You’ve probably heard a ton of places you can visit in Austin or Dallas, but have you heard of a little gem of a city called
Waco, Texas?
It may be a small town but packs a big punch with many kid-friendly activities in Waco, Texas. It has become famous for Chip and Joana Gaines Silos Magnolia Market, and you can even stay in one of their Airbnb or other charming Airbnb’s that are recognized by HGTV designers, which is what we did and loved! You can see a full tour here! From the museums, restaurants, and kid/friendly aspects of Chip and Joana Gaines Magnolia, we were completely blown away by how much FUN we had as a family.
I’ve put together an itinerary with 6 kid-friendly activities in Waco, Texas, for your next family trip! Let’s start with…
1.Dr. Pepper Museum
Dr. Pepper Museum was a hit, especially the fact that you can make your own Dr Pepper Float at the end or enjoy a Dr Pepper for *free* since it is a part of your admission
For only $12, you can explore the historic 1906 Artesian Manufacturing & Bottling Company building. I recommend setting aside an hour or two to visit all three floors of exhibits. I share our full day of adventures in my reel here! If you’re looking for an exclusive experience, you can create your own unique soda that is sealed and signed with your name and the date at the Experience Spaces. It’s the perfect souvenir!
2.Mayborn Museum Complex
We cannot say enough about the Maybourn Museum, and the price is only $10 per person.
The Mayborn Museum Complex features a natural science and cultural history museum with walk-in dioramas and seventeen themed discovery rooms! It’s the perfect place for kids to play for hours while parents rest in the air-conditioned rooms. I can’t say enough about how fun and interactive this museum was. We had to drag the kids out of there, they loved it so much. For the next kid-friendly activities in Waco, Texas, you get the best of both worlds with good food and play for the whole family.
3. Visit Magnolia
As I mentioned earlier, Waco has become famous for Chip and Joana Gaines Silos Magnolia Market, so you knew we had to stop by!
I heard there was a Wiffle Ball field kids could play in, so the kids were set on hitting a home run at Katy Ballpark. The best part is you don’t need to bring a thing; Wiffle balls and bats are already on the field! You can see the park for yourself here. And what better way to celebrate a home run than with the best desserts from Silos Baking Co.
The sweets at Magnolia are a treat for the whole family, but there are also multiple food trucks to indulge in and refuel for our next stop of kid-friendly activities in Waco, Texas!
4. Baylor University Tour
Our kids just might be future Bears after this tour! We did not expect how incredible this guided tour of McLane Stadium, home to the Baylor Bears, would be.
Our tour started at Bruiser’s Locker Room, where we were then driven in a golf cart to the stadium. They even let us walk out and run to the football stadium! There are bears on campus, even though we didn’t see them because they were put away for a tornado watch. I would highly recommen
Next on our list is a fun and relaxing water adventure!
5. Brazo River Tour
There is no more relaxing way to spend 2 hours than in the water where you can sit back, relax, and explore. This River Boat Tour takes you to see all the hidden gems in Waco, Texas, as your Guide shares some of the history behind the places. Some of the places you can spot during your adventure are the Baylor football museum and the Waco Suspension bridge!
You can choose between a morning tour where you can catch the beautiful sunrise or an evening tour to watch the sunrise set. It was such a beautiful and relaxing way to explore all that Waco, Texas has to offer!
Our next stop has a retro diner theme that you don’t want to miss!
6. Eat at Jake's Texas Teahouse
You have to stop by Jake’s Texas Teahouse for good food and the perfect photo-ops. This southern diner-style food will take you WAY back! The kids loved how their meals came in the cutest cardboard vintage cars. I recommend asking for their desserts of the day since they vary and are baked fresh daily! After filling up on the best burger in town, it was time to head back to our luxury Airbnb cottage, which you can tour here!
We loved that our Airbnb was located in the Silo District and only one block away from Magnolia! You know every trip has to be spacious enough for our family of 5, and this cottage included 3 bedrooms with 3 FULL bathrooms (a rare find!), which you can check out here. The two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and luxurious decor and design throughout were just the icing on the cake! If this is making you excited to book your next family trip, I also want to share some tips that helped us!
Tips for Traveling with Kids
Plan Ahead:
Make reservations and buy tickets in advance so you’re ready to go the day of.
Pack Smart
Bring plenty of snacks, water, and sun protection, especially if you’re visiting during the hot Texas summer.
Flexible Itinerary:
Allow for downtime and flexibility in your schedule to accommodate the energy levels of our little ones! Trust me, I KNOW things do not go as planned when traveling as a family of 5, so I leave some downtime in between our activities. I also made squeezed in some time to explore Magnolia with my bestfriend, and I created a full itinerary here!
After this trip, Texas really has my heart! I would make a trip back to Waco, Texas, in a heartbeat. You can check out my stories if you want a full recap or some behind-the-scenes! And if you’re looking for other fun destinations to visit in Texas, check out my Cozy Family Travel Destination in Texas.
Great information on traveling to Waco, Texas
How beautiful! I have been to Texas many times, but I have never been to Waco. Definitely on my list of places to visit. This looks amazing!!
It really looks amazing and family friendly and what better time to do it then now summer:
I’ve been to Texas many times, but after reading your blog and watching your reels, I definitely want to visit Waco. It looks like y’all had a great time there. Your blog is detailed and perfectly explains what travelers need to know.
Take only memories, leave only footprints 👣