Visiting San Antonio With Little Kids
Last updated by Moms Guide SA
If you're staying downtown, our downtown guide has every River Walk, Hemisfair and Pearl stop.
Quick answer
With kids under 6, plan one big stop each morning, a rest after lunch and free play later. The DoSeum is $18 for ages 1 and up, and kids under 1 are free. Kids 2 and under get into San Antonio Zoo free. Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair, Brackenridge Park and the missions are free. We checked these on each venue's site Oct 19, 2026.
- Big stops
- The DoSeum, San Antonio Zoo
- Free
- Yanaguana Garden, Brackenridge Park, the missions
- Rainy day
- The DoSeum, LEGOLAND, SEA LIFE
Quick picks
- The DoSeum
Hands-on children's museum. $18 for ages 1 and up, and kids under 1 are free. Closed Tuesdays.
- San Antonio Zoo
Kids 2 and under get in free, and the zoo garage is free during zoo hours.
- Yanaguana Garden
Free playground at Hemisfair, downtown. Open daily 5 a.m. to midnight.
- Brackenridge Park
Free park next to the zoo, open daily 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Morgan's Wonderland
Theme park made with ages 2 to 12 in mind. Kids 2 and under get in free.
A 1-day plan
One big stop in the morning, a rest after lunch and free outdoor play later. For more downtown stops, see our downtown with kids guide.
| Stop | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| The DoSeum | Morning | Opens at 9 a.m. On Sundays it opens at noon. Closed Tuesdays. Free parking. |
| Lunch and a nap | Midday | Go back to your hotel, or let little ones nap in the stroller or the car. |
| Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair | Late afternoon | Free playground downtown. Park in the Hemisfair Garage at 623 Hemisfair Blvd. |
| Go Rio river cruise | Early evening | Narrated boat tours run 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. most of the year. Call 210-227-4746 with stroller questions. |
A 3-day plan
Each day has one main stop in the morning, a rest after lunch and something easy later. The DoSeum is closed Tuesdays, and Morgan's Wonderland is open on select days, so check before you pick your days.
| Day | Morning | Afternoon |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1: Downtown | Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair and a short River Walk stroll | Nap, then LEGOLAND Discovery Center or SEA LIFE Aquarium indoors |
| Day 2: Zoo and Brackenridge Park | San Antonio Zoo | Nap, then Kiddie Park rides or a walk in Brackenridge Park |
| Day 3: Broadway and the Pearl | The DoSeum | Nap, then The Park at Pearl and the Museum Reach playground |
| Swap in: the missions | Mission San José, free and open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Splash Pad at Pearsall Park, March through October |
| Swap in: Morgan's Wonderland | Morgan's Wonderland on a day it's open | Rest, then a free playground near your hotel |
Big stops for kids under 6
These take most of a morning. Go early, before the crowds and the afternoon heat.
Museums
The DoSeum
Hands-on children's museum at 2800 Broadway. $18 for ages 1 and up, and kids under 1 are free. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday to Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Tuesdays. Free parking.
San Antonio
Nature & Wildlife
San Antonio Zoo
Kids 2 and under are free. Ticket prices are on sazoo.org. Parking in the zoo garage is free during zoo hours. The zoo can't store strollers, so keep yours with you.
San Antonio
Entertainment
Morgan's Wonderland
Theme park made with ages 2 to 12 in mind. Guests with disabilities or special needs and kids 2 and under get in free. Parking is free. It's open on select days, so check the park's calendar.
San Antonio
Around the zoo and Brackenridge Park
The zoo, Kiddie Park and the Japanese Tea Garden are all close to Brackenridge Park, so you can pair two stops in one day.
Parks & Playgrounds
Brackenridge Park
Free park along the San Antonio River with trails and a train ride. Open daily 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
San Antonio
Indoor Play
Kiddie Park
Rides for kids 1 to 12 who are under 54 inches tall. $3 a ride, or $14 for an unlimited wristband. It's at 3903 N. St. Mary's St.
San Antonio
Entertainment
Japanese Tea Garden
A calm garden walk near the zoo.
San Antonio
Downtown and the Pearl
The River Walk, Hemisfair and the Pearl are close together. Our downtown with kids guide has every stop. These are the easiest with little kids.
Yanaguana Garden
Free playground at Hemisfair, open daily 5 a.m. to midnight. The city splash pad here runs March through October, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
San Antonio
Riverwalk Playground (Museum Reach)
Free playground on the quieter Museum Reach of the River Walk.
San Antonio
The Park at Pearl
Open lawn at the Pearl. The Pearl Farmers Market runs Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
San Antonio
The missions and Pearsall Park
A South Side morning with free history and a splash pad.
Museums
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
Free. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The grounds are open sunrise to sunset. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. The visitor center is at Mission San José, with water bottle refill stations.
San Antonio
Swimming & Splash Pads
Splash Pad at Pearsall Park
Free city splash pad at 5102 Old Pearsall Road. Open March through October, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
San Antonio
Stroller and nap tips
Small things that make a short trip easier with toddlers.
- Plan one big stop a day, in the morning, and keep the afternoon light.
- Bring your own stroller. The zoo can't store strollers, so keep yours with you.
- Many River Walk stretches work with a stroller. The Museum Reach is quieter than the area near the hotels.
- Car naps work well between stops. The DoSeum and Morgan's Wonderland have free parking, and the zoo garage is free during zoo hours.
- The zoo doesn't allow outside food or drinks, but bottled water, baby food and formula are OK.
- Pack water, snacks, sunscreen and hats for outdoor stops.
Rainy day backups
Indoor picks for rain or heat. For more, see our indoor things to do guide.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center
Indoor LEGO play downtown. SEA LIFE is nearby.
San Antonio
Entertainment
SEA LIFE San Antonio Aquarium
Indoor aquarium downtown, near LEGOLAND Discovery Center.
San Antonio
Libraries
Central Library
Free public library downtown.
San Antonio
- The DoSeum is indoors too. It's closed Tuesdays.
Free things to do
Free stops that work for little kids. See our free things to do guide for more.
- Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair
- Brackenridge Park
- The four missions in San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
- City splash pads, like Hemisfair and Pearsall Park, March through October
- The Museum Reach playground on the River Walk
- The DoSeum, for kids under 1
Where to eat with kids
Two easy picks near downtown. Our kid-friendly restaurants guide has places with playgrounds and big patios all over town.
Getting around
Most families drive between stops. Downtown, you can walk or take a river boat.
- VIA buses cost $1.30 a ride, or $2.75 for a day pass. Kids 5 to 13 get a reduced fare.
- Go Rio river boats are ADA accessible and run 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. most of the year.
- The missions are 2 to 3 miles apart, so drive or bike between them. Each one has a bike share station.
- Downtown, the Hemisfair Garage is at 623 Hemisfair Blvd.
- Pearl parking is $13 plus tax and fees, all day on weekends.
- The DoSeum and Morgan's Wonderland have free parking. The zoo garage is free during zoo hours.
In town for a JBSA-Lackland graduation
Many families visit for Air Force basic training graduation. The base sets the schedule and visitor rules, so check the official BMT graduation site first, then fit kid stops around it.
- The DoSeum takes $4 off admission for active and retired military and their families. Bring a military ID.
- Morgan's Wonderland has a military ticket price for guests with a valid ID.
- Keep the day of the ceremony light. A playground or a short River Walk stroll is plenty for little kids.
We post new weekend picks on Instagram. Follow @momsguidesa.
Questions parents ask
What's the best thing to do in San Antonio with a toddler?
The DoSeum is a hands-on children's museum. It's $18 for ages 1 and up, kids under 1 are free, and it's closed Tuesdays. For free play, try Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair.
Is San Antonio Zoo free for toddlers?
Kids 2 and under get in free. Parking in the zoo garage is free during zoo hours. Outside food isn't allowed, but you can bring bottled water, baby food and formula.
Is the River Walk stroller friendly?
Many stretches work with a stroller, and the Museum Reach is quieter, with a free playground. See our downtown with kids guide for more.
Are there military discounts for families at a Lackland graduation?
Some places post one. The DoSeum takes $4 off for active and retired military and their families with a military ID, and Morgan's Wonderland has a military ticket price. Ask at other places when you buy tickets.
What can we do with little kids when it rains?
Try The DoSeum, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, SEA LIFE Aquarium or Central Library downtown. See our indoor things to do guide for more.
What's free for little kids in San Antonio?
Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair, Brackenridge Park and the missions are free. City splash pads are free and open March through October, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. See our free things to do guide.
How we check facts
We check the facts in this guide on each venue's official site, and we update the guide when they change.
We don't make up ratings or reviews.