Long gone are the days when Mexican bandits and cowboys with six shooters roamed the area.
Today, El Paso is one of the best vacation spots for families.
Its abundant sunshine, present a whopping 302 days a year, makes water parks big in this area.
There are, however, things to do that will keep everyone in the family happy, from the smallest toddler to Grandpa and Abuelita, Let’s start the adventure.
Contents
- 15 Things to Do in El Paso With Kids
- 1. Adventure Zone
- 2. Camp Cohen
- 3. El Paso Museum of Archeology and Wilderness Park
- 4. Jungle Jaks
- 5. Lost Kingdom
- 6. Monkey Rock
- 7. Oasis
- 8. iFly El Paso
- 9. El Paso Zoo
- 10. Keystone Heritage Park and Botanical Garden
- 11. Bob-O’s Family Fun Center
- 12. Franklin Mountain State Park
- 13. El Paso Museum of Art
- 14. American Eagle Paintball
- 15. El Paso Museum of History
- El Paso Safety Overview
- Frequently Asked Questions
15 Things to Do in El Paso With Kids
1. Adventure Zone
Adventure Zone offers families a day of incredible fun.
You can start in their Game Zone, which offers virtual reality games, including a western-themed shooting gallery.
Move onto the Speed Zone, to try your hand at the 800-foot go-kart racing, or visit the Escape Room.
If you are up to it, the Golf Zone offers a 36-hole mini-golf course that comes complete with caves, waterfalls, and streams.
Don’t forget to stop at the Food Zone for a quick bite to keep your energy up.
2. Camp Cohen
Camp Cohen is one of several water parks in the area.
The interactive water activities include swimming through rapids, navigating the slides, and climbing the Warrior Wall.
The littlest adventurers can have fun in the kiddie pool or visit the Poppy Island water playground.
Spend time unwinding from all the fun with a ride down the lazy river and a refreshment from Stone Cove.
3. El Paso Museum of Archeology and Wilderness Park
The museum offers exhibits to teach over 14,000 years of pre-history of the area.
It includes a room with hands-on artifact drawers to explore.
Visit the many exhibits and check out the various special programs they offer.
Then you can wander out into the 15-acre nature park that offers trails to explore and bird watching, a walk down into the canyon, outdoor exhibits, and a desert garden.
4. Jungle Jaks
Jungle Jaks offers 12,000 square feet of indoor fun for any weather.
You can try your hand at bumper boats or explore the foam factory.
More adventurous types can scale coconut trees.
There are quieter activities such as arts and crafts, a disco room, and a ride on the giant T-Rex.
Little ones can enjoy their special area in Toddler Town.
5. Lost Kingdom
Spend the day in a theme park that is based on the ancient ruins of a lost Mayan civilization.
The water slides will have you flying downward into cooling waters, or you can spend time in the pool that has multiple water features.
Little ones will enjoy the Jaguar Jungle playground and the whole family can travel leisurely down the lazy river ride or get a bit to eat at the café.
For the more adventurous in your group, a plunge down the double side of the Temple Drop will get your heart pounding.
Finally, if you want to forego water for a bit, try your hand at the climbing wall.
6. Monkey Rock
For a day of shopping and fun, head to the mall. Inside, you will find Monkey Rock, which offers mini golf, bowling, and rock climbing.
There are swing sets for the little ones, a full arcade, virtual reality games, and a virtual sports room that offers golf, soccer, football, and more.
There is also a bar/restaurant for everyone to come together at the end of the adventure-filled experience to unwind and catch up on what everyone was doing during the day.
7. Oasis
Oasis is located in Eastside Regional Park and it boasts the country’s only surfing machine for both experienced and novice surfers.
If surfing isn’t your thing, there are two lazy river rides, water slides, and a kiddie pool.
Try the Gravity Challenge rock-climbing wall, or relax as the kids enjoy the play area made especially for them.
8. iFly El Paso
Ever dreamed of skydiving but have not been too sure about having to jump from a plane?
iFly has you covered.
This indoor skydiving experience is safe for those above the age of three years old and includes instructions and monitoring from experienced skydivers.
You can custom design your experience depending on your needs, but most packages include two flights in the wind tunnel.
For an extra thrill, try the High light that allows you to feel the fall from higher up.
When your flight is over, you can view pictures and videos that were made during your flight and have the option of purchasing them for reminders of your adventure.
9. El Paso Zoo
The El Paso Zoo features over 220 species of animals on 35 acres.
They also have a carousel and train and a Tree House playground for the little tykes.
Spend some time in the wildlife amphitheater or have fun cooling off in the interactive water play area.
Special events are going
on daily and you may get to feed a giraffe or watch the zookeepers feed the other animals.
You can pet a snake and learn about other small creatures in the learning area.
Finally, try navigating the 3-story-high rope climb.
10. Keystone Heritage Park and Botanical Garden
Enjoy the rich Chihuahuan Desert in various ways at Keystone Park and Botanical Gardens.
Let the kids start by exploring archeological structures and tools used by the earliest inhabitants of the area.
Then wander through the outdoor world where you can explore wetlands and try to catch sight of the many bird species that live in this area.
Explore one or all four of the special gardens.
Taking a tour down the Chihuahuan Desert Experience trail is a must.
This one-mile trail has been navigated by soldiers, early settlers, and Native American inhabitants for centuries.
Learn about those who came before and enjoy authentic scenery that has been there since time began.
11. Bob-O’s Family Fun Center
Bob-O’s Family Fun Center has something for everyone in the family.
Little ones can enjoy mini go-karts and other rides designed just for them.
Older kids and teenagers can try their hand at the 18-hole mini golf course, bumper boats, or the arcade.
Have a try at the Go-Karts or see what you can do at the batting cages.
The whole family can enjoy the Laser Odyssey and train.
This is truly a fun place for all ages.
12. Franklin Mountain State Park
For a more laid-back day, make a stop at this 24,247-acre park.
There are over 100 miles of trails for hiking or biking.
Rock-climbing opportunities are available throughout the area and you can even spend the night camping here.
For organized events, groups of eight or more can book a guided tour by a Ranger that might include hiking, biking, and arts and crafts to become a Junior Ranger.
Kids might also enjoy geocaching and signing a log to let others know they were there.
Top it off with a picnic.
13. El Paso Museum of Art
This museum offers rotating exhibits and a 57-piece European art collection.
The pieces run from the 12th century through the 18th century.
Various classes and workshops will keep the littlest members of your family entertained.
Don’t forget to check out the collection of art from various artists that highlight the great state of Texas.
The museum offers many special events throughout the year, so check their schedule in advance to see what you might get a chance to experience.
14. American Eagle Paintball
There isn’t much to say about American Eagle Paintball.
They offer one activity, and that is paintball.
They have five different playing fields to explore and even offer special events like night paintball.
This is an activity everyone in the family can enjoy.
15. El Paso Museum of History
This museum is located in the heart of downtown El Paso.
In addition to being able to explore over 10,000 artifacts that cover more than a thousand years of history of the region, you and the kids get a chance to experience DIGIE.
DIGIE is a 35-foot-long wall with five touchable screens.
This interactive wall is the only one of its kind in the entire country and is one of only four in the entire world.
The wall is constantly being added two and will keep your kids interested for hours as they explore all the uploads.
El Paso Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: El Paso Safety Review
Safety Index:- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Is El Paso family-friendly?
Yes, it is.
El Paso ranks among the top ten safest cities in the United States and ranks as the fifth friendliest city.
What makes El Paso unique?
El Paso is the only city in Texas that is on Mountain Standard Time (MST), which makes it run an hour behind the rest of Texas.
It is also located at the intersection of three states – Texas, New Mexico, and Chihuahua) and two countries.
Do I need to speak Spanish to visit El Paso?
The official language of El Paso is English but a full 67 percent of its citizens are bilingual.
You will do fine if you don’t speak Spanish, but it might be fun to learn.
How far is El Paso from Mexico?
El Paso is separated from Juarez, Mexico by the El Paso River.
That means that Mexico is less than a mile from downtown El Paso.
What is the weather like in El Paso?
Being in the desert, you can expect warm days most of the year.
The average high in June is 96 degrees Fahrenheit and the nights are an average of 70 degrees.
During December, the coldest month, average daily temperatures are 59 degrees Fahrenheit, and the nights average 35 degrees.