What to Do with Kids in Austin for FREE

You have to be resourceful RM. Check online, Austin Statesman and other local magazines and newspapers, the library, local churches, the Y, the mall, all the Austin venues, and Austin vistors bureau for free or cheap family friendly events, programs and shows.

There is a state park off 360 that has great hiking trails and its free. There are 4-5 trails ranging from a mile to a few miles roundtrip. We also like going to the reservoir for picnics.

How far are you willing to drive? Austin has TONS of day trip options. You can also get up early, drive to San Antonio and do the mission trail there. That's free.

There is also a ton of stuff you can do at home together. It just takes planning and organizing. Clean out a room and redo it together. Learn a new language. Put on some music and dance. Look up easy science projects online and do one a day. Have 2 kids do something together while you get some 1 on 1 time with the third and rotate the kids each day. Look up the kids eat free schedules in your area. I would also integrate some sort of schoolwork or reading time too, not only to keep their minds sharp before school starts again but its always a great time filler. Get a schedule together so the TV won't be on all the time and noone is wandering around like a zombie.

Last, never underestimate the power of playdates. Totally free!

How old are the kids? Give us a few more details...... I know you have a 5 year old....

I'm not sure about totally free, but there are lots of things you can do that don't cost BUNCHES of money.....

As far as low cost, the quarry splash pad is just $1 each, I think...... that can take up a couple of hours of fun......

Have they ridden the train to Austin? I realize it can be expensive, but 5 and under are free, and 6-18 are reduced with a school id... and adults pay $5.50 for an all day pass.... take a picnic lunch, hop the train, then you can also get on the bus with that pass (I believe...not sure how it works, or if that is all day, also) and go someplace like Zilker Park for a picnic lunch at the botanical garden.... and riding the train can be a fun adventure!

What about Vacation Bible School? I don't know your religious preference, but when we first moved to central Texas from Iowa, I enrolled my kids (3 of them, 9, 7, and 5 at the time) in any VBS in Georgetown.. I think they went to 4 of them. Many of them are free, or pretty low cost for a morning's fun....

Watch Groupon for reduced prices for fun activities..... you might get a few special deals that way at lower costs.

Shoot...when I saw summer fun in Austin, I thought for a split second someone else might live in Austin, MN. :) So, this probably won't be ANY help, but I'll you what WE do in OUR Austin, and maybe it'll give you some ideas. :)

Our library has a free summer reading program...maybe yours has something like that. The kids mark their reading on a chart and get a prize every so many days.

We like to go for walks at our Nature Center and take bike rides around town.

Parks (boo, I don't like them, they scare me) are fun for the children and hubby takes them, so I get a few moments of silence in the house. (Computer time!)

Our Park and Rec department offers all kinds of summer classes that are inexpensive...our oldest has played tennis for four years through Park and Rec and it costs about 20 a summer. They also offer soccer, volleyball, archery, etc.

We have a Spam Museum that's free. (Sounds fun? You'd be surprised...Spam can be very entertaining, apparently.) Maybe you have some historical sites or free museums as well?

We like to go for picnics...that's always fun.

I'll suggest again to check with your library and park and rec department...I'm sure that can suggest a lot of free activities in your area! Have fun!

Tons of free things to do and tons of almost free also..

Here are some links..
http://austintex.com/free-stuff-austin

http://www.datravelmagazine.com/8-free-or-nearly-free-thi...

http://www.freefuninaustin.com/

http://www.kidevents.com/

http://attractions.uptake.com/texas/austin/cheap_vacation...

The different book stores also host story time. most of them with an activity.. and they are free. Get on the Book People website and get their monthly calendar of events.

There are so many public parks and public schools with playgrounds.. it could take you all summer to visit all of them.. and of course they are all free..

Keep a cooler in your car with beverages , fruit and snacks. Keep a bag with your hats, water bottles, sunscreen, etc.. so you can just stop for a picnic at any moment.

I love the Capital grounds especially the are on the west side of the Capital building.. It is like a big bowl.. The kids can run up and down there hardly anyone is there.. Take day old bread and feed the squirrels.. they are used to people if you are quiet and still.

Many of the museums have free admission on certain days.

Deep Eddy Pool has just been redone. Go and also check out their new mosaic wall. It has the entire history tiled depicting the story.

We love all of the free concerts each week. Blues on the green. PARD sponsors very inexpensive movie nights at some of the pools. Yes, you can swim and watch a movie!

In August The Zilker Hillside Theater will be performing The Sound of Music! It is free, you can take a picnic.. You may have to pay for parking, but it is minimal.

Also remember to visit, Georgetown, Round Rock, Pflugerville.. They have lots of free things also.

http://www.thingstodoinaustin.com/free-things-to-do-in-au...

Does your community have a pool?

How about doing some projects like finding birds? And learning about them? Go to the library and get a book on birds, then go outside and look for them. Bring your camera and snap some pictures!

How about camping? Get some stuff together and go to one of the parks and go camping!! Explore the wilderness!!! Swim in a stream!!

Go to the Alamo!! It's what, an hour, away? Go to the Boardwalk in San Antonio as well!!

Do you have a slip and slide? Put one out back and play with them!!!

There is much to do!! If you don't have a slip and slide - use the hose!

Have a hula-hoop contest!!
Have a race!!!

The Austin Nature Center is good for kids. It's behind Zilker Botanical Gardens(also free), and has a few rescued animals(like a mini-zoo), and a sandbox.
The Texas Memorial Museum is free, and has dinosaur bones.
There's the splash pads at Brushy Creek Lake Park and Champion Park, the Main Street Plaza fountain(in downtown Round Rock across from the library).
The Round Rock library has story times, movies, and other free events.
Kaleidoscope Toys has family fun friday events.
Old Settler's park in Round Rock has several playscapes and a lake.
The Play for All Abilities park in RR is new and has a large playscape and sand area, and a pretend village area.

What about doing some arts and crafts with recycled materials or kitchen science experiments? You can check books out from the library with lots of ideas.