Georgetown is wonderfully situated to provide us access to a cornucopia of family-friendly activities in every season. This month, many of us will be looking for great spring break activities and looking ahead to summer camps and vacation plans. Following is a short list of some of the area’s most popular destinations and a few hidden gems that are close by or just a short drive away.
Thinkery • Austin
Thinkery is an interactive indoor/outdoor space where children of all ages can learn through play. Designed specifically for children from infancy through 11 years old, Thinkery uses hands-on, interactive STEAM exhibits and programs to encourage physical, emotional, and cognitive growth.
Outside, children can play in flowing water or build strength on the three-story climbing apparatus. Inside, they can paint on glass or draw with light, watch electricity work, or share engineer duties on a model train. Click here for info on their spring break camp.
1830 Simond Ave Austin • Admission required • Open every day
Topsey Exotic Ranch • Copperas Cove
Topsey Exotic Ranch is a natural, free-range safari and petting zoo on 350 acres in the Hill Country. Guests can see a great variety of exotic domestic and wild animals from around the world, some of which are endangered and even extinct in the wild. Located about an hour from Georgetown, visitors can feed animals all day long for $1 per bag. Everything is well-maintained, well-marked, very clean. There is also an air-conditioned gift shop with games, toys, snacks and drinks, and apparel; some purchases help support conservation efforts outside the ranch.
945 CR 118, Copperas Cove • All-day admission • Open every day
Play for All Park • Round Rock
This park was designed to enable and entertain kids while they develop new skills. While specially designed to accommodate neuroatypical and special needs children, Play for All is a safe and exciting place for all. There are dozens of apparatus and theme sections to stimulate creativity and help develop gross and fine motor skills, physical strength, and social interaction.
151 N A.W. Grimes Blvd, Round Rock • Free • Open every day 6am-midnight
Cordovan Art School • Georgetown
Cordovan is right on the Square and has classes year round for painters and sculptors. In addition to their morning, afternoon, or all-day classes, registration is open now for St. Patrick’s Day and Easter paint and pottery events. Plus, their spring break and summer camps have morning, afternoon, or all-day options for kids to paint anything from Pixar to Pikachu and all the dragons and woodsy animals in between.
816 S Main St., Georgetown • Fees required • Open every day
Austin Steam Train • Cedar Park
The Austin Steam Train Association combines nostalgic style with modern comfort. Genuine locomotives depart from Cedar Park and Bertram depots nearly every weekend, and they have nearly 100 special and annual events for all ages. Train cars are typical of those used in the 1920s to 1940s, they are air-conditioned, and include a concession car with refreshments and souvenirs. Local rail aficionados have recreated a historically authentic passenger experience for families and train-lovers alike who wish to enjoy seasonal or scenic weekend excursions.
401 E Whitestone Blvd. #C-100, Cedar Park • Tickets required
iFly Indoor Skydiving • Austin
iFly invented a recirculating wind tunnel that allows guests to experience flight in a safe and controlled environment. Certified and trained instructors allow people of all ages (40″ tall and under 300 lbs) to enjoy 60-second flight sessions. They also do birthday parties and special events.
13265 N US 183 • Fees required, packages available
Jungle Movement • Round Rock
The Jungle Movement Academy specializes in movement arts like parkour, ninja warrior, aerials, trampoline, rock climbing, and martial arts. Kids will never sleep better after playing games, running obstacle courses, swinging on ropes and rings, jumping on trampolines, doing flips into the foam pit, climbing the rock walls and more. The academy has one day, half- and full-day camps for spring break and summer vacation, plus after-school programs all year.
2701 Gattis School Rd, Round Rock • Fees required • Open every day
Splash Shack • Cedar Park
Splash Shack indoor water park is designed for kids age 1-10 but has plenty of room for parents to join in the play. A 10,000-square-foot building houses an interactive water play structure with slides and a large dump bucket. Ideal for young children to enjoy as there are no water depths outside of the slide-outs.
1801 Clover Lane, Cedar Park • Admission required >1 year old • Open Wed-Sun
Blue Hills Ranch Resort • McGregor
Blue Hills Ranch in Texas is a perfect destination for families who love the outdoors. The resort is rife with scenic beauty and a tranquil atmosphere—and who doesn’t want to have lunch with a giraffe or swim with an otter? The ranch offers private, luxury safaris on which groups will be up close with kangaroos, mini donkeys, zebras, camels, and free roaming cows, deer, and emu. Their rustic cabins provide a close-to-home glamping experience, with stunning sunsets, but with A/C and wi-fi! Kids can enjoy the wildlife and scenic vistas while engaging in a range of activities. They can have a chance to learn about animals, from the horses at the stables to the fish in the pond. An excellent destination for families seeking a break from suburban life but want to stay close to home. Even if you don’t decide to go today, call the number just to hear the voice mail—it’s priceless.
2032 Blue Cut Rd. N · McGregor • Reservations required