Austin Indoor Activities for Kids
Recess camps + “indoor lifesavers” for cold snaps, rainy days, and cabin fever
Some days you open the door, feel the “cold” air (aka when it drops below 60 in Texas), and go: nope. Not today!
Whether it’s cold, rainy, or you just need to get everyone out of the house before your living room becomes a full-contact sport, Austin has plenty of indoor options for families. Whether you want a special treat experience for the kids, or quick, reliable, lifesaver options that keep the day from going off the rails: we’ve got you.
Here’s your go-to list: indoor camps and classes you can book on Recess, plus the Austin indoor staples parents lean on when they need a plan, fast!
When you need full coverage: Indoor camps & classes (bookable on Recess)
1) Big energy burners (for the kid who needs to MOVE)
These are your MVPs for cabin-fever days: structured movement, happy kids, and a better shot at bedtime.
- Multi-sport for the curious kiddos: Sportball
Great for kids who like variety: multiple sports, skill-building, and “I learned something new!” energy. - Indoor soccer: Soccer Pups
The sweet spot: structured enough to learn real skills, playful enough that kids stay engaged—and the coaches are big on kindness, teamwork, and character-building. - All-sport day camps: EP Sports Academy
Great for no-school days and breaks: lots of movement, games, and variety so kids stay engaged. - Confidence-building fitness: KidStrong (Cedar Park, Pflugerville, South, & North Austin)
A strong fit for kids who like challenges and progress: structured movement that feels like leveling up. - Gymnastics / ninja-style movement: ChampionsTX (Lakeway)
For the climbers and fearless jumpers: safe places to flip, swing, tumble, and burn off steam.
2) “Try something new” adventures (still active, with a skill)
For kids who want something exciting and different, but still indoors.
- Coding camps: My Coding Place
Great for kids who want to build games and learn real skills—without it turning into mindless screen time. - Kids cooking: Young Chefs Academy & Kids Chem Cook
A cozy winter favorite: real skills, real independence, and they’re thrilled to show you what they made. - Paint your own pottery at The Hot Spot Studio (Spring & Summer dates coming soon!)
Cozy, hands-on, and they leave with something real (which is also a surprisingly effective mood boost).
3) Creative + hands-on (screens off, brains on)
When you want them fully engaged without the “I’m bored” spiral.
- STEM + maker camps: Idea Lab Kids (Austin & North Austin)
Perfect for curious kids who love building, experimenting, and asking a million questions. - Creative studio days: The Nest
Wonderful for kids who thrive with imaginative projects and variety. - For the future artist: Creative Action
Creative Action day camps are designed to engage your child in arts-based projects that are taught by professional artists. Our camps will help your child increase self-awareness, self-regulation, and provide a greater sense of belonging.
4) For the performers / music-on-at-home-all-day kids
- The Dance Spot
Fun, movement-based camps (some with wonderful themes!) that feel like a treat, and they get energy out without needing a full-day sports setup. - Hello Dancer
For kids who love dance and want something focused, social, and skill-building.
When you just need to get out of the house: Austin’s indoor lifesavers
These aren’t camps or classes: just the low-lift, Austin go-tos that still feel like you did something, and somehow magically turn the day around.
The “we need something easy” list
- Austin Central Library (downtown)
Truly one of the best free indoor outings in the city. Kids can explore, read, roam, and you can actually breathe for a second. - Thinkery
Hands-on, touch-everything fun. Great when you want them engaged and learning without it feeling like “learning.”
Indoor play places (aka: parental survival tools)
- Catch Air (Austin)
A classic indoor playcenter with big climbing structures, slides, and tons of room for kids to run around and reset. Great for littles (and perfect when you need an easy, reliable outing that doesn’t require a plan). - Cheeky Monkeys (Cedar Park)
A bright indoor play café with a big playscape where kids can climb, explore, and play for hours. Parents can post up with coffee/snacks + free Wi-Fi while keeping eyes on the action (and they make birthdays super easy, too). - The Original Pinballz Arcade (North Austin)
A nostalgia-meets-kid-heaven arcade packed with pinball and classic + modern games: easy to get happily “stuck” here. Great for bigger kids (and parents) when you want an outing that feels fun without a lot of planning.
High-energy, big-kid fun (the “everyone’s entertained” category)
- Ninja Nation (Brentwood)
A Ninja Warrior–style obstacle arena where kids can climb, swing, race, repeat. Open gym, classes, and parties make it a perfect cold-day option for kids who need a challenge and a real energy burn. - Indoor climbing gyms (beyond camps/classes): Crux Climbing
A true “real adventure” outing: kids can climb, problem-solve, and burn energy in a way that feels like a challenge (not chaos). Adults can climb too! Day passes make it an easy pick when you want something active, indoor, and actually exciting. - Monster Mini Golf & Laser Tag (Round Rock)
Glow-in-the-dark mini golf plus laser tag = instant “this is awesome” reactions from kids. Perfect when you want a weather-proof outing that feels like a treat (without needing it to be a birthday).
Winter “treat” options (for when you want it to feel special)
- Ice skating (Ice & Field at The Crossover – Cedar Park)
A true winter “treat” that feels adventurous without braving the weather: public skate sessions on two full-size rinks. Bonus: it’s the rare outing where they’ll beg to do “one more lap.” - Kalahari Indoor Waterpark (Round Rock)
The ultimate “winter escape” close to home—massive indoor waterpark energy with slides, splash zones, and warm, humid vacation vibes even when it’s freezing outside. Grab a day pass when you want a big, memorable outing (birthday-level fun without the travel).
The bottom line: cold snaps, rainy days, and “we cannot stay in this house one more minute” moments do not have to turn into a scramble. Austin is packed with indoor options that actually work for real families. From full-day camps and classes you can book on Recess to low-effort outings that still feel like a win, there is always a backup plan ready.
If you know you need coverage, structure, and kids who come home happily tired, booking an indoor camp or class through Recess is your easiest move. If you just need to reset the day and get everyone out of the house, lean on those indoor Austin staples that parents swear by. Either way, you are not out of options just because the weather decided to be dramatic.
Bookmark this list for the next surprise cold front or rainy forecast, and remember: when the day feels like it is going off the rails, a solid indoor plan can change everything. And if you ever want help finding the right camp or class for your kiddo, Recess is always here to help you make it easy.
Looking for something else? You can find more recommendations on the Recess events page!
