After a long, busy day, finding the perfect family outing can feel like a total headache. With all the amazing options for places to visit in Texas with kids, it can be hard to decide where to take the kids for some quality fun.
Just as Texas is known for being one of the largest states, it is also home to numerous attractions that the whole crew will love, from splashing around at the best water parks to hands-on learning at top-notch museums. The hardest part will be fitting it all in!
That’s why we’ve compiled the most comprehensive guide to must-do activities with kids in Texas. Whether you’re looking for adventure, educational excitement, or just good old-fashioned fun, this list has got you covered.
From thrilling rides to interactive exhibits, these kid-friendly attractions in Texas are guaranteed to have the little ones (and the big ones!) smiling from ear to ear. So what are you waiting for? Clear your calendars and get ready to explore all the great things to do with kids in Texas!
The Best Places to Visit in Texas with Kids
1
1500 Binz St, Houston, TX, USA
Children’s Museum of Houston
Kids love this playground where they can have fun and learn at the same time! With 90,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, kids can learn about science, history, culture, technology, and more through bilingual and interactive exhibits. This museum is definitely a great option when looking for educational places to visit in Texas.2
3823 Irving Mall, Irving, TX, USA
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
If you’re looking for places to visit in Texas with kids, look no further! The whole family will have a blast at this super cool trampoline park. Enjoy unique courts, ninja obstacles, foam pits, dodgeball courts, and more! Gather the family and get ready for hours of bouncy fun!3
2026 Lockheed Road, Galveston, TX 77554, USA
Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston
With many other locations throughout Texas, Schlitterbahn Waterpark is the perfect choice when it comes to things to do in Galveston, Texas, with kids during the summer! The place has slides and cool water coasters. No wonder it is the most popular water park in the entire state!4
6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Houston Zoo
One of the best places to visit in Texas with kids is the Houston Zoo! See more than 6,000 animals treated to the highest standards of animal care, such as giraffes, cheetahs, sea lions, bears, and more! This zoo inspires action to save wildlife while you get up close and personal with these amazing species.5
1601 Nasa Pkwy, Houston, Texas 77058, USA
Space Center Houston
"Houston, we have a problem." Need we say more? This is the home of NASA Mission Control, International Space Station Mission Control, and Astronaut Training. How cool would it be to bring the whole family? Explore over 400 space artifacts, amazing exhibits, the world's largest collection of moon rocks, and more at one of the most educational places to visit in Texas.6
300 Westgreen Blvd, Katy, TX 77450, USA
Jimmy Changas
Looking for things to do in Katy, Texas, with kids? Jimmy Changas is home to the best Mexican food in the state! Not only does it offer delicious food and a diverse menu, but it also offers fun for the little ones!7
Palo Duro Canyon State Park, State Highway Park Road 5, Canyon, TX, USA
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Filled with magnificent landscapes and adventure activities like hiking or biking, families will love to enjoy a day at the Palo Duro Canyon State Park! It's also at the top of our list of places in Texas to visit with kids. Perfect for weekend getaways for families, you’ll make incredible memories as you explore nature and enjoy the amazing scenery.8
5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
Houston Museum of Natural Science
Planning a fun family outing? Kids and adults alike will be amazed by the many exhibits and five floors of the world's past at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Go back in time and discover how dinosaurs lived, explore distant worlds and galaxies, tropical rainforests, and more. This is one of the best educational places to visit in Texas.9
14409 Parkhollow Dr, Houston, TX, USA
Sky Sports Trampoline Park
Enjoy 40,000 square feet of games, activities, trampolines, obstacle courses, a rock wall, batting cages, and more! This is a fantastic option for fun places to visit in Texas with kids! Everyone in the family is sure to find something cool to do at Sky Sports Trampoline Park!10
21300 Interstate 45 North, Spring, Texas, USA
Hurricane Harbor Splashtown
With over 40 slides and attractions, Hurricane Harbor Splashtown is another top choice when it comes to finding fun things to do in the state with kids. This outdoor water park offers plenty of slides and relaxing pools, so you can just relax and have a fantastic day!11
1801 N Griffin St, Dallas, TX, USA
The Dallas World Aquarium
Filled with a variety of exotic and marine species, the Dallas World Aquarium is a one-of-a-kind place! Spend an afternoon filled with education and more! Enjoy the Rainforest exhibit, where you can see exotic birds and more! Keep it in mind when looking for indoor fun for kids across texas.12
6121 W Park Blvd, Plano, TX 75093, USA
Crayola Experience Plano
Visit a different kind of playground at the Crayola Experience! Enjoy 60,000 square feet of attractions for creative and interactive play. There are 25 hands-on art experiences! This is one of the most fun places to visit in Texas with kids!13
1058 Park Road 59, Glen Rose, TX 76043, USA
Dinosaur World
Kids of all ages will enjoy exploring hundreds of life-size dinosaurs in a natural setting! There are interactive exhibits and a dino-themed playground with slides and swings. There's something for the whole family! If your kids love dinosaurs, they'll have a blast here!14
1830 Simond Ave, Austin, TX 78723, USA
Thinkery
Are you passing by Austin with the family and don’t know where to go? As one of the top cities in Texas for children, Austin has plenty to offer. Originally known as the Austin Children's Museum, Thinkery has since expanded to 40,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. Kid-friendly exhibits and activities complement the museum, so they feel encouraged to learn through play!15
7885 Farm to Market 1960 Road West, Houston, TX, USA
iRise Trampoline & Fun Park
One of the coolest and top cities in Texas for children is Houston! iRise Trampoline & Fun Park combines both fun and physical activities that the whole family can participate in. Enjoy trampolines, handball, dodgeball, a fitness center, and more!16
10500 SeaWorld Drive, San Antonio, Texas, USA
Aquatica San Antonio
Now when we talk about some of the best things to do in San Antonio, Texas, with kids, this place is a must, especially during the summer. Aquatica is an 18-acre water park with many attractions for families to have a great day! From waterslides, rivers, lagoons, a large beach area, private cabanas, and more, this water park has it all!17
2203 West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Tyler, Texas 75702, USA
Caldwell Zoo
Caldwell Zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals, including zebras, giraffes, alligators, black bears, and more! Explore the African Savanna and North and South American habitats in one of the best nature and wildlife parks for kids, which provides a unique experience.18
7252 Chase Oaks Blvd, Plano, TX, USA
Kid Mania
Gather the family for a fun-filled time at Kid Mania! With 5 levels of entertainment, the facility is home to the largest and most advanced playground that is over 25 feet high, 280 feet long, and over 143,000 cubic feet of thrills, screams, and laughter! With so many fun places for kids in Texas, Kid Mania is sure to become a family favorite!19
1 Hope Blvd, Galveston, TX, USA
Moody Gardens
Watch and learn about marine life in the Aquarium Pyramid, see 1,000 species of exotic plants from Africa, Asia, and the Americas in the Rainforest Pyramid, enjoy exhibits, a 3D theater, a 4D Special FX theater, and more! Moody Gardens is a great choice when you're running out of ideas for fun things to do with kids in Galveston!20
2800 Broadway Street, San Antonio, Texas 78209, USA
The DoSeum
Originally founded as the San Antonio Children's Museum, the DoSeum provides interactive, hands-on learning through exhibits, programs, and classes for kids of all ages. The museum ignites children's learning while they play and have fun, and seeks to connect young minds to the arts, STEM, and literacy. When it comes to places to visit in Texas with kids, this one is a must!21
13201 Ranch Rd 620 N, Austin, TX 78717, USA
Urban Air Trampoline Park
If you are looking for different and fun things to do with kids in Austin, Urban Air is a truly fantastic place to go! Here you'll find tons of state-of-the-art attractions for all ages, like trampolines, climbing walls, arcades, and more! There's no room for boredom at Urban Air!22
Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark, Epic Place, Grand Prairie, TX, USA
Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark
Experience year-round excitement at Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark, one of the largest waterparks in Texas! With thrilling waterslides, an outdoor wave pool, and a variety of attractions, it's perfect for fun things to do with the kids in Texas. Whether splashing around in the waves or zooming down the slides, Epic Waters is a must-visit and for sure one of the best places to visit in Texas with kids!23
1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas 76110, USA
Fort Worth Zoo
There's no better plan than taking the kids to a zoo, and the Fort Worth Zoo is simply magnificent! Home to more than 500 species of animals, including 72 species of mammals, 148 species of birds, and 172 species of ectotherms, it offers many great exhibits for the whole family to enjoy a great day!24
13609 N Interstate Hwy 35, Austin, TX 78753, USA
Mt. Playmore
Mt. Playmore is one of the best indoor playgrounds in Austin, which is why it's one of our top for indoor fun kids across Texas. Kids of all ages have access to a variety of fun activities and attractions like arcades and even a giant playscape! Parents can grab a drink or snack at the Yeti Café while the little ones burn off some energy!25
893 Union Chapel Rd, Cedar Creek, TX 78612, USA
Dinosaur Park
Educational places to visit in Texas abound, and Dinosaur Park is great for kids to learn all about dinosaurs. This is an incredible outdoor museum with realistic, life-size dinosaur exhibits! The exhibits show skin and color variations to give a better understanding of what they looked like when they were alive.26
4775 West Panther Creek Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77381, USA
The Woodlands Children’s Museum
The Woodlands Children's Museum is, by definition, a great place if you are looking for fun places to visit in Texas with kids! They will explore interactive exhibits and role play and participate in many other educational and fun activities, such as learning about science, art, and culture!27
9001 Boulevard 26, North Richland Hills, TX 76180, USA
NRH2O Family Waterpark
Ready for a full day of family fun and relaxation? At NRH2O, you can ride the waves in the wave pool and cool off in the Endless River while you let the kids enjoy the amazing waterslides. This is the perfect place to kill boredom and have tons of fun.28
3903 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA
San Antonio Zoo
This is another destination for places to visit in Texas with kids! The San Antonio Zoo is home to a wide variety of animals and many different amazing species! If your child's birthday is coming up and they love animals, the zoo has party packages for you to choose from.29
2389 Stratford Dr, Austin, TX 78746, USA
Austin Nature and Science Center
Opened in 1960, the Austin Nature and Science Center offers interactive nature exhibits and is one of the most educational places to visit in Texas. You can reserve a specific day for a special event or activity, especially when it comes to finding things to do with kids in Austin, Texas! Don't miss the butterfly exhibits, the adventure of caving, and other cool, kid-friendly exhibits!30
26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, Texas, USA
Natural Bridge Caverns
Here at Natural Bridge Caverns, you can see giant formations, explore the Hidden Passages Tour, experience a 5,000-square-foot maze, and much more! If you're wondering what places to visit in Texas with kids, add it to the list!31
701 Ross Ave, Dallas, TX 75202, USA
Museum of Illusions Dallas
Explore a world where the incredible comes to life! This museum seamlessly blends fun, entertainment, and education to offer engaging experiences for all ages. With personalized activities designed for each visitor, it's the perfect destination for families looking to inspire creativity.32
17000 W IH 10, San Antonio, TX 78257, USA
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
When it comes to fun, thrills, and adrenaline, Six Flags is the place to be! It's the most iconic theme park in the country, and of course, one of the best places to visit in Texas with kids! Take them for an unforgettable afternoon of thrilling roller coaster rides! There are also quieter rides for toddlers, and you can even visit White Water Bay Water Park on hot summer days!33
945 Co Rd 118, Copperas Cove, TX 76522, USA
Topsey Exotic Ranch & Drive Thru Safari
When looking for things to do with children in Texas, Topsey Exotic Ranch & Drive-Thru Safari is a unique option for the whole family! Meet animals from all over the world on 350 acres! Get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience at one of the best nature and wildlife parks for kids.34
849 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX, USA
LEGOLAND Discovery Center San Antonio
Let your kids let their imaginations run wild at the LEGOLAND Discovery Center! Kids can build, create, and play in a variety of themed areas filled with LEGO bricks. With endless opportunities for imaginative fun, it's one of the most exciting places for indoor fun for kids across Texas.35
308 N Broadway Ave, Tyler, TX 75702, USA
Discovery Science Place
Kids will have an unforgettable experience at Discovery Science Place! With a wide range of hands-on exhibits, engaging programs, and exciting family events, this destination makes learning fun for everyone. It's one of the most wonderful and educational places to visit in Texas for visitors of all abilities to explore and discover together!36
329 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, Texas 78205, USA
Guinness World Records Museum
Who hasn't dreamed of breaking a Guinness World Record? Well, maybe you should see what you can do to get there, but in the meantime, you can come with the family to enjoy the world record artifacts and fun attractions like Tomb Raider 3D, Haunted Adventure and the Attempt Arena!37
2501 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
Galveston Island Pleasure Pier
Don't know where to go for a fun time? The Galveston Island Pleasure Pier is perfect for the high summer temperatures and is full of awesome things to do in Galveston, Texas, with kids! There are rides and attractions for all ages. Enjoy waterfront entertainment, carnival rides, food, shopping, and more!38
2299 County Road 2008, Glen Rose, TX, USA
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
Embark on an unforgettable family adventure at the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, one of the best nature and wildlife parks for kids, where you can get up close and personal with incredible animals! Spanning 1,800 acres, this wildlife sanctuary is home to a variety of species, including kudu, cheetah, addax, rhino, and more.39
10500 SeaWorld Drive, San Antonio, TX, USA
SeaWorld San Antonio
Get up close and personal with whales, dolphins, and other beautiful sea creatures. This world-famous park is also filled with thrilling rides, live shows, and more! This is a must-visit when it comes to Places to visit in Texas with Kids.40
14147 Northwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77040, USA
Jumping World
With 20,000 square feet of amazing trampoline fun, both kids and adults can enjoy many physical and fun activities such as basketball dunks, dodgeball, a mechanical bull, an indoor zip line, and more!41
301 W Kingsbury St, Seguin, TX, USA
ZDT’s Amusement Park
What better way to enjoy a family day out than at an amusement park designed just for you? ZDT offers a variety of exciting activities for kids of all ages, including the iconic wooden roller coaster and refreshing water attractions to cool off. It's the perfect destination when looking for places to visit in Texas with kids.42
500 E Ringgold St, Brownsville, TX 78520, USA
Gladys Porter Zoo
At Gladys Porter Zoo, you can see more than 1,500 animals and explore 31 acres of tropical plants. The place is dedicated to preserving nature through education, conservation, and healthy outdoor recreation!43
7955 Barker Cypress Rd, Cypress, Texas 77433, USA
Bounce Bounce
Get ready to enjoy wall-to-wall fun and many other activities, including basketball, dodgeball, foam pits, and many more fun attractions! This place is perfect for indoor fun for kids across Texas, family fun, birthday parties, and group events!44
18270 Singing Wood Ln, Flint, Texas, USA
Waterpark At The Villages
This impressive 19,000-square-foot glass-enclosed recreation area features a retractable roof for summer fun. Families can enjoy tube and body slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, and a children's playground.45
1701 North 4th Street, Waco, Texas 76707, USA
Cameron Park Zoo
Discover the wonders of Cameron Park Zoo, home to more than 1,700 animals representing over 300 species thriving in their natural habitats. Spanning 52 acres, the zoo features stunning native vegetation, scenic waterfalls, and tranquil lakes and ponds. Don't miss the opportunity to explore one of the best places to visit in Texas with kids!46
5015 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX, USA
Ice at the Galleria
Check out the spectacular architecture and amazing ice rink! You can take a skating lesson or enjoy public skating sessions and then take a stroll through the Galleria! Don't forget to visit this iconic part of the city!47
3321 S Custer Rd, McKinney, TX 75070, USA
Hat Creek Burger
Hat Creek offers a menu that includes salads, fries, nuggets, milkshakes, and even vegetarian and gluten-free options! Hat Creek Burger is perfect for picky eaters who love a good cheeseburger! There's also a large outdoor playground for the kids to have fun while they wait for their food!48
5527 N Loop 1604 W Acc Rd, San Antonio, TX 78257, USA
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games
Is your kid a go-kart fan? This venue offers tracks for all skill levels, from beginners to experienced drivers. And for the adults who also love to play, Andretti's expansive arcade is a must when it comes to things to do in San Antonio, Texas, with kids. Don't miss one of the most exciting kid-friendly attractions in Texas.49
2701 Gattis School Rd #100c, Round Rock, TX 78664, USA
The Jungle Movement Academy
One thrilling destination for family fun in Texas is Jungle Movement Academy. Here, kids can participate in a wide range of activities, from yoga and aerial arts to gymnastics and even kung fu. All classes are taught by highly experienced professional instructors. It's also an excellent venue for birthday parties!50
2770 U.S. 290, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, USA
Dreamland
When it comes to fun places for kids in Texas, Dreamland is no exception. We're talking about an outdoor center full of recreational, kid-friendly attractions in Texas for the whole family! While the kids play, parents can enjoy great food and even music! The facility has a mini golf course, pickleball courts, and many other cool features!There are countless places to visit in Texas with kids! Whether you want to spend an afternoon outdoors, take the kids to a zoo or aquarium, or visit a facility filled with active fun, the options are endless!
The choice is yours—or you can let the kids decide where they want to go next time. Just get ready for a fun and relaxing experience, and make sure to make the most of it!
