Family Activities That Will Keep You Busy All Summer

Summer is a great time of year for all kinds of fun family activities here in Austin. Whether you enjoy the great outdoors, engage in family entertainment, or tackle some new hobbies at home, you’ll never run out of ideas for how to spend these summer months. Here are some options for having a fun summer in Austin, TX, that are sure to be a big hit with your family.

1. Check out the bats at South Congress Bridge.

Family activities can be both exciting and educational, and the South Congress Bridge is a prime example. Each summer in Austin, you can check out the single largest bat colony in North America.

Almost one and a half million Mexican free-tailed bats make the South Congress Bridge their home from March through November. Bring the whole family by at dusk as they take flight. It’s a great opportunity to see some unique local wildlife.

2. Visit Zilker Metropolitan Park.

Right in the core of Austin, you’ll find Zilker Metropolitan Park, a gorgeous and lush outdoor area with over 350 acres of excellent opportunities for family activities. Just spending time outdoors is enough, but the park has far more than that to offer.

You can check out the Austin Nature and Science Center in the park, with its hands-on educational exhibits. There’s a gorgeous sculpture garden and also a gigantic playground for children of all ages to enjoy.

3. Climb the highest point in Austin.

Most of Texas is relatively flat, but you can take your family up to the top of Mt. Bonnell for a great view. It’s the highest point in Austin, with stairs taking you up 190 feet to the peak.

Once at the top, you’ll be able to enjoy a truly scenic vista of Lake Austin and the downtown area. It’s an ideal outdoor getaway that’s incredibly close to home, and you can introduce your kids to the rewards that nature has to offer.

4. Try out Austin’s iconic mini golf.

Mini golf is among the top family activities in cities across the country, but Austin delivers a truly unique experience at Peter Pan Mini Golf. This site has been operating since 1948, with two separate 18-hole courses for your family to choose from.

The course is full of unique statues, from Peter Pan himself to a formidable T-Rex. Children will be enthralled by the lively characters, and your entire family will love the classic fun of mini golf.

5. Head over to the zoo.

The Austin Zoo is a favorite of many families in the area. It offers an experience that’s both truly engaging and educational for children of all ages. Just minutes from the center of the city, you can find a wide range of wildlife from around the world.

Lions, tigers, gray wolves, monkeys, capybara, tortoises, and more await your family at the Austin Zoo. You can also take a ride on the miniature train that runs around the park and past a variety of animal enclosures.

6. Get your learning on at the Thinkery Children’s Museum.

The Thinkery Children’s Museum is a fantastic educational experience with a wide range of family activities, exhibits, and more. The more than 40,000-square-foot facility is devoted to innovative learning experiences to inspire creativity.

A wide range of interactive exhibits let children learn about electricity, weather, agriculture, and so much more. There are also a variety of playgrounds that offer something for children of any age. While you’re in the learning mood, summer is also a wonderful time to teach your kids about dental hygiene.

7. Learn more about our state’s history.

Do you want your children to learn a bit more about Texas history? Then the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin is the perfect stop. The museum boasts three floors of exhibits, including a range of interactive family activities and an onsite IMAX theater.

8. Chill out at Barton Springs Pool.

The Barton Springs Pool is a perennial favorite among Austin families. It’s fed by a natural spring, so it’s always cool and refreshing in the summer heat. The massive pool features a shallow end, making it just right for small children, too.

9. Try a new flavor of ice cream.

Amy’s Ice Creams is a hallmark of Austin summers, with over a dozen separate locations throughout Austin. They have an exceedingly wide range of flavors, so you and your family will always have the chance to try something completely new to you.

10. Take in the Texas Trails.

Depending on the age of your children, guided trail rides from Texas Trail Rides could be one of the best summer family activities for anyone who enjoys horses. You’ll get a firsthand look at authentic Texas nature in all its glory. Plus, Texas Trail Rides offers camps for kids!

Keeping Up with Family Dentistry in Austin, TX

Don’t let all this summer fun make you forget just how important your children’s dental care is. You can give them the best foundation for lifelong oral health by reaching out to Parmer Lane Family Dentistry for all of their dental needs.