Parents and Teachers

On behalf of future generations of Texans, thank you for introducing children to the outdoors and our Texas heritage! Here's a guide on what our web site has to offer especially for you:

Outdoor Learning links to our adult training workshops for teaching nature, hunting and fishing or learning these skills yourself.

Resources for Educators: Tool Kit directs you to our maps, loaner equipment and lesson plans.

Urban Outdoor Programs directs you to staff in the major metropolitan areas of Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, greater Houston and Austin/Central Texas who can help you introduce your group or organization to the outdoors.

Tips for Taking Children Outdoors helps you make the most of your trip while keeping your sense of humor.

State Parks and Destinations highlights great places to take kids including our State Parks and visitor centers such as Sea Center Texas and the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (see fish in aquaria and go fishingin their ponds). Parrie Haynes Ranch is a meeting and conference center in a rustic setting that include equestrian, shooting and ropes courses. Our Wildlife Management Areas are more primitive sites (may or may not have a bathroom, for example) where biologists are doing active experimental management and demonstration areas. You should call ahead to visit Parrie Haynes Ranch or a Wildlife Management Area.

Calendar lists events around the state.

Publications for Children provides downloads of our popular color and activity books for children.

Kids pages: Wild Things features native animals and plants; Fun Stuff includes arts and crafts and games; Get Out has ideas for having fun outdoors safely and links to the Outdoor Kids journal; Explore encourages young minds to learn about the natural world around them and About Texas highlights the regions of Texas and Texas symbols.

Outdoor Kids has ideas for self-paced explorations and service projects. Print a journal for the children and a certificate at the end.

Junior Naturalists pages offer information and activieites about nature written for Grade 5 and up, although adults enjoy these pages, too!

Webcasts are archives of our live webcasts to schools on Texas nature and history. Video interviews with experts, resource pages and activities are included in each webcast. We're still restoring these archives during our redesign, so please check back for more.

TPWD Media offers treasures from our award-winning magazine, television show and radio.

Grants are available for community organizations and schools, community parks and more.

Staff Directory connects you to TPWD education and outreach staff across the state. We're a small staff, but we care about you!