Kid-Friendly Activities in New Braunfels, Texas 

Fischer Park

A local favorite! Fischer Park is home to a splash pad, two fishing ponds, kayak rentals, great playgrounds and picnic areas, and a Nature Education Center. The hilly park also features some of the best views in town!

Location: 1935 Hilltop Summit Road, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Hours: 6 am to Midnight Every Day

McKenna Children's Museum

At the McKenna Children's Museum, your kid can be an astronaut, doctor, cowboy, banker, or anything their imagination can dream up! The museum is truly a must-visit attraction for families with young children. Plenty of interactive exhibits will keep your kids occupied for hours and teach them about space, technology, science, healthy habits, and more. Play areas include a "grocery store", campground, aquarium, "hospital", and art studio.

Location: 801 W San Antonio Street, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Hours: 9 am to 4 pm Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday.

New Braunfels Railroad Museum

This FREE museum, located next to one of the busiest Union Pacific railroad tracks, is fun for the whole family. The New Braunfels Railroad Museum is a non-profit, committed to preserving railroad history and artifacts. The guides love to teach children about all things trains and railroads! More than 30 trains pass by the museum through downtown each day, so stop by any time of day for a fun and educational experience.

Location: 302 San Antonio Street, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Hours: Open daily until 4 pm. Opening hours vary by season. Visit newbraunfelsrailroadmuseum.org for current hours.

Natural Bridge Caverns 

Just a short drive outside the city limits, you'll find the largest commercial caverns in Texas! Kids and adults alike will be fascinated by the stalagmites, stalactites, and other features within the two cave systems on the property. 

Natural Bridge Caverns also has aboveground fun, including climbing walls, zip rails and ropes course, and a 5,000 square foot maze. There's even a mini zip rail and ropes course for your littlest ones under 4 feet tall! 

Buy tickets to the caverns and Twisted Trails online for advance discounts.

Location: 2645 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, San Antonio, TX 78266

Hours: Open Daily. Hours vary by date, tour, and attraction. Visit the Natural Bridge Caverns website for current hours.

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

Your whole herd will go wild for Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch! Take a drive through 450 acres of Texas Hill Country to see more than 40 different exotic, native, and endangered animal species, including zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, and so many more! 

Location: 26515 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, San Antonio, TX 78266

Hours: Open Daily. Hours vary by date. Visit the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch website for current hours.

Stars & Stripes Drive-In Theatre

What kid wouldn't love to watch a movie under the stars? Stars & Stripes offers showings of first-run and fun classic films on three screens. Grab some popcorn and settle in for a double feature – two movies for the price of one! 

Visit driveinusa.com/nb for upcoming showings, tickets, and more information.

Location: 1178 Kroesche Lane, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Hours: Open nightly at 6 pm, rain or shine.

Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo

Not only does Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo host one of the largest snake collections in the world, but they also have lemurs, lions, and dozens of other exotic animals! AWSFZ's mission is to educate communities about animals and conservation. The zoo is a fun and educational experience for kids of all ages.

Location: 5640 IH 35 S, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Hours: Open at 10 am daily. Visit awsfzoo.com for seasonal hours.

Waterparks

Schlitterbahn Waterpark

Named the #1 waterpark in the world for 23 years straight, Schlitterbahn New Braunfels is a "don't miss" summer attraction! Schlitterbahn features 51 attractions in two parks, including two thrilling uphill water coasters, lazy rivers, and dozens of kid-friendly slides and pools. Tiny tots can splash in the kiddie pools, while the older kids will have a blast surfing and sliding on more adventurous rides.

Location: 400 N. Liberty Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Hours: Open May through September. Hours and attraction availability vary. Visit the Schlitterbahn New Braunfels website for opening and closing dates, hours, tickets, and more information.

Texas Ski Ranch

Texas Ski Ranch is one of New Braunfels' most unique attractions! The whole family will have fun at the 70-acre wakeboarding and cable park, named one of the best in the world. The park features three cable systems and opportunities for all skill levels and ages. For those that prefer on-shore fun, the park also has paintball, axe throwing for ages 12+, and fun seasonal events. Parents will love sipping a cold drink on the beach or grabbing a bite to eat at the on-site dinner theater.

Location: 6700 IH 35 N, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Hours: The cable park is open daily with varied hours. Paintball, Ironsides Craft Bar, Loki's Axe Haus, and Sylver Spoon are open on varied days and hours. Visit texasskiranch.com for complete hours and details.

Restaurants

Most restaurants welcome kids. However, these have fun play areas to keep them entertained!

For a complete list of restaurants that are good for kids, click here.

Tin Top Burgers & Beer

Tin Top has a variety of options for even the pickiest of eaters, plus beer for the adults! The restaurant is very kid-friendly, featuring a kids' menu and a play area with picnic tables and a pirate ship playground. Rhea's Ice Cream is on-site, offering deliciously unique ice cream and cookies, too. Tin Top is conveniently located near the Comal River exit and Schlitterbahn, making it the perfect place for hungry swimmers and tubers!

Location: 283 S Union Avenue, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Hours: 11 am to 9 pm Tuesday through Sunday. Closed Monday.

Adobe Verde

Adobe Verde is a popular spot for tubers and live music fans, located in historic Gruene just a short walk from the Guadalupe River and Gruene Hall. It's also kid-friendly! Parents can enjoy an award-winning margarita and listen to live music while the kids play on the playground. The outdoor seating area is dog-friendly, too! 

Location: 1724 Hunter Road, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Hours: Open from 11 am until 9:30 on Fridays and Saturdays and 8 pm on weeknights. Closed Monday. 

Freiheit Country Store

A local, historic favorite featuring a huge menu of greasy burgers and American & classics. The restaurant and venue is 21+ after 9 pm, but until then, there's a playground and plenty of room for the kids!

Location: 2157 FM1101, New Braunfels, TX 78130

Hours: Open from 11 am Tuesday through Sunday. Closed Monday. 21+ after 9 pm.