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Homeschool Discounts in Texas

Big-ticket Texas museums, science centers, and zoos with homeschool discount days or group rates — typically 30–60% off regular admission, sometimes free.

Updated May 2026 · 5 confirmed programs · 4 call-to-confirm

Texas leans on two pillars for homeschool families: a remarkable cluster of always-free major art museums — Houston's Menil Collection and Rothko Chapel, the Dallas Museum of Art and Crow Museum, Fort Worth's Amon Carter and Sid Richardson — that don't charge any day of the week, plus a smaller set of venues that run dedicated homeschool programs with discounted pricing. Fort Worth's Kimbell Art Museum runs free K-8 First Thursday Sketching Tours every month. Galveston's Moody Gardens runs monthly Learn Wild Home School days at $18 non-member / $10 member. Waco's Mayborn Museum at Baylor runs an annual Homeschool Day at $7-9. Space Center Houston and San Antonio's DoSeum both run homeschool group field trip rates that come in well under regular admission.

Beyond the confirmed programs above, several Texas museums run homeschool offerings but don't publish current dates or pricing online — including the Witte Museum's themed Homeschool Days in San Antonio, MFAH's Homeschool Family Workshops in Houston, the Houston Museum of Natural Science field trip rate (10-student minimum), and Houston Zoo's twice-monthly homeschool activities. Contact each venue's education office to confirm 2026 schedules. Pair these paid homeschool days with the free always-on directory venues — the Menil Collection, MFAH's Free Thursdays, the Dallas Museum of Art, Crow Museum, Kimbell permanent collection, and Amon Carter — for a homeschool year that costs almost nothing. If your venue runs a homeschool day and we missed it, email info@discovercheapus.com.

Confirmed homeschool pricing

Published price on the venue's own homeschool page — most under $20 per child.

Recurring
First Thursday of every month
Themed: e.g., "Geography Games" June 4, 2026
Free
per kid · adult Free

Kimbell Art Museum — First Thursday Sketching Tours

Fort Worth · K-8 (grades K through 8) · Pre-registration recommended via kimbellart.org calendar

The Kimbell Art Museum in Louis Kahn's 1972 Cycloid-vaulted building is one of America's great art museums — Vermeers, Caravaggios, Egyptian and Mesoamerican antiquities — and the permanent collection is free every day. Once a month on the first Thursday, education staff lead themed Sketching Tours specifically for homeschool students in grades K-8, exploring selected works through sketching and writing activities in the permanent collection. All sketching materials provided. No additional charge on top of the already-free admission.

Regular admission: Free permanent collection — Free homeschool-specific program on top of free admission
Homeschool page at kimbellart.org →
Recurring
First Tuesday of every month
Sept 2, Oct 7, Nov 4, Dec 2 (2026 schedule)
$18 non-member
/ $10 member
per kid · adult $18 non-member / $10 member

Moody Gardens — Learn Wild Home School Program

Galveston · All grade levels (K-12) · Advanced online registration required

Moody Gardens runs a dedicated Learn Wild Home School Program one Tuesday a month from September through December, plus periodically in spring. Three-hour programs from 10am-1pm include a featured pyramid attraction tour (Aquarium, Rainforest, or Discovery Pyramid), ambassador animal presentations, a documentary in the 4D Special FX Theater, and hands-on activities with Moody Gardens educators. 2026 themes include Marine Conservation, Venomous Visitors, Underwater Forests, and Camouflaging Creatures. Each family receives a digital education guide aligned with the monthly topic.

Regular admission: Pyramid pass typically $30+ — Roughly 40-65% off regular pyramid admission
Homeschool page at moodygardens.com →
Recurring
Annual Homeschool Day (typically February)
Most recent: Feb 19, 2025 — 2026 date TBD
$7
per kid · adult $9

Mayborn Museum at Baylor University — Homeschool Day

Waco · All ages · Register via Kathleen Stotlemyer at 254-710-7526 or kathleen_stotlemyer@baylor.edu

Mayborn Museum at Baylor University runs an annual Homeschool Day dedicated exclusively to homeschool families and co-ops — typically scheduled in late February — offering hands-on access to the 16 Discovery Rooms, the recreated 1890s Historic Village out back, and engaging special programming. Visitors take their own break for lunch in the museum's dining areas or downtown Waco before returning in the afternoon. Sign up for the Mayborn's Homeschool Email List to be notified when the next date is announced.

Regular admission: $10 child / $12 adult (regular general admission) — About 25-30% off regular admission
Homeschool page at mayborn.web.baylor.edu →
Year-round
Group rate available year-round
Mon-Fri during operating hours
$5.95
per kid · adult $5.95

Space Center Houston — Homeschool Field Trip Rate

Houston · All ages — programs grade-banded K-12 · Book a minimum of 24 hours in advance; full prepayment due 1 week prior

Space Center Houston — the Official Visitor Center of NASA Johnson Space Center — runs a homeschool field trip rate at $5.95 per person with a 20-ticket minimum. Homeschool co-ops easily meet this minimum; the rate is open to any group with a federal tax ID. Visitors get full access to the Independence Plaza shuttle replica, Mission Mars, NASA Mission Control tram tours, and the Astronaut Gallery. Two virtual-reality motion-simulator rides are extra ($8-10). One free ticket comes with every 20 purchased.

Regular admission: $27 adult / $17 youth (regular admission) — About 65-78% off regular admission
Homeschool page at spacecenter.org →
Year-round
Field trip rate Sept-May / Summer rate Jun-Aug
By reservation, weekday mornings
$12 Sept-May
/ $14 Jun-Aug
per kid · adult $12 Sept-May / $14 Jun-Aug

The DoSeum — Homeschool Field Trip Rate

San Antonio · Designed for ages 0-10 · 2026-2027 School Year request form on thedoseum.org/fieldtrips; booking opens for each school year

The DoSeum — San Antonio's children's museum — runs a homeschool field trip rate for groups of 15-150 visitors at $12 per child during the September-May school year and $14 during summer. Homeschool co-ops easily meet the 15-person minimum. The full museum experience is included: climbing-wall maker spaces, the Sensations Studio, water-physics tables, plus the Big Outdoors playground and quarry. Bookings open for the 2026-2027 school year via the field trip request form.

Regular admission: $18 / Free 1st Mondays — About 33% off regular admission
Homeschool page at thedoseum.org →

Worth calling about

These venues run homeschool programs but don't publish pricing online. Call before you go.

When
Themed Homeschool Days (program may pause)
Last published: $10 events through 2025
Call
no public price

Witte Museum — Themed Homeschool Days

San Antonio

The Witte Museum's themed Homeschool Day program ran multiple events through 2024-2025 — "Back to School," "Falling into History," "Wonder with the Witte," "Fangs and Fins" — each offering interactive learning programs across age groups K-8 with educator-led demonstrations and access to special exhibitions. Ticket included general admission and all program supplies. No 2026 dates currently on the events calendar; call to confirm whether the program is continuing.

Regular admission: $17 adult / $11 children 4-12 / Free under 3
How to reach them: Most recent published price: $10 per participant (non-member) for 2024-2025 themed Homeschool Days. No 2026 dates currently scheduled on the Witte events calendar — email education@wittemuseum.org or call 210-357-1900 to confirm whether the program is running.
Homeschool page at wittemuseum.org →
When
Homeschool Family Workshops series
Dates/prices not publicly posted
Call
no public price

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston — Homeschool Family Workshops

Houston

MFAH runs a Homeschool Family Workshops series specifically designed for families who homeschool — each workshop pairs an interactive gallery tour and group discussion with an art-making activity tied to a featured work, plus take-home materials to extend the lesson. Glassell Junior School's homeschool art classes (which are semester-length) are separate from these single-session workshops. Free Thursdays make the museum a strong free homeschool destination even without the workshops.

Regular admission: $24 adult / Free Thursdays / Free under 12
How to reach them: MFAH offers a Homeschool Family Workshops series — gallery tours, group discussions, and an art-making activity in the studio — but doesn't post specific dates or per-workshop pricing on the public events page. Contact familyprograms@mfah.org for current schedule. Permanent collection is always free on Thursdays for everyone.
Homeschool page at mfah.org →
When
Group field trip rate (10+ students K-12)
Pricing varies by themed package
Call
no public price

Houston Museum of Natural Science — Homeschool Field Trip Rate

Houston

The Houston Museum of Natural Science — across Hermann Park from the city's Museum District — runs themed field-trip packages aligned with Texas TEKS, with homeschool groups of 10+ students qualifying for the discounted field trip rate. Spring 2026, Summer 2026, and special-exhibit packages (King Tut's Tomb, Extreme Animals Alive, Mondays with Dinosaurs) are all available. Customized itineraries possible.

Regular admission: $25 adult / $15 child (regular general admission)
How to reach them: Homeschool groups of 10+ students K-12 visiting Mon-Fri 9am-5pm qualify for the field trip rate, but HMNS doesn't publish specific per-student pricing online — rates vary by themed package and season. Email reservations@hmns.org for a quote. 3-week advance booking required.
Homeschool page at hmns.org →
When
Twice-monthly homeschool activities
Specific dates and pricing not online
Call
no public price

Houston Zoo — Homeschool Activities

Houston

The Houston Zoo runs twice-monthly homeschool activity programs through its Education department — typically themed around animal biology, conservation, or behind-the-scenes keeper experiences. Specific 2026 dates and pricing aren't published on the Zoo's public Educators page; contact the Education office directly for the current schedule.

Regular admission: $25-30 adult / $20-25 child (regular admission, varies by season)
How to reach them: Houston Zoo runs homeschool activities twice per month but doesn't publish a schedule or pricing on the public Educators page. Email education@houstonzoo.org for the current calendar and per-program rates.
Homeschool page at houstonzoo.org →

Plus more free and cheap educational outings in Texas

Already on DiscoverCheapUS — free and low-cost Texas attractions homeschool families plan whole field-trip days around.

El Paso

6 free or cheap
  • Chamizal National MemorialFree
  • El Paso Museum of ArtFree
  • El Paso Museum of HistoryFree
  • San Jacinto PlazaFree
  • El Paso Mission TrailFree
  • Concordia CemeteryFree
See all El Paso attractions →

Corpus Christi

7 free or cheap
  • Padre Island National Seashore$10/person (single-day pass, ages 16+) / $25/vehicle (7-day pass)
  • Art Museum of South Texas$10 adults / $8 seniors & military / $6 students / free under 12
  • Heritage Park & Cultural CenterFree (outdoor park & self-guided tours)
  • Selena Memorial (Mirador de la Flor)Free
  • Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve & Learning CenterFree
  • South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center$10 adults / $5 children 3-12 / Free under 3
  • Centennial HouseFree
See all Corpus Christi attractions →

Austin

8 free or cheap
  • Texas State CapitolFree
  • Barton Springs Pool$9 non-resident adults / $5 juniors / $4 children / Free for veterans and infants
  • Congress Avenue Bridge BatsFree
  • Bullock Texas State History Museum$17 adults / $13 seniors and college students / $11 youth
  • Blanton Museum of Art$15 adults / Free Tuesdays / Free under 5 and UT-Austin ID holders
  • Mayfield Park & PreserveFree
  • Cathedral of JunkFree (small donation appreciated)
  • Rainey Street Historic DistrictFree to walk
See all Austin attractions →

Houston

9 free or cheap
  • The Menil CollectionFree
  • Rothko ChapelFree (suggested donation)
  • Museum of Fine Arts, Houston$24 adults / Free Thursdays / Free under 12
  • Holocaust Museum Houston$22 adults / Free Thursdays 2-5pm / Free under 18
  • Houston Center for Contemporary CraftFree
  • Children's Museum Houston$21.95 online / Free Thursdays 5-8pm / Free under 1
  • Sam Houston ParkFree outdoor park / $19 Heritage Society guided building tours
  • Beer Can HouseFree (donations appreciated)
  • Smither ParkFree
See all Houston attractions →

San Antonio

11 free or cheap
  • The AlamoFree Alamo Church (reservation required) / Premium tours from $30
  • San Antonio Missions National Historical ParkFree
  • Market Square (El Mercado)Free to browse
  • King William Historic DistrictFree to walk / $5 self-guided tour booklet
  • San Antonio Museum of Art$24 adults / Free Tue 4-7pm + 2nd Sun 10am-noon for Bexar residents / Free all TX students with school ID / Free under 12
  • McNay Art Museum$23 adults / Free Thu 4-9pm / Free 1st Sundays / Free under 12 / Free military
  • Witte Museum$17 adults / $11 children 4-12 / Free under 3 / Free Tuesdays for Bexar residents
  • Briscoe Western Art Museum$16 adults / $14 seniors and students / Free under 12 / Free active military
  • The DoSeum$18 / Free 1st Mondays / $3 SNAP/EBT
  • Japanese Tea GardenFree
  • San Fernando CathedralFree (cathedral and Saga light show)
See all San Antonio attractions →

Dallas

9 free or cheap
  • Dallas Museum of ArtFree
  • Crow Museum of Asian ArtFree
  • Nasher Sculpture Center$10 adults / $8 DART riders / $7 seniors / Free under 12
  • Meadows Museum$12 adults / $4 non-SMU students / Free under 18 / Free Thursdays after 5pm
  • Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza$24 adults online ($27 onsite) / $20 youth / Free under 6 / Free active military summers
  • African American Museum of DallasFree
  • Deep EllumFree to walk / Self-guided mural tour free
  • Pioneer Plaza & Pioneer Park CemeteryFree
  • Thanks-Giving SquareFree
See all Dallas attractions →

Fort Worth

9 free or cheap
  • Kimbell Art MuseumFree permanent collection / Special exhibitions $18 (half-price Tue, free Fri)
  • Amon Carter Museum of American ArtFree
  • Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth$16 adults / $12 seniors and military / $10 students / Free under 18 / Free Fridays / Half-price Sundays
  • Sid Richardson MuseumFree
  • Fort Worth Museum of Science and History$16 adults / $14 seniors / $12 children 3-11 / Free under 3
  • National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame$10 adults / $7 seniors and military / $4 children 4-12 / Free under 3
  • Fort Worth Stockyards Historic DistrictFree to walk / Twice-daily cattle drive free / Cowtown Coliseum rodeo from $25
  • Fort Worth Water GardensFree
  • Fort Worth Botanic Garden$14-15 adults / $8-9 children 3-15 / Free under 3 / 4 Free Admission Days per year
See all Fort Worth attractions →

Galveston

10 free or cheap
  • Strand Historic DistrictFree to walk
  • Galveston Island State Park$5/person 13+ / Free 12 and under
  • 1892 Bishop's Palace$15 adults / $12 youth 6-18 / Free under 5
  • The Bryan Museum$15 adults / $14 seniors and military / $12 students / $7 children 6-12
  • Texas Seaport Museum & 1877 Tall Ship Elissa$14 adults / $8 youth 6-18 / Free under 5
  • Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig Museum$15 adults / $12 seniors and military / $10 youth 7-12 / Free under 6
  • Galveston Railroad MuseumSmall adult admission (~$12); museum doesn't publish full pricing online
  • East End Historic DistrictFree to walk
  • Galveston Naval Museum (USS Cavalla & USS Stewart)$10 adults / $5 children under 12
  • Moody Mansion$15 adults / $7 youth 6-17 / Free under 5
See all Galveston attractions →

Waco

8 free or cheap
  • Waco Mammoth National MonumentFree park entry / Dig Shelter $5 adult, $4 senior, $4 youth 6-12
  • Waco Suspension Bridge & Indian Spring ParkFree
  • Mayborn Museum$12 adults / $11 seniors / $10 children 2-15 / Free Baylor students and members
  • Dr Pepper Museum$12 / Free under 4
  • Cameron Park Zoo$18 adults / $14 seniors 60+ / $14 children 3-12
  • Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum$10.50 adults / $8.50 seniors 60+ / $4 children 6-12 / Free under 6
  • Armstrong Browning LibraryFree
  • Homestead HeritageFree to visit / Paid workshops and craft classes
See all Waco attractions →

See all 105 Texas attractions on the directory →