Relocation
Relocation
Family and Kids Activities in El Paso Texas
What is there to do with kids in El Paso, Texas? Plenty, from the El Paso Zoo and a day trip to White Sands to hiking the Franklin Mountains, skateboarding, and local parks all over town.
If you are relocating with a family, this is a genuinely kid-friendly city. The El Paso Zoo on East Paisano Drive spans 35 acres with more than 220 species, plus a splash pad, a train, a carousel, and a tree house playground. White Sands National Park is about a two-hour drive into New Mexico, 275 square miles of gypsum sand that pets love too. The Franklin Mountains put trails within easy reach almost anywhere in the city, just bring water and watch for wildlife. There is also a large skateboarding scene with concrete parks across town, plus neighborhood parks with playgrounds, tennis, and basketball on the east side, west side, and central.
Video transcript
Family and Kids Activities in El Paso, Texas
El Paso is a great city for families. With a median age in the early 30s and most of those residents having young or older children, there's no shortage of activities for kids here. Let's explore some of the best family-friendly things to do in El Paso.
El Paso Zoo
The El Paso Zoo is located at 4001 East Paisano Drive. Here are the hours: Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The zoo is closed Monday and Tuesday. We suggest visiting on weekends so you have more time to explore the full zoo.
The zoo spans 35 acres and houses over 220 species, including the armored leopard and the arupa rattlesnake. The animals are organized by continent and region: the Chihuahuan Desert section, Africa, the Americas, and Asia. There's definitely plenty of new animals to see if you're coming from outside of El Paso.
For the kids specifically, there are tons of fun activities: the African Star Train, the Hunt Family Splash Pad, the Foster Tree House Playground, and the Hunt Endangered Species Carousel. You'll also find plenty of food and concession stands throughout, so you can stay fed and hydrated while exploring.
White Sands National Park
Another fantastic family outing is a trip to White Sands National Park. This park is located in New Mexico, so you're traveling outside of El Paso, but it's only about a two-hour drive at most, which isn't bad. Once you get there, you'll be completely blown away. White Sands covers 275 square miles of nothing but gypsum sand-a completely beautiful and unique experience to share with your family. Even pets love it out here; the wide open space is perfect for them to roam around and run. It's a really wonderful time and a pretty experience you won't forget.
Hiking the Franklin Mountains
One of the best things about El Paso for hiking is how many different trails are available. The reason is simple: we live so close to the Franklin Mountains. If you ever feel the urge to go hiking, just look toward the mountain and head toward it. Chances are you'll find yourself on a nice trail.
The main thing to watch out for while hiking is wildlife like rattlesnakes, tarantulas, or centipedes. Keep an eye out when you're hiking with pets or family. Make sure you bring plenty of water too. El Paso is the sun city and it gets really hot, so stay hydrated and you'll have a fun, beautiful experience.
Skateboarding Parks
El Paso has a pretty large skateboarding scene. To support it, the city has built many concrete parks all around the city and several smaller parks with metal ramps. If you have kids interested in skateboarding, this is a great place to learn. There are lots of friendly people at the parks who are willing to help, and it's just a good time when you roll up to any of them. The parks themselves are well-maintained and accessible across the city.
Local Parks
Don't overlook the simple option of your local parks. There are parks all over El Paso-east side, west side, central, and everywhere in between. You'll find parks with jungle gyms and swing sets for the kids. Many also have tennis courts or basketball courts if you want to try different sports. There's usually plenty of space available for dogs if you want to let them run free and play catch. The parks here are really nice and well-distributed throughout the city, so no matter where you're at, you're going to find a nice park and a fun activity to do there.
El Paso offers plenty of options for families with kids, from world-class attractions like the zoo to outdoor adventures and simple neighborhood parks. Whether you're looking for something structured or just a casual afternoon outdoors, El Paso has something for everyone.
