The question “What do you want to do today?” can cause panic among an indecisive crew. Luckily, there’s no shortage of group activities in Austin. Sure, you could simply head to a restaurant or bar, but we’re looking for things a little more creative than that today.
Check out these 11 fantastic group activities in Austin, including the ideal group size for each. Let’s adventure!
Get your craft on at Trinkets ATX
This is a South Austin craft social extravaganza. Trinkets is a do-it-yourself craft studio where artists and crafters get access to the tools and space they need to create. Choose from an assortment of “Which Craft” menu items, complete with instructions for making something beautiful. Or, if you’re feeling a bit more witchy, indulge in an a-la-craft session. Trinkets has a ton of endless…well, trinkets within its walls, just itching to be repurposed. I personally recommend the “Adopt a Ghost” Which Craft option, where you design a salarium for a friendly ghost. This lil’ guy is a wonderful addition to my home decor!
Ideal group size: 2-6 people
Location: 6218 Brodie Ln
Star on a game show at GameOn! ATX
GameOn! ATX is one of the coolest experiences in all of Austin. If you’ve ever wanted to star on Family Feud, Wheel of Fortune, or The Price is Right, this is your opportunity. I’ve gone to GameOn! a handful of occasions, with a wildly different mishmash of people (from friends to coworkers), and it’s been a blast every time. I also like that they support all ages. If you’re going with friends, you can do more R-rated categories, but if you’re partaking in a family outing featuring young children, the clues can all be suitably clean.
Ideal group size: 8-14 people
Location: 1515 Dungan Ln #200
Take a line dancing class with Tara Bianco
I have been a fan of line dancing since I was in elementary school, and I can’t remember a more entertaining instructor than Tara Bianco. Whether you have two left feet or can grapevine with the best of them, her lessons are a blast—and great exercise, to boot (scoot). Check her site to see where she’s at on a given night, and if you get a chance, recommend a non-country song to try. Tara’s a believer that every song can have an accompanying line dance, and having done line dances to Spice Girls, TLC, and Pitbull, I’m inclined to agree.
Ideal group size: 2-8 people
Location: Varies
Knock some pucks together at Electric Shuffle
Before I first visited Electric Shuffle, I envisioned shuffleboard as an activity you would do on something like a cruise ship. You had a giant broom, you slid it over a board, and you golf clapped when you pulled it off. Oh, how wrong I was. Electric Shuffle takes classic shuffleboard and turns it into such a cool digital experience. Multiple game modes, instant replays, eye-catching graphics…you love to see it. The actual gameplay is fun enough on its own, but Electric Shuffle has terrific food and drinks, as well. The cocktail game is STRONG (I’m partial to the Mambo No. 5), and there are different brunch and dinner packages depending on when you visit. Check out the specials before you go—bonus points if you attend during a drag brunch or other festive occasion.
Ideal group size: 4-10 people
Location: 91 Red River St, Ste 102
Pew pew each other at Blazer Tag
For four consecutive birthdays, at least part of my festivities have been at Blazer Tag. I’ve also been there for an office team-building outing, where we rented out the entire place. Nothing like firing a laser at your coworkers, you know? Whatever the occasion, add this to your group activities in Austin list. If you only care about getting the high score, you can stand right next to an opponent’s base and just keep firing at it. But it’s way more fun to sneak around the environment and try and nab your friends. In between games, you can play some classic arcade offerings like pop-a-shot and skeeball.
Ideal group size: 4-16 people
Location: 1701 W. Ben White Blvd
Get nostalgic at the Texas Toy Museum and Arcade
Perhaps at some point in your childhood, you were scolded for playing with your toys too much. That’s not a problem at the Texas Toy Museum and Arcade. In fact, you can spend hours here and still not get your hands on everything. There are several classic arcade games ready to roll, such as Q*Bert, Duck Hunt, Guitar Hero, and Mario Kart (Side note: I will beat you in the N64 version any day of the week). There are also pinball machines and a shocking amount of toys and collectibles. I thought it was super cool having toys like 2XL and Stretch Armstrong growing up. This museum puts my collection to shame.
Ideal group size: 2-5 people
Location: 312 Congress Ave
Make your own keepsake at Sundazed Stained Glass
This is one of the most unique hands-on activities you can indulge in across Austin. Sundazed Stained Glass places you in control of creating a stained glass project. From cutting your glass to shaping and soldering it, you’re putting in the work. Thankfully, the instructor, Lesleigh, is excellent at helping you stay on course. The “Sunrise” and “I Love You Texas!” beginner options give you charming souvenirs to take home. You’ll add a little ribbon to your work, too—perfect for hanging on a Christmas tree. If you go back multiple times or sign up for a membership, you can move into more elaborate designs, including making gorgeous lamps. Pro tip: Register for a class at least a few weeks in advance. They fill up fast!
Ideal group size: 2-4 people
Location: 2104 Prather Ln
Get your bowling on and Bull and Bowl
During college summer breaks, our group of friends went bowling so frequently that I eventually bought bowling shoes. While I can have a grand time bowling and socializing, not everyone wants to be confined strictly to a bowling lane. Bull and Bowl gives you plenty of alternatives if you need a break from the bowling action. You can sing your heart out at karaoke (more on that below), take a ride on a mechanical bull, or simply enjoy a surprisingly varied and tasty menu while catching a game.
Ideal group size: 4-12 people
Location: 501 W 6th St #200
Rock the mic at Showpony Lounge
There are several karaoke spots around Austin. Showpony Lounge is among the more unique places. First of all, it’s located in a larger bar (Jackalope), so if you ever need to take a breather from a song—perhaps when someone opts for a song with an excessively long introduction like “Hotel California”—you can enter an entirely new atmosphere throughout the rest of the bar. Secondly, the environment is super welcoming. People are supportive and friendly, and the mix of KJs take excellent photos, blow bubbles, and spray fog machines. Third, there’s a wheel you can spin to randomly sing a song; after you perform, you get to pick the next song that goes on the wheel. Finally, and most importantly, Showpony’s song catalog is staggering. I have done SO MANY songs I thought I would never see at karaoke, and they’ve all been magical. While this is among the best group activities in Austin, you can also easily make friends here if you head in by yourself.
Ideal group size: 2-8 people
1523 Tinnin Ford Rd
Go golfing at Holey Moley
Most golf courses, mini or otherwise, have 9 or 18 holes. Holey Moley has a whopping 27 across its three courses. As with most courses, the hole difficulty is a mixed bag, though the designs are super cool. There are homages and Easter eggs all around, such as nods to The Big Lebowski, Street Fighter, and one hole that feels like you’re right back at Grandma’s house. Holey Moley also has a very enjoyable darts option, with several creative options and a digital board and scoring system.
Ideal group size: 4-8 people
Location: 807 E. 4th St
Volunteer with Untapped ATX
Okay, this one’s a little bit of a sneaky entry. You likely won’t attend an Untapped ATX event with more than a couple of friends—or you can roll in solo—but you’ll end up hanging with a great group of people. The organization hosts one event a month, volunteering for a variety of noble causes, from supporting children in need to working with animals. After the volunteer activity, the gang heads toward a local brewery for some volun-beers and snacks. You’ll get to do something good AND check out somewhere new, all in great company. And that’s what a fun group activity is all about.
Ideal group size: 1-4 people
Location: Varies
And there you have it—a collection of wonderful group activities in Austin. Now go out and explore this excellent city.