Things to do with kids in El Paso, TX
Checked · All times are local Mountain Time (El Paso time)
Coming up in El Paso: 50th YMCA Turkey Trot 5K & 1-Mile Fun Walk (Nov 26), The Lights at San Jacinto Plaza (WinterFest, from Nov 21), WinterFest Lights Parade (Nov 21) and 1 more event. 8 always-open places, led by El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens and La Nube. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Thanksgiving events in El Paso
50th YMCA Turkey Trot 5K & 1-Mile Fun Walk
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · 5K and 1-mile fun walk start 7am
- Cost
- $50 registration (prices rise closer to race day)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
El Paso's 50th Thanksgiving morning YMCA Turkey Trot, with a 5K and a 1-mile fun walk out and back on Montana Ave that works well for kids.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: lights
The Lights at San Jacinto Plaza (WinterFest)
- When
- Sat, Nov 21 – Fri, Jan 1 (Nightly Nov 21–Jan 1) · 5–11pm
- Cost
- Free to see the lights; ice skating at The Rink costs extra
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Holiday lights downtown every evening of the WinterFest season.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
WinterFest Lights Parade
- When
- Sat, Nov 21 · Parade 6pm
- Cost
- Free to watch
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
El Paso's downtown lights parade opens the WinterFest season.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Storytimes
Family Storytime at Dorris Van Doren Library
- When
- Sat, Oct 31 – Sat, Dec 19 (Saturdays (branch also offers Tuesday afternoon sessions)) · Saturdays 10–11am (also Tuesdays 4:30–5:30pm)
- Cost
- Library program
- Ages
- All ages with a grown-up · Indoor
Weekly family storytime at the Westside branch. The branch also hosts Preschool Storytime on Wednesdays (10–11am) and Children's Playtime on Thursdays (11am–noon).
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens
- Price
- Residents: adult $13.95, teen $10.95, child $8.95; non-residents: adult $15.95, teen $12.95, child $10.95
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Open daily 9am–5pm (last admission 4pm)
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
La Nube
- Price
- Children (1–17) $17, adults $20, under 1 free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Children's science museum downtown; Tue–Fri 10am–3pm, Sat 11am–5pm, Sun noon–5pm
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
El Paso Museum of Archaeology
- Price
- Free gallery admission
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Native history galleries plus outdoor desert garden trails; Tue–Sat 9am–5pm, closed Sun–Mon and city holidays
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
El Paso Museum of Art
- Price
- Free admission
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Art classes for all ages; Wed–Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 11am–3pm
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
El Paso Museum of History
- Price
- Free (suggested donation $3)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Wed–Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 11am–3pm
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Franklin Mountains State Park (Tom Mays Unit)
- Price
- $5 per adult (13+); children 12 and under free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Huge urban state park with desert hiking trails and picnic areas; gates open 8am–5pm
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Chamizal National Memorial
- Price
- No entrance fee
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
No entrance fee; free Junior Ranger books; grounds 7am–7pm daily, Cultural Center Tue–Sat 10am–5pm
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
El Paso Public Library (Main)
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Children's programs; Mon 10am–6pm, Tue–Thu 10am–7pm, Fri 1–6pm, Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 1–6pm
✓ Details checked Oct 25, 2026 on the official website
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in El Paso this weekend?
This weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1) we list 1 family event in El Paso: Family Storytime at Dorris Van Doren Library (Sat).
What time is trick-or-treating in El Paso?
Sunset on Halloween in El Paso is at 6:17 p.m. El Paso doesn't list official trick-or-treat hours, so plan around dusk.
What are free things to do with kids in El Paso?
These are free according to their official sites: 4 places and 2 upcoming events in El Paso, including El Paso Museum of Archaeology, El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso Museum of History and The Lights at San Jacinto Plaza (WinterFest, Nov 21 – Jan 1). See all 6 above.
Where can kids play indoors in El Paso when it's too hot or rainy?
We list 4 indoor places in El Paso: La Nube (Children, 1–17 $17, adults $20, under 1 free), El Paso Museum of Art (Free admission), El Paso Museum of History (Free, suggested donation $3) and El Paso Public Library (Main).
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in El Paso?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in El Paso: 50th YMCA Turkey Trot 5K & 1-Mile Fun Walk (Thu, Nov 26).
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in El Paso?
We list 2 holiday light events in El Paso, all free: The Lights at San Jacinto Plaza (WinterFest, Nov 21 – Jan 1, free) and WinterFest Lights Parade (Nov 21, free).
Are there storytimes or regular kids' programs in El Paso?
We list 1 everyday program in El Paso: Family Storytime at Dorris Van Doren Library (Saturdays, branch also offers Tuesday afternoon sessions).
What is there to do with toddlers in El Paso?
We list 4 places in El Paso that welcome kids under 2, including El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Franklin Mountains State Park (Tom Mays Unit) and Chamizal National Memorial. See all 4 above. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
What are the big family attractions in El Paso?
The best-known family attractions we list in El Paso are El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens (Residents: adult $13.95, teen $10.95, child $8.95) and La Nube (Children, 1–17 $17, adults $20, under 1 free). They're listed first under always-open places.
How much do El Paso family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 3 places in El Paso: El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens (Residents: adult $13.95, teen $10.95, child $8.95) and La Nube (Children, 1–17 $17, adults $20, under 1 free). See all 3 above. Confirm before you go; prices change.
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
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