Galveston, Texas Ferris Wheel — Kids Enjoying the Ferris Wheel at the Pleasure Pier

9 things to do in galveston with kids

Plan Fun Family Activities for All to Enjoy in Texas

By Cynthia J. Drake | Published on October 1, 2023

Would your kids get a kick out of exploring old pirate legends, treasure hunting on the beach and having a blast on boardwalk rides? If so, Galveston Island makes for an ideal setting for family activities. Located just an hour southeast of Houston, this seaside destination is chock-full of family-fun activities for your itinerary.

My family of four (which includes two young children) has enjoyed exploring this city over the years. With endless options for fun, I've narrowed down the nine best family activities in Galveston.

1. Have Fun — With A Side Of History — At Pier 21

Pier 21 is a wonderful destination for families wanting to explore the history of Galveston in a personal way. A visit to the Galveston Historic Seaport is where you'll find harbor tours as well as the Texas Seaport Museum, the Ocean Star Offshore Energy Center, Tall Ship Elissa and Pier 21 Theater. My family has enjoyed each of these experiences tremendously, as museum organizers have done a fantastic job of telling captivating and personal historical stories. If you're looking for fun family things to do in Galveston, my recommendation is to start here.

2. Get Chummy With The Pirates

Not too many kids (or adults, for that matter) can resist the allure of a good pirate tale, and there are plenty to be found when you visit Galveston for family-fun activities. The area was once prime stomping grounds for privateers, bootleggers, smugglers, and other sordid types. One pirate in particular, Jean Lafitte, made his home here in the early 1800s. You can still glimpse the remains of his house — known as Maison Rouge — on Harborside Drive, where a small historical marker denotes his time in Galveston; the fact that he set fire to his home and village upon leaving in 1821 is mentioned as well. There are many pirate-themed activities in Galveston that are both fun and educational, like the Pirates! Legends of the Gulf Coast, where pirate-clad guides tell the tales of a pirate's life in this region.

3. Ride The Rides At Pleasure Pier

Originally built for military use during World War II, the historic Galveston Pleasure Pier has drawn large crowds of vacationers since the 1940s. Today, it's one of the top family activities in Galveston. Boasting 16 amusement park rides — including thrilling roller coasters and a giant Ferris wheel from which you can see for miles around — plus a 5D theater and midway carnival-style games, you and your child get to embrace what it is to be a kid.

4. Take A Spooky Ghost Tour

Galveston has been ravaged by several major storms over the years, and as supernatural enthusiasts will tell you, the result is a community of ghosts that continue to haunt the island. If your kids are anything like mine, they love a good spooky ghost story — just not too scary! Galveston has a host of ghost tours available that are suitable for families looking for a bit of a fright. These walking tours take you past haunted hotels, former orphanages and asylums, telling the stories of those who came before along the way.

5. Explore Moody Gardens

You'll know you've arrived at Moody Gardens when you see three glass pyramids. Each one holds so many family-friendly activities and something different to discover, including a rainforest, an aquarium and a Discovery Museum. There are also component attractions, such as a paddle wheel boat for day cruises and dinner cruises, and seasonal attractions, including a small water park and a ropes course with zip line. If your trip lines up with the holiday season, make sure you catch the annual ice sculpture spectacular called ICE LAND. With an onsite resort, you could easily spend an entire week at Moody Gardens and explore different sites each time. For a special treat, book an animal encounter to get up close and personal with penguins or giant river otters.

6. Hit The Beaches

Most people equate Galveston with the beach — and for good reason. There are 32 miles of beaches here, ranging from lively to relaxing. A day on the beach is one of many free family things to do in Galveston and a great choice to kick back before or after your cruise from Texas. If your family is into camping on the beach, head to Galveston Island State Park.

7. Bike Along The Galveston Seawall

When I'm looking for fun things to do with my family, I try to get active. Galveston is such a bikeable city, and renting a bike or taking a bike tour along the Galveston Seawall can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors with the whole family. There are several bike rental shops along the Seawall that offer hourly rentals on electric bikes, scooters, cruisers and even surrey bikes (multi-passenger bikes), which would make for some great exercise — in addition to guaranteed laughs along the way.

8. Go Wild At Schlitterbahn

On the list of family-friendly activities, you can't forget water parks! One of America's original water parks, Schlitterbahn, has an outpost here in Galveston. If you've never experienced one of these epic parks, you're in for a treat! Schlitterbahn waterslides, such as Dragon Blaster, are a thing of legend. They're like slippery rollercoasters — you'll be laughing all the way down. There are also plenty of tamer water park options for little ones and those who prefer a more relaxing pool day.

9. Add Some Cheer With Holiday Festivals

If you visit Galveston during a holiday season, whether it's Halloween, Christmas or Mardi Gras, the city will make your experience special. Beginning in November, families can book tickets on the Polar Express train leaving from the Galveston Railroad Museum or join the merriment during Dickens on the Strand. Mardi Gras is another fun celebration injecting some Creole flavor into this coastal town. Local holiday events include the Galveston Island Beach Revue, a throwback event inspired by the bathing beauties contests of yore, and Juneteenth celebrations, commemorating the place where news of the end of slavery would soon reverberate through the generations.

Family fun starts now when you book a cruise from Galveston.