Top Rated Things To Do In Lubbock With Kids, whether you’re looking for amusement parks, kid-friendly museums, great restaurants, or any other kind of family fun, you’ll find it in this Texas city.
The map below contains all the locations we talk about in this guide (just in case you’re a visual person or an uber-planner!) as we show you around all the sights and sounds that are suitable for your little ones (from toddlers to teenagers).
Don’t forget that driving around Lubbock is the best way to see the city on your own time.
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14 List Of Things To Do With Kids In Lubbock Today
1. Holly Hop Ice Cream Shoppe
A trip to the Holly Hop Ice Cream Shoppe is a must if you’re in Lubbock with kids. Everything about this retro ice cream parlor screams “classic Americana,” from the red and white striped booths to the jukebox to the lively, family-friendly decor.
As a local institution, they are loved for the joy they bring to the neighborhood through ice cream, milkshakes, and more. They also have a wide selection of flavors, including vegan ice cream, to accommodate customers with special dietary needs.
The timeless chocolate and vanilla flavors, as well as sprinkle-covered waffle cones, are always available (yes, please). This is a great idea for a birthday party or if you just need something fun to do with the kids on a hot day.
2. Silent Wings Museum
For those interested in the role gliders played in World War II, I highly recommend a visit to the Silent Wings Museum in Lubbock. The museum’s collection includes models of gliders as well as other life-size replicas from this period in military history.
In the terminal that housed the Lubbock airport for so many years, a fascinating museum now stands. Since the Silent Wings Museum in Lubbock is dedicated to the history of gliders in World War II, I’ve included it as a family-friendly activity for those visiting the area.
This museum, housed in the terminal of the defunct Lubbock airport, is not your run-of-the-mill interactive exhibit or collection of dusty plaques about the past. Children will be awed by the colorful gliders and other modes of transportation used during World War II that are displayed in the museum’s ceiling.
3. Cinemark Movies 16
Taking the kids to the movies for a few hours is a great way to spend some quality time together in the cool, air-conditioned environment without having to worry about them getting into too much mischief.
Since many new children’s movies are only available in 3D, Cinemark Movies 16’s 3D screens come in very handy, and the theater’s well-stocked concessions stand means that everyone can enjoy a tasty treat.
It’s a top choice for a night out on the town in Lubbock. Taking the kids to the movies is a classic American pastime, and it’s no different in Lubbock.
4. CATS Playhouse
CATS Playhouse, if you and your family are looking for a place to spend an evening out, this community playhouse is a great place to look because they support local artists and welcome actors of all skill levels to participate in their productions.
Investing in community theater is a wonderful way to expose your children to the arts and make a difference in your community.
5. FiberMax Center for Discovery
FiberMax Center for Discovery, this museum is committed to preserving the history of agriculture, educating future farmers, and inspiring people to take an interest in the significance of American agriculture in their everyday lives through hands-on and interactive exhibits.
Even better, it has a ton of hands-on exhibits, such as a driving and harvesting simulation exhibit that will keep even your teenagers enthralled. Kids can enjoy a truck-themed play area complete with a slide and a climbing structure that features tractors and other farm equipment.
6. Jones AT&T Stadium
Take the kids to a game at Jones AT&T Stadium, where the Texas Tech Raiders play college football, and watch them be inspired to become sports fans themselves.
The turf is state-of-the-art, the seats are plush, and the crowds are always exciting to watch. Numerous parents will be present with their young Raiders, ensuring the continued success of Texas Tech supporter families.
7. Tom and Bingo’s BBQ
Tom and Bingo’s BBQ is the best place in Lubbock to take the kids if you’re trying to decide where to eat. In addition to being a family-friendly Lubbock institution since 1952, this BBQ joint specializes in all the traditional flavors you’d expect, like spare ribs, brisket sandwiches, and of course, classic sides like fries.
Even if you’re worried about your children eating something that might be too spicy or sour for them, you can rest assured that the best barbecue in Lubbock is completely kid-friendly.
8. Joyland Amusement Park
Going to Joyland Amusement Park is a must during the warmer months if you have kids. They are open during the summer months and provide a fun place for families to enjoy carnival games, rides, and the nostalgic feel of an old-fashioned amusement park.
Every member of the family can have a good time at the amusement park because it features rides for all ages, from gentle ones perfect for first-timers to thrilling ones like the massive Drop Tower.
Also, there are rides that are suitable for the whole family, such as the Skyride, which will take you high above the park and provide you with spectacular views. The carnival is a great place to spend time with the family and indulges in some traditional fair food.
9. Adventure Park
It’s no surprise that Adventure Park in Lubbock is a favorite spot for children’s birthday parties. Go-karts, laser tag, and mini golf are all there, but they’ve also got some cool outdoor stuff like a zipline and a ropes course to keep you active and entertained.
Kids will be amazed at how much fun they can have while burning off some steam on the playground’s obstacle course and rock climbing wall. There is also a fantastic game room and virtual reality center if your kids would rather play video games than explore the outdoors.
10. Play Street Museum
To keep up with the standards set by the best American cities, Lubbock has a fantastic children’s museum called the Play Street Museum.
This museum recognizes the value of play in a child’s development and offers a wide variety of playscapes and simulated environments, such as supermarkets, homes, fire stations, and musical settings, for the children who visit.
Visit the museum with your kids and let them run wild in an environment designed specifically with their safety in mind.
11. Lubbock Water Rampage
When the Texas heat is beating down on you and you just want to cool off, a visit to Lubbock Water Rampage, the city’s very own water park, is just what the doctor ordered.
The children can spend the entire afternoon splashing around in the water, as the facility features a wave pool (with movie nights! ), impressive slides, and a play area with a Pirate ship.
If you’re traveling with very young children, you’ll appreciate the dedicated baby area, and older guests can unwind in the lazy river. Also, a bar for the grownups who want to indulge!
12. National Ranching Heritage Center
National Ranching Heritage Center, this museum on the Texas Tech campus is perfect for families because it is open air and features nearly 50 original ranch buildings spread across 19 acres. One of the best ways to get kids away from their screens and into real, living history, you’ll find everything from windmills to barns to schoolhouses.
The tours are self-guided, and the time required to complete them ranges from 45 minutes to an hour and a half. Museum admission is free, but donations are appreciated to help cover operating costs.
13. Legacy Park Village
Kids need space to run around and play on a regular basis, and sometimes that means a sizable playground. Legacy Park Village, a classic wooden playground in Lubbock’s McAlister Park, is a popular destination for local families.
More family-friendly amenities, such as splash pads and a dog park for those who want to bring Fido along, are on the way to this park. Put on your running shoes, grab a picnic basket, and head to this park to spend a sunny afternoon running around and climbing on the equipment.
14. Clapp Park
Clapp Park is one of Lubbock’s larger parks and is home to the Lubbock Swimming Pool, a lake, and numerous benches perfect for people watching. There are many playgrounds and sports fields for kids to enjoy.
In addition to the exciting playground, this area is home to the Lubbock Memorial Arboretum, where you can stroll through miles of beautiful gardens and trails at a more relaxed pace while the kids recover from all their play.
FAQs Things To Do In Lubbock With Kids
Does Lubbock have a zoo?
CritterFest, according to parents like Kirstin Tipps, fills the void left by the lack of a zoo in Lubbock by providing their children with similar educational experiences. It’s a great way to introduce kids to new species and regions, as well as to spark their interest in learning, as Tipps put it.
Does Lubbock have an aquarium?
The Lubbock Aquarium, adjacent to Adventure Park, is West Texas’s only view of the ocean. Visitors can get an up-close look at the wide variety of animals that call the world’s oceans home thanks to the wide variety of species on display.
What is Lubbock best known for?
Lubbock, Texas is well-known as the home of Texas Tech University, numerous well-known musicians, and High Plains wineries. All of that, plus the cultural, culinary, and family-friendly attractions of the Hub City, is why we decided to pay it a visit.