13 Bucket List Worthy Things To Do in Texas With Kids

This is a list of things to do in Texas with kids.

Filled with breathtaking scenery, remarkable historical attractions, amusement parks, museums, and pristine parks, there’s no shortage of things to do in Texas with kids! Whether you are going on a long vacation or just a weekend getaway, Texas offers much by way of fun and entertainment!

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Fun Things to Do In Texas With Kids

If you are planning on visiting Texas with kids for a week or longer, I recommend a Go-City pass or a CityPass that allows you to visit different attractions at a discounted rate. Check out the San Antonio Explorer Pass, the Dallas CityPass, or the Houston CityPass.

With no shortage of things to do in Texas with kids, you’ll find there’s something for everyone! If you aren’t sure where to go or what to see, here are our top recommendations!

Natural Bridge Caverns

Explore the caves in San Antonio, TX with a visit to Natural Bridge Caverns. Kids can take a lantern and explore the caves, mine for fossils and gems, discover secret passages, soar down a zipline, figure their way out of a maze, and watch thousands of bats fly through the night sky. 

Children’s Museum of Houston

The Children’s Museum of Houston is totally for kids and is among the most kid-friendly places to visit. It’s like a playground for their minds. With hands-on exhibits and activities, kids can explore and learn to their heart’s content.  [Check out this Houston Kid’s Choice Museum Pass!]

Kids can learn about force, friction, and physics, the Gullah people and their culture, invent new things at the Chevron Houston Texans Maker Annex, or learn about tech. With a little bit of everything, you can find something for everyone making this one of the most fun things to do in Texas with kids.

Lake Travis Waterloo Adventures

Waterloo Adventures is the ultimate lake experience with a revolutionary floating water park! If you’re looking for water and adventure, this is the place for it. 

Located in Leander, TX, kids will begin their day with a scenic boat ride to Adventure Island, then unlimited lakefront park access to 4 stand-alone water obstacles, beach games, and then 1-hour on the 600-foot pulse-pounding obstacle course. [While you’re exploring Lake Travis, take a sunset boat tour on Lake Travis!]

Texas Horse Park

If taking part in a little cowhand fun wasn’t on this list of things to do in Texas with kids, is the list even valid? Located in Dallas, TX, kids young and old can tap into their inner Texan with a horse or pony ride at the Texas Horse Park. Kids 9 and older can get off the beaten path and explore the hidden beauties of Trinity Forest by horseback. And the youngins can take a gentle ride on a real-life pony. No experience is required, and you’ll have lots of opportunities for memorable pictures. 

Elephant Preserve in Texas

Experiencing an elephant sanctuary in Texas is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! The Elephant Preserve in Stonewall, TX is an interactive experience that allows you to fully immerse yourself with majestic elephants. Each experience comes with an hour and a half hands-on experience where kids can help give the elephants a bath and pedicure as well as learn about these beautiful animals. 

Gator Country Adventure Park

Located in Beaumont, TX, Gator Country Adventure Park is home to more than 450 alligators and crocodiles. In fact, it’s the biggest alligator sanctuary and adventure park in the southeast part of the state. All visitors will get the opportunity to experience a unique hands-on experience and photo op. 

Additionally, you can get the Adventure package that includes an educational show, hands-on experience, a bag of gator feed, holding a large snake or lizard, and wading with the gators! [While you’re in Beaumont, sign up for a super fun scavenger hunt around the city!]

Amarillo Zoo

Set on 15-acres in Amarillo, TX, the Amarillo Zoo is home to more than 80 species of animals including lions, kangaroos, and the Burmese pythons. With live animal shows and zookeeper talks, trails, picnic areas, and playgrounds, you can easily spend a whole day here with the kids. Keep in mind that the animals are most active in the morning, so get there early!

Free Things to Do In Texas With Kids

It can be difficult to find inexpensive events and activities to keep your children occupied while on vacation. You want to give them experiences, but it’s not always feasible to spend tons of money on amusement parks and big attractions. If you’re traveling on a budget, you’ll be happy to know that Texas offers a plethora of free things to do in Texas with kids. Here are our top free things to do in Texas with kids:

Remember the Alamo

Truth be told unless your kids are into heritage travel, visiting the Alamo in San Antonio might be a little boring. But it’s a Texan rite of passage to “Remember the Alamo” and is absolutely a must do of free things to do in Texas with kids. Exploring the monument and the surrounding grounds is completely free – just remember to get a ticket to enter. [While you’re there – explore the Riverwalk

Dallas Museum of Art

With its educational programs and admission-free tickets, The Dallas Museum of Art is a no-brainer. With 25,000 works of art from all cultures and time periods, this is not only a cool experience for kids but totally educational. Kids can explore how other cultures dressed, ate, and even the different technologies they used. 

Besides checking out the many exhibits, kids can explore a variety of hands-on exhibits showcased at the Center of Creative Connection. Additionally, the museum features many educational programs for kids and teenagers. 

Bell County Museum

Located in Belton, TX, the Bell County Museum is free to visit all the time! It’s a great place to teach kids about the history of Bell County. Exhibits are kid-friendly and give kids the chance to brush cotton, pump water from an old fashioned water pump, and more. In addition, the museum has various events throughout the year that get kids excited about learning. 

Lake Waco Wetlands

The Lake Waco Wetlands are located in Waco, TX and is one of many things to do in Waco with kids! Perfect for nature lovers, there’s hiking, bird watching, and kid-friendly educational workshops. With animal and plant species galore, you can have a scavenger hunt to see who can spot a fox, deer, or one of the 185 species of birds. [Check out the Waco and Magnolia Silos in Waco too! If you’re not a Chip and Joanna Gaines fan, you will be by the time you leave.]

Klyde Warren Park

From playgrounds to splash pads, Klyde Warren Park overflows with tons of fun things for kids to do. Right in Dallas, TX kids can cool off in the interactive caterpillar-designed fountain that beautifully transforms into a butterfly. Additionally, the park has a child-sized amphitheater, a storytelling tree, and a playground. Not to mention, Klyde Warren Park hosts several free kid events throughout the year!

Fort Worth Water Gardens

Located in downtown Fort Worth, TX, the Fort Worth Water Gardens is a beautiful and refreshing oasis that can be enjoyed any time of the year. The park features 3 magnificent pools of water: the aerating, the quiet, and the active pool. 

The active pool is an enormous man-made waterfall that you and the kids can descend down into where you are completely surrounded by running water. While it’s an incredible experience, be sure to watch young children carefully. 

More Things to Do In Texas With Kids

Looking for more things to do in Texas with kids?! From amusement parks to fun in each city, we’ve got you covered! Check out some of our most popular posts:

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