Things To Do With Kids in McKinney

McKinney offers plenty of kid-friendly attractions, including interactive museums, indoor playgrounds, parks, and more. Whatever your kids are into—be it science, games, animals, or the outdoors—you’ll find fun sights and activities to keep the whole family entertained. 

Outdoor & Educational Activities

Towne Lake Recreation Area and Bonnie Wenk Park are both popular spots for families. Get out on the water at Towne Lake, a community park that features a scenic 22-acre lake. Kayak rentals are available, and visitors can also fish at the pond if they bring their own gear. The park has an 18-hole disc golf course—one of only two public courses in town—along with volleyball courts and playgrounds for all ages. Half-mile loops of hike and bike trails connect Towne Lake to Bonnie Wenk Park, which has an inclusive playground for kids of all abilities to enjoy together as well as multiple climbing structures (shown here) and a kid-sized zip line. There’s also a fishing pond and a lakeside amphitheater that hosts a regular summertime concert series.   
 

For an engaging educational and entertainment experience, check out the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary. This sprawling preserve and museum connects visitors with nature through its Animal Encounters Trail, native butterfly and plant gardens, and indoor exhibits that explore North Texas ecosystems and other natural wonders. The Collin County History Museum offers a rich insight into local history and culture with photographs, artifacts, and other historical documents. Check the events calendar before you go; they occasionally have family movie nights and storytimes.

Aspiring artists will love the Tiny Doors Art Installation, a public art installation featuring over 75 tiny, hand-painted doors scattered around downtown. A map accessible online and on the Visit McKinney app turns the experience into a fun scavenger hunt for all ages. Also make sure when at the Visitors Center that you pick up your own copy of "The Field Guide to Bird in Downtown McKinney" so you can head off on a scavenger hunt to find birds and collect stickers for all 32 of them! 
 

Looking for a fun and convenient way to explore? Hop aboard the Downtown McKinney trolley. Running Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the trolley takes you to the main attractions, shops, eateries, and parking areas, and best of all, it’s free. Look for the Trolley Stop signs or just flag down the driver when you see him to hop on board for your free ride around the historic square. 

Indoor Entertainment & Play

Whether you’re escaping a rainy day or trying to beat the heat, McKinney has various indoor activities for kids and families, including playgrounds, arcades, and trampoline parks. Step into fun at CheerLand, an interactive play center for children of all ages. Mini-adventurers will have a field day at Urban Air Adventure Park, where kids can scramble up climbing walls, ride bumper cars, and bounce on trampolines.

Other indoor activities include attending community storytime at the library, taking a pottery or painting class at Jump into Art Studio, or playing games at Arcade 92, a retro video arcade with food and drinks.
 

Get everyone together for a family vacation to McKinney. Whether you’re looking for indoor or outdoor activities, the city offers something for every age, from toddlers to teens.