Fun Stuff for 8 year olds (Austin, Georgetown: rent, house, elementary school)

[daisy1323]

Hello,
I am looking for suggestions for fun things to do in and around Austin for families with elementary-aged kids. I have searched all of the websites, but can't find any with actual reviews to tell if the activities are worth it. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thank you!

[luksky]

It depends on what sort of stuff you are looking for. Outdoor stuff? Indoor entertainment? Do you want it to be Austin specific or are you okay with surrounding areas? Are you looking for male or female sort of entertainment? I have a 10 year old girl and we have done just about everything Austin and the surrounding area has to offer for kids so I can help if you can narrow it down for me.

[neddy]

my boys love jumpstreet and also Main event for indoor things here on the NW side of town. Austin's Park is fun also.

[centralaustinite]

Have you seen this? No reviews but descriptions (and written by a person not a bot)
Mr Johnnys Kid Events - daily calendar - Fri - February 10 - 2012 - of things to do with children and family activities in Austin Texas. List your event at www.kidevents.com/even-ad.htm

And this, Little Austinite | Austin Kid's Guide, Austin kids directory, Austin kids events, Austin kids eat free, for Austin area for families and visitors with kids It includes reviews!

8 year boys? Have you tried the UT Natural History Museum? The big UT Open House is coming. Rock climbing at the rock gym? Kayaking? Geocaching? Blazer Tag?

As Luksky says, it all depends on what you are interested in. In elementary school, my kids loved Central Market and Farmer's Markets too!

[bgrn198]

You could tour the Inner Space Caverns in Georgetown

Inner Space Cavern. One of the best preserved caves in Texas and one of the few places where remains of prehistoric animals were unearthed

[Lije Baley]

"Why Kids Need a Big Dose of Nature" (article)

And personally speaking, when they are out there, all forms of electronic entertainment stays at home i.e. no PSPs, no cellphones (unless needed for emergency communication), etc. But other gear like this would be cool (to this nerd anyway ): binoculars for birds and geologic sights; telescopes including astronomical types* since away from the city the skies are *so* much darker and in turn much easier to see the good stuff up there; bug books and bug containers, and if permitted and the land is suitable, an R.C. car or truck. Lots of things to do....outside!


* here's a neat beginner scope for only $60 - my own telescope was bought from this company - that may look toy-like, but quality is much better than most "department store" scopes with their cheezy optics (cause rainbows & other distortions) and shaky mounts, two of the main reasons such scopes can be so discouraging to use for beginners.

[love roses]

My daughter absolutely loves Inner Space Caverns. Her school just went on a field trip there last week. She's been twice before that as well, and thinks she's an old pro now

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by daisy1323

Hello,
I am looking for suggestions for fun things to do in and around Austin for families with elementary-aged kids. I have searched all of the websites, but can't find any with actual reviews to tell if the activities are worth it. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thank you!

austin park and pizza. For $20 you can get all you can eat food (crappy pizza and pasta), go karts, bumper boats (crappy). They also have batting cages and video games for extra $. The go karts alone were worth the entry fee.

for $50/hour you can rent a boat and go wakeboarding/waterskiing or get jetskis

rock climbing indoors at first (austin rock gym) or outdoors later

mountain biking at walnut creek (good beginners trail)

paintball (really fun for boys)

tubing down the comal

[paul6835]

This makes for a good overnight trip, either camping or in the lodge


The Serengeti Resort, Event Center and Wine Tasting. Bergheim, Texas.



will definitely bring my son back when he's old enough. You can ride on golf carts among antelope, ostriches, giraffes, zebras and camels and feed them.

[tfresca]

There is a drive through petting zoo near Austin with exotic aniimals. If the kids are brave might be fun.