Which Pinballz location is best for families?

Pinballz Lake Creek (13729 Research Blvd) is the most family-friendly with a dedicated kids' area and less bar atmosphere.

How much does Pinballz cost for a family?

All-you-can-play wristbands are $15/person weekdays, $20/person weekends. Family of 4 = $60-80.

Is Pinballz appropriate for young kids?

Yes, for ages 6 and up. Many games require some hand-eye coordination. The ticket-redemption games work for younger kids.

Is Pinballz a good rainy day activity in Austin?

One of the best. Fully indoor, climate-controlled, and engaging for 1.5-3 hours.

Pinballz Arcade

Name: Pinballz Arcade
Address: 8940 Research Blvd, Austin, TX, 78758, US
Telephone: (512) 420-8458
Rating: 4.4

Rating

4.4(4,200)

Family of 4

$60-$95 (all-you-can-play wristbands: $15/person weekdays, $20/person weekends = $60-80 for family of 4; add $15-20 for snacks/drinks)

Duration

1.5-3 hours

Best Ages

Best for ages 6-17

About

Pinballz Arcade is Austin's largest arcade experience, housing over 200 games across vintage pinball machines, classic arcade cabinets, modern simulators, and ticket-redemption games. With three Austin locations, it has become a staple for family entertainment, rainy-day activities, and birthday parties.

The game collection spans decades: 1950s-era pinball machines sit alongside 1980s Pac-Man and Donkey Kong cabinets, 1990s fighting games, and modern racing simulators with full seats and steering wheels. For kids raised on touchscreens, the physical experience of pinball flippers, joysticks, and buttons creates a different kind of engagement.

Pinballz offers two payment models: token-based play or all-you-can-play wristbands. For families, the wristband is overwhelmingly the better choice. Weekday wristbands run about $15 per person; weekends are about $20.

The main consideration for families is timing. Weekend mornings (Saturday-Sunday, 10 AM - 1 PM) offer the best family atmosphere. The Lake Creek location is the most family-oriented, with a dedicated kids' area. Pinballz is an excellent rainy-day option and pairs well with nearby restaurants on Research Boulevard.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Limited

Nursing / Changing

Not Available

Kid Meals

Available

Setting

Indoor

Rainy Day

Great option!

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Weekend mornings right at opening (10 AM Saturday/Sunday) are best for families. Weekday afternoons are quiet. Avoid Friday and Saturday evenings when the 21+ bar crowd takes over.

Wait Times

No wait for entry. Popular games may have 1-2 people waiting. The all-you-can-play wristband means no waiting in line to buy tokens.

Nearby Food

Pinballz has a snack bar with pizza, nachos, and drinks. Nearby on Research Blvd: Rudy's BBQ (5 min), In-N-Out Burger (5 min).

Why Kids Love It

Pinballz is a massive arcade warehouse with over 200 games spanning vintage pinball machines, classic 80s/90s arcade cabinets, modern racing simulators, and ticket-redemption games. For kids who have only played games on iPads, standing in front of a full-size arcade cabinet and physically mashing buttons is a revelation.

The all-you-can-play wristband model means kids can bounce between games without the anxiety of running out of quarters. They play 30 seconds of one game, sprint to another, circle back, and repeat for hours.

The Pinballz Lake Creek location is the most family-friendly of the three Austin locations.

Pro Tips from Parents

Get the all-you-can-play wristband -- tokens disappear fast and the wristband is unlimited plays
The Lake Creek location (13729 Research Blvd) is the most family-friendly
Go Saturday morning at opening (10 AM) for peak family time
Teach your kids the classics: Pac-Man, Galaga, Space Invaders
The pinball machines are the real stars -- show your kids how to use the flippers