Having a regular, trustworthy babysitter is one of a parent’s greatest assets. But sometimes, sitters aren’t available when you need a night out on the town. Or, you’d like a date night out with your significant other without paying $12 an hour for child care. That’s when Parents’ Night Out programs come in handy.
The really great ones provide kids with fun activities in a safe environment at an affordable rate, while parents enjoy a few hours to themselves.
Here are three of our favorite (and our kids’ favorite) San Antonio Parents’ Night Out programs:
Thousand Oaks YMCA Parents’ Night Out
Ages six weeks to 12 years
16103 Henderson Pass
San Antonio, TX 78232
210-494-5292
The Thousand Oaks YMCA offers Parents Night Out on the third Friday of each month from 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (drop off starts at 5:50 p.m.). At just $10 per child (for members), this is by far the most affordable Parents’ Night Out program we’ve found and it includes dinner! Kids enjoy pizza, games, exercise, movies, arts and crafts, swimming (in the indoor or outdoor pool, depending on weather, for those kids ages seven and up who are able pass a swim test), and a bounce house.
The Thousand Oaks’ YMCA Parents’ Night Out program divides kids into groups by age. Children six weeks old up to six years play in the Child Watch Center (which includes an outdoor playground they can visit when the weather is nice). Kids ages seven – 12 spend their evening in the Kids’ Club, a cool place with couches, a ping pong table, foosball, age-appropriate video games, board games, and movies.
Be sure to visit the main YMCA San Antonio website to find other YMCA locations offering Parents’ Night Out (locations, dates, ages, rates, and offerings vary). Which YMCA is closest to you? Use this map.
Artworks’ Art Night Out (aka Parents’ Night Out)
Ages 5-12
1840 Nacogdoches Rd
Loop 410 (Inside Loop)
San Antonio, TX 78209
210-826-2787 studio
210-862-2787 mobile
7715 Mainland Suite 103
Off Bandera Rd
San Antonio, TX 78250
210-256-2787
Leon Springs
23535 IH-10 West, Suite 2203
San Antonio, TX 78257
210-256-2787
Our kids love Art Night Out at Artworks because they spend time learning about and trying out different art techniques using a wide variety of media. My husband and I love it because it’s one of the few programs that provides a full four hours of child care and activities (from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.) and it’s only $20 per child. You’ll need to provide dinner for your child (we usually pack a healthy sack lunch for our kiddos). In addition to instructor-led art projects, kids have fun with story time too. Art Night Out is offered once a month (on different dates) at each of the three Artworks locations here in town.
The Little Gym Parents’ Survival Night
Ages 3-12
2941 Thousand Oaks Drive
San Antonio, TX 78247-3312
210-545-3770
5320 Broadway
Alamo Heights, TX 78209
210-822-9252
One of the best things about The Little Gym is the trained gymnastics instructors who are filled with enthusiasm for working with kids. Their excitement is contagious. Our kids never want to leave The Little Gym and they can’t wait to go back. In an environment designed just for kids, The Little Gym’s three-hour Parents’ Survival Night provides pizza, movies, games, and music-filled activities all for $25 per child for members (and $35 per child for nonmembers). The program runs from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on select Friday and Saturday nights at the Northeast and the Alamo Heights locations. Check their website or call for specific dates.
Here are other Parents’ Night Out programs we’ve found in San Antonio (but haven’t tried yet). Which other Parents’ Night Out programs in and around San Antonio do you love to recommend to your family and friends? Leave your favorites in the comments!
Aerial Athletics
Third Saturday of the Month
Locations San Antonio (4335 Vance Jackson Rd. #3, San Antonio, TX 78230) and Schertz (17361 Bell North #103, Schertz, TX 78154)
6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
$20/child before day of event; $25 day of event; $5 sibling discount
Friday Night Live (for 1st – 6th graders)
Every Friday
Three locations (Hardy Oak Elementary, Bulverde Creek Elementary, Indian Springs Elementary)
7:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
$12 per child (concessions are available for an additional cost)
Pump It Up San Antonio Northwest (ages 5 – 12)
Held on select Fridays (check their calendar for dates)
7723 Guilbeau Road, Suite 102, San Antonio, TX, 78250
6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
$20 per child
Gymnastics of San Antonio
2nd Saturday of every month
5500 Babcock, San Antonio, TX 78240
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
$15/pre-registered child and $25.00/at the door.
Kid Space (ages 12 months – 12 years)
Parents’ Night Out offered (call locations for details)
Two locations: Stone Oak (210-545-7722, 19141 Stone Oak Pkwy @ Huebner Rd.) and Cibolo Canyons (210-481-1611, 3111 TPC Pkwy @ Bulverde Rd.)
Grace Point Kids’ Night Out (birth through 5th grade)
Once a month
Two locations: Medical Center (9650 Huebner, San Antonio, TX 78240) and West (8531 Leslie, San Antonio, TX 78254)
6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Starting at $18 for one child
Love to Swim and Tumble School Date Night
Once a month at three locations
Three locations: San Antonio (210.492.2606, 15502 Huebner Rd., San Antonio, TX 78248), Schertz (210.566.4096, 6044 FM 3009, Schertz, TX 78154), and Stone Oak (210.702.3444, 20210 Stone Oak Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78258)
6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Please call for rates
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Colonial Hills United Methodist Church off Vance Jackson and Callaghan also offer a Parents Night Out. I use to love taking my children there! Wonderful staff!
Braundera YMCA does PNO twice a month. No swimming but they do have pizza, popcorn and movie as well as playtime in the treehouse play area. They also have a loyalty program where you get a free kid for every certain kids (I think it’s 5 or 6?) My kids love it!
Wow. That’s awesome, Katie! What a great deal they provide for Parents’ Night Out. Thanks for sharing it.
Martial arts fun, obstacle courses, games, movies, pizza, snacks, dancing. Ages 5 and up. 6-10pm select Fridays. Check Facebook.
6111 Tezel #105 (by Yonkers convenience store at Tezel and Timber Path)
$20/child