Free Things to Do with Kids in Texas
We pulled these 56 free adventures out of our full catalog of kid-friendly spots in Texas. Every listing has the ages it suits, what it costs, how long to budget, parking notes, and what to pack.
56 adventures found
White Rock Lake
Dallas, TX
Biking9.4-mile paved biking loop around a scenic Dallas lake. Free. Works from toddler age. About two …
Little Elm Beach
Little Elm, TX
SwimmingSandy lake beach on Lewisville Lake with roped swim area and free life jacket loans. Free. Best from …
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve
Plano, TX
HikingFamily-friendly trails and an observation tower in Plano. Free. Works from toddler age. About two …
Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge
Angleton, TX
Nature44,000-acre birding refuge with auto tour loop and alligator sightings. Free. Best from about age 3. …
River Legacy Parks
Arlington, TX
Hiking1,300-acre park with paved trails and mountain biking along the Trinity River. Free. Works from …
Southwest Nature Preserve
Arlington, TX
HikingQuiet urban preserve with scenic lake overlook in Arlington. Free. Best from about age 3. About an …
Barton Creek Greenbelt
Austin, TX
Hiking12 miles of creek trails with swimming holes and bouldering in Austin. Free. Best from about age 5. …
Bull Creek Greenbelt
Austin, TX
SwimmingShallow limestone creek pools perfect for toddler wading. Free. Best from about age 3. About two …
Mount Bonnell
Austin, TX
Hiking102-step climb to panoramic views over Lake Austin. Free. Best from about age 4. About an hour. Dogs …
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
Austwell, TX
NatureEndangered whooping crane habitat with auto loop and observation tower. Free. Best from about age 3. …
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
Bertram, TX
HikingFree federal refuge with birding trails and Junior Rangers. Free. Best from about age 3. About two …
Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center
Cedar Hill, TX
HikingShaded canyon trails with a nature play area for kids. Free. Best from about age 3. About two hours. …
Brushy Creek Regional Trail
Cedar Park, TX
Biking14-mile paved trail with playgrounds connecting Cedar Park and Round Rock. Free. Works from toddler …
Colleyville Nature Center
Colleyville, TX
NatureNature trails and playscape perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. Free. Works from toddler age. …
Guadalupe River at Horseshoe Falls
Comfort, TX
SwimmingNatural horseshoe waterfall on the Guadalupe River near Comfort. Free. Best from about age 3. About …
Cedar Ridge Preserve
Dallas, TX
Hiking600 acres of rugged trails and scenic overlooks in Dallas. Free. Best from about age 4. About two …
Dallas Museum of Art
Dallas, TX
MuseumFree-admission art museum in the Dallas Arts District with a hands-on kids studio, Egyptian …
LBJ National Grasslands
Decatur, TX
Hiking20,000 acres of prairie with mountain biking and primitive camping. Free. Best from about age 4. A …
Northshore Trail
Flower Mound, TX
Mountain-Biking26 miles of lakeside singletrack mountain biking trails. Free. Better for ages 6 and up. A half-day …
Gateway Park
Fort Worth, TX
Mountain-BikingBeginner-friendly mountain bike trails along the Trinity River. Free. Best from about age 5. About …
Kimbell Art Museum
Fort Worth, TX
MuseumFree permanent collection in a famous Louis Kahn building in Fort Worth, small enough for a one-hour …
Tandy Hills Natural Area
Fort Worth, TX
HikingNative prairie wildflowers and skyline views in Fort Worth. Free. Best from about age 4. About an …
Trinity Trails
Fort Worth, TX
BikingOver 100 miles of paved family-friendly trails along the Trinity River in Fort Worth - free biking, …
B.F. Phillips Community Park
Frisco, TX
NatureRanch-themed community park with open fields and rustic backdrops. Free. Works from toddler age. …
Frisco Central Park
Frisco, TX
PhotographyScenic park with waterfalls and bronze cattle sculptures popular for portrait sessions. Free. Works …
Frisco Commons Park
Frisco, TX
NatureNature trails and an amphitheater surrounded by mature trees in central Frisco. Free. Works from …
Frisco Heritage Center
Frisco, TX
PhotographyHistoric buildings and a steam locomotive make this a top portrait photography spot. Free. Works …
Frisco Rail District Murals
Frisco, TX
PhotographyColorful street murals along historic Main Street perfect for edgy senior portraits. Free. Best from …
Frisco Square
Frisco, TX
PhotographyUrban architecture and a central park gazebo ideal for portraits and family photos. Free. Works from …
Kathy Seei Park
Frisco, TX
NatureBronze longhorn sculptures and a pond in a compact landscaped park. Free. Works from toddler age. …
Limestone Quarry Park
Frisco, TX
NatureFormer quarry with exposed limestone walls and prairie wildflowers. Free. Works from toddler age. …
Texas Sculpture Garden at Hall Park
Frisco, TX
PhotographyFree outdoor sculpture park with 50+ works and beautiful landscaping. Free. Works from toddler age. …
Rowlett Creek Preserve
Garland, TX
Hiking524-acre preserve with creek crossings and mountain bike trails. Free. Best from about age 3. About …
Spring Creek Forest Preserve
Garland, TX
HikingOld-growth forest with guided nature hikes near Dallas. Free. Best from about age 3. About two …
Good Water Trail
Georgetown, TX
Hiking26-mile lakeside trail with canyon overlooks and Hill Country terrain. Free. Best from about age 5. …
San Gabriel Park
Georgetown, TX
BikingAward-winning playscape and river trail in Georgetown. Free. Works from toddler age. About two …
Lake Grapevine Horseshoe Trails
Grapevine, TX
HikingEasy lakeside hiking trails on Grapevine Lake. Free. Best from about age 3. About an hour. …
Buffalo Bayou Park
Houston, TX
BikingPaved bayou trails with destination playground and bat colony viewing. Free. Works from toddler age. …
Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center
Houston, TX
NatureWetland wildlife viewing and hands-on nature center east of Houston. Free. Works from toddler age. …
Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center
Humble, TX
NatureBoardwalk trails through cypress swamp with free guided canoe trips. Free. Works from toddler age. …
Big Thicket National Preserve
Kountze, TX
HikingUNESCO Biosphere Reserve with nine converging ecosystems. Free. Best from about age 4. A half-day …
Johnny Broyles Nature Trail
Little Elm, TX
HikingPaved 2.7-mile nature trail along Lake Lewisville in Little Elm. Free. Works from toddler age. About …
Erwin Park
McKinney, TX
Mountain-Biking10 miles of DORBA-maintained mountain bike trails in McKinney TX with a beginner skills course, …
Mineral Wells Fossil Park
Mineral Wells, TX
NatureFree fossil digging where kids keep 300-million-year-old marine specimens. Free. Best from about age …
Lake Pflugerville Park
Pflugerville, TX
SwimmingFree lake beach with swim area and 3-mile paved loop. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. …
Legacy West
Plano, TX
PhotographyModern architecture and a choreographed fountain at this lifestyle center on the Frisco-Plano …
Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve
Plano, TX
Hiking800-acre park with boardwalks and kayaking in Plano. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. …
Prairie Creek Waterfall
Richardson, TX
HikingHidden suburban waterfall and shaded creek trail in Richardson. Free. Works from toddler age. About …
Eisenhower Park
San Antonio, TX
HikingObservation tower and six miles of trails with playground. Free. Best from about age 3. About two …
Friedrich Wilderness Park
San Antonio, TX
HikingFree 600-acre Hill Country hiking on the edge of San Antonio. Free. Best from about age 4. About two …
Phil Hardberger Park
San Antonio, TX
HikingLand bridge and world-class nature playscape in San Antonio. Free. Works from toddler age. About two …
Rio Vista Park
San Marcos, TX
SwimmingCrystal-clear spring-fed river with natural falls for floating and swimming. Free. Best from about …
Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge
Sherman, TX
Nature12,000-acre wildlife refuge with kids programs on Lake Texoma. Free. Best from about age 3. A …
Bob Jones Nature Center & Preserve
Southlake, TX
NatureShort easy trails through rare Cross Timbers forest in Southlake. Free. Works from toddler age. …
Cameron Park
Waco, TX
HikingDramatic blufftop trails and hidden grottos above the Brazos River. Free. Best from about age 4. …
Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway
Weatherford, TX
Biking20-mile flat rail trail perfect for kids building biking endurance. Free. Best from about age 3. A …