Things to do in Texas with kids
49 attractions • Updated May 2026
Looking for things to do in Texas with kids? You are spoiled for choice. From Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District to family days out in Arlington and the best theme parks in Texas, Texas packs more family days out into one trip than almost any other state. We have pulled together 49 of the best places to visit in Texas, each with addresses, opening times and what to expect with kids in tow. Filter by category or browse by city below.
Published May 2026. Editorial oversight by James Morgan. AI-assisted, human-edited. Our editorial standards
Cities in Texas
- Arlington(2 attractions)
- Austin(4 attractions)
- Beaumont(1 attraction)
- Brownsville(1 attraction)
- Corpus Christi(3 attractions)
- Dallas(6 attractions)
- El Paso(1 attraction)
- Fort Worth(2 attractions)
- Frisco(1 attraction)
- Galveston(2 attractions)
- Georgetown(1 attraction)
- Glen Rose(2 attractions)
- Grand Prairie(1 attraction)
- Grapevine(1 attraction)
- Houston(4 attractions)
- Katy(1 attraction)
- New Braunfels(1 attraction)
- Pflugerville(1 attraction)
- Plano(0 attractions)
- Round Rock(1 attraction)
- San Antonio(9 attractions)
- San Marcos(1 attraction)
- Waco(3 attractions)
Things to do by category in Texas
Reading for your Texas trip
A Family Visit to Hall’s Pumpkin Farm in Grapevine, Texas
October 12, 2026
Texas Cave Tours: How to Pick an Underground Adventure With Kids
October 10, 2026
Dallas-Area Pumpkin Outings: Choosing Between a Quick Stop and a Farm Day
October 5, 2026
How to Build a Family Fall Outing Around Pumpkins in Gruene, Texas
October 5, 2026
Top attractions in Texas
Historic Sites
AT&T Stadium Tours
Arlington, Texas
Step onto the field, into the Cowboys' locker room, and face to face with a hologram of Jerry Jones at this colossal stadium.
Zoos Wildlife
Austin Zoo
Austin, Texas
Every animal here is a rescue with a backstory, and your ticket helps care for them at this welfare-focused Hill Country zoo.
History Museums
Bullock Texas State History Museum
Austin, Texas
The official state history museum brings the Story of Texas to life across galleries, an IMAX, and the Texas Spirit Theater.
Zoos Wildlife
Cameron Park Zoo
Waco, Texas
Animals thrive in lush natural habitats with waterfalls and lakes at this Waco zoo.
Childrens Museums
Children's Museum Houston
Houston, Texas
Invent, imagine, and experiment across hands-on galleries spanning science, culture, math, and the arts.
Parks Gardens
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Dallas, Texas
A 66-acre botanical showcase with 1.4 million plants a year, big-name art installations, and a hands-on STEM garden for kids.
Zoos Wildlife
Dallas Zoo
Dallas, Texas
North Texas's hub for wildlife encounters, from powerful predators to tiny pollinators, paired with active conservation work.
National State Parks
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Glen Rose, Texas
Walk in real dinosaur footprints preserved in the Paluxy Riverbed, then hike, paddle, and camp across the surrounding Texas park.
Zoos Wildlife
El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens
El Paso, Texas
Ride a carousel of endangered animals, climb a three-story ropes course, and meet wildlife from three continents.
Water Parks
Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark
Grand Prairie, Texas
Surf the FlowRider, brave the Lasso Loop, and drift North Texas's longest indoor lazy river, rain or shine.
Historic Sites
Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District
Fort Worth, Texas
Watch real longhorns clatter down the street in the world's only twice-daily cattle drive.
Zoos Wildlife
Fort Worth Zoo
Fort Worth, Texas
Texas's oldest zoo packs 7,000 animals into habitats from African Savanna to a Great Barrier Reef.
Working out when you can actually go? Our Texas school holiday calendar lists first day, last day and every break for the state's biggest districts.
Where to find family attractions in Texas
Tap a pin or scroll the list to see top picks across the state.
More about days out in Texas
Texas has 49 family attractions we would happily take our own kids to. AT&T Stadium Tours is the one most families start with. Step onto the field, into the Cowboys' locker room, and face to face with a hologram of Jerry Jones at this colossal stadium. Austin Zoo is the other name that comes up again and again. Every animal here is a rescue with a backstory, and your ticket helps care for them at this welfare-focused Hill Country zoo. Bullock Texas State History Museum rounds out the pick of the bunch. The official state history museum brings the Story of Texas to life across galleries, an IMAX, and the Texas Spirit Theater. Also worth your time: Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, Houston Zoo, Space Center Houston and The Alamo.
Published prices run from $3 at Zilker Botanical Garden up to $59.99 at SeaWorld San Antonio. 17 of the 49 listed here quote a starting price. The others vary by season or by what you add on, so check before you travel. Age guidance is worth reading first at Morgan's Wonderland (ages 2-12) and USS Lexington Museum (ages 12 and up ).
Beyond family attractions, families in Texas also head for zoos & wildlife (12), water parks (6), historic sites & landmarks (5) and theme parks (5). The family attractions on this page are spread across Arlington (2), Austin (4), Beaumont (1) and Brownsville (1), so it is easy to pair two into one trip.