When it’s time to pull the kids away from their tablets, the couch, the snack drawer (for the fifth time today), the 3D printer, or that game of catch in the house that’s destined to break something, load them up in the car and head to one of these local spots for refreshments and FREE fun, courtesy of their outdoor play areas!
FairLane: Cocktails and Coffee
The local family behind FairLane set out to create a place where people can connect and feel welcome, and it definitely shows. As fellow parents in our school community, I’ve seen the heart they pour into everything they do. Start your day sipping a specialty iced coffee beneath one of the patio umbrellas while the kids make a beeline for the large wooden playground, a sweet pastry in each hand and smiles from ear to ear. (It’s true. I’ve witnessed it a dozen times.) Many local parents have shared online that the expansive fenced playscape is one of the main reasons FairLane has become their go-to spot. Between the playground, food trucks, coffee, cocktails, and plenty of room to roam, FairLane has created the kind of place where neighbors become friends, and everyone feels right at home.
FairLaneCC.net
Route 12 Filling Station
When the temperature starts to climb and the relentless Texas sun shows no mercy, grab your swimsuits and head over to Route 12 for some splash-tastic relief! Nothing brings back summertime nostalgia quite like a splash pad. And for those who’d rather stay dry, there’s a playscape to climb, explore, and conquer. After the kids have cooled off, treat them to a push pop while you dig into a basket of Route 12’s house-made Danish blue cheese and bacon chips. (Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any crunchy potato addiction that may result from this recommendation.) You’ll leave this little oasis feeling full, refreshed, cool, and happy—a winning combination for any Texas summer day.
Route12FillingStation.com
Dripping Springs Distilling
There’s a reason finding a parking spot at Dripping Springs Distilling on a sunny afternoon can feel like winning the lottery. This Hill Country favorite has become a gathering place for families, friends, and four-legged companions alike. While you settle into the shade beneath a sprawling oak tree in the massive backyard, the kids can happily check out the open outdoor space, complete with a playground, cornhole, and a one-goal soccer field. Oh, and if it’s a Sunday, be sure to check out brunch and treat yourself to favorites like the Boozy French Toast, Buddha Bowl, or the Bloody Mary and Biscuit Bar. (Yes, you read that last one correctly.) As if the giant backyard wasn’t enough, Dripping Springs Distilling also offers some seriously wallet-friendly happy hour specials during the week. The grown-ups (especially those of us in the teaching world who know a good happy hour when we see one) get to peruse the drink deals as the kiddos refuel with mac and cheese before sprinting right back to the playground!
DrippingSpringsDistilling.com
Hays City Store
When it comes to family friendly, you can never go wrong with this local favorite. In fact, Hays City Store has described itself as “a place for families who want space for kids to be kids.” Instead of traditional slides and swings, Hays City Store recently installed a large rope-climbing, spiderweb-style net structure in its large outdoor beer garden and patio. Kids can climb and engage in imaginative play, and parents can keep a watchful eye while enjoying their delicious menu items and drinks (like the margarita flight and the chicken tinga nachos—my faves)!
HaysCityStoreTX.com
Vespa Rossa
Vespa Rossa’s popular brisket suppli balls and baked shells and cheese may be what gets people in the door, but I think it is what’s behind the restaurant—and completely out of sight from busy Highway 290—that keeps families coming back for more. Under giant oak trees twinkling with white lights is a sprawling outdoor space where kids can play and make new friends while parents get to finish both their conversation AND their house-made rigatoni with meatballs (just one of my top picks) while it’s still hot. The staff here is also consistently warm and welcoming, and they offer Kids Eat Free Tuesdays and a great kids’ menu with plenty of crowd-pleasers. In fact, my own first graders rave about the buttery pasta shells, which, in first-grade terms, is basically Michelin-level praise.
VespaRossaTX.com
Trattoria Lisina
For families looking for a kid-friendly destination with a little Italian escape for the grown-ups, Trattoria Lisina is yet another great choice. Set on the Mandola family’s vineyard estate, it pairs vineyard views, shaded Tuscan-ish patios, imported wine, and long, lingering dinners with a surprisingly thoughtful space for children to play. The outdoor areas stretch well beyond the main courtyard, where a dedicated playground sits just far enough away to make it feel like its own little kid zone rather than an afterthought. (I never even knew it was there! Did you?) Trattoria Lisina is more than a beautiful Hill Country estate; it’s a Tuscan-inspired escape built for slow afternoons, good wine, and unhurried meals. And thankfully, they also remembered one small detail: Kids exist … and they tend to arrive hungry and then they’re ready to run.
TrattoriaLisina.com
Mercer St. Taproom
This quaint and cozy taproom feels a lot like that one neighbor’s backyard where all the families naturally end up gathering. I mean, that’s if that backyard happens to have 18 rotating beers on tap, frozen margaritas, cocktails, wine, and a selection of kids’ snacks and drinks! But one of the biggest draws, no pun intended, is the playscape. Tucked beside the patio, the playground gives little ones a place to burn off energy while parents settle in with a refreshing pint and a bite to eat. The taproom actually has two play areas that make this family- and dog-friendly spot a win for just about everyone. The online reviews are packed with praise, including plenty of five-star ratings. One mom shares that Mercer St. Taproom serves “one of the best frozen margaritas” she’s ever had. (Fair warning: the taproom affectionately calls these frosty favorites “baby makers"—just sayin’.) She also raves about the large shaded playground, board games, local ice cream freezer, and the fact that they had the game on, too. Her final verdict? “Five stars!” With great drinks, happy kids, wagging tails, and popular food truck options, it’s easy to see why Mercer St. Taproom has quickly become one of Dripping Springs’ favorite new hangouts.
MercerStTaproom.com
So when the “we’re bored” chorus starts echoing through the house, you’ve got your answer. There's a whole town of patios, play areas, yummy snacks, and cold drinks waiting just for you!