10 Practical Tips for Enjoying Texas’ History, Heritage, and Culture with Children

Embarking on a family adventure to explore Texas is an exciting opportunity to immerse your children in the rich history, heritage, and culture of the state. To ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey, we've gathered practical tips and advice that will make your visit through Texas history a memorable and educational experience for all. Discover how to keep your children engaged, entertained, and captivated by the wonders of Texas' past while making the most of your family's travels.

Pictured: Children learn to grind on a stone during an Independence Day event.
Credit: Texas Historical Commission
  1. Choose Family-Friendly Historic Sites: When planning your itinerary, consider visiting some of Texas' official state historic sites that offer engaging experiences for children. The San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site in La Porte, provides interactive exhibits, living history demonstrations, and even does reenactments of significant events. The Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site and Barrington Living History Farm State Historic Site, near Brenham, where Texas' Declaration of Independence was signed, offers hands-on activities and informative displays tailored to young visitors. San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site offers fun family activities like paper-making, cooking demonstrations, and more. Many other state historic sites have family-friendly events throughout the year as well. Be sure to check out the family programming at these sites as well:
    1. Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site in Paris
    2. Caddo Mounds State Historic Site in Alto
    3. Kreische Brewery State Historic Site in La Grange
    4. Magoffin Home State Historic Site in El Paso
    5. Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site in Bonham
    6. Fort McKavett State Historic Site in Fort McKavett
    7. Fort Lancaster and Battlefield State Historic Site in Sheffield

  2. Research and Educate: Before your visit, engage your children's curiosity by researching and discussing the historical significance of the sites you plan to explore. Utilize online resources, books, or documentaries to introduce the stories, events, and characters associated with each site. This background knowledge will deepen their appreciation and understanding during the visit. A great place to start is our historic road trips here on the blog for more fun ideas.

  3. Pack Snacks, Water, and Comfortable Essentials: Ensure you have a well-stocked bag of snacks, water, and other essentials to keep your little ones energized and comfortable throughout the day. Historic and heritage sites often involve plenty of walking and exploration, so comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are a must. Don't forget hats, sunscreen, and insect repellent for outdoor sites.
A boy in the foreground saluting a Texas Revolution reenactor on horseback
Celebration at San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site in La Porte
Credit: Texas Historical Commission
  1. Engage with Guided Tours: Many historic sites and attractions offer guided tours tailored to families. Take advantage of these tours as they provide valuable insights, engaging storytelling, and age-appropriate explanations. Encourage your children to ask questions and interact with the docents to make the experience more interactive and memorable. Sites like Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms in Austin make history come alive with group tours and workshops on fun topics like making jelly and gardening for kids!

  2. Make It Interactive: Enhance your children's experience by incorporating interactive elements during the visit. Some historic and heritage sites have scavenger hunts, activity booklets, or discovery trails designed specifically for children. These activities encourage active participation and make the learning process enjoyable and immersive. In this digital age, interactive activities are more and more commonplace. If you’re in Abilene, visit the Frontier Texas! museum to relive the Old West. With interactive and multi-media exhibits around every corner, an experiential theater, and a fun scavenger hunt (with prizes!), your kids will be entertained for hours as they learn.
An interactive exhibit at Frontier Texas! in Abilene
Credit: How Big Is Texas?
  1. Capture Memories: Encourage your children to document their visit by taking photos, sketching, or journaling about their favorite moments. These creative outlets not only foster their engagement but also provide keepsakes to revisit in the future. Consider creating a scrapbook or digital album to compile their memories from different historic sites. This will also be a fun activity to occupy the littles in the car between destinations.

  2. Check for Family Programs and Events: Stay updated on family programs and special events at Texas' historic sites and attractions. Some sites organize workshops, craft activities, or interactive demonstrations that specifically cater to children. Sites like the George Ranch Historical Park in Fort Bend bring nearly 100 years of Texas history to life with family programming like hands-on activities, interpreters in period costumes, and demonstrations of blacksmithing and how cowboys work cattle. Check the websites or social media pages of the sites you're interested in visiting for upcoming events and plan your visit accordingly to take advantage of these additional experiences. Be sure to check our Events Calendar before you go! There’s always a fun festival or event happening for you and your kids to enjoy.

  3. Embrace Flexibility: As every parent knows, traveling with children requires flexibility (and a healthy dose of humor). Be prepared to adapt your plans and adjust the pace of your visit according to their needs. Allow time for breaks, snacks, and moments of relaxation to avoid overwhelming them.

  4. Encourage Reflection and Discussion: After each visit, be sure to spend some time talking with your kids about what you’ve seen and done. Encourage them to share their thoughts, impressions, and newfound knowledge about the historical events and figures they encountered. These conversations foster a deeper connection to the sites and allow for a broader understanding of Texas' history. Plus, you’ll be amazed at what resonates with them!

  5. Have Fun and Foster Curiosity: Above all, make sure your family trips to Texas' historic sites are fun and foster curiosity. Encourage your children to ask questions, explore at their own pace, and engage with the exhibits and activities. By nurturing their curiosity and providing a joyful experience, you create lasting memories and a love for history that will stay with them for years to come.


Incorporate these practical tips and advice into your family's travel plans to ensure a memorable and educational experience while exploring Texas' past. By engaging your children's curiosity, providing comfort and flexibility, and fostering a love for learning, you'll create treasured moments that will leave a lasting impact on their understanding and appreciation of Texas' vibrant past and rich culture. Remember to adjust these tips according to your children's ages and individual needs, making your explorations enjoyable and accessible for all. Happy travels!

Author

Sarah Page

Heritage Tourism Program Coordinator

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