It is said that childhood is the best stage of life to absorb knowledge and learn about many different things. Kids are very curious, and their desire to know about everything multiplies when there’s the chance to have fun while learning. Texas has many different educational places that offer a fun family experience to spend a good time as everyone learns something new! Check out this list on the 20 best educational places to visit with kids in Texas and prepare for a complete experience!
Where: 1601 Nasa Pkwy, Houston, Texas 77058, USA
The home of NASA Mission Control, International Space Station Mission Control, and astronaut training. Do we need to say more?
Discover more than 400 space artifacts, amazing exhibits, the world’s largest collection of moon rocks, and more! Kids and adults will have an amazing time as they are taken behind scenes to see NASA Johnson Space Center!
Where: 2389 Stratford Dr, Austin, TX, USA
Hours: Monday – Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM | Sunday Noon – 5 PM
With hands-on exhibits related to nature, education programs, and recreation activities, both kids and adults will have a really nice time at the Austin Nature and Science Center.
From butterflies to caving, you will have plenty to see and learn while you spend a nice family time. One of the many cool educational places for kids in Texas!
Where: 1058 Park Road 59, Glen Rose, TX 76043, USA
Hours: Open Daily 9 AM to 5 PM
Children of all ages will have a blast wandering among hundreds of life-sized dinosaurs in a natural setting!
There are also interactive exhibits and dino-themed playground with slides and swings! The entire family will love to visit this prehistoric playground.
Where: 703 NW Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, TX, USA
Hours: Monday- Saturday: 9 AM – 5 PM.
The River Legacy Living Science Center offers interactive environmental exhibits, aquariums, and terrariums with native animals, nature trails, and a lovely pond so that children can learn about the amazing wonders of nature!
This is a great option among the many cool educational places for kids in Texas!
Where: 308 N Broadway Ave, Tyler, TX 75702, USA
Hours: Mondays: Closed | Tuesday- Saturday: 10 AM -5 PM | Sunday: 1 PM -5 PM | SUMMER HOURS (MEMORIAL DAY THROUGH LABOR DAY) Monday-Saturday:10 AM -5 PM | Monday-Saturday:10 AM -5 PM
Kids will have an amazing time at Discovery Science Place!
It offers many hands-on exhibits, programs, and events for the whole family. People of all abilities can enjoy this awesome place where learning is so much fun!
Where: 198 Kempner St, Sugar Land, TX, USA
Hours: Monday: Closed |Tuesday- Saturday: 10 AM – 6 PM | Sunday: Closed
Children will have a great time at this 12,000 square foot restored building full of exhibits geared for children ages birth to 12, including a real-life kid metropolis called Kidtropolis where they can play pretend and use their imagination!
Where: 893 Union Chapel Rd, Cedar Creek, TX 78612, USA
Hours: Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 10 AM – 4 PM | Note: The last trail entry is at 3:30 PM
An outdoor museum featuring realistic life-size dinosaur exhibits is what your kids are praying to visit!
See the many different skin and color variation to learn and understand how they looked. You and the family will walk among a nature trail and discover dinosaurs among nature!
Where: 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, Texas 78205, USA
Hours: Peak Season (May 25 – Sept. 3): 9 AM – 7 PM | Off-Peak Season(Sept. 4 – May 24): 9 AM- 5:30 PM | Extended Holiday Hours (Dec. 6 – Jan. 5): Alamo grounds, 9 AM – 7 PM, Church, and Exhibit Hall 9 AM – 5:30 PM | Last entry 15 minutes before close | Closed Christmas Day.
This historical place is a must-visit for the family!
You will learn everything about its history and heritage. It was established in 1718 and for over 300 years, the former mission known as the Alamo has been a crossroads of history.
Where: 1 Hope Blvd, Galveston, TX, USA
Hours: Daily 10 AM to 6 PM
Watch and learn about marine animals at the Aquarium Pyramid, see 1,000 species of exotic plants from Africa, Asia, and America at the Rainforest Pyramid, enjoy exhibits, 3D Theater, a 4D Special FX Theater, and more!
Moody Gardens is a great choice for a day of family fun and some learning!
Where: 1 Nature Place, McKinney, Texas 75069, USA
Hours: Tuesday 9 AM – 5 PM | Wednesday 9 AM – 5 PM | Thursday 9 AM – 5 PM | Friday 9 AM – 5 PM | Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM | The Heard will open at 7:30 on the Second Saturday of the month | Sunday 1 PM-5 PM | Monday Closed.
This 289-acre wildlife sanctuary functions as a natural science museum as well!
Its main purpose is to educate children about nature, and what better way to do it than in a natural environment? Kids will love to be in contact with nature as they learn and enjoy it!
Where: 2201 N Field St, Dallas, TX 75201, USA
Hours: Monday–Saturday 10 AM –5 PM | Sunday 11 AM–5 PM | Last exhibit entry: 4 PM
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science offers many exhibits and activities for kids and parents to enjoy!
You can race a T. rex, explore the universe, experience a simulated earthquake, have a robot competition, and so much more! Families love the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and the many fun activities and exhibitions to understand life and the world.
Where: 101 South Lady Bird Lane, Johnson City, TX 78636, USA
Hours: Wed-Sat: 10 AM – 4 PM | Sun: Noon – 4 PM | Closed Mondays, except for selected school holidays. | Closed Tuesdays except for pre-registered school groups and private events.
With more than 40 interactive, world-class exhibits, a 3D theater, an on-site cafe, and more, The Science Mill is a great family destination for fun and interactive learning!
A place to understand and appreciate science with the whole family.
Where: 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, Texas, USA
Hours: Open Daily. Hours vary by day.
Don’t miss the chance to visit this premier natural attraction offering adventure and fun!
You will see massive formations, explore the Hidden Passages Tour, ascend the Twisted Trails, experience a 5,000 square foot maze, and so much more! Kids and adults will absolutely enjoy this amazing natural place!
Where: 7112 Newcastle Street, Bellaire, TX 77401, USA
Hours: Discovery Rooms: Tuesday – Friday (closed Monday)Noon – 5:30 PM | Saturday and Sunday 10 AM – 5:30 PM | Nature Discovery Center Office Tuesday – Friday (closed Monday) 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM | Russ Pitman Park 7 days per week 5 AM to 9:30 PM
The family can connect with nature and explore prairie grasses, tall pecans, native understory, and wide lawns that are home to many animals.
This interactive hands-on approach to learning will awaken children’s natural curiosity!
Where: 10500 SeaWorld Drive, San Antonio, TX, USA
Families have an amazing time seeing and learning about marine animals at SeaWorld!
You will get to experience close-up encounters, enjoy thrilling rides, performances, and so much more, all in one place! This is a great option among the many cool options of educational places for kids in Texas!
Where: Little Beakers – The Woodlands, Hanna Road, Oak Ridge North, TX, USA
Hours: Open Lab Regular Hours Monday to Saturday 11 AM – 6 PM | Sunday 12 PM – 5 PM | CLOSED Thursday, June 4th
A science lab especially built for kids!
Parents and children can do fun and hands-on experiments, or kids can be led by a scientist. Open Lab lets kids choose from up to 30 experiments, or you can sign the kids for a Guided Lab or Little Beakers Workshop!
Where: 1500 McKinney Street, Houston, TX, USA
Hours: Daily 6 AM- 11 PM
This 12-acre park in Downtown Houston features an interactive fountain, lawns, a one-acre lake, gardens, playgrounds, and more!
There are more than 400 events for the family to enjoy and discover new things!
Where: 4501 Woodway Drive, Houston, TX, USA
Hours: Open Daily 7 AM – Dusk
The whole family will enjoy being educated about the natural environment at this 155-acre urban nature sanctuary.
Walk a trail, attend Discovery Classes, enjoy the exhibits at the Discovery Room where they can learn about the wildlife of the Arboretum.
Where: Armand Bayou Nature Center, 8500 Bay Area Blvd, Pasadena, TX 77507, USA
Hours: Wednesday – Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM | Sunday 12 PM – 5 PM | Last admission at 4 PM | Gates locked at 5 PM | Closed Monday & Tuesday
Visit 2500 acres of natural wetlands, forests, prairies, and attractions!
From walking the 5 miles of hiking trails to visiting the Discovery Loop, there are many activities for the family to enjoy as you learn about and explore nature!
Where: 5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
Hours: Regular Hours Monday – Sunday: 9 AM – 5 PM | Exhibitions Monday- Sunday: 9 AM –5 PM (last entry to special exhibits at 4:30 PM) | Giant Screen Theatre Monday – Sunday: 10 AM–4 PM (last show at 4 PM – no late entry) | Planetarium Monday – Sunday: 10 AM –4 PM (last show at 4 PM – no late entry) | Butterfly Center Monday – Sunday: 9 AM–5 PM
Dinosaurs, galaxies, tropical rainforest, history, and more!
Kids and parents will be fascinated by the many exhibits and many floors of history and collections. This is a great place to learn more about this world that we live in, and one of the many cool options of educational places for kids in Texas!
