El Paso is often criticized for being a boring city with nothing to do. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. There are numerous activities and attractions that appeal to a wide range of interests.
El Paso is a vibrant and family-friendly city with plenty of exciting activities and attractions for kids and families. The city boasts a variety of museums, parks, and cultural events that are perfect for children of all ages. Families can explore the El Paso Museum of Art, the El Paso Zoo, or the Tech2O Center, which offers hands-on exhibits and interactive displays. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking in Franklin Mountains State Park or exploring the Rio Grande Trail, using the Dino Tracks App.
Additionally, El Paso hosts a variety of festivals and events throughout the year including the acclaimed Chalk the Block festival and one of the biggest Winterfest festivals in Texas. So, the next time someone claims there's nothing to do in El Paso, link them to this site and prove them wrong!
El Paso, Texas, offers plenty of activities for families with young children.
Here are some ideas of things to do in El Paso for kids under 10:
Indoor Fun:
- Alley B Gators: Offers 1/2 off on Thursdays and features jumping houses.
- Bob O’s Family Fun Center: Arcade games, mini-golf, go-karts, and more.
- Chuck E Cheese: Pizza restaurant with arcade games and play areas.
- Peter Piper Pizza: Pizza restaurant with a lunch buffet and games for kids.
- Adventure Zone: Offers go-karts, bumper boats, mini-golf, arcade games, and more.
- X Zone: Indoor playground with bouncy houses and other play areas.
- Urban Air: Trampoline park with obstacle courses and climbing walls.
- Monkey Rock: Indoor climbing gym for kids.
- Sky Zone: Trampoline park with foam pit.
- Book Nook: Children's bookstore at Sunland Park Mall.
- Sun City Kitty: A cat rescue that allows visitors to play with and adopt cats.
- Son Teach Me: A playground for kids under 5 located at Sunland Park Mall.
- JW Entertainment of El Paso: Jumping World with trampolines, arcades, and laser tag.
- Jungle Jaks: Arcade games, bumper cars, mini-golf, go-karts, and a variety of rides
- War Eagles Air Museum: Military aviation museum with historic planes and exhibits.
- Tech2O Center: A free educational destination for kids interested with interactive exhibits.
Outdoor Fun:
- Bulldog Championship Park: Sports fields, playgrounds, and splash pad.
- Western Playland: Amusement park with rides for all ages.
- El Paso Zoo: Features a variety of animals, playgrounds, and a splash pad.
- Fifer’s Arena: Offers horse boarding and other animals to visit.
- Licon Dairy Farm: Features farm animals and a petting zoo.
- Krazy Arrow Ranchette: A family ranch with animals to feed and interact with on Thursdays.
- White Spur Park: Wooden/fantasy playground on the West side.
- John Lyons Park: Dinosaur-themed playground on the East side.
- Dino Tracks: App with dinosaur tracks to explore Mount Cristo Rey Trail, the Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site, and the Anthony Gap Dinosaur Tracks Site.
- Franklin Mountains State Park: Hiking trails and outdoor activities.
- Keystone Heritage Park: El Paso Desert Botanical Gardens is an archeological site, wetlands, and a botanical garden. It has a children's area with a maze, a tiny amphitheater, and a wetlands viewing area.
- Hueco Tanks State Historic Site: Rock climbing, hiking, and exploring Native American rock art.
- Amigo Garden and Mustard Seed Cafe: Volunteer garden with various yearly events for kids.
- Ascarate Volunteer Garden: Master Gardeners maintain a educational garden with container beds.
- Nicholas Ranch and Orchard: Apple orchard with tours and fruit picking.
- El Paso Streetcar: Read and Rides and other events free of charge throughout the year.
- San Jacinto Plaza: Tranquil city plaza featuring a fountain with a couple of splash pads, tended green spaces, park benches, shade trees & a snack bar with chess and ping pong tables.
Other Fun Activities:
- El Paso Public Library: Offers story time, crafts, and other activities for kids.
Visit the official website to see the list of libraries and their services and events for kids. - El Paso Museum of Art: The El Paso Museum of Art offers art workshops for kids of all ages. They have a variety of programs and activities that focus on different art forms, such as painting, drawing, and sculpture.
- El Paso Museum of Archaeology: The museum’s grounds include 15 acres of nature trails, outdoor exhibits and desert garden with various native Chihuahuan desert plants. The trails leading from the Museum are well marked and maintained, with some leading into the canyons of the East Franklin Mountains
- El Paso Museum of History: From interactive kids' sections to special artifacts, it has something for all age groups.
- National Border Patrol Museum: Different informative exhibits. One details the vehicles used by officers, including planes, helicopters, cars, boats and all-terrain vehicles. Others display artifacts and information about how the Border Patrol completes its job, such as one about the Horse Patrol, which does all of its work on horseback and still rides today.
- 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Museum: The 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Museum is located on historic Fort Bliss, Texas. The museum presents the history of Fort Bliss from 1849 to the present, as well as displaying the history of America's tank division, the 1st Armored Division (Old Ironsides.)
- El Paso Holocaust Museum & Study Center: The museum houses exhibits that trace the rise of the Third Reich, the mass deportations of millions of German and European citizens to ghettos and concentration camps, their valiant resistance efforts, and the liberation of the camps by Allied Forces in the closing days of World War II.
- Los Portales Museum and Information Center: The museum is housed in an 1850s Territorial Style building in El Paso’s Mission Valley. Its exhibits focus on the rich and colorful historical legacies of San Elizario, including the “First Thanksgiving,” the Spanish presidio, the San Elizario Salt War of 1877, and the first county seat of El Paso county.
- YMCA family: Swimming and other family-friendly activities.
- COMING SOON La Nube (Children's Museum): El Paso’s new children’s museum is being designed and built to spark curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. It will be for everyone. The Children’s Museum will provide immersive and experiential learning environments for people of all ages, combining hands-on, interactive exhibits, programs, and special events. The goal is to create a world-class destination for both residents and tourists.
- Free workshops held on select Saturdays throughout the year at Home Depot stores
- Designed for children aged 5-12 years old
- Each workshop focuses on a specific DIY project, such as building a birdhouse or a tool box
- Children receive a free apron, a certificate of achievement, and a project kit to take home
- Free workshops held on select Saturdays throughout the year at Lowe's stores
- Designed for children aged 5-12 years old
- Each workshop focuses on a specific DIY project, such as building a wooden car or a birdhouse
- Children receive a free apron, a certificate of achievement, and a project kit to take home
Michael's Kids Craft Weekend Events:
- Held on select Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year at Michael's stores
- Designed for children aged 3 and up
- Each event features a different craft project, such as making slime or creating a picture frame
- Children can create their own craft project and take it home with them
Game Vault is a must-visit destination in El Paso if your kids love Pokemon:
- The Game Vault hosts a Pokemon League every month where fans of the Pokemon Trading Card Game and video games can gather to play, trade, and win prizes
- The League Season lasts for one month, and players can join at any time during the reporting period. There are specific days and times set for both trading card game and video game play
- Hosts Pokemon Go game events
- Has vendors with Pokemon themed merchandise
- Has a cafe with specially created menu items for Pokemon days
Here are some MALLS with dedicated play areas for children:
- Cielo Vista Mall: This mall features a play area called Kidgits Club, which is designed for children aged 2 to 10 years old. The play area is located on the lower level near JCPenney.
- Sunland Park Mall: This mall has a play area called Soft Play, which is designed for children aged 4 to 10 years old. It is located on the lower level near the food court as well as large games like chess and jenga in the food court.
- The Fountains at Farah: This outdoor shopping center has a play area called The Fountains at Farah Kids. It is located near the center of the shopping center and features a splash pad, playground, and picnic area.
- Bassett Place: This indoor mall features a play area called Adventure Zone, which is designed for children aged 4 to 12 years old. It is located on the lower level near the food court.
- Outlets Shopping Center: This outdoor mall has a play area, which is located near the food court. There are table tennis, pool tables, and other fun amenities that you can borrow equipment for at the Charlie Clark Nissan Cafe.
All of these malls offer a variety of shopping and dining options in addition to their play areas, making them great destinations for families with young children. These activities help develop a child's creativity, imagination, and social skills while keeping them entertained and mentally active.
Want more??? Here's a LIST of Spray Parks open during the Summer!
With so many options to choose from, El Paso has something for every family looking for a fun day out with young children.
