20+ Things To Do in San Antonio With Toddlers

By Kelsey Kennedy | August 20, 2024

I personally think that finding fun things to do in San Antonio with toddlers is kind of difficult. It’s not San Antonio’s fault per se, it’s really the toddler age that’s so tricky. So in actuality, I think it is difficult finding fun things to do with toddlers in any city!

Ages 1-3 are especially exhausting because children at this age have tons of energy…but low ability to control that energy. Add in potty training/accidents, nap schedules, high chairs, and short attention spans, and it’s not exactly the perfect recipe for a fun afternoon out in San Antonio.

things to do with toddlers in san antonio

However, staying stuck at home is worse, so I just force myself to get out there and find fun things to do with my toddler in San Antonio. There are so many different activities that little ones love, and if you’re willing to be creative and think outside the box, you can actually find plenty of fun age-appropriate activities for kids nearby!

ABOUT US

We’re Kelsey and Sara, two local foodies with a combined 29 years of eating in San Antonio, two travel books, and millions of blog readers. We adore local spots, rarely visit chain restaurants, and we aren't afraid to tell you the truth. After spending thousands of our own $$$ at hundreds of local hot spots, we're sharing the best with you.

If you’re visiting San Antonio, I’m hopeful that this list will provide you with plenty of ideas. My intention is that you’re able to explore San Antonio in a way that’s also fun for your toddler.

This guide includes some of the best things to do in San Antonio with young kids, whether you’re visiting or you’re a local. The emphasis of the activities below is on appealing to a toddler's natural tendency to explore, engage the world around them, and move around. My list details where they can do all of those things appropriately, and where you might find some fun too!

By the way, if you have a wide range of kids in your group or your children are a bit older, be sure to also check out the best things to do in San Antonio with kids. Toddlers can participate in some (but not all) of these activities, and this guide will definitely give you more ideas.

20+ Things To Do in San Antonio With Toddlers

1. Play at Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair

Hemisfair is a centrally-located park in downtown San Antonio that was originally created for the 1968 World’s Fair. San Antonio has been rapidly improving and expanding it in the last few years and this includes opening a massive outdoor playground, splash pad, and entertainment area. And it’s the perfect place to bring your toddler in San Antonio!

The good news: this place isn't just for toddlers. It's for parents who want to eat. Swing by Commonwealth Coffeehouse for a latte to start the day. Or check out any of these other great restaurants at Hemisfair!

If it’s a hot day, venture to the splash pad. There are lots of shady areas for parents to sit while the toddlers splash around.

Bonus: there are a few private changing stalls adjacent to the fountains.

If you’re visiting Hemisfair on a colder day and you need to stay bundled up, there’s still plenty to do with your toddler! The playground areas are epic (there’s a designated area for younger kids with a soft, squishy floor) and the sand pit is pretty fun for toddlers, too.

If you need to grab lunch afterwards, Dough Pizzeria is at Hemisfair. You can place an order online and pick up the pizza to-go if you don’t want to deal with trying to get your toddler to sit still in a restaurant. Or, check out any of these good kid-friendly restaurants in San Antonio.

WEBSITE | 434 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205

2. The DoSeum

No guide to the best things to do with toddlers in San Antonio is complete without mentioning The DoSeum! San Antonio’s museum for kids is packed with fun and exploration for all ages, including toddlers.

Little Town has child-sized immersive environments, like a kid-sized doctors office and grocery store. Toddlers love it! There’s painting, an imagination exhibit with costumes and play, and a very cool immersive light exhibit that allows your toddler to build with light-reflective blocks.

Not every part of the DoSeum is age-appropriate for toddlers. Some of the exhibits are definitely geared toward older children. So if you’re visiting San Antonio with kids of multiple ages, The Doseum will be perfect for you.

WEBSITE | 2800 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209

3. The Alamo

Yes, you can bring your toddler to The Alamo! Of course, don’t expect to sit through a long tour or spend much time reading scripts, but there is plenty of space for your little ones to run around and explore.

The Alamo is a completely free thing to do in San Antonio with your toddler (along with all of these other 25 free things to do in San Antonio), but you do need to make a timed entry reservation.

WEBSITE | 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205

4. Splash Pad at The Pearl

The Pearl is on nearly EVERY must-do list in San Antonio, but most of the restaurants and shops aren’t exactly 2-year-old friendly. However, the outdoor fountains at the Pearl are hands down one of my favorite places to bring my toddler in San Antonio!

I especially love visiting in the evening around dinner time. The historic Pearl Brewery building provides some cooling shade to the splash pad area, and my little ones can splash and run around on the green turf while I enjoy a bite of dinner from the food hall.

WEBSITE | 312 Pearl Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78215

5. Japanese Tea Garden

This gorgeous (and incredibly unique!) sunken garden in San Antonio is a great place for little ones to climb. There are a bunch of steps (you’ll definitely have to keep a close eye on those new walkers!) and I’ve found that this sort of activity right before nap time = an EPIC nap for a 2-year-old.

If you want to learn more about the fantastic Japanese Tea Garden in San Antonio, here are some quick facts. This is a FREE thing to do in San Antonio with toddlers!

WEBSITE | 3853 N. St. Mary's St., San Antonio, TX 78212

6. Visit A Craft Brewery

San Antonio craft breweries are popular places to bring kids because they provide a fun, casual environment where parents can enjoy a low ABV beverage while the kids can eat a delicious dinner.

I’ve written this guide to all of the best craft breweries in San Antonio. Truthfully, many of them aren’t great for toddlers. Here are the best kid-friendly breweries in San Antonio:

Alamo Beer Co. - Huge outdoor area with lawn games and a giant parking lot so you don’t have to worry about circling around forever. The food is very kid-friendly, too.
Breakaway Brewing Co. - They have an excellent pub menu with lots of bites that your toddler will love, a small-batch brewing system (so there’s always something new!) and a family-friendly atmosphere. This is a pretty small space, so you probably won’t want to let your toddler run free here. But if you just plan to stop by for a drink and a meal, it’s a good San Antonio brewery option for families.
Gather Brewing. - Located just outside San Antonio, Gather Brewing Co. is family-owned and family-friendly. The menu appeals to kids, and the big outdoor deck is a great spot for families with toddlers to hang out and enjoy a few pints while the kids play with trucks under the table.

WEBSITE | 202 Lamar St, San Antonio, TX 78202

WEBSITE | 1518 E Grayson St, San Antonio, TX 78208

WEBSITE | 210 E Aviation Blvd, Universal City, TX 78148

7. Walk the Riverwalk With a Friend

No doubt you’ve heard of (and probably already visited!) the Riverwalk in San Antonio. But have you ever brought your toddler? Little ones love watching the river barges, pointing at the ducks in the water, and climbing the stairs over the bridges.

You can also put your toddler in a stroller and meet up with a friend for a little morning walk at the riverwalk.

I wouldn’t try to visit the riverwalk during peak tourist hours (evenings and weekends.) Rather, try to go early in the morning on a weekday while it’s still peaceful, calm, and (mostly) empty.

WEBSITE | San Antonio, TX 78205

8. San Antonio Zoo

20+ Things To Do in San Antonio With Toddlers

A crown jewel in the kid-friendly scene, the San Antonio Zoo is a must-do when you’re looking for fun things to do with toddlers in San Antonio!

Psst: you can go to the Zoo for FREE if you got your annual POGO Pass! It's a pass to more than 25 San Antonio and Austin hot spots that you can use all year - use the code thesanantoniothings at checkout for 50% off your annual pass!

WEBSITE | 3903 N St Mary's St, San Antonio, TX 78212

9. Morgan’s Wonderland

Morgan’s Wonderland is a fantastic full service theme park that was built to accommodate people of all ages and abilities. In fact, it’s the world’s first theme park designed for visitors with special needs in mind!

The park offers many fantastic accommodations for those with a variety of disabilities (the wheelchair swing is SO cool!), and this means that toddlers are able to enjoy all of the rides and attractions - something they can't do at standard theme parks like Six Flags.

From the butterfly playground, to the sensory village, to the carousel, toddlers will absolutely love this fun outing.

While I wouldn’t necessarily splurge on tickets to Six Flags Fiesta Texas for my toddler (who isn't tall enough to ride 90% of the rides they offer), Morgan’s Wonderland is the perfect place for him to enjoy some rides.

For info on visiting Morgan's Wonderland, check out my post on this fantastic San Antonio offering.

WEBSITE | 5223 David Edwards Dr, San Antonio, TX 78233

10. Kiddie Park

The Kiddie Park is a classic children’s amusement park with nostalgic rides, snacks, and more. It’s located right next door to the San Antonio Zoo, and you can easily cross both of these activities off the list in just one day.

Or, if you’re looking for more things to do with toddlers in San Antonio to fill up your time, divide these into two separate outings.

WEBSITE | 3903 N St Mary's St, San Antonio, TX 78212

11. Elmendorf Lake Park

When you need a free thing to do in San Antonio with your toddler, a visit to a fun local park is always a good idea. Elmendorf Lake Park is one of my favorites in SA.

The lake is gorgeous and provides a fun place for a stroller walk to start the day. Toddlers love looking at all the ducks swimming around! And the playground is a great place for little ones to burn off some energy.

WEBSITE | 3700 W Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78207

12. Day Trip To Boerne

When you have a full day to spend and you’re running out of San Antonio ideas, try taking your toddler on a day trip! Boerne is a nearby town that’s packed with fun things to do.

Check out this guide to 25 fun things to do in Boerne, TX.

13. The Magik Theatre

Adjacent to Yanaguana Park is a fantastic place to take your toddler to for some entertainment and, on a hot day, some air conditioning!

The Magik Theatre is a professional theatre company in San Antonio that produces plays exclusively for kids. Many of the plays are based on well known books you have likely read to your toddler (Knufflebunny and Goodnight, Moon, for example) and will be familiar to them.

The theatre does a bang up job of knowing their audience so plays are no more than 45 minutes long at the most, and popcorn is readily available to hungry kids. Happen to have a wiggler on your hands? No problem. Noisy, little people are the Magik Theatre's speciality.

WEBSITE | 420 S. Alamo St., San Antonio, TX 78205

14. Take Your Toddler To A Restaurant With You

There are a number of great kid-friendly restaurants to visit in San Antonio. You can visit one of these with your toddler and allow them to run around and act like a crazy 2-year-old while you enjoy visiting a fun San Antonio restaurant.

15. LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Located in the Rivercenter Mall in the heart of downtown San Antonio, LEGOLAND Discovery Center is a fun place to bring toddlers for an indoor play activity.

I recommend this for older toddlers (ages 2 and 3, or older) because there are some small pieces here that aren’t great for toddlers who are still putting things in their mouths all the time. They tell you that LEGOLAND is for ages 3-10, but I think that mature 2-year-olds could enjoy it, too.

If you want all the details on LEGOLAND San Antonio, click here.

WEBSITE | 849 E Commerce St Suite 910, San Antonio, TX 78205

16. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Yep, it’s a long name, but the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is an excellent thing to do with toddlers in San Antonio! It’s a city-wide national historical park that includes all the San Antonio missions. (And yes, there are 4 more missions in addition to The Alamo.)

Any of these missions could be fun places to bring a young child. They’re all pretty spacious and provide free parking. However, there’s one mission in particular that’s the best choice for kids.

WEBSITE | San Antonio, TX 78214

17. Pearsall Park

San Antonio’s largest park is ALWAYS a good idea! The 505 acres of splash pads, epic slides, zip lines, skate park, and walking trails are fun options for all ages.

But I love this option as one of the top things to do with toddlers in San Antonio because there’s a dedicated toddler-size playscape. If you’re in San Antonio with big kids AND toddlers, Pearsall Park can entertain all ages.

WEBSITE | 4838 Old Pearsall Rd, San Antonio, TX 78242

18. Historic Market Square

Historic Market Square is a Mexican market that occupies 3 city blocks of downtown San Antonio. It’s actually the largest Mexican market in Texas, and it’s open every day.

Even if your toddler won’t be able to fully appreciate the shopping and restaurants, it’s a culturally interesting place to visit. There are lots of bright colors, interesting smells, and festive sounds in the air (especially if you visit on a weekend during a performance!).

Stop by Mi Tierra’s bakery and enjoy a treat from the panadería at the entrance, and then wander through the outdoor market. I don’t necessarily recommend the El Mercado shops for toddlers because it’s pretty small with tight walkways and there are lots of breakable items at toddler level. But the Farmers Market Shops & Cafes (the other indoor market area at Market Square) is more spacious and could accommodate toddlers.

Of course, the outdoor plaza is a great place for toddlers in San Antonio, too! Read all about Historic Market Square here.

WEBSITE | 514 W Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78207

19. San Antonio Public Library

I make a point to try to visit the central library in any city I visit. That’s because cities often pour millions of dollars into the central library, making it a welcoming place of learning, culture, and fun.

The San Antonio Public Library is a 6-floor, 240,000-sq-ft bright red building with books, magazines, music, and movies.

In April 2023, SAPL re-opened after a massive renovation on three of the floors. Part of this renovation was a complete overhaul of the third floor, which is the children’s library.

Free events for parents and kids of all ages are held regularly at the library so check out their events page for toddler specific playtimes.

Don't live near downtown? There are 29 branch locations around the city, 13 of which have attached playgrounds or are adjacent to a park or playground. Each branch location also offers its own monthly event list with toddler activities and story times. You can find these events on each branch's individual webpage.

WEBSITE | 600 Soledad St, San Antonio, TX 78205

20. Tower Of The Americas

6 Unpopular Opinions About The Tower Of The Americas

Maybe you don’t think of a 750-foot observation tower as one of the best things to do in San Antonio with toddlers, but I’ll try to convince you otherwise.

For starters, it’s FREE for toddlers (children 3 & under) who are accompanying an adult. The elevator that lifts you to the top has glass windows, so you and your toddler can see the ground getting further and further away.

And once you’re at the top, there’s both an indoor and an outdoor observation deck. Of course, both are very clearly guarded with tall safety walls so you don’t have to worry about your toddler’s safety.

While you probably won’t be able to spend hours of time up there with a toddler, it’s a fun way to spend a little bit of time. Plus, it’s located at Hemisfair, so you can tie this activity in with a visit to Yanaguana Garden, Commonwealth Coffeehouse, Dough Pizzeria or the Magik Theatre.

WEBSITE | 739 E César E. Chávez Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78205

21. Picnic At A San Antonio Playground

MacArthur Park | Best Playgrounds In San Antonio

There are many wonderful public playgrounds in San Antonio. If you’re getting tired of your local playground, choose one a bit further away to mix things up a bit!

Pack a picnic, load up the kids in the car or the stroller, and enjoy visiting a new (to you) playground in San Antonio.

22. San Antonio Botanical Garden

If you haven't noticed, much of this list involves getting the kids outside in areas where they can RUN! Hopefully so that they can nap later. And the San Antonio Botanical Garden is a great place to try and achieve this.

The garden is absolutely huge with a variety of plants, ponds, flowers, and more. Toddlers will enjoy seeing all of the different ecosystems maintained by the garden as well as all the free space to run, jump, roll, and play.

There is also a Family Adventure Garden with 15 spaces that encourage imaginative and active play like a splash zone and hill for rolling. And if that sounds exhausting, there is ample seating for parents to take advantage of while their 2 year olds romp around.

Bonus: If you visit the Botanical Garden during the months of July and August, the garden hosts their annual "Dog Daze" celebration where furry friends can come along with their families. So in addition to the fun play areas, toddlers will enjoy a parade of dogs who are splashing and romping around too!

WEBSITE | 555 Funston Place, San Antonio, TX 78209.