Stay to play: Three family-friendly outings in Lubbock
Chase boredom away with adventure play for the whole family.
Presented by Visit Lubbock
December 18, 2023
What’s This?
Got the winter doldrums? Turn off the screens and head to Lubbock, home of all-weather play zones and educational activities for everyone in the family. Here are some of the newest attractions for children of all ages and abilities in the Hub City.
Texas’ first indoor play park just opened in December. No matter the weather, come inside to climb, slide, bounce and play in themed areas. Play structures include a Jungle Adventure with a two-level treehouse, swing bridge and slides, and Dream Home, a multi-room playhouse for inspiring imagination. For the littlest family members, visit the Lollypop Land and Infant Patch for soft, small-scale adventures and sensory stimulation. Bigger kids can try the rock wall and run free in the Meadow, an open area with mats, tubes, balls and more. This innovative facility is not only a hub for play but also a nurturing environment offering classes and events tailored to children with all abilities. The inspiration for Milestones came from a mother of a vision-impaired child who wanted a safe place to play.
Texas’ first indoor play park just opened in December. No matter the weather, come inside to climb, slide, bounce and play in themed areas. Play structures include a Jungle Adventure with a two-level treehouse, swing bridge and slides, and Dream Home, a multi-room playhouse for inspiring imagination. For the littlest family members, visit the Lollypop Land and Infant Patch for soft, small scale adventures and sensory stimulation. Bigger kids can try the rock wall and run free in the Meadow, an open area with mats, tubes, balls and more. This innovative facility is not only a hub for play but also a nurturing environment offering classes and events tailored to children with all abilities. The inspiration for Milestones came from a mother of a vision-impaired child who wanted a safe place to play.
Hank the Cowdog has been entertaining children for more than 40 years in comical stories of ranch life. In October, a new indoor/outdoor educational facility inspired by the book series of John R. Erickson opened in Lubbock. The new Cash Family Ranch Life Learning Center is free to the public and full of interactive exhibits about today’s ranching. The center uses the well-known characters and places from the stories to teach about the impact of ranching. Mixing high-tech with hands-on, visitors will move from holograms and simulation tables to pumping a windmill and meeting animals during demonstrations in the amphitheater. The outdoor area brings Hank’s M Cross Ranch to life, with a landscape mural, ranch house, horse barn, flowing creek and more. The new learning center is located at the National Ranching Heritage Center at Texas Tech University. Both the historical park and new center are wheelchair and stroller accessible.
With 20 acres of activities to explore, this family-oriented adventure center opened in 2019. There are options to pump the adrenaline on challenge courses or to relax with leisurely pursuits. One of the main attractions is the Cypress Peak ropes course, the only outdoor climbing park in Texas. Keep the physical challenges and thrills going with a laser maze, an obstacle course, a rock-climbing wall, bumper boats or go-carts. For less thrill, more chill, seek out the 18-hole miniature golf course, pedal boats on the lake or walk the nature trail. Adventure Park offers a variety of fees and passes so families can tailor their visit to fit their interests and budget. Be sure to wear closed-toe shoes and socks, as some activities require appropriate footwear. For safety, some activities have age and height restrictions. You’ll find accommodation for accessibility, including wheelchair/stroller walkways, two seater go-karts and bumper boats and more. If you come in December, Adventure Park has a special seasonal activity – ice skating!
