Kid-Friendly Activities in Waco, Texas

Families have plenty of kid-friendly activities to choose from in Waco.

Waco, nestled in the heart of Texas, was first settled in 1848. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, more than 124,000 residents call Waco home. Whether you live in Waco or are just visiting with your family, you'll find an array of kid-friendly activities, including some that get your children outside where they can be more active.

Museum Activities

Enjoy some of the museums in Waco with your children. At the Mayborn Museum (baylor.edu/mayborn/index.php?id=15536), your kids can check out all of the exhibits, like the 16 Discovery rooms. Each room has a different theme that teaches kids through interactive, hands-on activities. The museum also schedules special events, such as puppet shows or Museum Mondays for kids 5 and under. You can also take your family to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum (texasranger.org), where you'll find artwork and artifacts that teach the history of the Texas Rangers.

Outdoor Activities

Get outside for some fresh air and explore the Cameron Park Natural Zoo Habitat (cameronparkzoo.com). Your kids will get to meet an array of animals in each section of the zoo, including the African Savanna, Brazos River Country and Gibbon Island. Children can play at Grammy Nell's playground and cool off in the water play area. You can also enjoy water activities at Lake Waco (lake-waco.net), including swimming and water sports. Your kids can also play on the beach, or fish for sunfish, catfish and bass.

Parks and Recreation

Spend the day playing at one of the parks in Waco, like Lion's Park (no website; 1716 North 42nd Street, Waco; 254-772-3541), where your kids can ride go-karts, play miniature golf, enjoy kiddie rides and the carousel. Cool off on a hot summer day at one of the splash pads, such as the one at Kendrick Park (no website; 4011 Bagby, Waco; 254-750-5980) or Dewey Park (no website; 925 North 9th St., Waco; 254-750-5980). Let your children participate in sports through the Waco Parks and Recreation Department, including basketball, tennis, baseball and football.

Rainy-day Fun

Need an inside activity for a rainy day? Take your kids over to The Art Center of Waco (artcenterwaco.org), where you can view a variety of art displays and paint your own pottery. You can also sign your children up for one of the children's art classes or summer art camp. For a more physically active indoor experience, go have some family fun at Skate Country (skatecountrywaco.com), where your kids can roller skate or play roller hockey. Kids can also climb, slide and play on the 3-story indoor playground.

References

• The City of Waco: About Waco
• Baylore University: Mayborn Museum
• Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
• Waco Cameron Park Natural Zoo Habitat
• Lake Waco
• Waco Convention and Visitors Bureau: Lion's Park
• The City of Waco: Parks and Recreation
• The Art Center of Waco
• Skate Country Family Entertainment Center
• United States Census Bureau: Waco, Texas