Children’s Attractions
SeaWorld San Antonio
Feeding dolphins at SeaWorld
Enraptured kids feed dolphins, seals, and lories, and press their faces against the glass tanks to watch whales and dolphins, and see the sharks at Coral Reef. At Aquatica, SeaWorld’s waterpark, families can wade with stingrays, relax on sandy beaches, or ride thrilling slides.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Kids love meeting costumed Bugs Bunny and Looney Tunes characters, and watching them perform. But even better is getting wet at Splashwater Springs! which has shallow lagoons, palm trees that squirt water, and small water slides that look like whales, frogs, and turtles (For further details see Six Flags Fiesta Texas).
Schlitterbahn Water Park
Exploring Hansel & Gretel’s Great Adventure, kids find a water playground version of the classic German tale with a gingerbread house and trees with mini-slides for toddlers. America’s favorite summer waterpark offers seven water play areas for young kids. Children slide through the slow curves of the Cliffhanger Tube Chute and shriek with delight as they experience the thrilling final drop (For further details see Schlitterbahn Water Park).
Natural Bridge Caverns
Panning for gems, Natural Bridge Caverns
Children love the whimsical cavern names, including the 350-ft (108-m) long Hall Of The Mountain King and the stalagmite-filled Sherwood Forest. Parents appreciate the wide, well-lit walkways on this tour. Above ground, they pan for bits of opal, amethyst, and other gems in the sluiceways of the Natural Bridge Mining Company, and for a fee get to keep the stones they find (For further details see Natural Bridge Caverns).
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
Feed animals, including ostriches, zebras, and llamas through the car windows and see many animals up-close. Come early in the day when there are fewer visitors and the animals will stay longer at your car, as they quickly move on to the newest car that comes along. There is also a petting zoo with small animals (For further details see Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch).
Institute of Texan Cultures
Built as part of the Texas pavilion for the 1968 HemisFair International Exposition, this museum pays tribute to the cultural groups that settled in Texas. Docents, who describe life on the range, can be found at the chuck wagon and at the 1914 post office.
- 801 S Bowie St
- 210 458 2330
- Open 10am–5pm Tue–Sat, noon–5pm Sun
Witte Museum
Experiment with hand-cranked gates and water-wheels to learn how to control the flow of water in a river, or explore the H-E-B Body Adventure to learn about health firsthand. There is a separate nook for the youngest children to play at their own level. Inside the museum are an early Texan dinosaur, Egyptian Mummy, and other exhibits (For further details see Witte Museum).
Magik Children’s Theatre
This outstanding repertory theater group produces performances especially for children and families, with 7 to 10 shows each year. Original plays as well as adaptations are performed.
- 420 S Alamo at Beethoven Hall in HemisFair Park
- 210 227 2751
- www.magiktheatre.org
Kiddie Park
Young children laugh with delight on these 1920s-style original amusement park rides. The musical calliope trills as the 1918 antique merry-go-round spins, and the Little Dipper rollercoaster roars up and down the track. Cotton candy, popcorn, and hot dogs are aplenty (For further details see Kiddie Park).
San Antonio Zoo
Kids are delighted as they uncover earthworms, brush a goat, or dig up carrots to feed to a guinea pig. Kronkosky’s Tiny Tot Nature Spot is designed to educate and entertain children under five. Older children love the nearby play area where they can run, climb, and explore nature up close (For further details see San Antonio Zoo).