm
- Good for: An all-day pass on a hot or rainy day; no reservation needed.
- Skip if: you forgot grippy socks; they’re required for everyone (sold at the desk).
- Price source: https://catchair.com/location/austin-tx/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://catchair.com/location/austin-tx/

### Mt Playmore (North Austin, 13609 N. IH-35, Building 3)

- An indoor play structure for toddlers to 15, with an enclosed socks-only toddler room and a private nursing room.
- Price level: $
- Tickets: kids 3–15 $12.99 weekdays, $13.99 weekends (ages 3–15); 7–36 months $8.99 / $9.99; adults $1.99 (16+); 6 months and under free
- Hours: Sun–Mon 10am–7pm; closed Tue; Wed–Thu 10am–7pm; Fri–Sat 10am–8pm
- Good for: A rainy afternoon with a toddler and an older sibling.
- Skip if: it’s Tuesday; it’s closed.
- Price source: https://mtplaymore.com/admission/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://mtplaymore.com/

## Parks and outdoor play

### Girard Kinney Park (Mueller, 4550 Mueller Blvd.)

- Mueller’s 30-acre park (formerly Lake Park), with an interactive playscape, a 6.5-acre lake and a picnic peninsula.
- Price level: Free
- Good for: A free picnic-and-playground morning.
- Skip if: you want an indoor option; it’s an open-air park.
- Website: https://muelleraustin.com/park-events/

### Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (Austin)

- Native-plant gardens, with a free self-guided audio tour you can download before you go.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: kids 3–17 $9 Mon–Thu, $12 Fri–Sun; adults $15 Mon–Thu, $18 Fri–Sun; 2 and under free
- Hours: Gardens 9am–5pm (entry ends 4pm)
- Good for: A cool-weather garden walk; weekdays are cheaper.
- Skip if: you’re counting on the café; it’s closed for remodeling.
- Price source: https://www.wildflower.org/visit (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.wildflower.org/visit

### Austin Zoo (10808 Rawhide Trail)

- A rustic rescue zoo with a train, a hoofstock feeding area (sheep, deer, goats, llamas, alpacas), daily keeper chats and a picnic grove where you can bring your own food.
- Price level: $$
- Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–3pm; Sat–Sun and holidays 9am–6pm
- Good for: A train ride and goat feeding with toddlers.
- Skip if: you want a big city zoo; this one is small and rustic.
- Website: https://austinzoo.org/

### Mayfield Park (3505 W. 35th St.)

- A walled garden with palm trees, peacocks and ponds of water lilies and lotus, plus preserve trails.
- Price level: Free
- Tickets: Free
- Hours: Daily 5am–10pm
- Good for: Peacock-spotting with a toddler on a quiet morning.
- Skip if: you need a playground; this is a garden.
- Price source: https://www.austintexas.gov/department/mayfield-park (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.austintexas.gov/department/mayfield-park

### Pease Park Treehouse (Pease Park, Austin)

- A two-story open-air treehouse shaped like a seed pod, free and open to the public at least 355 days a year.
- Price level: Free
- Tickets: Free
- Good for: A free climb and a picnic on the lawn.
- Skip if: it’s booked for a private event that day.
- Price source: https://www.peasepark.org/treehouse (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.peasepark.org/treehouse

## Museums, zoos and big outings

### Thinkery (Mueller, 1830 Simond Ave.)

- Austin’s children’s museum, with early-morning Baby Bloomers hours just for little ones.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: kids 1+ $19.95; adults $19.95; Under 1 free. Baby Bloomers (Fri and Sat 8–10am): $9 · Family Night: pay what you can
- Hours: Tue–Sun 10am–5pm
- Good for: Babies and toddlers, especially at Baby Bloomers on Friday and Saturday mornings.
- Skip if: it’s a Monday; it’s closed.
- Price source: https://thinkeryaustin.org/visit-us/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://thinkeryaustin.org/

### Austin Nature & Science Center (2389 Stratford Dr.)

- Indoor and outdoor exhibits on Central Texas nature, plus free nets and buckets at the front desk for exploring the creeks and ponds, and a Trade Counter where kids swap nature finds.
- Price level: Free
- Hours: Mon–Sat 9am–5pm; Sun noon–5pm
- Good for: A free morning of creek-poking and critters.
- Skip if: you’re bringing your own nets or buckets; they ask you to borrow theirs.
- Website: https://www.austintexas.gov/parks/locations/austin-nature-and-science-center

### Bullock Texas State History Museum (1800 N. Congress Ave.)

- Texas history exhibits, with an IMAX theatre and the Star Cafe on the second floor (no museum ticket needed for the cafe).
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: Free on H-E-B Free First Sundays
- Hours: Daily 10am–5pm
- Good for: The free first Sunday, then lunch upstairs.
- Skip if: it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day or Easter; exhibits are closed.
- Price source: https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/event-series/free-admission-days/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/visit

### Blanton Museum of Art (UT Austin campus)

- The University of Texas art museum, free every Tuesday and free for kids 5 and under.
- Price level: $$
- Tickets: kids 6–17 $8; adults $15; 5 and under free; free for everyone on Tuesdays
- Hours: Tue–Fri 10am–5pm; Sat 10am–8pm; Sun 10am–5pm; closed Mon
- Good for: A free Tuesday with a stroller.
- Skip if: it’s Monday; it’s closed.
- Price source: https://blantonmuseum.org/visit/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- Website: https://blantonmuseum.org/visit/

## Free things to do

- Austin Central Library
- Twin Oaks Branch Library
- Terrazas Branch Library
- Girard Kinney Park
- Mayfield Park
- Pease Park Treehouse
- Austin Nature & Science Center

## Best for under 3s

- **Thinkery**: Baby-only hours.
- **Austin Central Library**: Books and Babies.
- **Twin Oaks Branch Library**: All ages.
- **Terrazas Branch Library**: Books and Babies.

## With a baby or a 1-year-old

### Baby and lap-sit storytimes

- **Babytime** (Round Rock Public Library): Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9:30am and 2pm · Round Rock Public Library, Youth Program Space (2nd floor). Birth to 18 months. Books, songs, rhymes and play, plus time to socialize. On break until Wed Nov 4, with no sessions Thanksgiving week. https://roundrocktexas.libcal.com/event/16753441

### Babies get in free

- **Catch Air Austin**: Under 1 free with a paid sibling. https://catchair.com/location/austin-tx/
- **Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center**: 2 and under free. https://www.wildflower.org/visit
- **Thinkery**: Under 1 free. https://thinkeryaustin.org/visit-us/

## Library storytimes

- **Austin Public Library**: Most days, including some Saturdays. Free Books and Babies, toddler and all-ages storytimes, many in Spanish and other languages, at branches across Austin. https://library.austintexas.gov/events


## Happening this week

- **Frightlandia at the Wildflower Center** (Sun 10am–1pm) at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Included with admission: $18 adults, $12 ages 3–17 (Fri–Sun), 2 and under free; members free. https://littlesweekly.com/austin/#e-frightlandia_wildflower_center
- **Viva La Vida Festival & Parade** (Sat 12–6pm (procession at noon)) at Mexic-Arte Museum. Free. https://littlesweekly.com/austin/#e-viva_la_vida_festival_parade
- **Nature Festival & Spooktacular (North Austin YMCA)** (Sat 3–6pm) at North Austin Community Garden. Free. https://littlesweekly.com/austin/#e-nature_festival_spooktacular_north_austi
- **Pajama Storytime (Central Library)** (Thu 6:30–7pm) at Central Library. Free. https://littlesweekly.com/austin/#e-pajama_storytime_central_library
- **Seed Balls and Stories (Central Library)** (Sun 12:30–1:30pm) at Central Library. Free. https://littlesweekly.com/austin/#e-seed_balls_and_stories_central_library

Full list with every outing: https://littlesweekly.com/austin/index.md

## Holiday pages

- [Santa in Austin: breakfast with Santa, photos and Santa trains (2026)](https://littlesweekly.com/austin/santa/index.md)
- [Christmas lights in Austin for little kids (2026)](https://littlesweekly.com/austin/christmas-lights/index.md)

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### Is Thinkery good for babies?
Yes. Baby Bloomers on Friday and Saturday mornings is just for little ones, and babies under 1 are free.

### Are there free things to do with little kids in Austin?
Yes. Austin Central Library, Twin Oaks Branch Library, Terrazas Branch Library, Girard Kinney Park, Mayfield Park and Pease Park Treehouse and 1 more are free or have a free entry. See [the free list](https://littlesweekly.com/austin/guide/#free).

### What can we do in Austin on a rainy or cold day with a toddler?
Go indoors: Austin Central Library, Twin Oaks Branch Library, Terrazas Branch Library and Indigo Play. They’re all under one roof, and most work for a short visit around nap time.

### Where are the free storytimes in Austin?
Austin Public Library: Most days, including some Saturdays. Library storytimes don’t need a ticket, but times change by branch, so check the calendar first. See [library storytimes](https://littlesweekly.com/austin/guide/#storytimes), and this week’s dated sessions are on the [Austin weekly list](https://littlesweekly.com/austin/).

### How do you choose the places in the Austin guide?
Every one of the 17 places is somewhere we’d take a baby, toddler or preschooler, with a note on who it suits and when to skip it. Prices, hours and menus come from each place’s own site, and 10 of them have checked admission or menu prices. The guide was last checked Oct 18, 2026. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).