A charming small state park right in the town of Blanco where the river has been dammed to create a calm swimming area that is ideal for little kids. Families can rent tubes and kayaks right at the park and float a short stretch of the Blanco River. The park is compact enough that parents can see the whole area from a picnic table which makes it much more relaxing than larger parks.
A beloved Austin swimming hole where Bull Creek pools up among flat limestone slabs creating natural wading areas that are ideal for young kids. The water is shallow enough in most spots that toddlers can splash safely while older kids explore upstream through the rocky creek bed. Shaded picnic areas line the banks and parking fills up fast on hot weekends so arriving early is essential.
A compact but well-designed nature center with paved and unpaved trails looping through forest and around a small pond. The nature playscape lets little kids build with natural materials and the small indoor exhibit area has live reptiles and amphibians. It is a perfect low-key outing for toddlers and preschoolers who are building their stamina for longer hikes.
A 758-acre preserve protecting one of the last intact stretches of Cross Timbers forest in North Texas. The trails are short (topping out around two miles) and easy enough for toddlers, which makes this an excellent first hiking spot for very young families. Over 1,100 species of plants and animals have been documented here, and the nature center runs hands-on programs for kids throughout the year that are consistently well-organized and engaging.