10 Fun Things To Do In San Antonio with Kids

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fun things to do with kids in san antonio

With so many fun attractions in our hometown, sometimes it’s hard to decide on the best family friendly activities in San Antonio.

To help you out, here’s my list of the 10 most fun activities, attractions, and things to do so in San Antonio with kids.

PS – Don’t miss our guide to the 12 best places for a kid’s birthday party in San Antonio, either!

Map of fun things to do with kids in San Antonio

Morgan’s Wonderland

Curious about what to do in San Antonio that’s kid-friendly? Nothing is more kiddo-centric than Morgan’s Wonderland, a sprawling, ADA-friendly theme park. Open since 2010, Morgan’s Wonderland is the first theme park in the world designed for people with special needs.

Sure, it’s designed to be wheelchair-accessible, but everyone is welcome here! This is an especially awesome destination if you want to vacation with a kiddo who has special needs and you don’t want them to be left out of the fun. Whether you board the Wonderland Express train, fish at the wharf, or enjoy splash time at Inspiration Island, Morgan’s Wonderland is inclusive and downright fun.

The River Walk

Our nieces and nephews love zooming around the River Walk and taking in the gorgeous scenery. It’s perfect for a walk, but you can also take your kids on a riverboat cruise, grab lunch at River Center Mall, or check out a seasonal boat parade.

It can get a little hot in the San Antonio summers, so I recommend checking out the River Walk in the morning, tiring the kiddos out, and making your way home in time for a nap.

Magik Theatre

Want to take your kids to see a show? The Magik Theatre is designed specifically for kids and features fun, interactive stories that children of all ages will love.

Watch shows like Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, and other classics at the Magik Theatre. There’s even a really cool playground outside the theatre so your kids can get the wiggles out before the show starts.

  • Address: 420 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205
  • Website: Magik Theatre

Sea World

As an adult, I don’t really like Sea World because it’s SO EXPENSIVE. But our nieces and nephews sigh with amazement when they see a sea lion up close—heck, our nephew once spent 20 minutes chattering to the penguins.

If your kids are animal lovers, Sea World is a great destination to see some of their favorite animals up close. It also has rides and food for both kids and adults, so you’re guaranteed to have some fun, too!

By the way, try to buy a season pass or a digital ticket instead of tickets at the gate. These last-minute tickets at the park are always overpriced. A little advance planning can save you about $50, so buy your tix before you go.

Fiesta Texas

Kids love Six Flags! Fiesta Texas has a Mexican-inspired theme for its food, rides, and more. Sure, they have musts for adults like the Superman ride, but Fiesta Texas’ “Family Thrills” rides are 100% kid-approved, too.

Admission to the waterpark is included, so don’t forget your sunscreen and swimsuits! We like to do the rides first and then cool off before we leave at the water park. It’s guaranteed to tire your kids out, but you’ll probably be pretty gassed, too!

Natural Bridge Caverns

Natural Bridge Caverns is one of the coolest attractions for kids in San Antonio—and I mean that literally since the caves are about 70 degrees year-round.

You can’t bring strollers for the cave tour itself and there are stairs, so I recommend only taking your kiddos if they’re able to walk on their own. The good news is that, caves aside, there’s still plenty to do here! Try the Twisted Trails ropes course (they have a version just for small kids), maze, or gem mining. They even have a cafe that serves food and coffee so you can keep up with the kiddos.

Japanese Tea Gardens

The Japanese Tea Gardens are my favorite thing to do with kids in San Antonio that’s 100% free.

This place is super Instagrammable, so if you want to take some cute shots of your kids (when they aren’t fighting with each other), this is the place to be. Our nieces and nephews love darting around the gardens, hiding behind the foliage, and pointing at the giant koi fish. The city recently added a cafe in the garden, too, if you want to stay for lunch or tea.

P.S. It’s free to visit, but the gardens are crowded on the weekends! So, the Japanese Tea Gardens are best enjoyed earlier in the morning or on weekdays.

San Antonio Zoo

I love, love, love the San Antonio Zoo. I’m actually an annual pass holder because I go here so much! No matter how many times we take them, the nieces and nephews can’t contain their excitement, either.

The regular zoo attractions are beautiful—I love how the SA Zoo uses more open-air habitats so you can actually see the animals. They recently installed a one-of-a-kind jaguar skywalk, too!

For an extra fee, your kids can explore a butterfly habitat and feed birds at Lory Landing. The nieces said that feeding the birds is one of their favorite activities at the zoo!

  • Address: 3903 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78212
  • Website: SA Zoo

Kiddie Park

Here’s a weird fact about San Antonio: we have the oldest operating children’s amusement park in the USA.

It isn’t anything fancy, but our nieces and nephews go BANANAS for the Kiddie Park! You’ll see it if you drive past St. Mary’s and Broadway.

For $45.99, you get a Fun Day ticket that includes entrance to the SA Zoo, a carousel ride, a train ride, and an unlimited kiddie Park Wristband. With old-timey carnival rides and snacks, Kiddie Park is perfect for kiddos ages 1 – 12. As an adult, you can go with your kids on the carousel or flying saucer (you know, for moral support).

  • Address: 3903 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78212
  • Website: Kiddie Park

The Pearl

I like to joke that The Pearl isn’t a destination as much as it is a state of mind. This area of town is full of trendy boutiques, cafes, gourmet food, and even a huge farmer’s market on the weekends. If you’re looking for a kid-friendly trip, you’ve got to swing by the Pearl on Saturday or Sunday in the summer.

The Pearl Market has delicious food that your kids will love, live music, and plenty of awesome people-watching.

Remember your kids’ swimsuits, too! The Pearl has a cool splash pad that’s perfect for beating the summer heat.

  • Address: 312 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78215
  • Website: At Pearl