It’s almost time for Spring Break, and while children won’t be in school for the week of March 11–15, there are still plenty of opportunities for them to socialize, play, and continue learning. Explore low-cost events and activities to help entertain and educate young learners while they’re on Spring Break.
Go to a Local Museum
Spring Break Family Day at San Antonio Museum of Art: San Antonio Museum of Art, Tuesday, March 12, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Features art-making, story times, food vendors, performances and more. Online registration is preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. 200 W. Jones. www.samuseum.org/events/event/free-spring-break-family-day-the-age-of-armor/
Spring Break Roundup – Free Arts & Crafts at Briscoe Museum: March 11–16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Children aged 12 and under get free admission to the Briscoe. Admission is also free for active military and recipients of SNAP, WIC and MAP (with EBT card and photo ID). 210 W. Market Street, San Antonio, TX 78205. www.briscoemuseum.org/
Activities include:
- Paper Plate Weaving | Yanaguana Indian Arts Festival
- Bison Masks | Wild West Wildlife Festival
- Balancing Cowboy | National Day of the Cowboy
Parking information can be found here: www.briscoemuseum.org/directions/
Free Tuesday at The Witte Museum: Every Tuesday, 3–6 p.m. Bexar County residents get free general admission to The Witte Museum. 3801 Broadway, San Antonio, Texas 78209. 210-357-1900. www.wittemuseum.org
Current special exhibits include:
- Mi Cultura—Bringing Shadows Into the Light: The Photography of Al Rendón
- A State of Exploration: Explore Texas’s iconic habitats—from the tropics of South Texas to the deserts and mountains of West Texas.
Free Thursday at McNay Art Museum: General admission to the McNay is free every Thursday from 4–9 p.m. On March 14 (and the second Thursday of every month), there will also be art activities and live music starting at 6 p.m. 6000 N New Braunfels Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78209. www.mcnayart.org/
Museums For All: Recipients of SNAP or WIC benefits can get reduced admission to any museum that participates in the Museums For All program. Just present your EBT or WIC card along with a photo ID when you purchase tickets. All of the museums listed above participate in the Museums For All. To find other museums that participate, visit www.museums4all.org/# and search by location.
Head Over to the Public Library
Spring break is a great time to visit the public library. Every trip to the library is a chance to continue developing literacy skills and encouraging exploration. Find a library near you: www.mysapl.org/Visit/Locations.
You can also find regular free events at some libraries around the city. Browse a list of some events that are great for preschool aged children, and view more on the library’s events calendar: www.mysapl.org/Events-News/Events-Calendar
Story Time at Great Northwest Library: Tuesday, March 12, from 3:30–4:30 p.m. 9050 Wellwood St, San Antonio, TX 78250. More details on mysapl.org.
Coloring and Crafting to Calmness at Central Library: Tuesday, March 12, from 6–7 p.m. Good for all ages, with coloring pages ranging from simple to difficult. Supplies provided. 600 Soledad, San Antonio, TX 78205. More details on mysapl.org.
Let’s Create – Maker’s Club at Great Northwest Library: Friday, March 15, from 4–5 p.m. Self-directed art, science, building activities, and more. Beware that some activities can get messy. 9050 Wellwood St, San Antonio, TX 78250. More details on mysapl.org.
Preschool Story Time at Semmes Library: Wednesday, March 13, 10:30–11:30 a.m. Followed by child-led free play. 15060 Judson Rd. San Antonio, TX 78247. More details on mysapl.org.
Preschool Story Time at Landa Library: Wednesday, March 13, 1–2 p.m. Arts and crafts afterward. Recommended for ages 3 and up. 233 Bushnell, San Antonio, TX 78212. More details on mysapl.org.
Preschool Story Time at Westfall Library: Wednesday, March 13, 10:30–11:15 a.m. More details at mysapl.org.
Preschool Story Time at Collins Garden Library: Thursday, March 14, 10:30–11:30 a.m. 200 N. Park, San Antonio, TX 78204. More details at mysapl.org.
Story Time at Forest Hills Library: March 14, 11 a.m. to noon. Recommended for ages 3–5. 5245 Ingram Rd. San Antonio, TX 78228. More details at mysapl.org.
Preschool Story Time at Tobin Library: Thursday, March 14, 11 a.m. to noon. 4134 Harry Wurzbach, San Antonio, TX 78209. More details at mysapl.org.
Preschool Story Time at Mission Library: March 14, 11:15–12 p.m. 3134 Roosevelt Ave. San Antonio, TX 78214. More details at mysapl.org.
Sensory Friendly Playtime at Central Library: March 14, 10:30–11:30 a.m. Open to children of all ages and abilities who benefit from a quieter, more relaxed library environment and free play experience. 600 Soledad, San Antonio, TX 78205. More details at mysapl.org.
Let’s Explore: Playdough! at Schaefer Library. Play with homemade clay. Friday, March 15, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 6322 US Hwy 87 East, San Antonio, TX 78222. More details at mysapl.org.
Family Friendly Movie Deals
Free Movie in the Park at the Tower of the Americas – Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile: Saturday, March 9 at sunset (approximately 6:30 p.m.), 739 E Cesar E. Chavez Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78205. https://www.toweroftheamericas.com/event/movie-in-the-park/
Family Fun Tuesdays at Santikos Cibolo: Get tickets to Kung-Fu Panda 4 for $4.99. Showtimes for Tuesday, March 12 are 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. 18124 I-35, Cibolo, TX 78108. https://www.santikos.com/familyfuntuesdays/
Super Tuesdays at Santikos Westlakes and Casa Blanca: See Kung-Fu Panda 4 for $4.99 at Santikos’ Westlakes or Casa Blanca locations. Showtimes for both locations on Tuesday, March 12 are 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Addresses for both locations listed below. https://www.santikos.com/super-tuesday/
- Westlakes: 1255 SW Loop 410, San Antonio, Texas 78227
- Casa Blanca: 11210 Alamo Ranch Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78253
$2 Tickets at Regal Cinemas: On Saturdays, Regal Cinemas has $2 tickets to PG-rated movies. Showtimes and locations for March 9 and March 16 are listed below, and tickets can be bought online at the links provided.
- The Iron Giant at Regal Huebner Oaks: Saturday, March 9 at 11:30 a.m. 11075 I-10 Ste 1H, San Antonio, TX 78230 More information at www.regmovies.com.
- The Lego Movie at Regal Alamo Quarry: Saturday, March 9 at 10:30 a.m. 255 E Basse Rd Ste. 320, San Antonio, TX 78209. More information at www.regmovies.com.
- The Lego Movie at Regal Huebner Oaks: Saturday, March 9 at 11 a.m. 11075 I-10 Ste 1H, San Antonio, TX 78230. More information at www.regmovies.com.
- Shrek at Regal Alamo Quarry: Saturday, March 16 at 10:30 a.m. 255 E Basse Rd Ste. 320, San Antonio, TX 78209. More information at www.regmovies.com.
- Shrek at Regal Huebner Oaks: Saturday, March 16 at 11 a.m. 11075 I-10 Ste 1H, San Antonio, TX 78230. More information at www.regmovies.com.
Spring Break Activities For Any Day
Visit the Alamo Church. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Entry to the church is free, but you must make a reservation online at www.thealamo.org/plan-your-visit/.
Tour the other historic missions, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Learn more at www.sanantonio.gov/Mission-Trails/Mission-Trails-Historic-Sites/Missions
- Concepción: 807 Mission Rd, San Antonio, TX 78210
- Espada: 10040 Espada Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214
- San José: 6701 San Jose Dr, San Antonio, TX 78214
- San Juan: 9101 Graf Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214
Hit the playground! Spring Break is a great time to get back out to a favorite nearby park or find a new one you haven’t been to yet. To see a list of parks near you, browse the city’s online Find a Park Map: gis.sanantonio.gov/itsd/parksearch/index.html
Cool off at a splash pad. Public pools may not be open in time for Spring Break, but these city parks have splash pads open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.:
- Benavides Park: 1502 Saltillo St, San Antonio, TX 78207. More information at www.sanantonio.gov.
- Elmendorf Lake Park: 3700 W Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78207. More information at www.sanantonio.gov.
- Hemisfair Park: 434 S Alamo St, San Antonio, TX 78205. More information at https://hemisfair.org/play/.
- Lincoln Park: 2915 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78202. More information at www.sanantonio.gov.
- Pearsall Park: 4838 Old Pearsall Rd, San Antonio, TX 78242. More information at www.sanantonio.gov.
Play at Dan Markson Park, San Antonio’s newest inclusive park. Shaded playground and other amenities for people of all ages and abilities. Includes ADA-accessible restroom with adult changing table, accessible benches, picnic tables and more. Open every day, 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Note: This park is not easily accessible by bus. 13620 Babcock Rd, San Antonio, TX 78249. More information at www.sanantonio.gov.
Roam the Japanese Tea Garden: Open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is always free. 3853 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78212. www.saparks.org/japanese-tea-garden
Check Out Spring Break Fest at the Market Square: Saturday, March 9 to Sunday, March 17. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Historic Market Square will host its Spring Break Fest featuring live music and entertainment, food booths, working artists, and vendors. 514 W Commerce, San Antonio, TX 78207. www.marketsquaresa.com/
Explore the San Antonio Botanical Garden: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Through the Museums for All program, recipients of SNAP and WIC can get admission for up to four people for just $3 each. Just present your EBT or WIC card at the entrance, along with a photo ID, to receive the discount. 555 Funston Pl, San Antonio, TX 78209. www.sabot.org/
Transportation Options
Most of the events and locations listed above are accessible by VIA bus routes. Children under 12 ride VIA buses free. Adults can get a day pass for $2.75 or a 7-day pass for $12. Learn more about how to plan your VIA trip at www.viainfo.net/trip-planning/.
Some people, including current students, active-duty military, persons with certain disabilities, seniors, and Medicare or Social Security Disability Insurance recipients, are also eligible for reduced fares with a Reduced Fare ID. For more information on how to receive these discounts, visit www.viainfo.net/reduced-fares/.
