You do not need a big holiday or birthday to make a little magic for the kids. Sometimes the most memorable moments come from an unexpected surprise that turns an ordinary day into an adventure. We have rounded up some fun ways to surprise the kids around Austin, with plenty of local ideas to help make the everyday feel a little more extraordinary.
— Plan a “Mystery Trip”
This can be anything. You pick the outing, tell the kids it’s a “Mystery Trip”, and they won’t know what it is until you arrive. Voila — it’s the most exciting day ever for them! Our Editor did this recently with her kids and went to Inner Space Cavern. Inner Space Cavern has cave tours, a zip line, a playground, and free “gold ” panning to try.
More “Mystery Trip” ideas:
- An Indoor Play Place or Arcade
- $7 Movie Night @ Alamo Draft House
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Check out where to Stargaze Around Austin
Check out Do512 Family’s Calendar for inspo to plan your “Mystery Trip”.
— Have a “Yes Day”
Inspired by the Netflix original movie, Yes Day, the kids lead, and you “have to say yes”. (Within reason, of course). Here are some parameters our Editor used when doing a Yes Day for her kids:
- Yes Day activities can’t be out of the family budget
- Yes Day can’t involve a new pet (but hey, parents — that’s up to you. Here’s where to adopt if you’re open to new furry family members!)
- Yes Day can’t include anything the kids aren’t old enough for. Or anything, ahem, permanent. (Yes, the six-year-old asked for a tattoo just to see how far Yes Day could go. That was a hard no.)
— Rent a Bounce House.
Go in with some neighbors on a bounce house and let the kids burn off energy for hours. Don’t tell the kids it’s coming, just let them notice when there’s a giant, colorful jumpee all set up and ready to go!
- Where to rent a bounce house locally: Austin Bounce House Rentals, Austin Moon Walks, Bounce Around Austin, Sandi’s Moonwalks
— Write ideas on strips of paper and enie-meenie-miney-mo it.
This is something we saw on Instagram, so let us try to explain. Everyone writes down an idea on strips of paper, and you pick a few to do for that day. You can make it for part of a day or a whole day, and customize it to your family budget and how long you feel like being out and about.
Starter Ideas to Choose From:
- Breakfast: Cook pancakes at home, grab breakfast from one of our favorite Brunch Spots for Families, Breakfast for mom in Bed
- Activity: Playground, Target Run, Movie
- Lunch: Hat Creek, The Grove, Meanwhile Brewing
- Activity: Roller Skating, Zilker Park, Sno Cones
- Dinner: Breakfast-for-Dinner at home, Hibachi, or Soupleaf Hot Pot
Looking for more things to do this month with the family? Check out:
