If you’re looking for a fun yet educational and mind expanding way to spend quality time with your family, heading to a museum or art gallery is a great idea! We have many to chose from here in Austin, but these are my top ten favorite family friendly options. Enjoy!
An engaging, hands on, play based experience, targeted for children up to 11 years old. The Thinkery boasts 40,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor interactive STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) exhibits and programs. They offer a free community night every Sunday from 3-5pm, you can reserve tickets at thinkeryaustin.org.
Austin Nature and Science Center
Located on the western edge of Zilker Park on 80 acres, ANSC offers hands on nature exhibits, educational programs and recreational activities for children of all ages. This is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with the family while learning something new!
A fun fact about the Blanton is that it’s actually one of the largest university art museums in the United States. Enjoy browsing their beautiful collection of modern and contemporary art. They offer tons of educational activities for children of all ages, including guided group visits that focus on a variety of curricular topics ranging from literacy to social justice. The Blanton offers free admission every Thursday!
A unique “living history” experience on a farm setting. This museum offers fun activities like bow and arrow classes, history tours, archeology and live animals, just to name a few! They have a couple great Halloween events going on this month, you can read more about those at pioneerfarms.org.
Get ready to rediscover the kid in you! Learn all about ice cream while connecting with your loved ones, enjoying the endless photo ops and eating unlimited ice cream of course. This place is great for a special occasion or if you have family visiting. An equally enjoyable experience for the big and little kids in the family!
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
With a mission to inspire the conservation of native plants, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center features nearly 900 native plant species and miles of trails. They offer an array of events and classes, like the Field of Light installation currently running through December.
Located in Johnson City, the Science Mill inspires children to learn more about science and how they experience it in their everyday lives, through exhibits, games, and programs. They offer 50+ exhibits, like deep sea robotics, fossil dig, aquaponics greenhouse and a butterfly garden!
Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum
A one of a kind sculpture garden and museum with a beautiful history! Gifted to the city of Austin in 1985 by Charles Umlauf, this outdoor exhibit showcases 168 of his sculptures as well as rotating exhibitions from other artists. They offer a free family day every second Sunday of the month, as well as sculpture garden storytime the third Saturday of every month at 12:30pm.
Dive deep into the history of the great state of Texas through exhibitions, films, symposiums, community events, field trips, and fun, family-centered programs. There is always something new to see or do at the Bullock Museum. They offer a free first Sunday every month!
Wonderspaces is an immersive and interactive art show, featuring 14 different art installations with regular changes to the lineup. My toddler had the time of his life running around here, and I think older kids would enjoy it just as much.
Hey there!! Thanks for this great list! Also want to suggest Laguna Gloria!!