Free Things to Do With Kids in Waco, TX
Seven ways to fill a weekend without spending a dime, from splash pads to a downtown mural hunt.
Updated September 2026 · 7 spots covered · Kid-tested and verified
Waco is one of those towns where family fun doesn't have to cost anything. This isn't a vague "go to Cameron Park" list, it's the exact playgrounds, trails, and hidden corners that actually make a good day with kids.
Bring water, sunscreen, and a change of clothes if a splash pad is involved. Mornings beat afternoons for both crowds and heat.
-Sam Harper
Cameron Park's Kid Hotspots
416 acres · Northern Gateway, Pecan Bottoms, Anniversary Park, Proctor Springs
Start at Northern Gateway Park for shaded play structures and water misters, then walk to Lover's Leap for the cliffside view over the Brazos. Pecan Bottoms has the biggest playground and a seasonal splash pad, while Anniversary Park at the top of Jacob's Ladder is a quieter option for toddlers.
Learn more →Waco's Splash Pads
Six locations citywide, all free · Pecan Bottoms & Kendrick Park are the busiest
The City of Waco runs six free splash pads from late spring through early fall. Hours and opening dates shift year to year, so check the Parks & Recreation site before you promise the kids water play.
Check current hours →Riverwalk & the Suspension Bridge
Brazos Riverwalk, downtown to Cameron Park
Paved and mostly flat, with plenty of benches for snack breaks. The restored Waco Suspension Bridge makes a good midpoint, let the kids run across while you take in the view.
Learn more →Waco Downtown Farmers Market
Bridge Street Plaza · Saturdays 9am–1pm
More than produce stands, live music, food trucks, and vendors fill the plaza. Entry is free, and it's a lively way to start the weekend even if you're not planning to shop. A few dollars gets the kids their own muffin or snow cone.
Follow on Facebook →Downtown Mural Scavenger Hunt
Murals and public art scattered across downtown
Grab Creative Waco's public art map, or just make up your own "five murals to find" challenge. Kids love checking each one off, and you'll walk away with a phone full of colorful photos.
Get the art map →Carleen Bright Arboretum
9001 Bosque Blvd, Woodway
Wide lawns, flower beds, fountains, and shaded trails for the days you need something quieter. In spring, the wildflowers at Miss Nellie's Pretty Place in Cameron Park are worth the trip too, a nature lesson that doesn't feel like school.
Learn more →Neighborhood Parks
Kendrick Park · Doris Miller Park · Chapel Park
Cameron Park gets the spotlight, but the smaller parks deserve some love too. Kendrick Park has a good-sized playground and splash pad, Doris Miller Park has shade and open space for a picnic, and Chapel Park is a quiet neighborhood gem that's good for younger kids.
Learn more →
Morning + afternoon in Cameron Park: Northern Gateway playground, then Lover's Leap for photos, then Pecan Bottoms for lunch and a splash pad break.
Downtown adventure: Bike or stroll the Riverwalk to the Suspension Bridge, hit the Farmers Market for music and snacks, then a short mural hunt on the way home.
Know a free Waco activity I missed? Reply to this email and tell me. I update this guide as things change.