10 Free Things To Do At The San Antonio Rodeo (Kid-Approved!)

Sigh. I know this won’t always make the list, so I’m soaking it in while I can!

But she has a point—the San Antonio Rodeo is a great family activity, especially if you follow my crowd-avoidance strategy (check out my previous post on how to visit the rodeo without the crowds!). It’s something unique, seasonal, and different from our usual outings in San Antonio.

That said, I’m sure there are times of day or certain events where the family-friendliness level takes a dip, so always do your own research!

📢 Elliana’s Review:
“I got to spend time with mom during the week. And she took off work to be there.”

Elliana isn’t particularly into tractors, so this landed toward the bottom of her list. But for tractor-obsessed kiddos, getting to climb on real Caterpillar tractors is a dream!

For her, the best part was taking photos to send to her Opa, who worked at Caterpillar for 50 years, so we had to include it on our list of free things to do at the San Antonio Rodeo.

📢 Elliana’s Review:
“It was cool because Opa worked for Caterpillar and it was fun to climb on the tractors.”

The area outside the expo hall features a variety of interactive educational exhibits—and to my daughter, these were gold.

Her favorite? A trailer dedicated to dairy farming, featuring a digital game where you design your own dairy farm. We couldn’t pass by without stopping… every. single. time.

Another highlight? A life-size cow statue you can actually milk. Because obviously, that needed to happen.

📢 Elliana’s Review:
“I got to have the experience of actually milking a cow! So cool!”

Since both of us have a hard time watching certain rodeo events (anything that feels even slightly unfair to animals), we haven’t attended many. But one event we both love? Barrel Racing.

Watching horse and rider move as one at high speed, twisting through the arena with pure precision—it’s exhilarating. It’s inspiring. And it’s the one rodeo event we always make time for.

📢 Elliana’s Review:
“It’s exciting to see the horses run so fast!”

One of the strongest traits my daughter inherited from me? A deep love for animals.

At the swine barn, she was in her happy place—walking past rows and rows of show pigs, watching them burrow into fresh bedding, stick their snouts out at passersby, and strut their stuff.

She also got a kick out of watching the show competitors guide their pigs to the arena using nothing more than a pig whip (yes, that’s the official term—but no, it’s not used to hurt them, just guide them).

📢 Elliana’s Review:
“They were fun to see because they are my favorite animal. I liked when they came to the front of the fence and looked at us. Some even tried to stick their snout out and sniff us!”

The main entrance gate takes you right past the warm-up arena, where stalls are lined with beautiful horses.

And if you know us, you know we couldn’t just walk past without stopping to greet every single one. Some ignored us (fair—they probably get tired of humans constantly trying to pet them), but others completely stole our hearts.

Neither of us grew up around horses, but we’re pretty sure we were cowgirls in a past life. (See also: my 2024 resolution to take horseback riding lessons! 🐎)

📢 Elliana’s Review:
“I liked petting the horses because they were soft and horses are my second favorite animal. I don’t normally get to be so close to horses. That was cool.”

Inside the expo hall, the petting zoo is full of eager animals waiting for attention. Goats, sheep, deer… and even a baby kangaroo cozied up in a pouch.

It’s like walking into a furry hug. And if your kids are like Elliana, getting them to walk away from the furry hug of all those animals may be a challenge…

📢 Elliana’s Review:
“There was a baby kangaroo and it was so soft!! All of the other animals were nice and let me pet them. I would have stayed there with all of the animals all day if I could.”

This interactive farm exhibit features cows, pigs, mini horses, and chickens—but the star of the show?

🐣 Baby chicks hatching—LIVE.

Watching a chick break through its shell and take its first wobbly steps was a top-tier moment for Elliana. (And let’s be real, for me too.)

📢 Elliana’s Review:
“You got to see the chicks hatching!! I was worried because some of the baby chicks looked like they were dead…but then they would jump up and start running! It was also cool to pet the other animals.”

At first, this didn’t make her list at all. Which shocked me because when she first heard we were going to the rodeo, the Candy Maze was the first thing she mentioned.

But her reasoning was fair: it’s not free.

Technically, you can walk through without spending a dime. But whether or not your kid can resist grabbing a basket and filling it to the brim with overpriced sugar? That’s the real question.

📢 Elliana’s Review:
“You got to get all types of candy (except Mexican candy…)! There were new types of candy, like strawberry Sour Patch Kids, that I’ve never tried.”

According to Elliana, the best part of the San Antonio Rodeo isn’t the animals, the candy, or the rides. It’s…

🐷 The Pig Races. 🏁

Picture this: Four piglets, a tiny racetrack, and an Oreo cookie at the finish line. It’s quick, hilarious, and chaotic. Did I mention that each pig has a hilariously appropriate name like Kevin Bacon, Brad Pigg, or Kim Kardashi-ham? Because obviously, they do.

Each pig has a designated cheerleader from the audience, and if your pig wins? You get a pack of Oreos and a pig snout.

Oh, and the highlight? A baby piglet named Swifty swimming across an 8-foot pool. (Yes, really.)

📢 Elliana’s Review:
“Pigs are my favorite animal and they were super cute! It was exciting to see because they ran really fast for an Oreo. After the pig racing, I got to hold a baby piglet named Honey Boo-Boo and take a picture. She was SO cute!“**

**Taking a picture with the piglet was not free…but I gave in only because pigs are her favorite animal and honestly, where else would she get to hold a 6-week old piglet!