San Antonio has more genuinely free, genuinely good family activities than most cities its size. This isn't about scraping together consolation-prize options — there are world-class parks and playgrounds here that cost exactly nothing. Then there's a solid tier of paid options under $50 for a family of 4 that compete with the big-ticket attractions on pure fun. Here's how to have a great day for under $50 total.
Completely Free Activities
Parks and Playgrounds
Phil Hardberger Park is 4.8 stars and $0 admission. This is the park. Trail systems connecting multiple sections, the Land Bridge wildlife crossing (a raised green bridge over a road, where you actually see deer and wildlife), and the Blue Playground all in one location. Combine the Land Bridge with trails and the playground and you've got a solid half-day. Bring a packed lunch — there are no concessions.
Blue Playground sits inside Phil Hardberger Park and earns 4.8 stars on its own. Free, distinctive equipment, and the kind of space that keeps kids occupied longer than the standard city playground.
Hemisfair downtown is free park access, 4.7 stars, with the Hemisfair Playground and Splash Pad also free. The splash pad runs seasonally at no cost. Parking nearby costs money — walk from the River Walk or rideshare in. The playground and splash pad area can fill 1.5–3 hours easily.
The Park at Pearl in the Tobin Hill neighborhood is free to access, 4.8 stars, and worth a stop on a Saturday morning when the farmers market is running. The green space itself is free; Pearl's restaurants are not (budget $50–$100+ if you eat there, but you don't have to).
Pearsall Park on the south side is free with a seasonal splash pad, 4.7 stars. Large enough to fill a half-day. Pack a cooler — the splash pad alone is worth a summer morning.
McAllister Park (4.7 stars) gives you trails, disc golf, and a playground spread across a large city park north of the airport. Plan 2–4 hours. Bring bikes if you have them.
Walker Ranch Park (4.7 stars), Mission County Park (4.7 stars), Semmes Library Park (4.7 stars), and Orsinger Park (4.6 stars) are all free neighborhood parks worth knowing about depending on which part of the city you're staying in. Each has picnic areas — bring food to fill the visit.
Live Oak Park Treehouse Playground (4.8 stars) is a free themed playground on the northeast side. The treehouse-style design stands out from standard city play equipment. 1–2 hours, bring snacks.
Classen-Steubing Ranch Park (4.6 stars, free) in Stone Oak is a quieter neighborhood option without the crowds of the larger SA parks.
Sun Valley Playground (4.3 stars) on the south side is free and a solid 45-minute to 1.5-hour stop.
Free Admission Attractions
San Marcos Discovery Center — 4.7 stars, $0 admission. Combine with the adjacent San Marcos River for a full free morning. About 45 minutes from downtown San Antonio.
Under $50 for a Family of 4
Museums and Cultural Experiences
Scobee Education Center & Planetarium — $20–$40 for a family. Full-dome digital planetarium at San Antonio College, named after Challenger astronaut Francis Scobee. Only open Friday evenings, limited seating. For a space-obsessed kid, this is the real experience — not a screen, an actual dome. Book in advance.
Zilker Botanical Garden — $20–$28 for a family (adults ~$6, kids 2–12 ~$4, under 2 free). 4.6 stars. Austin residents get discounted admission; check for free community days in January.
McKenna Children's Museum — $30–$50 for a family of 4. Rated 4.8 stars from 1,565 reviews — one of the highest-rated children's museums in the Texas Hill Country. In New Braunfels, 30 minutes on I-35. Closed Sundays. Worth every dollar and the drive.
SAMSAT AREA 21 — $30–$50. Technology museum at a former military base, 4.7 stars. Less crowded than downtown attractions. Military families may qualify for discounts.
Indoor Play
Emmazing Play, LLC — $25–$45 for a family with young kids. Indoor play center on the inner west side, 4.5 stars. Good for families in the Loop 410 corridor. Call before visiting to confirm current hours.
Maui Maui Kids Play Island — $30–$50 (adults often free or reduced; primarily children pay). Hawaiian-themed soft play space in Stone Oak designed for infants through age 7. 4.7 stars from 595 reviews. Closed Mondays.
We Rock the Spectrum - Cibolo Canyons — $30–$50. Inclusive indoor play designed for children with sensory differences and autism while remaining equally engaging for all kids. 4.8 stars. If your child has sensory processing needs, this franchise is specifically worth seeking out.
SA Fun Zone — $30–$50. Northwest San Antonio neighborhood option on Wurzbach Rd. 4.3 stars.
Tiny Town Playland — $40–$60 depending on children's ages. 4.6 stars. Check their website and Facebook for weekday deals.
Planet Party — $40–$70. 4.7 stars on Loop 410 west. Part play venue, part birthday party space.
The Amazing Mirror Maze — $40–$60 for a family. Downtown on Alamo Plaza, 4.4 stars. 30–60 minutes of genuine fun. Best as an add-on to a downtown day, not a standalone trip.
Kiddie Park — $30–$60 (wristbands beat individual tickets for visits over 90 minutes). Open Friday–Sunday only, 9AM–5PM. 4.3 stars. Go early — afternoon heat without shade is tough.
Inflatable Wonderland — $40–$65 (adults often free or reduced). 4.6 stars from 1,087 reviews. Ages 2–11 get the most out of it. Monday opens at 10AM vs. 11AM on other days — useful if you want max time.
How to Build a Great Day Under $50
Option A — All Free: Phil Hardberger Park + Blue Playground + packed lunch + Hemisfair splash pad = $0 (food only). Full 6-hour day.
Option B — Free + One Paid Stop: Hemisfair park and splash pad (free) + lunch from home + Scobee Planetarium Friday evening ($25 for a family) = $25 total.
Option C — Budget Museum Day: McKenna Children's Museum ($40 for a family of 4) + packed lunch + New Braunfels park (free) = $40–$50 total. That's a full day trip with one of the highest-rated children's museums in the region.
Option D — Toddler Day: Maui Maui Kids Play Island ($35 for a family with two young kids, adults often free) + packed snacks + Classen-Steubing Ranch Park (free) = ~$35 total.
Tips That Actually Save Money
- Most indoor play centers charge primarily for children — adults at Maui Maui, Kids Empire, Inflatable Wonderland, and SA Fun Zone are often free or sharply reduced.
- Buy McKenna Children's Museum tickets online in advance; the museum's website has the most current pricing.
- Phil Hardberger Park, Hemisfair, and McAllister Park are not backup options when money's tight — they're excellent first-choice destinations.
- The Saturday farmers market at Pearl is free to browse and often has sampling; use it as a free family morning without committing to restaurant prices.
- Zilker Botanical Garden and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center ($40–$52 for a family) both have member discount days and limited free days — check websites before visiting.
San Antonio's free parks are genuinely better than most cities' paid attractions. Start there. When you're ready to spend, the under-$50 tier has real options that keep kids happy without draining the vacation budget on day one.