Museums and Science Centers
Science
Featured
Thinkery
Austin children's museum built for hands-on play, with water tables, a light and shadow lab, a maker studio and a baby-only zone.
Ages
1–10+
Cost
Paid
Duration
~3hrs
Difficulty
Easy
Setting
Both
Austins childrens museum and the default answer when the weather ruins a Barton Springs plan. Everything is designed to be pulled, poured, built or knocked over, with a huge water play area, a light and shadow lab, and a maker studio with real tools. There is a separate space for babies and crawlers so the under-twos are not steamrolled by big kids. Outdoor backyard play space extends the visit on nice days. Two to three hours is realistic and there is a cafe on site when everyone crashes.
Stroller Friendly
Pricing
Paid admission; reduced-price community nights offered, check current rates (verify)
Common Questions
- How much does Thinkery cost?
- Admission to Thinkery is paid. Paid admission; reduced-price community nights offered, check current rates (verify)
- What ages is Thinkery good for?
- Thinkery is best for kids ages 1 to 10+.
- Is Thinkery stroller friendly?
- Yes, Thinkery is stroller friendly.
- Can I bring my dog to Thinkery?
- No, dogs are not allowed at Thinkery.
- How hard is Thinkery?
- The difficulty level is easy. Plan for about 3 hours.
- Is Thinkery free?
- No, there is a cost to visit Thinkery. Paid admission; reduced-price community nights offered, check current rates (verify)
- What should I bring to Thinkery?
- Change of clothes for water play, socks, water bottles
- How long does Thinkery take?
- Most families spend about 3 hours at Thinkery.
- When is the best time to visit Thinkery?
- Year-round. Weekday mornings are calmest during the school year.
- Is there parking at Thinkery?
- Free on-site lot at Mueller. Overflow street parking in the Mueller neighborhood.