Best Family Friendly Activities in Austin

Imagine that you and your family just arrived in Austin, but Airbnb won’t let you check in until 4 PM. Your children are restless and you have more bags than you know what to do with, what are you to do? Fear not, Luggage Drop is at your service. After quickly dropping your bags with us, you and your family can explore all that Austin has to offer, carefree and bag-free.

www.thinkeryaustin.org

Get the Brain Moving at Austin’s Thinkery

Thinkery offers many ways for your child to interact with scientific principles as well as let out all their wiggles. Come to the Innovators Workshop to watch your young scientist’s wheels turn as they play with the simple mechanics wall. There is also a stop motion animation station in the Workshop, so your aspiring artist can see how some of their favorite movies are created.

Next, be sure to visit the Light Lab. In this area of the thinkery, you’ll interact with light, colors, and shadows. Utilize your child’s creativity as they manipulate different colored light bulbs and LEDs to create different visual effects and learn about patterns. Get silly and let your kid freeze your shadow so you can both see it.

Thinkery also has indoor and outdoor play areas for more rambunctious kids to run, jump, and socialize. Whether you have an hour or four, this science-based funhouse will keep your family occupied until you’re ready to move on.

Take a Walk on the Wildside at Austin’s Nature and Science Center

You can see Austin’s finest wildlife in its natural habitat by visiting the Nature and Science Center, a 15-acre facility in Zilker Park. They have a bobcat exhibit as well as a section dedicated to birds of prey. A large trail loops the property, passing a pond filled with local fish. 

Continue walking and you’ll find the Dino Pit, where kids can explore like real archaeologists. If you want to escape the heat, you can head inside and watch their beehive expand and make honey through a glass pane. It doesn’t matter what nature niche you like, the Nature and Science Center will have it and no one can complain about the free admission either.

www.austinducks.com

Sit Back and Enjoy the Ride with Austin Duck Tours

If you’re tired from carrying your bags while entertaining your children, Luggage Drop can help lighten the load while Austin Duck Tours will keep your children’s attention. Enjoy their 75 minute tour, which travels around Downtown Austin and eventually leads into the lake. Yes, you read that right. Duck Tours take place on an amphibious vehicle, which will seamlessly transport you from the street to the lake.

Enjoy watching your child’s eyes light up as you go from learning about historic Sixth Street to floating on Lake Austin. Guests are also given a free duck whistle to keep even the youngest members of your family entertained, just be sure you put them away before you board your next flight.

Camping at Inks Lake State Park. Credit Pierce Ingram.

Horse Around at Lone Star Ranch

Lone Star Ranch is home to a variety of activities for cowboys and girls of all ages. Let them take you and your 6 year-old on a guided horseback ride on rural trails. Plan an archery and tomahawk throwing excursion with your 7 year-old so they can get a taste of the wild west.

Toddlers aren’t forgotten about either, with Lone Star’s “Buckaroo Class” your 2-4 year old will be shown all the finer points of horse care such as feeding, saddling, and mane maintenance. The staff is also known to host their own rodeo’s with live animals and rope tricking. Be sure to catch at least one of their armadillo races to see one of Texas’ most elusive critters. Just be sure to drop your bags with us since the horses aren’t too fond of carrying your luggage.

www.meanwhilebrewingcompany.com

Take it Easy at Meanwhile Brewing Company

If you’re looking for a place to have a bite to eat with your family, check out Meanwhile Brewing Company. A sea of trees shades the outdoor seating at this brewery. The main attraction of Meanwhile is their family and pet friendly atmosphere. With the rotating food trucks, full-size playground, and netting-enclosed soccer field, there is truly something for everyone in the family. Enjoy some world class beer while your child safely plays soccer with others. Meanwhile, you can sit back and enjoy live music while your children let out all their pent-up energy.

When you visit Austin let Luggage Drop handle the bag stress and let one of our many local attractions captivate your kids for a while.