If you’re looking for fun things to do in Texas with the kids, look no further! From the Amarillo Zoo to the Texas State Capitol, the Lone Star State offers plenty of kid-friendly adventures that are fun for the whole family.

As the second-largest state,

Texas

is bursting with countless possibilities for family-friendly activities that are as historically, geographically, and culturally diverse as the state itself. Whether you want to visit museums or amusement parks in a metropolitan center like

Houston

Austin

, or

Dallas

, or your family prefers natural wonders like the Natural Bridge Caverns or Big Bend National Park—you will find something for everyone on all budgets.

Here to guide you through some of the top fun things to do in Texas with kids is

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. For ideas on your next family-friendly vacation down south, read through our list of fun local attractions for the entire family.

Best museums in Texas for kids

Space Center Houston

Age range: Ages 5 and up

Location: 1601 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, Texas, 77058

Phone: 281-244-2100

To infinity and beyond! As a leading science and space exploration center, the

Space Center Houston

hosts NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Mission Control, and it's also a Smithsonian Affiliate.

Kids will learn about the history of space through permanent and traveling exhibitions, films, and tours. Parents can even join in on the fun and don a spacesuit to explore the collection of moon rocks and other artifacts. The Space Center Houston is sure to fire up the imaginations of kids and adults alike.

Perot Museum of Nature and Science

Age range: Ages 5 and up (Children’s Museum for 5 and under)

Location: 2201 N Field St, Dallas, Texas 75201

Phone: 214-428-5555

Where science and nature come alive! Learn about everything from dinosaurs to the whole universe at the

Perot Museum of Nature and Science

through special exhibits, programs, films, and hands-on interactive learning experiences for the whole family.

Got a baby on board? No problem! For children five and under, the

Moody Family Children's Museum

at the bottom floor of the Perot is designed for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers so they can roam, play, and discover together.

Children’s Museum of Houston

Age range: Up to 14 years old

Location: 1500 Binz St, Houston, Texas, 77004

Phone: 713-522-1138

The

Children’s Museum of Houston

is so kid-friendly, it’s even in the name!

Bring your younger kids to explore the museum designed for them. From Tot Spot for the Museum’s youngest guests to a Maker Annex and Power Science Lab for ages eight and up—there is plenty to keep all kids busy as they make new discoveries about science, nature, math, and the arts through special exhibits, interactive activities, and hands-on workshops.

Dinosaur World Texas

Age range: Up to 14 years

Location: 1058 Park Rd 59, Glen Rose, Texas 76043

Phone: 254-898-1526

Let the kids wander among hundreds of life-sized dinosaurs at

Dinosaur World Texas

! Learn about the giants that roamed the earth during the Mesozoic Era through interactive exhibits and then let the kids run free in the dinosaur-themed playground.

Blue Bell Museum and Creamery Tour

Age range: All ages

Location: 1101 S Blue Bell Rd, Brenham, Texas 77833

Phone: 979-836-7977

Who’s going to say no to ice cream? Visit the

Little Creamery

and enjoy a couple of scoops in the old-fashioned Ice Cream Parlor and learn more about the famous Texas Blue Bell ice cream in the Blue Bell Museum. Kids and adults are sure to enjoy this delicious experience!

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Best outdoor activities in Texas for kids

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Age range: Ages 3 and up (some rides have height limits)

Location: 17000 W I-10, San Antonio, Texas 78257

Phone: 210-697-5050

Come hang out with Looney Tunes characters at one of the most thrilling theme parks in Texas!

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

offers plenty of exciting activities for the whole family. Catch a live show, splash around in the waterpark, or play games and win big prizes.

Did we forget to mention all the roller coaster rides? They have plenty designed specifically for kids and families. And for the older kids and adults, they have some stomach-turning thrill rides too!

Natural Bridge Caverns

Age range: Ages 5 and up

Location: 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, Texas 78266

Phone: 210-651-6101

Ready to explore the underground?

Natural Bridge Caverns

is the largest show cave in Texas, formed several thousand years ago. The kids can explore the caverns, mine for fossils and gems, and discover all hidden passages.

Though there is no age minimum, please keep in mind that the Natural Bridge Caverns doesn’t allow strollers on the tour. There are several other attractions outside the caverns, such as ziplining and a maze.

Cadillac Ranch

Age range: All ages

Location: 13651 I-40 Frontage Rd, Amarillo, Texas 79124

Phone: 833-330-2650

Located on Historic Route 66 in Texas,

Cadillac Ranch

is a public art installation that consists of ten Cadillacs half-buried in the ground, built by a San Francisco art group known as The Ant Farm in 1974.

The best part? You and the kids are encouraged to bring your own spray cans to partake in the installation! Come leave your mark at one of the best roadside attractions in Texas.

Barton Springs Pool

Age range: Ages 3 and up

Location: 2201 William Barton Dr, Austin, Texas 78746

Phone: 512-974-6300

If you’re visiting during a harsh Texas summer, make sure to cool off at

Barton Springs Pool

! Regardless of the weather outside, the natural springs pool keeps a consistent temperature between 68 and 70 degrees.

Keep in mind that food and drinks are not allowed in the pool area and there are no concession stands, so make sure to eat before you go so you can soak up the sun longer.

State Fair of Texas

Age range: Ages 3 and up

Location: 1300 Robert B Cullum Blvd, Dallas, Texas, 75210

Phone: 214-565-9931

Come celebrate all things Texas with Big Tex! The

State Fair of Texas

comes only one glorious time a year—so make sure to plan ahead. It starts on the last Friday of September and lasts for 24 fun-filled days.

In addition to children’s rides and games, the State Fair also offers a changing daily schedule of several attractions, including the State Fair Rodeo, Texas Auto Show, live music shows, and even educational exhibits. There’s plenty of happening at the State Fair for the whole family, including all the bizarre fried foods you can eat!

Big Bend National Park

Age range: Ages 3 and up

Location: Big Bend National Park, Texas 79834

Phone: 432-477-2251

Are you a family of adventurers?

Big Bend National Park

is one of the largest national parks in the country and it offers plenty of fun activities for kids and adults.

Hike on the trails, raft through the Colorado Canyon, bird watch, or relax by the hot springs. Kids can even participate in the Junior Ranger Program to learn all about the park’s natural and cultural history. You can also stay on the campgrounds to gaze at the beautiful night sky.

Amarillo Zoo

Age range: All ages

Location: 700 Comanchero Trail, Amarillo, Texas 791007

Phone: 806-381-7911

What kid doesn’t love the zoo? With more than 80 animals on-site, come see and learn about all the mammals, reptiles, and birds at the

Amarillo Zoo

The zoo offers plenty of different events and public programs that are sure to entertain the whole family. Just make sure to check their website for free admission days!

River Walk, San Antonio

Age range: Ages 3 and up

Location: 849 E Commerce St, San Antonio, Texas 78205

Phone: 210-227-4262

The

San Antonio River Walk

is truly the heart of the city, and it’s a popular tourist attraction for a reason. There are plenty of shops, restaurants, and cultural experiences for the whole family—such as the lively Historic Market Square.

Also, don’t forget to book a water taxi and cruise past the River Walk’s colorful, historic sites!

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

Age range: All ages

Location: 8525 Garland Rd, Dallas, Texas 75218

Phone: 214-515-6615

The

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

offer several gardens to explore with the family, including the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden! Join in on daily programs and activities and experience nature like never before. Adults will also enjoy a relaxing walk through the intricate, well-maintained gardens and sculpture exhibits.

South Padre Island Beaches

Age range: All ages

Location: South Padre Island, TX 78597

Phone: 956-761-6456 (South Padre Island City Hall)

Enjoy some fun in the sun with the whole family at one of the many beautiful beaches on

South Padre Island

Take a dip in the ocean, collect seashells, build some sandcastles, or just sit back and relax on the beach while the kids run around and play. Just watch out for those jellyfish!

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Best historic sites in Texas for kids

Texas State Capitol

Age range: All ages

Location: 1100 Congress Ave, Austin, Texas 78701

Phone: 512-463-4630

Are your kids interested in history and politics? Come take a free self-guided tour at the

Texas State Capitol

See the impressive architecture of the state capitol building close up and learn all about its history from one of the many exhibitions and hands-on activities in the Capitol Visitors Center. Afterward, take a picnic on the beautiful capitol grounds, made up of 22 lovely acres of landscaped greenery, and let the kids run wild after all that fun learning.

Waco Mammoth National Monument

Age range: All ages

Location: 6220 Steinbeck Bend Dr, Waco, Texas, 76708

Phone: 254-750-7946

The family is sure to have a mammoth-sized good time here! In 2015, the

Waco Mammoth National Monument

became a designated national monument.

The site features the only recorded evidence showing the existence of Pleistocene mammoths, discovered in 1978. Take a guided tour with the family and discover what living creatures existed in the Ice Age.

Castle Falkenstein

Age range: All ages

Location: 7400 Park Rd. 4 S., Burnet, TX 78611

Phone: 855-CASTLTX (227-8589)

Are we in Texas or the Bavarian Alps? Okay, this one is more historic-inspired but the kids will love it all the same. Surrounded by a forest, the fairytale

Castle Falkenstein

sits on a 14,000 square feet property, only a few hours from Waco.

Inspired by King Ludwig II’s Neuschwanstein Castle from 19th-century Germany, this is one of the more unique family attractions in Texas. You can even give you and your family the royal treatment and stay the night in the castle!

Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District

Age range: All ages

Location: 131 E Exchange Ave, Fort Worth, Texas 76164

Phone: 800-433-5747

This is where the west truly begins! Put on your favorite cowboy hat and explore the

Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District

. Embodying the Western experience, the Stockyards offer tons of shopping, restaurants, and live entertainment for the whole family.

Make sure you and the family catch the Fort Worth Herd at 11:30 am and 4:00 pm every day. It’s the only place in the world where you can see a longhorn cattle drive twice a day!

Grapevine Vintage Railroad

Age range: All ages

Location: 707 S Main St, Grapevine, Texas 76051

Phone: 817-410-3185

All aboard! Come ride an authentic 1920s Victorian coach with the family at the

Grapevine Vintage Railroad

, located in the heart of the Historic Downtown Grapevine.

The Grapevine Vintage railroad offers standard scenic train rides year-round, but they also have special events, like the annual family-favorite North Pole Express and After Christmas Trains.

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Getting the right car insurance before hitting the road

Before you pack up the

minivan

, make sure you have the best car insurance to protect you and your family on the road. Car insurance super app

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