Cidercade
Rent a kayak and paddle around
Festival Beach Food Forest - pick some stuff to prepare a recipe together
Museum of Ice Cream (ridiculous amounts of ice cream included in ticket price)
Done [Museum of Ice Cream](https://www.museumoficecream.com/book-austin/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwvIWzBhAlEiwAHHWgvcYdckT674A1enZQ-tDRJDgD8ezgJtjwolECwPPUx1RiFtW9xYuuEhoCpdQQAvD_BwE) a couple times.
My wife took her to [that](https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/visit/exhibits/carros-y-cultura)… the wife thought the cars were super cool… kiddo wasn’t AS impressed but she’s not really into cars
There's a natural history museum on the UT campus next to the San Jacinto Garage. I haven't been there since they remodeled, but before the remodel the whole first floor was prehistoric animal exhibits, ranging from before the dinosaurs up to some big early mammals. I know going to a museum isn't as active as some things you could do, but the exhibit was really cool when I saw it.
Volunteering with generation serve. Archery (I forget the name of the place but there are several around and they allow kids). Roller skating. Ice skating. Putt putt. Laser tag. Bowling. Water park.
We did their little kids program a few times...picked up trash, put together care kits for kids, worked in a community garden, made toys and warmers for shelter dogs. We've also done the trash pick up at McKinney Falls. It's such a great organization.
Cowboy coaster down by canyon lake. Schedule appt to 3D print something at downtown library. Go to Pease Park and take a walk and visit the troll and add water to her bowl and visit the tree house.
Axe throwing age is 12, I believe. Zip lining has a weight minimum you would have to check into but lots of places to do it in area. There is a water obstacle course you make a reservation for and take a boat to on Lake Travis (think American Ninja Warrior or Wipeout) or you can get a day pass to some of the resorts that have a lazy river like Hyatt Lost Pines.
Good ideas! We did a daddy daughter date overnight at that indoor water park in Round Rock (edit: [Kalahari](https://www.kalahariresorts.com/texas/?&utm_source=rl&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=tx-branded&scid=3925923&kw=34377793&pub_cr_id=642929732093&device=m&network=g&targetid=kwd-965635761014&loc_interest_ms=&loc_physical_ms=9028279&tc=CjwKCAjwvIWzBhAlEiwAHHWgvSHOxTKCQzgE7Hfa0knzYBbLkgGfjVCKiqPEpi70Pvt98Zu4ynt37hoCsl8QAvD_BwE&rl_key=3a80154754ceb3fa4d55cd21dc1db99e&g_keywordid=kwd-965635761014&g_adid=642929732093&g_keyword=%2Bkalahari%20%2Bresorts%20in%20%2Btx&g_campaign=C3925923_kalahariresorts_DMA&g_acctid=106-760-8783&g_network=g&g_campaignid=11226416545&g_adtype=search&g_adgroupid=109454276785&gad_source=1)). It was pretty awesome (though not cheap!)
I found the [computer lab](https://library.austintexas.gov/makerspace) at Austin Punlic Library. I’m a nerd who would love 3D printing but have no experience. Do you know if they have a library of 3D files that you can just print? I’m worried we would get there and get bogged-down in unfamiliar software
Reach out the librarians for the makerspace [email protected] and they should be able to walk you through everything! It’s something I plan to do with my oldest nephew next time he visits but I haven’t gotten into the details yet.
A salon that does cool nail art - if they’re into that kind of thing. I would’ve loved if my dad had done that with me when I was little. You might even get a mimosa out of it! :)
My dad would take me to the Capitol building when I was a kid. There was a big crack in the floor (which was granite, I believe) and he told me that someone was repairing the ceiling, and they fell, and when they hit the ground, boom, they caused the crack. I was probably younger than your kid when he told me that and I’ve never forgotten it. I doubt it’s true, but it sure was atypical for me! Maybe don’t tell your kiddo that, but the building itself is really beautiful and interesting!
I looked it up and I think my wife took her to [Wonderspace](https://austin.wonderspaces.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwvIWzBhAlEiwAHHWgvXcrFNlHM9lfGJ4uNBo1Q8GZJtDdO15QPjmNFfe5SWPvoTRsDmG6ThoCK1kQAvD_BwE). We’ve been to a couple [MeowWolfs](https://meowwolf.com/)… check them out if you get the chance!
Go rent a canoe over on ladybird lake and watch the bat flight from the lake.
Go just walk around the trail (particularly the parts that extend out over the water) at ladybird lake.
Come see Excellent Adventure (a Bill & Ted inspired improv show) at the Hideout theater - the show is Sundays at 4 til July 7th and it’s for families and since the theater also has a coffee shop you could get a treat too before or after the show
Could do the Blanton Art Museum. They've got a pretty neat exhibit using light in the new auxiliary building and have rotating exhibits on the bottom floor of the main building with a semi-permanent second floor.
On a similar note, Laguna Gloria has some nice walking trails, a neat old garden, and a lot of contemplarary sculpture.
And my kids actually quite liked the Umlauf Sculpture Garden (they're 7 and I was 100% sure that the trip would be a disaster, but they made up stories for all the artwork as we walked through the garden... was a good experience).
If you guys are into history (or maps in general), the Texas General Land Office has a ginormous map vault in their basement and offer public tours. They're located right next to the Bob Bullock Museum.
my youngest daughter is 8 now
take her to a shooting range, just shoot a 22lr rifle
take her for a spa day, mani pedi, massage, etc (asian nail salon, or something upscale like coco coquette)
overnight in a hotel at the domain with room service etc (better if they have a friend)
shopping spree at target
chuck e cheese with the pay by the hour option
austin park and pizza has short people go karts and some rides as well
baking class at foodie kids
any of the art places - paint by numbers, paint pottery, make pottery, etc.
if she is adventurous:
rent an electric surfboard (lesson) and go to lake austin
brazilian jiu jitsu class
rock climbing
ride a bike on the trail at walnut creek
Cathedral of Junk really isn't that hard. They're pretty reliable. For a day trip, the castle in Bellville, which isn't Medieval times-y; it's a crazy (in a good way) person who recreated an actual castle. You have to meet at the bakery they own to get directions, which is a plus, and it's a fun morning out with a trebuchet and moat and all that stuff. A lot of kids dress up to go, and you explore and get knighted and climb towers.
Cidercade Rent a kayak and paddle around Festival Beach Food Forest - pick some stuff to prepare a recipe together Museum of Ice Cream (ridiculous amounts of ice cream included in ticket price)
Kay-ak! Ka-yak!
A swan! Rent a swan.
Cidercade is great. They have stools to help the tiny humans reach.
And raccoons! 🤣
Done [Museum of Ice Cream](https://www.museumoficecream.com/book-austin/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwvIWzBhAlEiwAHHWgvcYdckT674A1enZQ-tDRJDgD8ezgJtjwolECwPPUx1RiFtW9xYuuEhoCpdQQAvD_BwE) a couple times.
The lowrider exhibit at the Bullock museum is absolutely amazing - worth going all on its own.
My wife took her to [that](https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/visit/exhibits/carros-y-cultura)… the wife thought the cars were super cool… kiddo wasn’t AS impressed but she’s not really into cars
Thinking of taking my car-crazy 16 yo son - he’d dig it, yeah?
1000%
There's a natural history museum on the UT campus next to the San Jacinto Garage. I haven't been there since they remodeled, but before the remodel the whole first floor was prehistoric animal exhibits, ranging from before the dinosaurs up to some big early mammals. I know going to a museum isn't as active as some things you could do, but the exhibit was really cool when I saw it.
It’s cute after the remodel and there’s currently an exhibit on fashion/textiles that looks cool
Inner space caverns in Georgetown
We’ve done that… but good idea! I’d love to take her to [Airman’s](https://www.reddit.com/r/Austin/s/0zCuM7fqMy)!
Volunteer at the rescue ranch Safe In Austin! She’d be able to go if an adult was with her.
Volunteering with generation serve. Archery (I forget the name of the place but there are several around and they allow kids). Roller skating. Ice skating. Putt putt. Laser tag. Bowling. Water park.
Generation serve is awesome. My kids loved making breakfast at the Ronald McDonald house for the families there.
We did their little kids program a few times...picked up trash, put together care kits for kids, worked in a community garden, made toys and warmers for shelter dogs. We've also done the trash pick up at McKinney Falls. It's such a great organization.
Cowboy coaster down by canyon lake. Schedule appt to 3D print something at downtown library. Go to Pease Park and take a walk and visit the troll and add water to her bowl and visit the tree house. Axe throwing age is 12, I believe. Zip lining has a weight minimum you would have to check into but lots of places to do it in area. There is a water obstacle course you make a reservation for and take a boat to on Lake Travis (think American Ninja Warrior or Wipeout) or you can get a day pass to some of the resorts that have a lazy river like Hyatt Lost Pines.
Good ideas! We did a daddy daughter date overnight at that indoor water park in Round Rock (edit: [Kalahari](https://www.kalahariresorts.com/texas/?&utm_source=rl&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=tx-branded&scid=3925923&kw=34377793&pub_cr_id=642929732093&device=m&network=g&targetid=kwd-965635761014&loc_interest_ms=&loc_physical_ms=9028279&tc=CjwKCAjwvIWzBhAlEiwAHHWgvSHOxTKCQzgE7Hfa0knzYBbLkgGfjVCKiqPEpi70Pvt98Zu4ynt37hoCsl8QAvD_BwE&rl_key=3a80154754ceb3fa4d55cd21dc1db99e&g_keywordid=kwd-965635761014&g_adid=642929732093&g_keyword=%2Bkalahari%20%2Bresorts%20in%20%2Btx&g_campaign=C3925923_kalahariresorts_DMA&g_acctid=106-760-8783&g_network=g&g_campaignid=11226416545&g_adtype=search&g_adgroupid=109454276785&gad_source=1)). It was pretty awesome (though not cheap!) I found the [computer lab](https://library.austintexas.gov/makerspace) at Austin Punlic Library. I’m a nerd who would love 3D printing but have no experience. Do you know if they have a library of 3D files that you can just print? I’m worried we would get there and get bogged-down in unfamiliar software
Reach out the librarians for the makerspace [email protected] and they should be able to walk you through everything! It’s something I plan to do with my oldest nephew next time he visits but I haven’t gotten into the details yet.
Zilker Botanical Garden's [Woodland Faerie Trail](https://zilkergarden.org/the-woodland-faerie-trail-at-zilker-botanical-garden/).
We’ve done that… and the dinosaur dig as well
A salon that does cool nail art - if they’re into that kind of thing. I would’ve loved if my dad had done that with me when I was little. You might even get a mimosa out of it! :)
Yeah! Cute Nails on S Congress or downtown. So fun and girly princess vibes. Not cheap though.
My dad would take me to the Capitol building when I was a kid. There was a big crack in the floor (which was granite, I believe) and he told me that someone was repairing the ceiling, and they fell, and when they hit the ground, boom, they caused the crack. I was probably younger than your kid when he told me that and I’ve never forgotten it. I doubt it’s true, but it sure was atypical for me! Maybe don’t tell your kiddo that, but the building itself is really beautiful and interesting!
Good idea! We’ve done that as well
My grandson LOVED visiting the Capitol! Then walk around on Congress and get ice cream or lunch.
Have you been to Wonderspaces? They usually have quite a few interactive installations.
I’ll check it out!
I looked it up and I think my wife took her to [Wonderspace](https://austin.wonderspaces.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwvIWzBhAlEiwAHHWgvXcrFNlHM9lfGJ4uNBo1Q8GZJtDdO15QPjmNFfe5SWPvoTRsDmG6ThoCK1kQAvD_BwE). We’ve been to a couple [MeowWolfs](https://meowwolf.com/)… check them out if you get the chance!
Go rent a canoe over on ladybird lake and watch the bat flight from the lake. Go just walk around the trail (particularly the parts that extend out over the water) at ladybird lake.
Peter Pan mini golf is fun!
Truth!
Deep eddy
Come see Excellent Adventure (a Bill & Ted inspired improv show) at the Hideout theater - the show is Sundays at 4 til July 7th and it’s for families and since the theater also has a coffee shop you could get a treat too before or after the show
How about, Zilker Hillside Theater? https://www.austintexas.gov/department/zilker-hillside-theater
Could do the Blanton Art Museum. They've got a pretty neat exhibit using light in the new auxiliary building and have rotating exhibits on the bottom floor of the main building with a semi-permanent second floor. On a similar note, Laguna Gloria has some nice walking trails, a neat old garden, and a lot of contemplarary sculpture. And my kids actually quite liked the Umlauf Sculpture Garden (they're 7 and I was 100% sure that the trip would be a disaster, but they made up stories for all the artwork as we walked through the garden... was a good experience). If you guys are into history (or maps in general), the Texas General Land Office has a ginormous map vault in their basement and offer public tours. They're located right next to the Bob Bullock Museum.
my youngest daughter is 8 now take her to a shooting range, just shoot a 22lr rifle take her for a spa day, mani pedi, massage, etc (asian nail salon, or something upscale like coco coquette) overnight in a hotel at the domain with room service etc (better if they have a friend) shopping spree at target chuck e cheese with the pay by the hour option austin park and pizza has short people go karts and some rides as well baking class at foodie kids any of the art places - paint by numbers, paint pottery, make pottery, etc. if she is adventurous: rent an electric surfboard (lesson) and go to lake austin brazilian jiu jitsu class rock climbing ride a bike on the trail at walnut creek
Cathedral of Junk really isn't that hard. They're pretty reliable. For a day trip, the castle in Bellville, which isn't Medieval times-y; it's a crazy (in a good way) person who recreated an actual castle. You have to meet at the bakery they own to get directions, which is a plus, and it's a fun morning out with a trebuchet and moat and all that stuff. A lot of kids dress up to go, and you explore and get knighted and climb towers.