• Family fun abounds in the Lone Star state.flag image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
  
  As the largest state in the continental U.S., Texas is full of places to go with your children. Plenty of family fun is available at prices within most any family's budget. From free splash parks to world-class children's museums, finding engaging activities for children in Texas is something anyone can do.
  
  

State Parks

• With more than 120 state parks, historical sites and natural areas, Texas has one of the most extensive state park systems in the United States. Most kids love being in the great outdoors, and no matter where you are in Texas, there is a State Park nearby. Many have water, electric and sewage for those who don't want to go too rustic, and if you want more adventure, there are plenty of parks that require hiking to get to the best camping spot. Favorites include Big Bend State Park, Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Dinosaur Valley State Park and Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, to name just a few.
  
  

Lakes and Rivers

• Texas heat can be stifling, so it is always good to know where you can go to cool off. For a unique Texas experience, float the Guadalupe River outside New Braunfels, or visit Lake Whitney, west of Hillsboro, where people of all ages go to jump off the famous cliffs, which range from immense for the fearless, to smaller ones even children can enjoy. Float the Brazos River in Waco on the Brazos Belle riverboat, the first paddleboat vessel to float the river since the 1880s. While in Austin, be sure to get to Barton Springs, a natural spring where the ice-cold water is sure to make you appreciate the sun! Wherever you are in Texas, you can pack up your cooler and head to a nearby lake or river for family fun.
  
  

Caverns

• Exploring Texas' caves is a great way to escape the extreme temperatures above ground, as the many caverns throughout the state stay a comfortable 70 degrees year-round. Although entire regions of the state lie above expansive cavern systems, only seven caves are open for public tours. Each is magnificent in its own right, so you are sure to delight in the natural wonders of this world whichever you choose.
  
  

Parks and Zoos

• Parks abound in every city in Texas, and many have free splash parks where the kids can cool off and burn off some steam. Local favorites include Zilker Park in Austin, where you shouldn't miss riding the famous Zilker Park train; and Hermann Park in Houston, where a visit to the duck pond and a ride on the Hermann Park train are essential. Some of the nation's finest zoos are located in Texas, so don't miss the opportunity to see thousands of animals in their natural habitats at the zoos of Texas. The San Antonio Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the nation, and is fascinating for parents and children alike, with over 3,000 animal species represented. The Houston Zoo, The Dallas Zoo, and The Fort Worth Zoo are also first-class zoos, as is the Cameron Park Zoo in Waco. The Austin Zoo is aimed specifically at small children, and is a nice way to introduce children to animals, while the Gladys Porter Zoo of Brownsville is known for its successes in breeding endangered wildlife. If it is wildlife you seek, then don't miss the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, where you can drive through acres of land feeding giraffes, zebras, gazellas, and other exotic, and surprisingly friendly, animals.
  
  

Museums

• Gone are the days of dimly lit, dusty shelved museums. Many of today's museums are interactive, experiential and aimed to educate and entertain the whole family. Top picks for families include the Johnson Space Center (of NASA) in Houston; the Mayborn Museum in Waco, which has two floors of outstanding children's exhibits; the Fire Museum of Texas, located in Beaumont, home to the world's largest fire hydrant and a pole you are allowed to slide down; the Bob Bullock Story of Texas Museum in Austin; the Wax Museum and Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, housed together in San Antonio; and the Children's Museum of Houston, the highest-rated children's museum of Texas, and the most attended youth museum in the nation. Don't forget to remember the Alamo, the famous not-to-be missed historical site and museum in San Antonio.
  
  

Amusement and Theme Parks

• If you have the energy to brave an amusement park, Texas has plenty to offer. In the Dallas area, Six Flags over Texas is a classic. In San Antonio, Sea World has wonderful aquariums and exhibits, and is also home to the Lost Lagoon, an oasis within Sea World where you can splash and play. While the Renaissance Fair only comes once a year to different locations within Texas, it is the most elaborate Renaissance Fair in North America, and offers weeks of entertainment, from live jousts to dancing and overall family fun.
  
  

Water Parks

• If you prefer cooling off in a water park, Texas has plenty to offer. Schlittlerbaun in New Braunfels is perhaps the most famous, and has been voted the best water park anywhere. With over 65 acres of slides, surf pools, tubing adventures and water coasters, Schlitterbaun is fun for the whole family. Schlitterbaun has opened other parks in Galveston and South Padre Island, as well, and the park in South Padre is especially loved as you can ride from one ride to the next in a tube, and avoid standing in long lines. In the Dallas area, three Hawaiian Falls water parks offer abundant opportunities for water fun. Splashtown USA in San Antonio and Wet-n-Wild in El Paso are also not to be missed.