20 Things To Do In Austin With Toddlers (2024 Edition)

By Kelsey Kennedy | October 1, 2024

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The years are short but the days are long...but seriously, the days are so long when you're spending them with toddlers. They're these adorable, moody little three-nagers and sometimes it feels like you're out of energy and patience by 8:00 am. So if you're totally out of ideas of fun things to do with toddlers in Austin and you want some quick tips, I've got you!

About me: I’m Kelsey, a bestselling travel book author and the creator of 3 Texas travel websites. As a native Texan, I spend my own time and money exploring this state to help millions of readers find the best food, things to do, places to stay in Austin and beyond. Check out my other sites: TheSanAntonioThings.com and TheWacoThings.com!

Psssst: Visiting Austin?? I recommend checking out my handy guide + map to the best kid-friendly restaurants in Austin (that actually have good food).

Below you'll find toddler-specific things to do in Austin...because toddlers are pretty unique! These ideas are all geared toward kids who are 1-3 years old and able to walk, but still need constant parent supervision.

Have older kids who can run around unsupervised? You should go read this list of 55 things to do with kids in Austin!

Fun Things To Do in Austin with Toddlers

1. Ride The Zilker Eagle Mini Train

This mini train is the perfect toddler-friendly activity in Austin! It's located at Zilker Park (very central in the city) and is a short out-and-back ride. Toddlers won't get bored because it's over quickly!

Tickets are cheap, the line is short, and there's a playground by the train station where you can run around before or after the train ride.

Bonus if you're feeling up for some extra Austin fun: the Zilker Eagle mini train is next to Barton Springs Pool, so you could get tickets to jump in the water afterward! Keep in mind that Barton Springs has a slippery rock bottom, so I typically recommend visiting Deep Eddy Pool with toddlers instead. It's another historic pool in Austin that's spring-fed and 68-degrees year round!

WEBSITE | 2131 1/2, William Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78746

2. Alliance Children's Garden

One of my top recommendations of fun things to do in Austin with toddlers, this 2-acre, $6 million children’s garden near downtown Austin is unlike any other playscape in our city!

It’s a great space for kids of all ages, including toddlers.

There are four play areas within the park: the hill country garden, the skyline garden, the rock and slide valley, and the art and culture garden. Milo will play for hours on the cement slides, giant turf-covered hills, and baby swings.

When you’re done, there’s a drive-thru P Terry’s a block away for a quick local Austin lunch option.

WEBSITE | 1000 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704

3. The Thinkery

The Thinkery is an amazing children’s museum in central Austin. It’s SO fun for toddlers, so don't feel like you need to wait until your children are older for it to be "worth it" to go to the Thinkery.

They have a lot of toddler-specific play areas for engaging, interactive play. I started bringing my children here as early as 9 months old because they have a fenced-in area for toddlers with lots of soft blocks and places for them to tumble around. So fun.

WEBSITE | 1830 Simond Ave, Austin, TX 78723

4. Austin Nature and Science Center

Here's a FREE thing to do with toddlers in Austin! The Austin Nature and Science Center has a sand pit where you can dig for hidden "dinosaur bones," a pond with little nets where children can wade and fish for minnows, and an indoor tiny museum with a pretend cave! Plus there's plenty of free parking at 2222 Stratford Dr, Austin, TX 78746.

The Nature and Science Center is located under Mopac...but it seriously feels like you're tucked away in a secluded oasis. It's always so peaceful and calm (if you can avoid field trips...haha) and I've had so many lovely mornings there with my toddlers.

Tip: bring a picnic lunch to enjoy afterward. There are some shaded picnic tables by the entrance.

WEBSITE | Austin, TX 78754, USA

5. Zilker Botanical Gardens

This is a lovely garden right in the middle of the city (literally right next to Zilker Park, which is a free public park to visit.)

You’ll have to book reservations, but tickets are really inexpensive. It’s a fun place to bring the stroller or wagon and walk around a bit. You can let the toddlers burn some energy and explore the children’s garden, and you’ll enjoy the beautiful scenery.

WEBSITE | 2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746

6. Visit A Kid-Friendly Austin Brewery

Nearly every brewery in Austin is kid-friendly! Here's a list of all of the breweries in Austin that have food menus (because toddlers love to munch on pizza...duh.)

If you want to make sure there's a playground at the brewery, here are a few great options:

Meanwhile Brewing has a huge playscape in the middle, plus food trucks and award-winning beer

St Elmo (North) has a dedicated play area for children.

Vista Brewing is down in Driftwood and well worth the drive for their fresh Texas beer and Hill Country ambiance.

Austin Beerworks (Sprinkle Valley)has a huge play structure and lots of space to run around.

7. Walk Around Lady Bird Lake

Grab a friend, put the toddler in a stroller, and enjoy a walk around the lake. This fantastic trail has lots of options (ranging from 1-10 miles), so you can customize your own distance. The lake is set right against the backdrop of downtown Austin, and this is one of my favorite places to go to start or end my day.

WEBSITE | Multiple points

8. The Austin Zoo

Let me be honest with you: this is no San Diego Zoo. It’s not a wildly impressive zoo, but it is a fun place to kill some time and let Milo move his legs and run around. It’s a nonprofit rescue zoo, which I think is a really cool thing.

WEBSITE | 10808 Rawhide Trail, Austin, TX 78736

9. Emler Swim School

Sign up for weekly lessons at Emler Swim School! They have locations all over Austin, and this is one of best year-round activities in Austin with a toddler.

Your toddler isn't just having fun and playing in the water, but he’s also learning important water safety skills. (4,000 people drown every year, and most are preventable with proper water safety.) This is a great way to ensure your little one can be safe around lakes and pools in the future.

WEBSITE | Multiple locations

10. Little Land Play Gym in Buda

This one is sooo sweet, and a really fun activitiy to do solo with your toddler! Little Land play gym has a two-hour play session that you can book in advance for kids ages 0 months – 12 years. It’s a fun place to crawl, climb, wiggle, and explore.

There are other Little Land locations in the greater Austin area, so check out their website here to find one near you.

WEBSITE | 17301 S I-35 Frontage Rd Ste 101, Buda, TX 78610

11. The Dinosaur Park

It’s about 45 minutes east of Austin, but a trip to The Dinosaur Park is such a treat for littles! It’s an outdoor museum with life-size replicas. There’s also a playground, picnic area, and fossil dig.

WEBSITE | 893 Union Chapel Rd, Cedar Creek, TX 78612

12. Play-For-All Park in Round Rock

This park was designed to be inclusive of all ages and abilities, so it’s a really fun place to bring toddlers! (Note that Round Rock is about 30 minutes north of Austin.) This 51,000-square-foot park is so much fun! {Photo: Round Rock Texas}

WEBSITE | 151 N A.W. Grimes Blvd, Round Rock

13. Take Them to see the baby goats at Jester King

Jester King Brewery is nationally recognized for its farmhouse ales and barrel-aged wild ales…but did you know you can visit this 165-acre farm and see the herd of goats? They are sooo cute, and many toddlers love them!

WEBSITE | 13187 Fitzhugh Rd, Austin, TX 78736,

14. Strawberry Picking at Sweet Berry Farm

This is maybe an idea to do with two adults/one toddler because we all know if you want to actually make any progress picking berries, one adult has to watch the baby while one adult picks strawberries. However, it’s a sweet place to explore and take some photos of your little one, plus you get to bring delicious Texas strawberries home with you.

WEBSITE | 1801 FM1980, Marble Falls, TX 78654

15. Pikopye's Town

This is an imaginative indoor play land that’s perfect if you’re looking for things to do in Austin with toddlers! You can book a play session (reservations are required to help with social distancing), or even get a discounted 10-pack play card to save money on multiple visits.

Note: Play Street Museum now has a location in Austin, and that's an equally awesome place to go with toddlers in Austin!

WEBSITE | 2919 Menchaca Rd Suite 205, Austin, TX 78704

16. Visit A Kid-Friendly Restaurant

I love exploring the kid friendly restaurants in Austin, and I’ve found that I can bring my toddler to lots of the casual restaurants here!

One of my favorite options is Sour Duck Market (pictured above) because they have a huge outdoor space, a trailer full of toys and chalk, and lots of gravel. (Bring a few toy trucks!)

17. Climb Mount Bonnell

Yes, you see the word “mount,” but no, it’s not a mountain. There are some steps you need to climb to reach this striking view of Austin, but they only take about 60 seconds to climb (5 minutes if you’re doing it with a toddler…)

Keep in mind that you’ll want to keep a close eye on your toddler 100% of the time; while the main area is flat and safe, there are some steep cliffs if you decide to venture off the main path. If you’re comfortable putting your toddler in a carrier, this is a great place for that!

3800 Mount Bonnell Rd, Austin

18. See The Peacocks at Mayfield Park

When families are looking for things to do in Austin with toddlers, I always recommend Mayfield Park. There are peacocks wandering around the gardens, some light walking trails, and lots of space to run around and explore.

WEBSITE | 3505 W 35th St, Austin

19. Watch The Austin Bats Emerge At The Congress Bridge

This is a fun, family-friendly activity in Austin that you can squeeze into the end of the day, just before your toddler’s bedtime. Keep in mind that the bats are only in Austin from about May-October. Here's a thorough guide about how to see the bats, including where to park and where to eat nearby.

WEBSITE | Ann Richards Congress Ave Bridge

20. The Wildflower Center

Wildflower Center | Things to do in Austin with kids

I'm glad you read to the end, because this is truly one of the best things to do in Austin with toddlers. This 284-acre garden of managed natural texas wildflowers is fun to visit again and again!

Wander around and explore the grounds, but make sure you save plenty of time for your toddler to explore the Family Garden. There are tree stumps to climb on, a soft picnic lawn, and a creek with dinosaur footprints…bring a towel!

WEBSITE | 4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin

Posted in FAMILY