Around Austin, spring is already welcoming fresh flowers, produce, and plenty of family fun. Before summer’s heat arrives, relish these warm weather activities perfect for quality family time.

Strawberry Picking

Spring brings on the berries–perfectly succulent and ripe for the picking. (Or jam making or cake topping or smoothie stirring.) Whatever your preference, load up the kids and grab some baskets. Head out to any of the family friendly farms in the Austin area and get your fill of the season’s freshest–and favorite–fruit.
We recommend Sweet Berry Farms in Marble Falls where there are fun activities as well as berries at $2.89/lb. Marburger Orchard in Fredricksburg is another great farm to visit, also featuring peaches and blackberries when in season.

Take a Hike

From Zilker Park and McKinney Falls to the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, Austin has plenty of great family friendly hiking trails. Pack a picnic and a frisbee and plan a day outdoors.

Go Ride a Bike

But don’t just limit yourself to Austin’s miles of trails around the city. If your kids are old enough, the Town Lake water biking experience is not to be missed.  A great way to see downtown from a new angle, water bikes rent by the hour and even let you bring the dog! Great tips on this activity right here.

Catch a Pop Fly

Minor league baseball is a great entry into the major leagues for players and families. Enjoy a game just north of the city with the AAA Rangers affiliate, The Round Rock Express. Games run April through August and promise a smaller crowd and a better view.

Be Smart and Stay Dry

On rainy days, catch a movie at the Alamo Drafthouse, or better yet, learn something new at The Thinkery whose website says, “The Thinkery creates innovative learning experiences that equip and inspire the next generation of creative problem solvers.” Way to solve the problem of a rainy day!

Visit a Festival

Spring is a great time to enjoy one of Austin’s many outdoor festivals. Art City Austin (April 14-15, 2018) will turn the Palmer Events Center pavilion into an “al fresco art block party” with over 100 local and visiting artists. Bonus: Kids under 12 are free! There’s also the South Asian New Year Festival (April 7), the 20th Annual Butterfly Festival at Emilyann Theatre & Gardens (April 21), and the Lake Travis Springfest at Hill Country Galleria (April 28) featuring local vendors and a kid zone.

Don’t Forget the Simple

Spring’s best moments are also its simplest. Be sure to stop and smell–and photograph–the bluebonnets. They’re only around for a short time. Plan a trip to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and learn all about the history of wildflowers across America. The kids can play in a unique family garden as well as bird watch while you learn about sustainable landscape methods.
No matter what you do, enjoy the changing seasons–and each other!