Spring Events and Fun in San Antonio

Looking to add something new to your spring? There’s no end to spring events and fun in San Antonio. The season is jam-packed with great options for families to enjoy. Whether it’s welcoming a new sea turtle to town, learning how to build, STEAMing into the West, or even enjoying a snowy day, the season is jam-packed with great options for families to enjoy, explore, and have fun.

Check out the list below and don’t forget: there are always free museum hours to enjoy and a calendar of fun to explore.

buzz lightyear and woodie the cowboy from Toy Story in front of a sign
Photo by Pixar Putt

Play Golf with Woodie and Buzz

…And all of their Pixar friends! Pixar Putt is bringing all of your favorite Pixar characters to play putt-putt downtown April 1–May 15. A pop-up, open-air mini-golf experience made up of 18 fun and interactive holes inspired by the stories, characters, and icons from some of Pixar’s most beloved films including Toy Story, The Incredibles, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, Coco, A Bug’s Life, Wall-E, and Inside Out, expect this to be a must for spring fun. Tickets are only available digitally, and tip: there’s a great date-night option as only 18+ are allowed on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.

Build Some Fun at the DoSeum

Grab your hard hat and put on your safety vest—the “Building Buddies” need your help! The DoSeum’s latest exhibition will thrill little construction fans. “Building Buddies” portrays a small community where everyone is busy working on their homes. Different characters invite young children to play, explore, collaborate, create, and learn while improving the neighborhood. “Building Buddies” is open through May 1.

And while you’re at the DoSeum, don’t miss “Uniquely Us: Understanding Race and Building Unity.” Developed in response to families asking The DoSeum for childhood-age resources on race and racism, “Uniquely Us” explores what it means to be you and me. The exhibition presents concepts like race and equity in ways that every learner can understand. “Uniquely Us” is on display through April 3.

Go Play in the Snow

a young child hugs his dad
Photo by Magik Theatre

…Or at least see a play about a snow day, which sounds much more fun than the real thing (#GoAwayWinterWeather). The children’s book classic, The Snowy Day, is brought to life in The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Ezra Jack Keats” at Magik Theatre through March 19. Drawing from some of Keats’ beloved works—The Snowy Day, Whistle for Willie, Googles!, and A Letter to Amy—the production features an all African-American local cast. Keats received the 1963 Caldecott Medal for his collage artwork in The Snowy Day, which was the first picture book with an African-American protagonist to win a major children’s book award.

STEAM into Western Fun

The Briscoe Western Art Museum’s new education series, “Full STEAM Ahead,” fills the third Saturday of each month with STEAM learning. “Full STEAM Ahead” allows learners of all ages to work together and learn about the American West by engaging in hands-on STEAM learning experiences. March’s “Earth shake? Earthquake!” lets everyone imagine what earthquakes were like in the Old West. How do you think Western settlers reacted and prepared for earthquakes? Families will create their own home and test it to see if it can survive an earthquake! April features the science behind sunsets and May explores the railroad.

a young girl and a young boy work with a bead project
Spring break fun at the Briscoe

The Briscoe is also offering special spring break programming. “Spring Break Roundup” offers children and caregivers different activities to enjoy together Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of spring break (March 17–19). The come and go program includes activities that celebrate the heritage and culture of the American West. Even better: children 12 and under always receive free admission to the Briscoe, making it a budget-friendly family option.

Dig into Roots at the Botanical Garden

Opening April 16, “Rooted” at the San Antonio Botanical Garden is a monumental sculpture exhibition featuring the work of artist Steve Tobin. The exhibition includes the artist’s “Steelroots” and “Bronze Roots” series, as well as new, nature-inspired sculptures sent directly from the artist’s studio. Over 20 sculptures will be rooted throughout the Garden, inviting everyone to see, touch, and experience nature’s power, grace, and complexity. Can you say “scavenger hunt” to find them all? (A great activity to burn energy!) Yes, please!

Make Friends with a Sea Turtle

Green sea turtle floating with lettuce
Meet Guac, our newest sea life friend.

SEA LIFE San Antonio has a new resident with an absolutely perfect San Antonio name:  Guacamole, a young, rehabilitated green sea turtle. You’ll find her in the 155,000-gallon ocean tunnel exhibit, along with more than 1,000 creatures including sharks and stingrays. The 26.4-pound sea turtle was rescued from the Texas coast after she was found with paralyzed back flippers, likely caused by injuries sustained by a boat. After receiving months of treatment at the Amos Rehabilitation Keep (ARK) in Port Aransas, she is ready to call SEA LIFE San Antonio home. Sadly, due to her condition, she can’t be released back into the wild, but we can make her feel at home in the Alamo City! Don’t miss the replica sea turtle built with 5,000 LEGO bricks courtesy of SEA LIFE’s neighbor, LEGOLAND Discovery Center. And through March 27, you can play pirate at SEA LIFE and go on treasure hunts at LEGOLAND too.

Learn Cowboy History at the Witte

Did you know that one of four cowboys who went on the trail was Black? Explore the lives and work of the numerous Black men, women, and children—enslaved and free—who labored on the ranches of Texas and participated in cattle drives before the Civil War through the turn of the twentieth century in the Witte’s “Black Cowboys: An American Story.” The exhibition runs through April 16 and features artifacts, photographs, and documents depicting the work and skills of Black cowboys.

Explore Latino Art at Centro de Artes

a 10 foot tall popsicle sculpture
Photo courtesy of City of San Antonio Department of Arts and Culture

Located in the heart of downtown in Historic Market Square, Centro de Artes gallery is a two-story exhibit space dedicated to telling the story of the Latino experience in the United States, with a focus on South Texas, through local and regional art, history, and culture, and showcasing Latino artists and Latino-themed artworks. Through July 3, check out a fantastic exhibition featuring the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program, which pairs emerging foreign-born or first-generation artists with experienced artists for mentorship, development, and encouragement. The multi-disciplinary exhibition explores the unique and lived experiences of 34 San Antonio-based artists. And don’t miss the perfect San Antonio picture: a selfie with a 10-foot tall paleta, Sabor del Mercado, by San Antonio Artist David Blancas.

For more ideas for spring fun, check out Spring Break 2022: 30+ Ideas for Fun In and Around San Antonio.

Dawn
An Army brat who came to Texas for college and ultimately managed to make the Lone Star State her permanent home, Dawn became a mom “AMA” (advanced maternal age), giving her the opportunity to use a stroller vs. a walker as she navigates the world of motherhood. Her growing up way too fast native Texan loves all things Star Wars, Legos, dinosaurs and keeping his parents on their toes. When she’s not busy parenting the original strong-willed child, Dawn runs Tale to Tell Communications, a San Antonio-based PR and marketing agency. An award-winning writer, Dawn also contributes to San Antonio Woman, Rio Magazine and Texas Lifestyle Magazine. She and her family enjoy exploring all that San Antonio has to offer, going on adventures and playing tourist together as much as possible. Favorite Restaurant: Clementine Favorite Landmark: The beauty of the River Walk, especially La Villita Favorite San Antonio Tradition: Celebrating anything and everything with color, music and food