A week off school for Spring Break probably has the kids jumping for joy, but if you’re starting to wonder about what to do to keep the family busy, we’ve got your back. Austin has endless possibilities for when you want to get out and about and do something fun with the family. We hope you have a great Spring Break with a nice combo of relaxing and adventuring!
Pssst – parents! If you’re still looking for Spring Break Camps for the kids, check here.
Special Events for Families During Spring Break
— Spring Break STEM Rodeo @ Science Mill
March 8 – 23| 101 S Lady Bird Ln, Johnson City
Science Mills comes through again with engaging, hands-on STEM activities during Spring Break! This year’s theme, Spring into STEAM, includes activities like creating a Thaumatrope, coding using markers, flipper bots, and many more hands-on activities. Admission for Science Mill is $10.50 for kids and $12 for adults, and you can purchase yours here.
— Rodeo Austin @ Travis County Expo Center
March 14 – 29
Take the kids to enjoy Austin’s largest carnival at the fairgrounds where you can check out: carnival rides for all ages and thrill levels; KidsTown petting zoo; see animals in the livestock show; enjoy a wide variety of tasty fair foods; watch bull riding; attend a concert…and so much more. One-day admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids, and tickets for rides and games cost $2-10, with the average around $4-5 per ride. Unlimited ride wristbands are $45. Get more info & tickets, and read about our must-sees at Rodeo Austin here.
— Enjoy some Free, Family-Friendly SXSW Festival Fun
While kid-friendly may not be the first thing you think of when you hear SXSW, there are always a handful of awesome parties, concerts, and exhibits the whole family can enjoy. Get in the mix here.
— Spring Break: Trains at The Bullock @ Bullock Museum
March 14 – 17| 11 am – 4 pm | 1800 Congress Ave.
This Spring Break, head to The Bullock Museum from 11 am – 4 pm March 14 – 17 to see miniature locomotives chug along tiny tracks set along intricate scenes. The Bullock is partnered with The Tinplate Trackers of Austin, Texas, and the Austin Model Railway Society to bring these model train exhibits free with museum admission. Admission to the Bullock is $9 for kids 4-17, and $15 for adults, and you can get more info here.
— Sherwood Forest Faire
Weekends through April 20| 1883 Old Hwy 20, McDade
Take a day trip to a medieval village about an hour from Austin in McDade, TX for the Annual Sherwood Forest Faire. Adults and kids of all ages are invited for a day of fun with jousting, bands, comedy, and more. Usually open only on weekends, they’re open a bonus day on Friday, March 17 during Spring Break. Grab your tix here.
— Family Friendly Parties and Concerts
If you haven’t checked out our roundup of family-friendly parties for Spring Break Week, you can check them out here
More activities and local deals over Spring Break:
- Holey Moley Mini Golf| $10 off student bookings from March 17 – 23 | Code: SPRINGBREAK
- iFLY Indoor Skydiving| Pot of Gold Special through March 17 | 30% off of iFLY’s best group package which includes 10 flights shared by up to 5 people here
Anytime Fun for Families to Enjoy During Spring Break
— Visit a local farm. Farms are such a fun place for a family outing. Kids can enjoy seeing cows, chickens, donkeys, pigs, and other farm life as well as connect with nature. Click here for a list of local farms that are currently open for visits.
— Play a round of mini-golf. Mini-golf is a great activity the whole family can enjoy and connect over. Here’s our round-up of where to score a hole-in-one.
— Go for a hike or a family nature walk. A family hike could be anything from a short, leisurely nature walk through a woodsy path, to the steep climbs up Hill Country trails, or even day trips to a Texas State Park. Check out our big list of family-friendly hikes and trails in the Austin area.
— Check out a drive-thru zoo. Go on a wild adventure without leaving your own car. At one of the many drive-thru zoos in Central Texas, you can feed live exotic animals from your very own window. Here’s where to find drive-thru zoos near Austin.
— Play tourist in your own town at a “classic Austin” location. Check out the views from Mount Bonnell, go on a kayak adventure on Lady Bird Lake, get breakfast tacos, explore famous street art, and more! Here are some “classic” activities to do anytime.
— Play in the sand. Nothing beats the relaxed feeling of a beach vacation. But when there’s no time or budget to head to the coast, you can improvise right here in the Austin area. Just use a little imagination and these local destinations can give you those beachy vibes. Here’s our list of Austin’s best spots to soak up a little fun in the sun while kids dig in the sand (or pebbles).
Even More Ideas:
- Amusement Parks near Austin
- Where to Play in Wide Open Spaces
- Best Places for a Family Picnic
- When to Visit Austin Museums for Free
- Best Texas Road Trips
- Family Friendly Resorts Near Austin
- Best Camping Near Austin
- 100 Things to Do in Zilker Park
Austin looks like a lot of fun.