A seductive oil painting of the San Antonio River Walk hung above my parents fireplace in our Louisiana home for years, although they had never been there. Was it foreshadowing that their only daughter would one day be swept away by a homegrown San Antonio gentleman, making Texas her new home? I have been happily married and living in Texas for over 15 years now. I even have two little Texans of my own. This year marks my parents’ 50th year anniversary, and it was time their Texas family took them to see the River Walk in person. After all, they had been admiring it from their living room all these years. I started planning to find the best things to do during the trip that would entertain all of us. My research resulted in this list of 30 Kids Activities in San Antonio.
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- Kids Activities in San Antonio (Our 4 day itinerary)
- Packing Tips for Kids Activities in San Antonio
- San Antonio Accommodations
- Let’s Connect
- Travel Insurance
- Comments
Kids Activities in San Antonio (Our 4 day itinerary)
Day 1 of Kids Activities in San Antonio
#1 SeaWorld San Antonio
Click here for discounted tickets!
It had been 20 years since my last visit to SeaWorld, and the memories were fond ones. This Spring Break trip to SeaWorld did not disappoint. Not only was I amazed by the magnificence of the animals, but also had the enjoyment of watching my children’s astonishment.
The killer whale show was my favorite. Spectators get to witness the Orca’s power and grace first hand.
My seven year old loved the Sea Lion High show, a silly musical that had us giggling through the entire performance. I mean have you ever seen a sea lion break dance before? Don’t sit too close unless you want to get really wet!
Our roller coaster obsessed 10 year old could not get enough of the newest ride, Tidal Surge… the tallest fastest screaming swing in the world! She rode it at least three times.
We had such a good time that we are hoping to go back in the Fall. After all, I get free admission thanks to the educator pass SeaWorld offers to teachers every year! So not goodbye my new Beluga Whale friend, but see ya later…
Day 2 of Kids Activities in San Antonio
#2 Witte Museum
“Where nature, science, and culture meet through the lens of time, land, sea, and water,” that is the theme that is embedded throughout the entire Witte Museum’s Texas History experience. Upon entry, we were encouraged to touch and explore everything! Happily, I did not have to pull out one of my most used mommy phrases, “look with your eyes and not your hands!” We started in the Naylor Family Dinosaur Gallery where we were greeted by enormous 110 million year-old dinosaur skeletons. Here we also dug for fossils and explored interactive screens that provided 360 degree views of the creatures that once roamed the lands we now call Texas.
Next we dove into the deep, rich history of the South Texas Heritage Museum. My kids could not get enough of the covered wagon replica. If you go, make sure you open every drawer, lever, and box for little historical surprises. From there, we moved on to the McLean Family Texas Wild Gallery. Here, we felt animal shells and fur, learned about the different regions of Texas, and listened to a relaxing George Strait narration describing the species that roam our state.
Bodies, a special exhibit behind the Texas Wild Gallery, ended up being my favorite part of the museum. This exhibit highlighting germs was a special temporary display. The Witte rotates special features throughout the year. For example, (as of the date of this post) the museum is honoring Black Cowboys, Fiesta Vogue Outfits, and paintings from the Texas artist, James Ferdinand.
The H-E-B Body Adventure was the perfect way to end our museum experience. Our children learned about the muscular system as they climbed the rock wall, rode a bike on a tightrope, measured how many miles per hour they could run, and more!
On the way out, we stopped at the gift shop and took home sparkling gems, stuffed pterodactyls, water bottles, and Texas-made spices. When visiting give yourself plenty of time to explore. The over three hours we spent was not long enough. We had to practically drag the kids out of the Body Adventure. Or even better, pace yourself and visit more than once. There is always something new to see.
Day 3 of Kids Activities in San Antonio
#3 The Contessa Rooftop Pool
Day 3 was all about downtown San Antonio and seeing that River Walk painting come to life. We started our morning at the swanky Contessa hotel and enjoyed a dip in the relaxing rooftop pool.
#4 San Antonio Riverwalk
That afternoon, we headed to the San Antonio River Walk. We intentionally picked this day because it was St. Patrick’s Day, and every year they dye the river green! Not to mention, it is a great place to people watch. The River Walk was crowded, and parking can be a challenge. Be prepared to pay at least $20 for parking if you are not staying close enough to walk.
#5 Ice cream and love locks
For us, a vacation is not complete without ice cream. Most of the lines for ice cream on the River Walk were extremely long, but we lucked into a spot that served Blue Bell right inside the Hyatt Regency. It’s the perfect place to take a break from the Texas sun. Bring a lock with you, and proclaim your family love by adding it to the little bridge inside this mall.
#6 Alamo GuideD Tour
Our afternoon was topped off by a guided audio tour of the Alamo. Yes, the kids had a great time learning about this piece of Texas History, too! Tickets inside the Alamo are free, but you must have a reservation. During Spring Break it was busy! We had to reserve our tickets several days in advance. Even though the Alamo is free, I suggest buying the audio tour (ticket price $8). It is the best way to experience the history of the Alamo. Get there early, and hang out in the Alamo Plaza. You can explore the grounds outside the Alamo, visit the Lego Alamo replica across the street, or be entertained by the street performers while you wait. Make your reservation here.
Day 4 of Kids Activities in San Antonio
#7 Six Flags Fiesta Texas
We love theme parks and roller coasters. On Day 4, it was time for another. It was interesting to compare this to our home Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington. The park was smaller, but it seemed cleaner and the cobblestone setting was super cute. A couple of teenage friends joined us on this excursion and gave it the “older kids” stamp of approval, as well.
Purchase tickets through a Go City Explorer Pass!
Other Kids Activities in San Antonio
Disclaimer: I have not experienced the excursions below and can not personally vouch for them, but I did list the activities with the best reviews based on my research (in no particular order).
#8-#30 Kids Activities in San Antonio
#8 Aquatica Water Park – Enjoy extreme water slides, lazy rivers, up-close animal experiences, white sand beaches, and relaxing pools.
#9 San Antonio Haunted History Ghost Tour – There’s a lot of strange history in the streets of San Antonio. Depending on your kids’ ages and temperaments, this may or may not be right for your family. I knew it would not be good for my littles, but it does sound interesting. Over the course of this San Antonio ghost tour, tourist hear the haunted, paranormal tales of notorious Texas events.
#10 San Antonio Missions UNESCO World Heritage Sites Tour – Get the full story on the area that consists of five missions close together through this guided tour lead by someone who knows the area and its past well.
#11 Segway Tour of San Antonio and The Alamo – Explore San Antonio by Segway on a 1.5-hour tour that takes in the highlights of historic downtown San Antonio.
#12 Legoland Discovery Center – From the DUPLO® Village to the 4D cinema, there’s something for tots to ten year olds in this park dedicated to the world’s most beloved bricks.
#13 San Antonio Aquarium – This aquarium is home to thousands of species including reptiles and exotic birds.
#14 San Antonio Zoo – * Click the link for a discounted rate!* Open year-round, this 56-acre facility is home to more than 750 species, some of which are endangered or extinct in the wild.
#15 SeaLife – With over 10 interactive exhibits to explore, the SEA LIFE San Antonio Aquarium is fun for the entire family.
#16 Tejas Rodeo – A hidden gem in the corner of Bulverde, Texas, just north of San Antonio, the Tejas Rodeo Company features a live open pro-rodeo every Saturday, nine months out of the year.
#17 The Buckhorn Museum and Texas Ranger Museum – The Buckhorn Museum features unique natural exhibits, with over 520 species of wildlife and oddities from around the globe. Further, the Texas Ranger Museum showcases hundreds of Texas Ranger artifacts as well as a recreation of San Antonio in the early 20th century.
#18 Ripley’s Believe It or Not – Odditorium is the newest, largest and most interactive in the U.S. with three floors of fascinating exhibits from all over the world.
#19 Yanaguana Garden’s Splash Pad at Hemisfair Park – Large play area designed for all ages and ability levels with a splash pad, games plaza, and public art.
#20 River Walk Cruise, 3-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Pass and Tower of the Americas – This package gives you access to three experiences, including the San Antonio River Walk Cruise, 3-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Pass, and Tower of the Americas Observation Deck.
#21 San Antonio 2 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour & Tower of the Americas – 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus ticket with Tower of the Americas ticket included.
#22 San Antonio Botanical Garden – Eight acres of urban oasis where visitors can admire beautiful plants, watch birds, learn a new skill, or treat the kids to imaginative outdoor play.
#23 The Doseum – Interactive hands-on children’s museum.
#24 iFly San Antonio – Experience the sensation of flying in their indoor state-of-the-art vertical wind tunnels.
#25 Hard Rock Cafe – The River Walk can be crowded. Click the link to get a front of the line voucher with your meal.
#26 San Antonio Museum of Art – The San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) displays art from around the world and through five thousand years.
#27 San Antonio Hiking Trails – There is no shortage of hiking trails in San Antonio. Click the link to see the top 10 according to All Trails.
#28 San Antonio Missions Baseball Game – Have any baseball fans in your group? If so, try to catch a Missions game, an AA affiliate of the San Diego Padres.
#29 Brackenridge Park – With walking trails and fishing available this park makes a nice place for fresh air and a picnic.
#30 Morgan’s Wonderland – Ultra accessible theme park guided by its mission of inclusion. The park strives to bring together guests of all ages and all abilities through the power of inclusive play.
As you can see, there are tons of fun things to do in the city of San Antonio for the whole family. We had ages 7-70 on this trip. It was a great way to spend our Spring Break. Experience some of these fun places by booking your trip today!
Packing Tips for Kids Activities in San Antonio
Here are a few items you don’t want to forget to pack!
Neck Fan
San Antonio can get very hot. I was recently turned on to neck fans and I can not believe how well they work. I picked up a few of these from Amazon. You won’t see me at the beach, amusement park, or outdoor concert without one! Link to purchase
SWIMSUITS
For the ladies reading, this is my absolute favorite swimsuit. It is so flattery and keeps everything secure, if you know what I mean. Link to purchase
TENNIS SHOES
Good walking shoes are a must. We may look silly walking together when we all are wearing the same shoes, but these are so comfortable that I could not resist buying the whole family several pairs. I have bad feet and am super picky about my shoes. These are easy slip on with no laces, but don’t feel loose like a lot of slip on shoes. All four of us have these in several colors. They are the only tennis shoes we are wearing right now.
Pool Shoes
My kids are crazy about Crocs. They will wear these anywhere, not just by the pool. My daughter was super excited to find these in her favorite color on Amazon since this color has been retired!
Hat
Whatever your hat style, make sure you bring one. The Texas heat can be brutal, especially if you visit in the summer. This one is great because it is adjustable and has moldable wire in the rim. It also matches my favorite swimsuit above perfectly!
San Antonio Accommodations
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Travel Insurance
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Comments
Have you been to Mitchell, SD or have questions? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.
Hey Monica! I was directed to your blog– this post in particular– while in search of things to do to keep our kiddos entertained while in San Antonio. This was such a huge help and gave us a great springboard to discuss and make a plan. I’ll be keeping an eye out for all of your new adventures to draw in some more inspiration for future trips! Thanks again.
Hi Natasha. Thank you for the feedback. Be sure to come back here and update us on how your trip goes!