San Antonio with kids in the rain? (San Marcos, Alamo: coupons, waterpark) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

Chakapu · 07-19-2007, 09:43 PM

Greetings all, I'm a newcomer here (to the board, been in SA a few years). We have family from Europe here for 2 weeks and it's rain rain rain... They have 3 kids, aged 4, 7, 12.

They've been to the Witte Museum, San Marcos, Natural Bridge Caverns. They have been here before so have seen a fair amount. But I'm stuck for suggestions given the rain. They did want to see a rodeo but the only one we found doesn't start til 8pm (in Bandera) and that's too late.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Chakapu · 07-19-2007, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chakapu

Greetings all, I'm a newcomer here (to the board, been in SA a few years). We have family from Europe here for 2 weeks and it's rain rain rain... They have 3 kids, aged 4, 7, 12.

They've been to the Witte Museum, San Marcos, Natural Bridge Caverns. They have been here before so have seen a fair amount. But I'm stuck for suggestions given the rain. They did want to see a rodeo but the only one we found doesn't start til 8pm (in Bandera) and that's too late.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

I should add that the kids don't speak English (only French), so stuff that requires a lot of reading won't work - they did well at the Witte, but I'm not sure about other museums (and they've been to the Alamo a few times already).

MichelleSG · 07-19-2007, 10:12 PM

Where are you located? There's Artworks (3 locations) art studio for children, and Inflatable Wonderland Inflatable Wonderland Inside Lakeline & Rolling Oaks Malls , TEXAS! (broken link) in Rolling Oaks mall. We do a lot of hanging out with the neighbors kids but I'm sure that's hard for you guys since you're new in the neighborhood. Strangely our one neighbor is first generation French so I know he knows the language, not sure about his 4 kids though.

smuboy86 · 07-19-2007, 10:13 PM

Children's Museum. Take the older one to the McNay or SA museum of Art. Buckhorn hall of horns is cool. Institute of Texan Cultures has lot of diorama exhibits.

Chakapu · 07-19-2007, 10:19 PM

Does the Institute for Texan Cultures require a lot of reading? How about the CHildren's Museum?

Thanks for the info. The inflatable wonderland looks fun for the little ones, maybe dad can take them there while mom takes the older one to the art museum. We live downtown and that's where they're staying, but they have a car so would go anywhere.

NurseDana · 07-19-2007, 10:20 PM

What about making/painting pottery! Check out Clay Casa! Besure to look at the website for coupons and the calendar for discounts! i have never been there but my sister-in-law used to own a shop like this in Santa Fe and she said the kiddos loved it! Just a thought!

little_thirsty · 07-20-2007, 06:51 AM

If you get desperate, On Tuesday and Wednesday morning at 10:00 a lot of the local theaters play a G and PG movie for free. You just walk in (the concession stands ARE open) and walk right into the theater, no ticket needed. Again it would be in English and don't know if they would enjoy that! I went to a theater in Japan while I was in high school and thought it was awesome, but I was in high school! You can check the theaters websites to see if one near you is playing free family movies. I hope they are having a good time, I hate that its raining on them!
I just checked for the theaters at Rivercenter. They do a free movie at 10:00am but only on Wednesdays. If you want more info look at that movie chains website for "Summer Movie Camp".

Chakapu · 07-20-2007, 07:33 AM

Movies are definitely out. At 4 & 7 their attention spans are short enough, seeing a movie in ENglish would be torture for everyone. We do have french dvds at home, so they can watch there....but you can only do that so much. The 12 yr old is pretty flexible, fortunately, as she ends up doing what the younger ones enjoy.

The Clay Casa sounds interesting - how much instruction is involved? Again, the language issue....

samom · 07-20-2007, 07:43 AM

In Artisan's Alley Artisans' Alley- San Antonio's premier on-line shopping center: Texas, Tourism, Travel, Attractions, Tour they have pottery class, jewelry class and glass making class, maybe the older ones would be interested.
Friendze Friendze - San Antonio, Texas Bead, Jewelry, and Accessories Store (broken link) also has beading class.

chipsndip · 07-20-2007, 08:41 AM

The Children's Museum is almost entirely hands-on exhibits. My 4 & 3 year old easily spent three hours there, and we saw many older kids (elementary age) having a blast as well. There shouldn't be a language barrier there...

We've been to Fiesta Texas when it's raining but not thundering, and had a lot of fun. Go in a swimsuit - head to the waterpark where it doesn't matter if it's raining, as you're wet already. You can always ride the smaller rides that stay open in the main park, and the lines are super short. We haven't been to Sea World yet, but I imagine that the same applies there.

Of course, as a last case, we pull out the Playstation and let our boys play Lego Star Wars for hours.