It is December and the weather has turned to be quite chilly. While Midland and Odessa is booming with playgrounds and splash pads for those hot summer days, the question is what is there to do in those few months when the weather gets cold and the rain picks up?
I have lived in the Permian Basin for quite some time and as a travel influencer I go so stir crazy here. So, I decided there must be fun things to do here with kids, and so the search began! We have tried every park, all the museums, and dug around every nook and cranny of these towns and were surprised by just how much we found.
I know the motto is there is nothing to do in Midland/Odessa, but I am here to prove that even when the weather has restricted outdoor play, there is still a variety of fun things to do in Midland/Odessa, Texas! Next time that dust storm blows in or the weather gets too chilly, here are the places to escape your home that your kids will love!
Where To Play Indoors In Midland, Texas:
Midland Park Mall
One of our first go to places on a rainy day in Midland is the mall. I know that sounds so generic, but truth is my kids love the mall. I absolutely despise shopping and especially with kids, so don’t think I am saying hit up the mall for a shopping day with kids. I ain’t crazy, that is no fun at all!
The reason we love the mall is for one, the indoor playground. If you have older kids they may not love this playground, but the little ones do. My oldest is almost 7 years old and she still loves this playground. There is a toddler sized slide and tunnel, fidget toys attached to the walls, a jumping game, math piano, but my 7 year old’s favorite are the creative computers. There are a couple computer screens that you can use to design different scenes.
Other than the playground the mall has arcade games, cotton candy vending machines that are fun to watch, a bungee trampoline, toy stores, those giant animals you can drive, and lots of delicious places to eat. Just a fun place to kill some time while the weather settles.
Location: 4511 N Midkiff Rd, Midland, TX 79705
Fredda Turner Durham Children’s Museum
The Fredda Turner Durham Children’s Museum is always a win with kids. My kids could spend forever playing in their permanent play town. They love driving the toy cars from the gas station to the grocery store. Who knew that it could be so fun to build houses, serve dinner at a diner, and fix your car at the mechanic shop?
There are several other permanent exhibits at this children’s museum, the art room, color changing wall, window painting, and of course the toddler play area. While these exhibits are always fun the real reason, we love visiting this children’s museum is that temporary exhibits. Our very first visit to the museum we walked in to find dinosaurs all over. We dug for dino bones and even rebuilt some dinosaurs from the bones up.
Another one of our favorite exhibits has been the Asian instruments exhibit. We went from table to table experimenting with unique sounds and instruments. Each exhibit is interactive and so fun. It is one you will want to come back to again and again.
Location: 1705 W Missouri Ave, Midland, TX 79701
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
I don’t know about you, but having 4 kids at home; sometimes I worry that my house won’t survive them. Can’t believe the energy levels these kids have at all hours of the day. This is why I LOVE trampoline parks! I love that after an hour at a trampoline park, my kids pass out with exhaustion the second they get to the car.
Midland/Odessa has 3 trampoline parks soon to be 4; one in Odessa and the other 2 in Midland. Urban Air Trampoline Park is the more commonly known of the 2 in Midland and for good reason. I mean this park has bumper cars, sky rider, go karts, a ropes course, climbing wall, a ninja course, an indoor playground, and of course lots of trampolines.
So yeah, if you fear your house can’t handle your kid’s energy level for one more minute, this is the place to be! Coming soon to Odessa!
Location: 4706 N Midkiff Rd Suite 1, Midland, TX 79705
Midland County Historical Museum
West Texas has county museums in practically every town. They are basically all the same, a bunch of old antiques stuffed into a one room building. Now bringing my kids around a bunch of old breakable objects isn’t really my kinda thing, but Midland’s County Historical Museum isn’t your typical historic museum.
While there are plenty of old articles, pictures, and artifacts in this museum, there are also several interactive stations that even children will love. During our visit we made our own brands, did a puzzle of filling a wagon, and danced to a jukebox. This may not be the most exciting thing to do with the kids, but it is educational and interactive.
Location: 200 N Main St, Midland, TX 79701
Visit the Libraries
Midland has 2 separate library branches one is Centennial and the other is Downtown. I can not tell you which one is my favorite, because I love both during separate times of year! Obviously my number one reason is because I love books and reading to my kids. Besides the magic of being surrounded by endless stories, each branch has exciting events and details.
The older branch is the Centennial Branch. Walking into this library is like walking into a forest. There are giant trees throughout the library. While the kids’ section has a few toys, it does not offer many play options. The real magic of this library branch is its temporary popup exhibits! Every couple of months they change up their pop-up exhibits and it is almost like an interactive museum in the library!
We have built dinosaurs, climbed spiderwebs, ziplined in the air like a butterfly, walked through our favorite children’s books, learned to throw a lasso, and even watched our bones dance as a skeleton. Each exhibit is so much fun and is completely free!
The Downtown Branch is the perfect place to take kids to play with toys. Their kids section has plenty of puzzles, stuffed animals, a play kitchen and more. While they have small pop up exhibits, most of their exhibits are just for looking. They have set up a jewelry exhibit, rocks exhibit, and even a beautiful Day of the Dead exhibit.
The most exciting thing about this library are its story times and traveling presentations. My kids have listened to stories from the Easter bunny, met Bluey, watch a magician work his magic, and even pet a snake! Be sure to follow them on Instagram to be updated to when their next event will be.
Location: Centennial Library-2503 Loop 250 Frontage Rd, Midland, TX 79705 Downtown Library-301 W Missouri Ave, Midland, TX 79701
Claydesta Center
Midland does not have a zoo yet, so for now we settle with the next best thing. The Claydesta Plaza is a giant building housing a bank, some offices, a restaurant, and a quite a few exotic animals. I am talkin’ elephants, zebras, baboons, mountain lions, deer, and more. Of course, I should probably mention that they are all taxidermy, but still so fun to see.
In the middle of this giant building is almost like a jungle set up. It has a large fountain and the walk surrounding it is through large trees and tropical plants. Mixed into this jungle set up are the taxidermy animals. My kids have so much fun scavenging through the jungle to find the craziest animals.
Location: 6 Desta Dr, Midland, TX 79705
Midland Downtown Lions Club Fire Museum
I will be the first to admit that this museum is not the most exciting museum, but it is a way to entertain and educate kids. This museum is a one room museum filled with fireman antiques. They have an old firetruck, old fire gear, newspaper articles, and many other firefighter related objects to look at.
The only interactive part of the museum are the color pages located at the front door. To make this experience better for your kids. Try going into the connecting fire station and ask for a tour. My kids thought the museum was interesting, but visiting with a real live firefighter and climbing into the front seat of a real fire truck was a whole new level of cool for them.
Location: 1500 W Wall St, Midland, TX 79701
Chuck E Cheese
You will never lose taking your kids to Chuck E Cheese. My kids LOVE this place! I mean what is not to love about it. All you can eat pizza, all you can play arcade games, a giant mouse to take pictures with, a dance floor, and even trampolines.
Location: 4703 W Loop 250 N, Midland, TX 79707
Cinergy
Cinergy is literally the thing to do in Midland or Odessa, Texas. If people are looking to kill time, this is guaranteed where you will find them. Cinergy is the main local movie theater, but there is so much to it than just movies.
Between the two Cinergy’s in Midland and Odessa, there is bowling, laser tag, a crazy amount of arcade games, an escape room, VR games, and even a ropes course. Cinergy is a place for everyone of all ages to enjoy together as a family.
Location: Midland-1917 Liberty Dr, Midland, TX 79706 Odessa-8250 TX-191, Odessa, TX 79765
Permian Basin Petroleum Museum
It is no secret that oil is the black gold that has put Midland and Odessa on the map. Every single person that lives in these towns either works in the oil field or is related to someone in the oil field. Saying this, it just makes sense that one of the biggest museums in Midland, Texas is a museum about oil and the oilfield.
Driving up to this museum, you will drive through a timeline of oil rigs and oil donkeys. The museum also takes you through a walk in time, starting as far back as before the dinosaurs. While this museum is mostly just exhibits with things to look at and read, once you get towards the end the museum becomes a bit more interactive. For one there is a giant spaceship you can get into and fly it on a special virtual mission. Then there is a kids area, that teaches the significance of oil and the oilfield.
Besides the obvious exhibits about oil, there is also an exhibit on race cars. While this one, as well, isn’t super interactive; it does give you the chance to sit inside a race car. The exhibits in general are very nice, but this is more of a place for education then playing.
Location: 1500 I-20, Midland, TX 79701
Susie’s South 40 Confections
This is one of our favorite places to visit in Midland, Texas rain or shine! I mean can you ever really go wrong at a candy factory! Midland is well known for its delicious candies thanks to the local Susie’s South 40.
In this factory, there is a small museum about the company and a large window for watching as they mix the delectable treats and sweets. When you are done watching and ready for tasting, head into the gift shop and sample a few of the free samples. Good luck leaving without a bag or two of candy. My favorite, the pecan pralines!
Besides candy this gift shop is also an ice cream shop as well as a West Texas trinket store. This is the best place to shop for Midland gifts!
Location: 401 S Marienfeld St, Midland, TX 79701
Sibley Nature Center
Normally when I mention Sibley Nature Center I talking about the hiking trails surrounding it, but this time lets talk about the center itself. This nature center is tiny, but it is a fun place to kill some time. When you walk in you can enjoy the traveling exhibit of the time. We have seen dino bones, taxidermy animals, and a bee exhibit in the times we have gone.
The next room is filled with taxidermy West Texas animals, from racoons and ducks to mountain lions. This is also a great place to see some local art. Next is the birding viewing room. This rooms is surrounded by windows so that you can watch the birds and squirrels come for food.
Lastly there is the children’s room. This small room houses more taxidermy animals, but also loads of books and toys centered around nature, for kids to play with. Our favorite of this section is the touch and feel table. This table has a large variety of objects, from rattlesnake tails to bones; all for you to touch and experience.
Location: 1307 E Wadley Ave, Midland, TX 79705
Blakemore Planetarium
If you want to spice up your movie watching experience, then this is the place to come. This planetarium has its very own dome theater for watching a show. Throughout the year they have different showings of movies about space and travel.
If the dome theater wasn’t exciting, then remember there is also a museum. It is a small one room museum, but an educational experience for kids to experience space. Normally they also have a room open with hands on activities for kids.
Location: 1800 W Indiana Ave, Midland, TX 79701
I Love My Selfie
I Love My Selfie is the most unique museum in Midland. This museum was built for those who love Instagram-able moments and taking pictures. Throughout this museum are several photo op stations with unique and quirky layouts. Most of the photo ops have an interactive feature so you can take fun and quirky photos.
Location: 3211 W Wadley Ave Suite 8, Midland, TX 79705
Bowlero Midland
Bowling is a classic fun indoor activity for kids to do in on a cold or rainy day. Midland has the Bowlero with is a bowling alley for families to come and complete.
Location: 5320 W Loop 250 N, Midland, TX 79707
Similar Articles You Will Love:
Best Things To Do In Midland, Texas This Summer
The Top Asian Restaurants in Midland, Texas That You Have To Try
Best Places To Get Ice Cream In Midland, Texas
A Guide To Finding The Murals In Odessa, Texas
Where To Play Indoors In Odessa, Texas:
Music City Mall
The mall in Odessa is almost like experiencing a mall from Mexico. This Hispanic based mall is filled with very Latino stores and shops. Inside you will find paleterias and several chili candy stations. It is quite the cultural experience.
Besides the Hispanic experience this mall portrays, it also offers several family fun activities. There are 2 playground areas, one mostly for toddlers and the other almost like a play gym. There is a mini train, a horse carousel, and several other little rides and activities for kids. Soon there will also be an Urban Air Trampoline Park!
One of the number one family friendly things to do in this mall is visit the skating rink. This rink is located next to the food court, so those eating can watch the skaters. Kinda like dinner and a show! It used to be an ice-skating rink, but is now just a roller-skating rink. Connected to the rink is also an area for riding bumper cars.
Another fun thing to do with kids at this particular mall, is to watch the news being filmed. CBS7 the Permian Basin news channel films their daily news from the office located in the mall. Instead of walls to separate people from the experience, it is all glass you can watch from the other side.
Location: 4101 E 42nd St, Odessa, TX 79762
4Kidz Fun Park
All of these activities are fun right, but we need some energy burning activities for these kids; this is where 4Kidz Fun Park comes into play! This is an indoor play gym with all sorts of fun throughout it. Kids can spend their time climbing through tunnels, up rope ladders, through several obstacles’ courses, and down giant slides.
There is an area dedicated to shooting foam balls in giant air guns and blowing them through several fans and tubes. One of the areas in the play gym area even has a trampoline, while others have large balls that you can swing on.
If you think you are strong enough you can give the ninja course a try, or climb up and give the ropes course a try. This is a fun place for all ages, and even if your kids are super little, there is a fun area just for toddlers to jump in ball pits and slide tiny slides.
Location: 1421 E 8th St, Odessa, TX 79761
Altitude Trampoline Park
Here is another place to burn off those kids’ energy. We never make it home before my kids all fall asleep in the car after visiting this trampoline park. While Urban Air has a large variety of fun attractions in it, it does not have as big a trampoline area as this park does. The entire building is filled with trampolines.
There are trampolines for dodgeball, trampolines for basketball, some for doing tricks, some for jumping off walls, some for jumping as high as you can. Besides trampolines, there are multiple foam pits to jump into to. It is such a fun place to wear those kids out.
Location: 5161 E 42nd St, Odessa, TX 79762
Ellen Noel Art Museum
I should mention that this museum is temporary closed due to remodel, but when it is done, it is another indoor thing to do in Odessa, Texas. This museum is just an art museum for walking around and admiring pieces of art.
Not really as fun to take little kids to, simply because they can not touch anything. If you have older kids that enjoy art, they may enjoy this museum. There isn’t much to this museum other then admiring the local art as well as more known artist pieces.
Location: 4919 E University Blvd, Odessa, TX 79762
Fun Places To Take Kids To Eat In Midland/Odessa:
Back In The Day Café
Normally café food doesn’t really tempt me, but this one is actually delicious; especially their breakfast! This diner has all the classics you would expect out of an old-style café, like burgers, burritos, and sandwiches; but it actually all has taste that is good!
What makes this place so fun isn’t simply the food, but the environment. When you walk through those doors it is almost like you are walking into another town! The whole restaurant is a town inside. The walls are different sections of the town. You could sit in the movie theater, the chapel, the barber shop, and so on. It is an adorable set up.
Location: 4317 W Illinois Ave, Midland, TX 79703
Michaels Charbroiled Burgers
If you want to blow those little kids minds, this is the place to go. Michaels looks like an old airplane hangar. As you walk in, you will be surrounded by mini airplane models all floating from the ceiling. The whole place feels like being in an airport.
The airplanes are simply cool enough, but wait until you order a King Kong burger that is literally bigger than your head! Your kids’ eyes will be as big as saucers! It is such a fun way to surprise the kids.
Location: 723 W Wadley Ave, Midland, TX 79705
Alldredge Gardens Café in the Garden
The bummer part about eating out while it raining is that you have to eat indoors. Whoever said it had to feel like eating indoors though? When you pull up to Alldredge Gardens it just feels like a regular old nursery for plants.
Psych! If you walk into the greenhouse to the very back of it, there is a restaurant. This restaurant you will be sitting at a patio, next to a koi pond, and surrounded by plants of all variety. Take that cold weather, you can still have an indoor, outdoor eating experience without being cold or wet!
Location: 3300 N Fairgrounds Rd, Midland, TX 79705
Red Plate Diner
Who doesn’t love a good ol’ fashioned 50s diner? Especially one that serves a 15-scoop ice cream! I wouldn’t brag about the diner food here, but ice cream was nominated best for a reason! You can order a sundae and a burger from your odd colored round table in this checkered floor old diner. It really feels like you are stepping back in time!
Location: 900 W Loop 250 N Ste C, Midland, TX 79705
Buffet King or Grand Buffet
My kids are obsessed with Asian food and if you ever ask them where they want to go out and eat, they will say an Asian buffet. While there are several versions of Asian buffets in the Permian Basin, these two are my kids’ favorites; Buffet King in Odessa and Grand Buffet in Midland.
Buffets are the safest bet when taking kids out to eat. One kid wants ice cream, the other pizza, one chicken nuggets, and the other shrimp; well, this has it all.
Location: Grand Buffet-2510 W Louisiana Ave, Midland, TX 79701 Buffet King- 4101 E 42nd St #101, Odessa, TX 79762
MD Pizza
I have 3 boys, so you can imagine what Ninja Turtles means in our household. So of course, when we watch anything Ninja Turtles we have to get pizza, but why stop there? MD Pizza has delicious pizzas of all varieties.
So, we get our pizza fix here, then sit down at the retro arcades and play some Ninja Turtle arcade games! Ninja Turtle games, Ninja Turtle art work, and amazing pizza all in one place, it is a little boy’s dream come true.
Location: 4706 N Midkiff Rd, Midland, TX 79705
I am an Amazon Affiliate, which means I may earn a commission from any purchases made through the links in this post. For more information, please read my privacy page.
