13 (Mostly Free) Things to Do Around Austin

1. Participate in a reading challenge – at Austin Public Library, Book People, First Light Books or Black Pearl Books, or Barnes and Noble
2. Discover splash pads around town – Pease Park, Mary Elizabeth Branch Park (Mueller), or Ricky Guerrero (Brodie) are a few favorites!
3. Ride the Zilker Eagle Train – free rides on the first Friday of every month
4. Go on a hunt for the best playgrounds – Alliance Children’s Garden, Zilker Park, Waterloo Greenway, Kingsbury Commons at Pease Park, Mueller Lake Park
5. See the peacocks (and historic gardens) at Mayfield Preserve 
6. Story time at Book People – every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:30; or First Light Books – every Wednesday at 10
7. Go to the “beach” at Emma Long Metropolitan Park or Reimers Ranch
8. See a movie in the park in Dripping Springs
9. Visit the Blanton Museum of Art – Free admission every Tuesday from 10-5
10. Jump into cold spring water at Barton Springs or Deep Eddy Pool
11. Go for a hike – Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve and McKinney Falls State Park are very kid-friendly
12. Visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – admission is free on “Wild Wednesdays” (the last Wednesday of each month)
13. Explore Zilker Botanical Garden – free admission July 13

25 Free and Easy Activities

1. Plan a picnic in the park
2. Explore new neighborhood pools
3. Go on a nature scavenger hunts
4. Keep a summer journal
5. Wash your toys in the yard
6. Build forts
7. Read, listen to audiobooks or podcasts together
8. Start a weekly game night
9. Build a backyard obstacle course
10. Play flashlight tag
11. Host a lemonade stand
12. Experiment with sidewalk chalk, water, and paintbrushes
13. Collect and press flowers
14. Make your own popsicles
15. Go backyard camping
16. Practice birdwatching (keep a list of who you see!)
17. Go on a night walk
18. Make playdough or slime
19. Write letters to family or friends
20. Play cards
21. Practice origami
22. Wash the car
23. Make maps of favorite parks, home, or neighborhood
24. Play with bubbles and sprinklers in the backyard
25. Plan a kids dinner night