Things to do with kids in San Antonio, TX
Checked · All times are local Central Time (San Antonio time)
Coming up in San Antonio: San Antonio Food Bank Turkey Trot 5K (Nov 26), Zoo Lights at San Antonio Zoo (from Nov 14), Ford Holiday River Parade (Nov 27) and 2 more events. 8 always-open places, led by San Antonio Zoo and The DoSeum. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Thanksgiving events in San Antonio
San Antonio Food Bank Turkey Trot 5K
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · 8:30–11:30am
- Cost
- $40–$50 adults by registration date; kids 4–11 $10 with a registered adult; 3 and under free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Thanksgiving morning 5K run and walk through downtown San Antonio that benefits the San Antonio Food Bank. Families are welcome to walk.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: lights
Zoo Lights at San Antonio Zoo
- When
- Sat, Nov 14 – Sun, Jan 3 (Nov 14 – Jan 3) · 2026 evening hours not posted yet; check the zoo calendar
- Cost
- Included with standard zoo admission; free for members
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The zoo turns into a winter wonderland after hours: miles of lights, glowing tunnels, holiday music and photo spots. Santa photos are by reservation on select dates.
✓ Checked Oct 28, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Ford Holiday River Parade
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 · Starts 6pm
- Cost
- Free viewing area on the parade route (first come, first served; bring a chair); reserved seating sold separately
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Illuminated floats on the River Walk and the lighting of the River Walk holiday lights. Starts at the Tobin Center.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Storytimes and free museum days
Story Time at Hemisfair
- When
- Tue, Nov 3 & Tue, Nov 10 & Tue, Nov 24 (Select Tuesdays: Oct 27, Nov 3, 10 and 24) · 10–11am
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- Ages 0-8 · Outdoor
Book of the Week and a STEAM activity on the Reading Rug behind the Hemisfair offices (630 E Nueva St), with guest readers from the San Antonio Public Library and local partners.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Free Tuesday Afternoons at the Witte Museum (Bexar County residents)
- When
- Tue, Nov 3 – Tue, Dec 29 (Every Tuesday) · 3–6pm
- Cost
- Bexar County residents free (reserve online; bring proof of residency); regular admission for others
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
Free general admission for Bexar County residents every Tuesday afternoon. Capacity is limited, so reserve tickets ahead.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
San Antonio Zoo
- Price
- $$ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Open 9am–5pm
The DoSeum
- Price
- $18 for kids and adults (1+); under 1 free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
San Antonio's museum just for children; Free Family Nights; 9am–5pm
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
San Antonio Botanical Garden
- Price
- $$ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Family Adventure Garden and trails; Sun–Thu 8am–6pm, Fri–Sat 8am–8:30pm
The Alamo
- Price
- Alamo Church free with a reservation
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Admission to the Alamo Church is always free, but reservations are required; open daily 9am–5:30pm
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Witte Museum
- Price
- $$ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Dinosaurs, Texas natural history and a hands-on science center
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (Mission San José)
- Price
- Free; no entrance fee and free parking at each mission
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Four Spanish colonial missions; Mission San José visitor center open daily 9am–5pm, grounds sunrise to sunset; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Brackenridge Park
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
400 acres along the San Antonio River with trails, wildlife and historic sites
✓ Details checked Oct 25, 2026 on the official website
Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Downtown playground and splash area with weekly story times; covered parking in the Hemisfair Garage (623 Hemisfair Blvd)
✓ Details checked Oct 25, 2026 on the official website
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in San Antonio this weekend?
San Antonio Zoo, The DoSeum and San Antonio Botanical Garden are open most days, but we don't have a San Antonio event listed for this weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1). Next up: San Antonio Food Bank Turkey Trot 5K (Nov 26) and Zoo Lights at San Antonio Zoo (Nov 14).
What time is trick-or-treating in San Antonio?
Sunset on Halloween in San Antonio is at 6:48 p.m. San Antonio doesn't list official trick-or-treat hours, so plan around dusk.
What are free things to do with kids in San Antonio?
These are free according to their official sites: 1 place and 1 upcoming event in San Antonio, including San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (Mission San José) and Ford Holiday River Parade (Fri, Nov 27).
Where can kids play indoors in San Antonio when it's too hot or rainy?
We list 2 indoor places in San Antonio: The DoSeum ($18 for kids and adults, 1+) and Witte Museum.
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in San Antonio?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in San Antonio: San Antonio Food Bank Turkey Trot 5K (Thu, Nov 26). Our Thanksgiving weekend guide for the San Antonio area has more nearby.
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in San Antonio?
We list 2 holiday light events in San Antonio, 1 free: Zoo Lights at San Antonio Zoo (Nov 14 – Jan 3) and Ford Holiday River Parade (Nov 27, free). Our holiday lights guide for the San Antonio area has more nearby.
Are there storytimes or regular kids' programs in San Antonio?
We list 2 everyday programs in San Antonio: Story Time at Hemisfair (Select Tuesdays: Oct 27, Nov 3, 10 and 24) and Free Tuesday Afternoons at the Witte Museum (Bexar County residents, Every Tuesday).
What is there to do with toddlers in San Antonio?
We list 5 places and 1 event in San Antonio that welcome kids under 2, including Story Time at Hemisfair (Nov 3, Nov 10 and Nov 24), San Antonio Zoo and San Antonio Botanical Garden. See all 6 above. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
What are the big family attractions in San Antonio?
The best-known family attractions we list in San Antonio are San Antonio Zoo and The DoSeum ($18 for kids and adults, 1+). They're listed first under always-open places.
How much do San Antonio family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 1 place in San Antonio: The DoSeum ($18 for kids and adults, 1+). Confirm before you go; prices change.
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
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