Kids are expensive, y’all! Trust us, we know that tickets for events, admission fees to museums, and dining out with the whole brood can be a burden on the budget. And the cost of living here in Austin just seems to be going up and up! We’ve compiled a list of Summer Freebies and Deals for Families in Austin to include everything from movies to outdoor fun, live music, and museums. Enjoy checking out these places and saving yourself some money at the same time.
Museum Deals & Free Days
Blanton Museum of Art: Kids 5 and under are always free as well as UT Students and K-12 teachers with valid IDs. Free admission for all ages on Tuesdays from 10 am– 5 pm. Check-in required.
The Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria: Kids ages 18 & under get free admission daily. Free admission for all ages on Thursdays, all day. Reserve tickets here.
The Contemporary Austin – Jones Center: Kids ages 18 & under get free admission daily. Free admission for all ages on Thursdays. Reserve advanced tickets here.
UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum: Children 12 & under are always free, as well as Active Military & their families. Admission for teens ages 13-17 is just $1.
Mexic-Arte Museum: Free Admission for all ages on Sundays.
Texas Military Forces Museum: Admission is always free; they’re open Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 am – 4 pm. (Please note that you will need a photo ID to get on the base at Camp Mabry).
Thinkery: Free admission for children and families during Community Hours on Tuesdays from 3 pm – 7 7 pm, and Sundays from 3 pm -7 pm. Donations are always appreciated.
For even MORE museum deals, view our list of When to Visit Austin Museums for Free.
Discount Days at Indoor Play Centers
Austin Roller Rink: Thursday is Family Night from 5 – 9 pm and tickets are only $10. View the weekly schedule.
Main Event Austin: Current deals offered include: Kids Bowl Free from Monday – Friday; Kids Eat Free on Tuesdays (for children under 12); and Monday Night Madness activities or games are just $12.99 per person after 4 pm on Mondays. Details.
Dart ‘Em Up Every Tuesday, it’s a Twofer: 2 players per hour for the price of 1. More specials.
Monster Mini Golf: You can find special deals on mini golf or laser tag every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. All the deals.
Gattitown Round Rock: Enjoy 50% off all games on Tuesdays. More specials.
Pinstack: Enjoy half-off off all games on Tuesdays. More specials.
Free Music & Entertainment
Central Market North Lamar: Every weekend from Thursday to Saturday, there is live music on the patio (next to a great playground) that is free. Details.
Austin Symphony Orchestra: Enjoy one of their free summer concerts on Sundays at 7:30 pm on the Long Center lawn. Schedule of performances.
Zilker Summer Musical: Take advantage of the free Austin summer outdoor musical that’s been a tradition for 63 years. This year’s show is Legally Blonde, which will take place at the Zilker Hillside Theatre from July 12 – August 17 at 8:15 pm. Details.
Jo’s Coffee Red River: Take the kids to Jo’s Brunch Bunch on the last Sunday of the month from 10 am — 12 pm. Enjoy kid-friendly entertainment ranging from balloon animals to drag queen storytelling. More info.
Hill Country Galleria: Enjoy live music on the Central Plaza Lawn, always free, family-friendly, and weather permitting. Schedule.
Mozarts Coffee: Mozarts on the Lake offers a weekly live music showcase on the patio. They’ve also started a new Movies on the Lake series. More details and calendar of events.
Guero’s Taco Bar (Texas Radio Live): Free music shows every Wednesday at 7 pm where local, regional, and national acts entertain. More info.
Summer Movie Deals
Cinemark: The Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse includes 10 weeks of kids’ movies throughout the summer for only $1.75 per ticket (plus tax). They also offer $1 off on kids’ snack packs and popcorn combos. Click here for the movie schedule.
EVO: KidFlix is back at EVO with 10 fun-filled weeks of $1 family films. Each week, there will be a different film, with showtimes at 10 am every day at all EVO locations. Check the lineup.
Austin Parks Foundation: APF’s Movies in the Park invites you to pack a picnic, relax on a blanket, and enjoy a fun night out with the family. APF brings movies to neighborhood parks across the city to ensure all Austinites can access FREE outdoor entertainment. Click here for this season’s schedule.
Regal Cinemas: The Summer Movie Express 2024 series offers $2 movie tickets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays featuring summer movies for the whole family. Details here.
Alamo Drafthouse: Summer Kids Camp offers a lineup of family favorites, and tickets are $5 for everyone – little kids, big kids, and grownup kids. Get your tickets in advance on the Alamo Drafthouse website.
Check out more options for Where to See Free and Cheap Movies in Austin this summer.
More Free Fun:
- Best Places for a Family Picnic
- Children’s Alliance Garden
- FREE Summer Camps and Meals for Kids
- Kid Eat Free Deals in Austin
- Outdoor Sculptures in Austin
- Pease Park
- Places for Adorable Family Photo Ops
- Play For All Park
- Splash Pads
- Summer Reading Programs with Prizes
- Swimming Pools
- Take a Tour of Austin Street Art
- Trails & Family Hikes
