San Antonio is truly a playground of culture and creativity, offering families countless opportunities to explore, learn and make lasting memories together. Join us as we journey through these local gems, where family fun meets arts and culture in every corner of our vibrant city.

Witte Museum 

At the Witte Museum, family fun takes on a whole new meaning this spring. This iconic Texas museum is more than just a place for history — it’s a living laboratory where nature, science and culture come together to spark curiosity in visitors of all ages. With interactive exhibits designed to engage young minds and evoke nostalgia for those cherished school field trips, the Witte Museum offers transformative experiences that celebrate Texas — from ancient fossils and dinosaur bones to modern-day marvels.

One of the museum’s newest highlights is the renovated HEB Science Treehouse. Once known as Body Adventure, this dynamic space now invites families to explore the power of wind and air through interactive exhibits. Kids can marvel at a wind tunnel display where a burst of air brings objects to life, or learn about engineering and physics with a bicycle exhibit that demonstrates how wind propels movement. Another imaginative station uses colors, rocks and sand and lets visitors build their own mini sandcastles.

Spring also ushers in a host of special exhibitions. Starting March 1, “Staying Alive: Animal Defenses,” invites families to get up close with 17 live animals and interactive displays that showcase how creatures — from sloths and hedgehogs to lizards and geckos — protect themselves in the wild. It’s an immersive, tactile experience that encourages you to touch, feel and learn about animal survival in a unique way.

Adding to the seasonal excitement, “Fiesta Makes a Splash” launches on April 24 and runs until November 2. Celebrating San Antonio’s long-standing tradition of festivals and the timeless beauty of water, this exhibition features an exquisite collection of Fiesta dresses that capture the fluid artistry of water in motion. It’s a dazzling tribute to local culture and creativity that perfectly complements the museum’s focus on land, sky and water.

San Antonio Zoo

At the San Antonio Zoo®, it’s the perfect season to explore the wonders of wildlife. This spring, the Zoo is putting on a special interactive exhibit called Wildlife Rescue. Located in Kronkosky’s Tiny Tot Nature Spot, this immersive experience features 12 lifelike, climbable sculptures of endangered animals — from the powerful black rhino to the agile cheetah and resilient Puerto Rican crested toad. As kids and adults climb, play and explore these detailed installations, they discover each creature’s unique story of survival and the importance of conservation.

Adding to the season’s excitement, the San Antonio Zoo will host its official Fiesta® event, Festival de Animales, from May 3-4. This festive celebration brings together animals, culture and conservation in one unforgettable weekend. Visitors will be delighted by the colorful birds, playful primates and myriad other wonders of the animal kingdom. Best of all, Festival de Animales is included with standard admission and is free for Zoo members, and parking in the Zoo’s garage is free, too.

Whether you’re embarking on a hands-on conservation journey at Wildlife Rescue or soaking up the lively vibes at Festival de Animales, the San Antonio Zoo promises an engaging, family-friendly adventure that blends fun with education.

The DoSeum

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the DoSeum is a favorite San Antonio destination for curious minds. For a decade, this popular interactive children’s museum has been a cornerstone of family fun and creative learning, sparking imagination through hands-on exhibits, inventive workshops and dynamic camps. It’s not just a museum — it’s a community hub where children and their families can grow together.

Currently, the DoSeum is pulling out all the stops with a lineup of special events and exhibits. Kicking things off is the thought-provoking traveling exhibit, “Uniquely Us: Understanding Race and Building Unity,” running from March 1 to April 20. Designed to help children understand the beauty of diversity and the importance of inclusion, this interactive experience uses play-based learning to gently introduce big ideas about identity and equity. It’s a unique opportunity for families to explore what makes each of us truly one-of-a-kind.

Plus, this spring and summer, the DoSeum is offering a series of engaging camps that mix fun with learning. Led by an enthusiastic team of educators, these camps cover everything from creative arts and clay adventures to culinary experiments and literacy explorations. Whether your child dreams of whipping up delicious recipes or getting lost in a world of imaginative play, these camps provide the perfect setting.

Adding a sweet twist to the festivities is the Family Workshop: Fiesta Cakes on April 26. Hosted in the DoSeum’s Culinary Lab, this workshop invites families to design and create their very own cake floats. With just a piping bag, spoon and spatula in hand, you and your little ones can craft edible masterpieces that pay homage to San Antonio’s rich Fiesta traditions.

Briscoe Western Art Museum

The Briscoe Western Art Museum is a treasure trove of family-friendly fun that brings the spirit of the West to life! On Locals Days — which offers free admission every first Sunday of the month — families can dive into engaging programs like “Full STEAM Ahead” and join the ever-popular “Scout the Briscoe” scavenger hunt, which turns the museum into an interactive playground of Western history and art. Kids and adults alike will relish the hands-on activities and creative challenges that make learning about the frontier both fun and unforgettable.

The museum also hosts Community Days that celebrate the rich traditions of the West. One standout event is the National Day of the Cowboy on July 26, a lively celebration featuring cowboy-themed music, art and traditions in the scenic McNutt Sculpture Garden. Guests can try their hand at lasso lessons, enjoy cowboy poetry, and savor chuckwagon treats, all while immersing themselves in the true essence of cowboy culture.

For those gearing up for Fiesta, the Briscoe has some special treats in store. Each year, the museum creates a charming medal featuring its beloved bison mascot, capturing the playful spirit of the celebration. To help everyone get into the Fiesta mood, the Briscoe is hosting a Fiesta wreathmaking class on April 13 — a perfect way to add a personal touch to your Fiesta decorations.

And don’t miss the museum’s River Parade watch party, offering a prime viewing spot with an amazing backdrop near La Villita and the Arneson stage. It’s a fantastic way to experience the exhilarating energy of Fiesta right alongside fellow locals. 

San Antonio Botanical Garden

As always, the San Antonio Botanical Garden is blooming into life this spring, inviting families to experience nature like never before. In celebration of its 45th anniversary, the Garden proudly presents the “Reflections of Nature” exhibition. Running from March 8 through October 27, this inspiring collection of large-scale murals transforms the 38 acres into an open-air gallery that highlights local artists and their interpretations on nature, plants, animals and the diverse people of South Texas.

Adding to the excitement, the Garden will host “Viva Botanica” on April 26. This family-friendly Fiesta event is a delightful celebration of spring where visitors can explore activity stations guided by Garden educators. 

For those looking to get even more hands-on, the Family Workshop: Spring Fairy Garden on March 15 offers a magical opportunity. Inspired by the “Reflections of Nature” murals, this workshop invites families to create their very own fairy gardens. With all materials provided — from containers and soil to plants and charming springtime decorations — participants can design a miniature garden oasis to take home, sparking creativity and delight in every child.

Visit Them All … And More!

From the interactive exhibits at the Witte Museum and the wild hands-on adventures at the San Antonio Zoo and the DoSeum, to the inspiring artistry of the Botanical Garden and the rich Western heritage at the Briscoe Museum, San Antonio offers a kaleidoscope of family-friendly experiences that blend learning, creativity and fun. Don’t miss out!