Free and low-cost family activities in Texas

89 entries for Texas (3 programs and places, 86 Museums for All participants) plus the multi-state programs below. Last verified 2026-10-17. Coverage is growing; this is not a complete list.

Verify before you go. Free days, prices and eligibility change; confirm with the organizer.

Parks, places and programs in Texas

Texas State Parks: kids 12 and under free

FreeOutdoorsTexas

Texas Parks and Wildlife says kids 12 and under get free admission at more than 90 Texas State Parks. Admission for ages 13 and over varies by park (Tyler State Park's page, for example, lists $6 for adults and Free for children 12 and under).

Who it's for: Children ages 12 and under

How: Check the 'Fees and Facilities' tab on the specific park's page for any exceptions and for day-pass or reservation rules.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Texas State Parks Pass (annual, paid)

DiscountedOutdoorsTexas

The $70 one-year Texas State Parks Pass gives unlimited free entry to 88 state parks for the pass holder and guests in one noncommercial vehicle (up to 15 people; holder must be present), plus discounts on camping and park store purchases. A second pass for someone at the same address is $25. It does not waive camping, activity or facility fees.

Who it's for: Individuals and families (paid pass)

How: Buy through Texas Parks and Wildlife. Park capacity limits apply and entry is not guaranteed if a park is full.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Texas Parklands Passports (seniors, disability, veterans, Gold Star)

DiscountedOutdoorsTexas

Per Tyler State Park's official page: 50% off entry for residents 65+ and permanently disabled individuals; free entry for active-duty military, veterans and Gold Star family members; free entry for anyone born before Sep. 1, 1930. Restrictions apply.

Who it's for: Qualifying seniors, people with disabilities, veterans and Gold Star family members

How: Apply with proof of the qualifying benefit as described on the passes page.

Single source (one park page), confirm with the park.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Museums for All participants in Texas (86)

Per the official participating-museums list (retrieved 2026-10-17): visitors showing a SNAP EBT card and photo ID get reduced admission from free to $5 for up to four people per card. The official list does not state each museum's own price, so confirm hours and prices with the museum before you go.

1940 Air Terminal Museum Houston, TX
Ace of Clubs House Texarkana, TX
Arlington Museum of Art Arlington, TX
Art Museum of South Texas Corpus Christi, TX
Bastrop County Historical Society’s Museum & Visitor Center Bastrop, TX
Beaumont Children’s Museum Beaumont, TX
Blue Star Contemporary San Antonio, TX
Bosque Museum Clifton, TX
Briscoe Western Art Museum San Antonio, TX
The Bryan Museum Galveston, TX
Bullock Texas State History Museum Austin, TX
Chambers House Museum Beaumont, TX
Chappell Hill Historical Society Museum Chappell Hill, TX
The Children’s Museum of the Brazos Valley Bryan, TX
Children’s Museum Houston Houston, TX
The Contemporary Austin – Jones Center Austin, TX
The Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria Austin, TX
Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History Corpus Christi, TX
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden Dallas, TX
Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum Dallas, TX
De Leon Area Historical Museum De Leon, TX
Discovery Science Place Tyler, TX
Don Harrington Discovery Center Amarillo, TX
The DoSeum San Antonio, TX
El Campo Museum of Natural History El Campo, TX
El Paso Museum of Archaeology El Paso, TX
El Paso Museum of Art El Paso, TX
El Paso Museum of History El Paso, TX
FiberMax Center for Discovery Lubbock, TX
The Forgotten Dollhouse Museum San Antonio, TX
Fort Bend Museum Richmond, TX
Fort Worth Aviation Museum Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Botanic Garden Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History Fort Worth, TX
Freeport Historical Museum Freeport, TX
Galveston Children’s Museum Galveston, TX
The Grace Museum Abilene, TX
Gregg County Historical Museum Longview, TX
The Health Museum Houston, TX
Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary McKinney, TX
Heard-Craig Center for the Arts McKinney, TX
Houston Botanic Garden Houston, TX
Houston Maritime Education Center and Museum Houston, TX
Houston Toy Museum Houston, TX
International Museum of Art & Science McAllen, TX
Irving Archives & Museum Irving, TX
John Jay French House Beaumont, TX
Kimbell Art Museum Fort Worth, TX
La Nube STEAM Discovery Center El Paso, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Austin, TX
LBJ Presidential Library Austin, TX
Log Cabin Village Fort Worth, TX
Longview Museum of Fine Arts Longview, TX
Longview World of Wonders Longview, TX
Mayborn Museum Complex Waco, TX
McNay Art Museum San Antonio, TX
Meow Wolf Houston’s Radio Tave Houston, TX
Michelson Museum of Art Marshall, TX
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth Fort Worth, TX
Museum of North Texas History Wichita Falls, TX
Museum of Regional History Texarkana, TX
Nasher Sculpture Center Dallas, TX
National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame Fort Worth, TX
National Museum of the Pacific War Fredericksburg, TX
Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum Canyon, TX
Pioneer Museum Fredericksburg, TX
The Printing Museum Houston, TX
San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts San Angelo, TX
San Antonio Botanical Garden San Antonio, TX
San Antonio Museum of Art San Antonio, TX
Schulenburg Historical Museum Schulenburg, TX
Sci-Tech Discovery Center Frisco, TX
Science Spectrum & OMNI Theater Lubbock, TX
SPARK! Dallas, TX
Spark Science Center Abilene, TX
Stanzel Model Aircraft Museum Schulenburg, TX
Texas Children’s Museum Rio Vista, TX
Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park Dallas, TX
Texas Science & Natural History Museum Austin, TX
Thinkery Austin, TX
Tyler Museum of Art Tyler, TX
UMLAUF Sculpture Garden + Museum Austin, TX
Whitehead Memorial Museum Del Rio, TX
The Witte Museum San Antonio, TX
Woodlands Children’s Museum The Woodlands, TX
Zilker Botanical Garden Austin, TX

Programs that apply in many states

Some of these list examples from specific libraries or states; check that the program is offered where you live.

Museums for All (SNAP EBT card admission)

Low costProgram / passMultiple states

Free to $5 admission for up to 4 people per SNAP EBT card at participating museums (1,600+ nationwide). EBT cards from any state are accepted.

Who it's for: EBT cardholders

How: Bring your EBT card and a photo ID. No registration. Each museum sets its own rate and some ask for walk-in purchase, so check the museum page.

Participating list by state: see source. Rates vary by museum.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Bank of America Museums on Us

Free days / free for someProgram / passMultiple states

Free general admission on the first full weekend of every month to Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank credit or debit cardholders at participating museums. Next weekend: Nov 7-8, 2026.

Who it's for: Bank of America / Merrill cardholders

How: Show your active card and a government photo ID. One general admission per cardholder; special exhibitions excluded. Check the museum's listing on the Bank of America map.

Not a Bank of America endorsement; this is an informational listing with no affiliation.

Source: official page · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Every Kid Outdoors (4th grade pass)

FreeProgram / passMultiple states

2026-27 school year pass: free entry at federal lands and waters (national parks, wildlife refuges, etc.) for the 4th grader, all children under 16 and up to 3 adults in one private vehicle. Expires Aug 31, 2027.

Who it's for: Families with a 4th grader

How: The 4th grader completes a short online activity and prints a paper voucher at EveryKidOutdoors.gov (we never collect any information). Does not cover state parks, parking, camping or tours.

Source: official page · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

Library museum and park passes

DiscountedProgram / passMultiple states

Many public libraries lend or reserve free or discounted passes for museums, zoos, farms and parks. Examples: Boston Public Library lists Boston Children's Museum at $12 per person for up to 4; Oxford (MA) and Athol (MA) list free-admission passes to several museums; Attleboro (MA) lists a free RISD Museum pass.

Who it's for: Library cardholders (rules vary by library)

How: Search your own library's website for 'museum passes'. Each library has its own pass list, reservation system and return rules. Passes are limited and set by the participating attractions.

Example pages only; your library's list will differ.

Source: official page · more · more · more · Last verified 2026-10-17. Confirm hours and prices with the venue.

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