A lot of kids dread going to museums because there’s no way they’re going to learn anything new or even stay interested in the exhibits for long. That’s not the case for these awesome museum options in Austin that were created with kids in mind!
What if kids had some museum trips where they could go outside and explore all sorts of new things? Or maybe one with really cool architecture that gives them interactive experiences? These are just a few examples of how awesome it would be if every kid had access to these museum trips instead, which is why we’ve compiled this handy list of kids museums in Austin!
And for other interesting places to visit in Austin with your children, don’t miss our list of the Best Kid-Friendly Places for Indoor Rock Climbing in Austin.
Looking for a Kids Museum in Austin? These are our favorites!
1
1830 Simond Ave, Austin, TX 78723, USA
Thinkery
Originally known as the Austin Children's Museum, Thinkery has since expanded and now boasts 40,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor spaces filled with activities that encourage learning through play.2
412 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701, USA
Museum of the Weird
The Museum of the Weird is a super original kids museum in Austin, where you’ll find a strange collection of oddities—strange animals, zombies, mummies, mermaids, shrunken heads, monsters, and wax figures of famous monsters like The Creature, Phantom of the Opera, Frankenstein, Dracula, and even a life-size King Kong.3
1800 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701, USA
Bullock Texas State History Museum
If your children love history, don’t miss out on this kids museum in Austin. The Bullock Texas State History Museum tells the “Story of Texas” through educational experiences, interactive exhibits, special effects shows, and Austin’s premier IMAX Theatre. Your family will learn a lot about Texas’ history through artifacts, exhibitions, films, symposiums, events,and much more.4
101 S Lady Bird Ln, Johnson City, TX 78636, USA
Science Mill
This is one of the most educational museums in Austin for kids. Set in a historic mill from the 1880s, Science Mill offers over 40 interactive exhibits of global standard, a 3D theater, and a cafe, to encourage students to consider careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. It’s definitely a delightful destination for families, offering an engaging and interactive learning experience!5
3809 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703, USA
The Contemporary Austin
This Austin kids museum offers a unique combination of urban and outdoor sites with two locations: the historic Jones Center in downtown Austin and Laguna Gloria, a unique 14-acre art-in-nature site that includes the landmark Driscoll Villa, the Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park, the Art School at Laguna Gloria, and the Moody Pavilions.6
4831 FM2673, Canyon Lake, TX 78133, USA
The Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country
This is the best kids museum in Austin if your children are dinosaur fans—The Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country features over 200 dinosaur tracks and 28 separate trackways made 110 million years ago, and they are part of the upper Glen Rose Formation of the Early Cretaceous period, you will see model dinosaurs and hundreds of real tracks on your visit!7
4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX 78739, USA
Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
A really good option for a kids museum in Austin if your family is into nature. At The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, your kids will be amazed by 284 acres of cultivated gardens, an arboretum, natural areas, and wildlands that straddle the Edwards Plateau and Texas Blackland Prairies ecoregions.8
2389 Stratford Dr, Austin, TX 78746, USA
Austin Nature and Science Center
One of the best museums in Austin for kids if your family is interested in the natural world. In fact, kids of all ages visit the Austin Nature and Science Center daily to deepen their understanding of nature as it’s a true hub for interactive nature exhibits, educational programs, and fun outdoor activities.9
2400 Trinity St, Austin, TX 78705, USA
Texas Memorial Museum
This is one of the most educational Austin museums for kids. Texas Memorial Museum, located on the campuses of The University of Texas at Austin, provides amazing biological and geological collections through great exhibits, some of them with more than 5 million specimens, including fossils and prehistoric life; minerals, meteorites, and gems; and native Texas wildlife.10
1910 Fort View Rd, Austin, TX 78704, USA
Snapology
If your kids are between 1 to 14 years old, this kids museum in Austin is for you! Snapology offers a truly amazing indoor play center where they can have tons of fun with its engaging programs, classes, summer camps, and birthday parties. It incorporates LEGO bricks, K’Nex, and technology like laptops and iPads to provide children with hands-on learning activities as well as full entertainment.11
6001 W Parmer Ln, Austin, TX 78727, USA
The Scholar Ship
This is another educational kids museum in Austin that’s very worthwhile to visit! The Scholar Ship offers many activities, including Arcade Time on School Holidays; Saturday nights with an area with 20 XBOX Stations, virtual reality, and Smash Bros tournaments; Gaming & Coding; hands-on activities in a Science Lab; an Escape Room; and much more!12
East Highway 290, Austin, TX, USA
Mad Science
Mad Science brings a unique combination of fun and education, offering kids hands-on science experiences that are as entertaining as they are informative. With a variety of formats including after-school programs, workshops, special events, birthday parties, and summer camps, there's something for every young scientist.
As you can see, “museum” won’t be a synonym for “boredom” for your children if you take them to visit a kids museum in Austin on this list. Each of them offers great opportunities for kids to learn while having fun!
Are your kids interested in the arts? Take a look at our list of Great Art Classes for Kids in Austin and find the best class for them!
