The heart of Texas is home to Waco, a city with a beautiful natural and cultural history ready to be discovered by all visitors.
In the city of Waco, a perfect environment for an unforgettable family adventure awaits. So, if you’re planning a trip to Waco with your entire family, rest assured that your kids will be endlessly amused.
Let’s go over the most enjoyable and unique things to do in Waco with kids right away.
Exploring Waco’s Kid-Friendly Hidden Gems and Activities
Visiting Waco is an experience that caters to both kids and adults alike.
From historical buildings to fun activities in nature, it’s possible for families with old and young kids to create lasting memories that they’ll treasure forever.
Under the hot Texas sun, the warmth of Southern hospitality blends seamlessly with a genuine desire to make every visitor feel right at home.
This is what makes Waco a wonderful place to visit for the whole family: kids can play, learn, and enjoy all the fun things that Waco has to offer.
So, if you were wondering if Waco is a family-friendly destination, then the answer is a resounding yes. There are other great Texas cities to visit with kids, but none of them match the special essence and vibe that Waco provides to the entire family.
21 Fun Things to Do in Waco with Kids
In order to make the best out of your Waco trip, it is important to check out all the fun things that you can do as you explore Waco’s best-kept family-friendly treasures.
Ignite your imagination, prepare your itinerary, and let’s check out the best 21 fun things to do in Waco with kids.
1. Explore the Silos at Magnolia Market
The Magnolia area is probably the most popular tourist destination in Waco. Adults can recognize this fun place thanks to the popular Fixer Upper TV show, and kids can learn more about this Waco landmark by visiting it with their parents.
You can eat, shop, take pictures of the Magnolia Silos, and even pick some seeds at Magnolia Seed and Supply to plant together as a family when you get back home.
Take a piece of Waco with you by purchasing a memorable souvenir at Magnolia Market – this fun tourist spot never disappoints Waco visitors.
2. Go On an On-Site Field Trip at Waco Mammoth National Monument
Beasts from the ice age used to roam these lands, and now, you and your kids can explore the Waco Mammoth National Monument to discover the mysteries of these ancient animals.
This Texas National Monument offers on-site field trips into the heart of where mammoths once roamed.
The fees to enjoy this attraction range from $6 for adults and $5 for kids. Young kids below four years old are free to enter.
Additionally, it is possible to enroll your little ones into the Junior Ranger Program (JRP), which will make them feel more connected to Waco as they acquire new knowledge about this ancient area of our country.
3. Take Pictures at Waco Suspension Bridge
The Waco Suspension Bridge is the longest of its kind across the iconic Brazos River.
The construction of this suspension bridge was completed back in 1870, and now, you can visit this historic landmark and take some memorable pictures of your Waco trip with your little ones.
The bridge connects different parks where hiking trails, picnic tables, and outdoor fun is available for visitors of all ages. Visiting the Waco Suspension Bridge is entirely free of charge for everyone.
4. Embrace Nature at Indian Spring Park
Right across the suspension bridge, you will find three different iconic spots: the Indian Spring Park, the Doris D. Miller Park, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Lookout Spot.
These three places feature some of the best views of the Waco Suspension Bridge and the magic of the Brazos River.
Kids can play around, walk through the different natural areas, have a break at picnic tables, and visit the Doris Miller Memorial Monument.
Having fun while learning and connecting with nature is a priceless experience that all Waco visitors should not sleep on.
5. Navigate Through the Iconic Brazos River
The Brazos River is known for its wildlife wonders, precious landscapes, and amazingly rich history.
Boat tours into the river are a must-witness experience for all tourists who visit this Texan city, and finding them is quite easy.
There are two main Brazos River tour providers in town: Brazos Tours and Waco Tours.
Both Brazos Tours and Waco Tours river packages include an amazing adventure through the waters of Waco and the breathtaking natural scenery of the river.
Tour prices range from $49 to $89 per guest, depending on the type of package purchased.
6. Tour Baylor University
Baylor University, home to the Baylor Bears, may seem like an unlikely spot for a fun family visit at first glance. However, Waco quickly proves any doubters wrong. With its abundance of exciting activities and attractions, the city ensures that visiting a university with kids can be an absolute blast.
Who knows? Perhaps a visit to the Baylor University area will mark the beginning of an academic passion in the head of your youngsters.
7. Go to the Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat
Every Baylor Bear knows there are live bears on campus. But if this is your first trip to Waco, you might not know about the Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat, which is a natural habitat that serves as the home of various American black bears, the mascots of the city.
The Bill and Eva Williams bear habitat educates visitors about the importance and conservation of American black bears while also studying their behavior and preserving their well-being.
The bear habitat is open to the public all days of the week, and visiting it is entirely free of charge. Kids will learn about bears as adults teach them how important this species is for Waco and its people.
8. Explore Waco’s University Museums
There are several museums to see, explore, and visit inside the Baylor University area.
The first one is the Mayborn Museum Complex, a cultural area that preserves the heritage of Central Texas. The Mayborn Museum features numerous exhibits, such as the Vara Daniel Historic Village exhibit and the Waco at the Crossroads of Texas historical items.
Visiting the museum costs $8 for kids and $10 for adults, and it provides an educational and fun experience that adults and kids will enjoy alike.
The next museum to visit is the Martin Museum of Arts, an interactive museum located inside Baylor University that gathers art exhibits, galleries, and works to empower the creative freedom of Wacoans and international artists.
Visiting the Martin Museum of Arts is completely free to the public, which makes it one of the best places to go with kids in Waco if you are on a budget.
9. Go to the Texas Sports Hall of Fame
The Texan sports stars have their own museum located at Waco, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.
Sports have always been an integral part of the Waco community, and by celebrating the accomplishments and milestones of Texas legends, visitors can learn something from iconic personalities born in the Lone Star State.
Children 5 and under are free to visit, whereas adults and older kids pay a $4 to $8 fee to enter the museum.
The Texas Sports Hall of Fame gathers over 6,000 pieces of sports memorabilia, so if your young ones are into sports, they will certainly enjoy a visit to this important Waco museum.
10. Visit Cameron Park Zoo
A 52-acre zoo in the middle of Waco has over 1,700 animals waiting to be discovered by you and your kids.
The Cameron Park Zoo is one of the most entertaining and fun locations to visit with kids in Waco, as it features several animal exhibits, Zoo School programs, and amusing kid-friendly activities for the entire family.
Kids typically enjoy the Brazos River Country Exhibit, which features a wide variety of native Texas species. Don’t miss the fun gift shop – you’ll certainly want to buy a little souvenir to remember your visit to the Cameron Park Zoo.
Zoo tickets range from $10 for kids and $14 for adults. Certain activities, such as Wild Nights and Zoo Camps, have an additional price that varies depending on the group size and the season of the year you decide to visit Waco.
11. Explore the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum
Inspiring appreciation for the notable people of Texas is the ultimate goal of the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame & Museum.
Texas Rangers are a legendary symbol of the state, and they have also been of great importance to the city of Waco through the decades.
By visiting the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame and Museum with your kids, they will learn more about their impact on the culture of Waco and other nearby Texan communities.
To enter the museum, kids pay a $4 admission fee, whereas adults pay $10. Multiple events, exhibits, and new artifacts are constantly being displayed in the museum, so there’s always something unique to see when planning a visit to this area.
12. Deep Dive into Hawaiian Falls Waco
The most sought-after Waco water park is now waiting to provide your kids with amazingly fun activities and unforgettable experiences that they will always treasure in their hearts.
Hawaiian Falls Waco is the best water park in Waco as it covers an expansive area of 10 acres with several pools, a lazy river, a splash pad zone for toddlers, and several other things to keep kids in Waco amused.
From thrilling water attractions to relaxing lazy river pools, Hawaiian Falls is one of the best things to do in Waco with kids.
There are cabanas to stay in, tube pools to enjoy soft drinks, and several family-friendly amenities to spend a lovely and vibrant evening with your little ones. Regular tickets to the water park (only admission) cost $49,99, whereas full-day, all-inclusive tickets start from $99 onward.
13. Explore Downtown Waco
One of the best ways to feel more connected to Waco is to explore its colorful, historic, and entertaining downtown area.
Go to Waco Downtown Farmers Market through University Parks road, see the iconic Alico Building, and grab something to eat at any of the nearby food trucks (Sergio’s Authentic Mexican Food Truck is one of the best ones around!), explore the different boutiques in Waco, and simply get immersed into the magic of this city.
Walking around downtown Waco is always fun, even if you don’t have a previous plan of places to visit.
As soon as you start to explore the downtown area of Waco, you’ll feel the Southern warmth of locals and discover the several fun places to visit that the area has to offer. Don’t forget to take some pictures with your children – this is an experience you’ll want to treasure forever.
14. Make Your Own Drink at the Dr. Pepper Museum
Waco changed the soft drink industry forever with the introduction of one of the most beloved soft drinks around: Dr. Pepper.
Dr. Pepper is the oldest soft drink in America, and kids can learn more about it by visiting the famous Dr. Pepper Museum.
The Dr. Pepper Museum hosts different interactive exhibits, play areas, and a unique experience specially designed for the family: make your own Dr. Pepper drink!
The Make-a-Soda experience costs $10 per person, and general admission tickets for all ages (except kids under 4) also costs $10 per guest.
The Dr. Pepper Museum also hosts other interesting activities, such as the Taste-a-Soda Adventure and Paranormal Experiences at Waco.
Enjoying the magic of Dr. Pepper is definitely one of the best things to do in Waco with kids.
15. Discover Waco’s Essence at Homestead Craft Village
Homestead Heritage is an agrarian community that shows us the roots of Waco in an organic and highly interesting way.
Kids can learn more about the history and preservation of Texas Christian culture as they engage in fun and interesting activities, such as the woodworking shop and the potter’s house, where it is possible to craft your own items.
There is no admission charge to visit Homestead Heritage Village, so it’s definitely a great place to explore if you and your kids wish to enjoy a nice taste of Central Texas history. Keep in mind that some activities have a small fee to cover the cost of the materials used.
16. Spend the Day at Lake Waco Wetlands
Two decades ago, the water levels of Lake Waco were decreasing at an alarming rate. This motivated the council of Waco to increase the level of the lake by seven feet.
Nowadays, Lake Waco Wetlands is one of the most beautiful public spaces that both Waco locals and tourists can visit in the city.
Local wildlife, public boat ramps, and beautiful hiking trails are just some of the features that Lake Waco Wetlands visitors can experience for free.
17. Grab Some Burgers at Health Camp Waco
Waco Health Camp, founded back in 1948, is a retro-style burger joint known for its burgers and milkshakes.
Waco locals enjoy grabbing a Health Camp burger every now and then, and tourists with kids can’t miss the opportunity to delight the palate of their little ones with some of the best fast-food dishes in town.
Health Camp burger prices range from $8 to $13, and they are extremely delicious as they are made with the love and dedication of an almost one-hundred-year-old restaurant.
18. See a Live Concert at Waco Hippodrome Theatre
The Waco Hippodrome Theatre is the first live music venue that the city of Waco ever saw.
Founded back in 1914, the Hippodrome Theatre quickly became one of the most interesting places to visit if you are planning a trip to Waco.
The Hippodrome Theatre features different entertainment events all year long, and some of them are aimed at keeping little kids amused. Check out the updated Waco Hippodrome Theatre calendar to see if there are cool things to do here with kids during your Waco vacation.
19. Support the Baylor Bears at the McLane Stadium
The Baylor Bears have their own stadium, and it’s massive, beautiful, and highly intimidating for all rival teams.
Wacoans live and breathe the essence of football whenever it’s time for the Baylor Bears to crush their rivals on matchday.
You can go on a little tour at McLane Stadium and grab a yellow-green t-shirt for your kids to be prepared for the match ahead. Prices for tickets to football matches vary depending on the season, so make sure to check the official McLane Stadium website for more accurate information on this matter.
20. Build Your Own Stuffed Bear
Kids adore toys, and what could be a more memorable way to commemorate their Waco trip than by making their very own stuffed bear together?
The Build-a-Bear Workshop offers one of the best things to do in Waco with kids. Youngsters will assemble their own stuffed toys while selecting the characteristics of their new bear friend.
The price to assemble your own bear ranges from $30 to $50, depending on the sizes and features of the stuffed toy. It’s a small investment for a cherished memory of their delightful time in Waco!
21. Overcome the Challenges of Waco Escape Rooms
There’s no better way to wrap your family trip with kids to Waco than to work together to overcome the challenges of Waco Escape Rooms!
Waco Escape Rooms is where locals and tourists alike form teams ready to unravel the mysteries of the rooms that lie ahead.
The experience promises an exhilarating adventure like no other, where the thrill of the hunt will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Kids can also participate in this fun activity – unlike many other escape rooms around the country, Waco Escape Rooms also welcomes participants under 12 years old, making it a fun activity for the whole family!
Summary: Best Kid and Family-Friendly Activities at Waco, TX
Going on a family-friendly escape to Waco is always fun, rewarding, and extremely enjoyable.
The young spirit of Waco creates the perfect environment to educate, nurture, and entertain kids of all ages and families of all sizes.
Pack your bags, get your little ones ready, and save up the following list of the best things to do in Waco with kids:
- Magnolia Market.
- Waco Mammoth National Monument.
- Waco Suspension Bridge.
- Indian Spring Park.
- Brazos River.
- Baylor University.
- Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat.
- Mayborn Museum Complex.
- Texas Sports Hall of Fame.
- Cameron Park Zoo.
- Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum.
- Hawaiian Falls Waco.
- Downtown Waco.
- Dr. Pepper Museum.
- Homestead Craft Village.
- Lake Waco Wetlands.
- Health Camp Waco.
- Waco Hippodrome Theatre.
- McLane Stadium.
- Build-A-Bear Workshop.
- Waco Escape Rooms.
