Searching for some fun ideas to try out with your kids in Waco? Then you’ve come to the right place.
Dr. Pepper, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame are all rooted in the city. The Waco Mammoth National Monument, a 100-plus acre area of forested parkland along the Bosque River, is also located in Waco.
If you’re searching for a vibrant yet small college town with a wonderful BBQ, welcoming neighbors, and a relatively reasonable cost of living, Waco is a great place to call home. There is much to see and do near Cameron Park, Magnolia Market & Silos, and Baylor University.
Here are some of the nicest things to do in Waco with kids.
Things to Do with Kids in Waco, TX
1. Texas Rangers Hall Of Fame
Credit: TexasRangersHallofFameandMuseum / Facebook
If your children are great fans of law enforcement, you should take them to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame in Waco, Texas. Many exhibits there describe the growth of the Texas Rangers program and give information on current rangers who have contributed significantly.
The Junior Ranger program is open to kids as well! Children can purchase a $35 package that includes museum entry for their entire family, a certificate [signed by a ranger], a badge, and a profile on the Junior Ranger website.
Address: 100 Texas Ranger Trail, Waco, TX 76706, United States
2. Texas Sports Hall Of Fame
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More than 300 sports icons who have influenced Texas sports are represented in the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. So many topics are covered here, including baseball, tennis, football, and the former Southwest Conference.
Additionally, it contains a learning center with interactive exhibits that emphasize the value of exercise and good health.
Address: 1108 S University Parks Dr, Waco, TX 76706, United States
3. Cameron Park Zoo
Credit: CameronParkZoo / Facebook
The quirkiness of the Cameron Zoo is one of the main reasons it is included on this list of things to do in Waco with kids. They call it the happiest surprise in Texas. That could be because this 52-acre zoo is smack dab in the middle of the city and has over 1700 animals. The Cameron Park Zoo strongly emphasizes ensuring each animal is featured in a habitat similar to its home.
You’ll see everything from elephants in the African Serengeti to fish in a 50,000-gallon tank. The Cameron Park Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums [AZA] and is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums [WAZA].
Address: 1701 N 4th St, Waco, TX 76707, United States
4. Waco National Mammoth Monument
Credit: WacoMammothNationalMonument / Facebook
Waco was once traversed by actual mammoths thousands of years ago. Visit the Waco National Mammoth Monument to see their fossils, which are the nation’s first [and only] examples of an Ice Age Colombian mammoth herd.
Kids can take part in a special program to become Junior Rangers at this National Park Service location because it is one. To receive a badge and be sworn in by a Ranger, they must finish the Waco Mammoth Junior Ranger Activity Book.
There is more to the Waco National Mammoth Monument than merely a museum. A number of hiking routes surround the museum. The 108 acres surrounding the monument allow visitors to explore and envision life during the Ice Age.
Although it isn’t on this list of family-friendly activities in Waco, Waco Tours also provides a van tour of the city’s best attractions. To understand everything there is to know about the city’s history, it takes you roughly three hours to travel from east Waco to Harp Design. The boat is the more kid-friendly of the two, but this is also a fantastic alternative for older kids!
Address: 6220 Steinbeck Bend Dr, Waco, TX 76708, United States
5. Waco Tours
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Take a tour with Waco Tours to see Waco from a completely different perspective. Their Waco River Tour will take you and your family on a scenic safari trip along the Brazos River while you discover Waco’s past.
The boat travels for just over two hours and is completely shaded. A knowledgeable guide who can point out anything from the local fauna to the city sights is also on board with a skipper to steer the boat.
Address: 215 S University Parks Dr., Suite #104, Waco, TX 76706, United States
6. Hawaiian Falls
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Consider going to Hawaiian Falls if you are in Waco with kids in the midst of the summer. The 10-acre park is brimming with entertaining water features, including an 800-foot lazy river, a six-lane water slide, and a water castle with an instantly recognizable splash bucket.
Even a playground is available for the little ones. Check the park’s webpage ahead of time because it is only open during the summer and only for a limited time. Be sure to pack everything you need for the water park.
Address: 900 Lake Shore Dr, Waco, TX 76708, United States
7. Mayborn Museum
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On this list of family-friendly activities in Waco, the Mayborn Museum is undoubtedly my favorite. It is a fascinating, interactive museum for kids that is situated on the Baylor University campus.
Visitors can experiment with bubbles, light, sound, and more. Even little creatures are present in the exhibit. To get a sense of life in Texas in the 1890s, be sure to visit the historic town outside.
Address: 1300 S University Parks Dr, Waco, TX 76706, United States
8. Bear Habitat
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Did you know Baylor University has actual bears living on campus? The school considers the Baylor Bear to be the patron saint of all Baylordom. So it is no surprise that the campus provides an elaborate habitat and play structure for two adorable American black bears to call the campus home.
Visit Judge Joy Reynolds and Judge Sue Sloan] in their open-air habitat right in the heart of the Baylor University campus.
Location: M P Daniel Esplanade, Waco, TX 76706, United States
9. Tour Baylor University
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Even though many people don’t think of college tours as tourist attractions, they had to be listed as family-friendly activities in Waco. The Baylor University campus is not only breathtakingly beautiful but also the oldest university in Texas, which means it is full of Texas history.
Visit the Mayborn Museum, snap some photos near a fountain, stroll along the lake, and give the youngsters a taste of college life.
10. Magnolia Silos
Credit: MagnoliaMarketSilos&BakeryWacoTX / Facebook
The Magnolia Silos are possibly Waco’s most famous structure and family-friendly activity. Of course, there is a market where you can purchase various items from Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia label. The Magnolia Silos also have a garden with gardening supplies for sale, such as kid-friendly growing kits.
But there is a ton of kid-specific entertainment there. In front of the silos is a sizable, lush lawn where children can play and run around. Additional food trucks at the silos now provide family-friendly foods, including BBQ, hot dogs, cupcakes, and more, because the property was expanded this year in 2021.
There is a complete baseball diamond there in addition to the lawn games. Let the kids play a spontaneous softball game while the spectators applaud and whistle as loudly as an MLB game.
Address: 601 Webster Ave, Waco, TX 76706, United States
11. Dr. Pepper Museum And Free Enterprise Institute
Credit: Wacoan / wacoan.com
By having the Dr. Pepper Museum on your list of family-friendly activities in Waco, you may learn even more about Dr. Pepper. The history of the soft drink and how it became a well-known brand is covered in exhibitions.
It’s riddled with many interesting facts about all the Dr. Pepper products, such as Keurig, Big Red, and others. Even the museum’s soda fountain offers live demonstrations and sweets for purchase.
Address: 300 S 5th St, Waco, TX 76701, United States