Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in san antonio, TX

Top 5 Things to Do Before Summer is Over

August 04, 2009

After I purchased my son's backpack for preschool (eek!) and got the "welcome" letter from his school; I started to panic.  What had we not accomplished this summer that I had vowed to do?  Was there anything we couldn't possibly do once school starts or would be harder to do?  I came up with a list that our family is going to be crossing off as well get done.  Are there any on your end-of-summer-must-finish-before-school-starts list? 

Squeezing Two Activities into One Day

July 22, 2009

1.  Ok, I am going to start off with a bang and a bonus.  Start off at the San Antonio Zoo.  Check out the animals, play in the riverbank in the Tiny Tot Spot, and then walk over for a ride on the train.  You can now get off at the train stop Witte Museum.  There is a new exhibit running through September 27, Playing With Time.  It's a must that you let your kids tromp through the H-E-B Treehouse.  After you are done at the Witter Museum, use your train ticket to get back on and get back to the station.  

2.  Catch a show at the Magik Theatre on any day, but especially a Thursday.  Why a Thursday?  Because after the show you can get into the San Antonio Children's Museum FREE.  Kids get in free on the third Thursday of each month at the museum.  They are both downtown and realatively close.  

 3.  Feeling like you want a little San Antonio history in your kiddos life?  Start off at the Alamo.  Show your kids around while walking the grounds.  No better time to show off what our city is most known for.  After a history lesson, your child will enjoy a long walk or short drive to Hemisphere Park.  Let them ride the elevator up the Tower of Americas and take in the city's sights.  

 4.  Want to give your kids a special treat?  Take them to the Riverwalk downtown.  Be sure to take the tour and ride the riverboats on the Riverwalk.  After riding the boats, the kids will be enthusiased to see more of the Riverwalk.  Enjoy a fun animal-themed meal at Rain Forest Cafe.  Heck, I enjoy going there- always so much to look at and do. 

5. Venture north and you will see Gruene.  This historic little town has so many hot spots (even for kids).  Eat at the Grist Mill overlooking the San Marcos River.  Afterward explore downtown Gruene (it won't take you long) and look in Gruene Hall where many famous performers have sang. 

McKenna Children's Museum

May 18, 2009

Have you been to the McKenna Children's Museum (in New Braunfels)?  Are you aware of all the cool things they have happening there?  Located on 801 West San Antonio Street, the McKenna Children's Museum is well worth the drive.  They have the ordinary hands-on activities you find a children's museum-grocery store, Innovation Center with Mine-Control, Lend-A-Hand Ranch and a Tot Spot.   Read more...

The Ideas are Endless for the Weekend!

April 02, 2009

Can you believe it is Spring?  With all of our nice rain showers, wildflowers like bluebonnets should be popping up everywhere.  The hot humid weather is holding off for another month, so it is the perfect time to get out on the weekends with the family.    Roxaboxen is playing at The Magik Theatre now until April 18.  This play is based on the book Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran about children using their imaginations to imagine towns and houses made out of all different fun things.   

Go see some fish

by Emily

August 19, 2008

It is time to get your preschooler in touch with their aquatic side! San Antonio is in a great location to see fish- whether it is saltwater or fresh water, we are only a couple of hours away or less. Here are a few favorites to check out: Have you taken your preschooler on a boat yet? Why not try the glass bottom boats at Aquarena Center in San Marcos ? Your child  Read more...

Packing for a trip to the beach

by Emily

August 04, 2008

I was never much of a beach person before I had kids. My reasons were endless but they all added up to- sunscreen. I never seemed to put it on correctly therefore getting cherry red and just developing freckles (which I hated) after the red faded. Once my son was born, I knew there wouldn't be anymore hiding from the sun. I convinced myself if I was more vigilant with sunscreen, I would  Read more...

Great kid books on CD (for car trips, near or far)

by Emily

July 30, 2008

What kid doesn't love to dance and sing- especially if they can do it on a boring car trip across town or even on the road to the coast? I was elated when we found out my son's favorite author, Sandra Boynton wrote a songbook. Philadelphia Chickens: A Too-Illogical Zoological Musical Revue is a book of story-poems that has a silly song to match. He may be a bit young yet (2  Read more...

We want the thump. The Luling Watermelon Thump.

by Colleen Pence

June 23, 2008

Did your mama ever tell you it's not polite to thump your fruit? Well it's time to ditch the manners. As you're planning ahead for your busy week of summer activities, be sure to add a visit to Luling (about 50 miles east of San Antonio off of IH-10) this June 26, 27, 28 or 29 for their annual Watermelon Thump . And yes, the experience is as much fun as its name is funny. Celebrating local  Read more...

If it's Wednesday, it must be Steak Nite!

by Colleen Pence

June 18, 2008

If your family's in the mood for a short Texas road trip to take advantage of our beautiful (if not hot) summer evenings, the Waring General Store is just up the road apiece from San Antonio. The store's normal offerings are snacks, drinks and various grocery items. But for the last 11 years, on Wednesdays between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., the cute little store by the Guadalupe River transforms  Read more...

The five best day trips within an hour (or so!) of San Antonio

by Colleen Pence

May 14, 2008

Living in San Antonio is great but sometimes you just gotta get away. Check out the five best day trips to make with your child that are within an hour (or so!) of SA: 1. McKenna Children's Museum, New Braunfels, TX (about 20 minutes from SA) A child's dream-come-true, the McKenna Children's Museum offers hands-on exhibits (ranch, grocery store, train station, hospital, to name a few), story  Read more...