Get ready for a fantastic family weekend in Austin! We found some awesome limited-run activities for your 3-14 year olds, from a special Zoo animal encounter to a creative LEGO build-a-thon.
See our top picks
Pop-Up Water Cycle Lab
Austin Central Library
Free hands-on science modeling of the water cycle for kids.
Family Build Day: City of the Future
The Thinkery Workshop Space
Indoor, focused LEGO building for older, creative kids.
Toddler Sensory Garden Time
The Community Gardens South Park
Safe, supervised messy play focusing on textures for ages 3-5.
· February 7
3WILD ABOUT WINTER ANIMAL ENCOUNTER : Your kids get an up-close experience with some of the zoo's amazing residents and learn what they do to stay warm in the cooler months. It’s a short, engaging session perfect for little animal lovers. This is a special one-day educational add-on to your regular admission ticket!A rare chance for kids to interact with zoo staff and animals for a unique learning moment.
FAMILY BUILD DAY: CITY OF THE FUTURE : Bring the older kids for a structured building challenge where they design and construct a futuristic city using specialized LEGO kits. This event encourages engineering concepts and teamwork in a fun, competitive setting. It’s a great way to keep teens engaged indoors.A structured building challenge that goes beyond basic play, engaging older kids with design goals.
CHILDREN'S STORYBOOK THEATRE MATINEEFREE : This local troupe is putting on a special performance of 'The Three Little Pigs' outdoors this Saturday afternoon. Bring blankets and snacks for a charming, relaxed theatre experience for the little ones. Check for rain cancellations.One of the few free, professionally produced theatre events this weekend aimed specifically at younger kids.
· February 8
3POP-UP WATER CYCLE LABFREE : The local science center is hosting a hands-on workshop where kids create mini-terrariums to observe evaporation and condensation cycles. It's a fantastic, quick intro to earth science without needing a full museum trip. Space is limited, so sign up online fast!A high-quality, free educational pop-up happening at a central, accessible location this Sunday morning.
TODDLER SENSORY GARDEN TIME : The littlest ones can explore safe-to-touch herbs, soft dirt, and water tables in a contained, supervised space. This is ideal for letting toddlers explore textures without worrying about general park chaos. Come ready for some light mud!Specifically tailored for the 3-5 age group, focusing on safe, supervised sensory exploration.
FAMILY INTRODUCTION TO ROBOTICS WORKSHOP : Older kids and tweens can get hands-on learning how to code a simple wheeled robot using block-based programming. This is a great entry point for aspiring coders looking for a challenging Sunday afternoon activity. Parents can join in on the coding fun!Excellent technical content that directly appeals to the older segment of the 3-14 range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Austin this weekend?
This weekend (Feb 07-08) there are 2 free events: the 'Children's Storybook Theatre Matinee' on Saturday and the 'Pop-Up Water Cycle Lab' on Sunday morning at the Central Library.
Are there any outdoor activities happening on Saturday, Feb 7th?
Yes, check out the 'Wild About Winter Animal Encounter' at the Austin Zoo in the morning, or catch the outdoor 'Children's Storybook Theatre Matinee' in the early afternoon at Zilker Park.
What's a good tech/science event for my 12-year-old on Sunday?
The 'Family Introduction to Robotics Workshop' at TechStart Makerspace on Sunday afternoon will be perfect for challenging your 12-year-old with coding and building activities.
