Winter Adventures with Kids in Texas
We pulled these 117 winter 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.
117 adventures found
Thinkery
Austin, TX
ScienceAustin children's museum built for hands-on play, with water tables, a light and shadow lab, a maker …
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park, TX
HikingSpectacular desert mountains and canyons along the Rio Grande. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. …
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Canyon, TX
HikingSecond-largest US canyon with the iconic Lighthouse Trail hike. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. A …
Dallas World Aquarium
Dallas, TX
AquariumDescend through an indoor rainforest of sloths, toucans and monkeys to a shark tunnel and manatees …
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Dallas, TX
ScienceFive floors of hands-on science in downtown Dallas with dinosaur skeletons, an earthquake simulator, …
White Rock Lake
Dallas, TX
Biking9.4-mile paved biking loop around a scenic Dallas lake. Free. Works from toddler age. About two …
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
Fort Worth, TX
ScienceFort Worth science museum with a toddler wing, a dinosaur dig pit, water play, a dome theater and …
Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge
Fort Worth, TX
Nature25 miles of trails with bison and prairie dogs in Fort Worth. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Fredericksburg, TX
HikingIconic granite dome summit scramble with 360-degree Hill Country views. Paid entry. Best from about …
Enchanted Rock Walk-In Camping
Fredericksburg, TX
CampingWalk-in tent sites and primitive backcountry camping at the granite dome, and the reliable way in …
Moody Gardens
Galveston, TX
AquariumThree glass pyramids in Galveston holding an aquarium with penguins, an indoor rainforest with …
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Glen Rose, TX
HikingReal dinosaur tracks in a riverbed plus 20 miles of trails. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …
Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine
Grapevine, TX
SwimmingIndoor water park hotel in Grapevine kept at 84 degrees year-round, with body slides, a wave pool, a …
Children's Museum Houston
Houston, TX
Indoor-PlayTop-ranked Houston children's museum with a kid-run city, a giant water play zone, an invention lab …
Houston Museum of Natural Science
Houston, TX
MuseumHouston natural history museum with action-posed dinosaurs, a walk-in butterfly rainforest, real …
Space Center Houston
Houston, TX
ScienceNASA's Houston visitor center with a tram to real Mission Control, a walk-through shuttle, moon …
Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary
McKinney, TX
NatureInteractive nature museum and 289-acre wildlife sanctuary. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …
Brazos Bend State Park
Needville, TX
NatureWild alligator viewing from boardwalks and stargazing at the observatory. Paid entry. Best from …
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve
Plano, TX
HikingFamily-friendly trails and an observation tower in Plano. Free. Works from toddler age. About two …
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Salt Flat, TX
HikingHighest point in Texas and stunning McKittrick Canyon fall foliage. Paid entry. Better for ages 6 …
The DoSeum
San Antonio, TX
Indoor-PlaySan Antonio children's museum with a multi-story climber, a robot lab, a mock vet clinic and a …
Witte Museum
San Antonio, TX
MuseumSan Antonio natural history museum with a dinosaur gallery and dig pit, Texas wildlife dioramas and …
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 …
Austin Aquarium
Austin, TX
AquariumHands-on north Austin aquarium where kids feed stingrays, touch sea stars in shallow pools and walk …
Austin Bouldering Project
Austin, TX
Rock-ClimbingIndoor bouldering gym in south Austin with colour-graded routes, padded floors and day passes with …
Barton Creek Greenbelt
Austin, TX
Hiking12 miles of creek trails with swimming holes and bouldering in Austin. Free. Best from about age 5. …
Blanton Museum of Art
Austin, TX
MuseumUT Austin art museum whose Ellsworth Kelly stone chapel floods the floor with shifting colored light …
Bullock Texas State History Museum
Austin, TX
MuseumThree floors of Texas history in downtown Austin anchored by a real 1686 shipwreck hull, plus an …
McKinney Falls State Park
Austin, TX
HikingTwo limestone waterfalls with wading pools inside Austin city limits. Paid entry. Best from about …
Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve
Austin, TX
HikingPeaceful woodland trails with a waterfall and nature programs. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. …
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
Austwell, TX
NatureEndangered whooping crane habitat with auto loop and observation tower. Free. Best from about age 3. …
Bastrop State Park Cabins
Bastrop, TX
LodgingHistoric 1930s CCC stone cabins among the Lost Pines east of Austin, among the hardest reservations …
Colorado Bend State Park Camping
Bend, TX
CampingRustic no-hookup river camping down six miles of gravel road, with Gorman Falls and guided wild cave …
Enchanted Springs Ranch
Boerne, TX
NatureOld West ranch with pony rides and rescued exotic animals. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. About …
Longhorn Cavern State Park
Burnet, TX
NatureKid-friendly guided cave tour near Burnet TX - walk a mile through cathedral-sized underground rooms …
Reveille Peak Ranch
Burnet, TX
Rock-ClimbingGranite bouldering and mountain biking near Burnet. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Easily a full …
Canyon Lake Gorge
Canyon Lake, TX
HikingGuided tours through a limestone gorge with dinosaur tracks and fossils. Paid entry. Better for ages …
McKinney Roughs Nature Park
Cedar Creek, TX
Hiking1,100 acres with horseback riding and river trails along the Colorado. Paid entry. Best from about …
Cedar Hill State Park
Cedar Hill, TX
HikingFamily-friendly state park on Joe Pool Lake just 20 minutes from Dallas - swimming, hiking, camping, …
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. …
Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site
Comstock, TX
Hiking4,000-year-old rock art and dramatic canyon views on the Rio Grande. Paid entry. Better for ages 6 …
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 …
Frontiers of Flight Museum
Dallas, TX
MuseumHangar museum at Dallas Love Field with thirty-plus aircraft, the Apollo 7 capsule, flight …
Trinity River Audubon Center
Dallas, TX
NatureTrails through the largest urban hardwood forest in the US. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. About …
LBJ National Grasslands
Decatur, TX
Hiking20,000 acres of prairie with mountain biking and primitive camping. Free. Best from about age 4. A …
Franklin Mountains State Park
El Paso, TX
HikingLargest urban park in the US with aerial tramway and desert hiking. Paid entry. Better for ages 6 …
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 …
National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame
Fort Worth, TX
MuseumFort Worth museum of the women of the American West with a bucking bronc ride simulator, rodeo gear, …
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. …
Museum of the American Railroad
Frisco, TX
MuseumFrisco rail museum with full-size steam locomotives, a Pullman sleeper and vintage passenger cars …
National Videogame Museum
Frisco, TX
Indoor-PlayFrisco museum of video game history with a free-play 1980s arcade, playable consoles, and …
Texas Sculpture Garden at Hall Park
Frisco, TX
PhotographyFree outdoor sculpture park with 50+ works and beautiful landscaping. Free. Works from toddler age. …
Galveston Island State Park
Galveston, TX
CampingBeach camping and bay-side kayaking at Galveston Island State Park - coastal wetlands, birding …
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. …
Inner Space Cavern
Georgetown, TX
NatureWalk through an Ice Age cave 30 minutes from Austin. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. About two …
San Gabriel Park
Georgetown, TX
BikingAward-winning playscape and river trail in Georgetown. Free. Works from toddler age. About two …
Mission Tejas State Park
Grapeland, TX
HikingHistoric Spanish mission replica in towering East Texas hardwood forest. Paid entry. Best from about …
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas Fort Worth
Grapevine, TX
Indoor-PlayIndoor LEGO play center at Grapevine Mills with build zones, two rides, a 4D cinema, soft play and a …
Lake Grapevine Horseshoe Trails
Grapevine, TX
HikingEasy lakeside hiking trails on Grapevine Lake. Free. Best from about age 3. About an hour. …
SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium
Grapevine, TX
AquariumMall aquarium in Grapevine with eye-level tanks, touch pools and a walk-through shark and ray …
Buffalo Bayou Park
Houston, TX
BikingPaved bayou trails with destination playground and bat colony viewing. Free. Works from toddler age. …
Downtown Aquarium Houston
Houston, TX
AquariumDowntown Houston aquarium with a shark tunnel, swamp alligators and white tigers, plus a small ride …
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. …
The Health Museum
Houston, TX
ScienceHouston museum of the human body with a walk-through giant heart, a climb-in brain and a simulated …
Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center
Humble, TX
NatureBoardwalk trails through cypress swamp with free guided canoe trips. Free. Works from toddler age. …
Pedernales Falls State Park
Johnson City, TX
HikingDramatic tilted limestone falls and river swimming in the Hill Country. Paid entry. Best from about …
Big Thicket National Preserve
Kountze, TX
HikingUNESCO Biosphere Reserve with nine converging ecosystems. Free. Best from about age 4. A half-day …
Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area
Lewisville, TX
Nature2,000 acres of prairies and wetlands with guided nature programs. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. …
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 …
Monahans Sandhills State Park
Monahans, TX
Hiking70-foot sand dunes with disc surfing and spectacular sunsets. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. …
Mother Neff State Park
Moody, TX
HikingFirst Texas state park with limestone sinkhole pool and historic CCC buildings. Paid entry. Best …
Lake Houston Wilderness Park
New Caney, TX
Hiking20 miles of forest trails and camping close to Houston. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …
Ray Roberts Lake State Park
Pilot Point, TX
CampingSandy beach swimming, kids fishing pond, and lakeside camping at Ray Roberts Lake - a big North …
Crayola Experience Plano
Plano, TX
Indoor-PlayTwo floors of hands-on art stations in Plano where kids name their own crayon, melt wax into art and …
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. …
Big Bend Ranch State Park
Presidio, TX
Hiking300,000-acre desert wilderness along the Rio Grande for experienced families. Paid entry. Better for …
Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway
Quitaque, TX
HikingRed rock canyons with free-roaming bison and a bat colony tunnel. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. …
Prairie Creek Waterfall
Richardson, TX
HikingHidden suburban waterfall and shaded creek trail in Richardson. Free. Works from toddler age. About …
San Angelo State Park
San Angelo, TX
Hiking50 miles of trails with Texas longhorn cattle on the reservoir. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. A …
Briscoe Western Art Museum
San Antonio, TX
MuseumCompact Western art museum on the San Antonio River Walk with a stagecoach, saddles, historic …
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 …
Government Canyon State Natural Area
San Antonio, TX
Hiking40 miles of trails with dinosaur tracks in the limestone. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. A …
Natural Bridge Caverns
San Antonio, TX
NatureLargest Texas cavern with ropes course and outdoor maze above ground. Paid entry. Best from about …
Phil Hardberger Park
San Antonio, TX
HikingLand bridge and world-class nature playscape in San Antonio. Free. Works from toddler age. About two …
SEA LIFE San Antonio Aquarium
San Antonio, TX
AquariumSmall River Walk aquarium in San Antonio with a walk-through ray and shark tunnel plus supervised …
San Antonio Museum of Art
San Antonio, TX
MuseumArt museum in a castle-like former brewery on San Antonio's Museum Reach, holding mummies, Roman …
John Bunker Sands Wetland Center
Seagoville, TX
NatureBoardwalk trails over marshes with interactive nature center. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. …
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. …
Martin Creek Lake State Park
Tatum, TX
FishingYear-round warm-water fishing with unique island campsites in East Texas - a hidden gem for family …
Lost Maples State Natural Area
Vanderpool, TX
HikingStunning fall foliage and limestone canyon trails along the Sabinal River. Paid entry. Best from …
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 …
Blue Hole Regional Park
Wimberley, TX
SwimmingSpring-fed swimming hole with a famous rope swing under bald cypress trees in Wimberley TX - summer …
Jacob's Well Natural Area
Wimberley, TX
SwimmingCrystal-clear artesian spring swimming hole in Wimberley TX - swimming requires advance online …