Austin doesn't ask you to spend a lot to keep the kids happy. Between rotating free museum days, splash pads scattered across the city, and a park system built for exploring, you can fill a whole family trip — or a whole summer — without opening your wallet. Here's where to start.

Image of a group of children sitting on the floor in an exhibit at the Blanton Museum.
Courtesy of the Blanton Museum of Art.

Free Museum Days

Several of Austin's best museums open their doors for free on a rotating schedule. It takes a little planning, but the payoff is great:

Image of people reading at tables on the rooftop deck of the Austin Central Library in Downtown Austin.
Austin Central Library. Courtesy Austin Public Library.

Storytime and Library Fun

BookPeople, one of Austin's most well-known independent bookstores, hosts free BookKids storytimes every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in its amphitheater — a reliable, kid-approved stop if you're downtown.
Don't stop there, though. The Austin Central Library runs free storytimes and craft sessions most weekdays, plus it has a kids' floor with giant chess and climbable letters, and a rooftop deck with a Lady Bird Lake view worth the trip on its own. Branch libraries across the city host their own free storytimes and early-literacy playgroups too, so wherever you're staying, there's likely one nearby.

Family on the lawn at Auditorium Shores. A father and daughter playing soccer while a mother and daughter pet a dog on a picnic blanket.
Hike and Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake. Credit Inti St. Clair.

Parks & Outdoor Adventures

Zilker Park is the anchor for a lot of Austin's free family fun. The 351-acre park has a large playground, walking trails, and a disc golf course — all free. Barton Springs Pool, inside the park, is a great spot to cool off, but it does charge admission ($9 for adults, a few dollars for kids). 

From Zilker, follow the water to Lady Bird Lake and the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail — a scenic, flat, family-friendly path along the water, free and open year-round. Kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals are available if you want to get out on the lake, though those come with a rental fee; the walk or bike ride itself doesn't cost anything.

For a change of scenery, climb the 106 limestone steps up Mount Bonnell for one of the best skyline views in the city, then wander next door into Mayfield Park, where peacocks roam freely among the gardens and historic cottages — both completely free.

Splash Pads

When the Texas heat sets in, Austin's splash pads are the move, and there are more than a dozen scattered around the city, most running May through October. A few favorites with families:

Check the city's current splash pad schedule before you head out, since hours can shift mid-season.

Aerial photo of Blues on the Green with downtown skyline in the background.
Blues on the Green. Credit Ryan Conine.

Free Live Music and Seasonal Events

Austin's music scene isn't just for adults. Depending on when you visit, look for:

Austin is full of ways to keep kids entertained without spending a dime — from rotating museum days to splash pads to a lake trail that never gets old. For even more ideas, check out our 50 Free Things To Do in Austinroundup.