Visiting the Silos and Magnolia Market with Kids

Our trip from April 2019

When you travel with kids, you have to be okay with the fact that what is interesting for you still has to be interesting for your kids. It’s a fine balance to find and can be tricky when planning a trip. Here’s what I do: instead of always expecting my kids to act like adults (don’t touch, be quiet, etc.) in these adult places, I find opportunities to let them express themselves in ways that allow us all to learn, be curious, and enjoy.

Recently, I had to find this balance when we went on a day trip to Waco, Texas. We were already in Austin, TX for spring break, and since I adore Chip and Joanna Gaines, it seemed like kismet to make a special trip to their hometown to see Magnolia Market at the Silos.

There were definitely things there for the kids, but for the most part, this was for me. That meant I tried to find things in advance that the boys could do during our visit - like running around a garden, picking out their own lunches at a food truck, and playing in a giant greenhouse area.

Unbeknownst by us, a book launch for “We Are Gardeners” by Joanna Gaines, was happening the same time we were at the green house. Because of this, the green house was like a manifestation of her book. It felt so purposeful and educational, and still maintained the energy of the entire property.

There was a grass area with tons of lawn games like cornhole, giant jenga, and balls to throw back and forth. It was simple, but even just having an area to toss a ball around helped balance the “adult” things that we asked the kids to do (like walk through the store without touching things) and the things we could encourage them to do. There was also a very family-friendly picnic area.

Our last stop was at the Magnolia Table, where we enjoyed a delicious meal together. The food there was just like Joanna Gaines’ cookbook - and the kids loved it as much as the adults. It was so authentic to the brand, the person, and the place.

Ultimately, you have to find your own balance when you take your kids to adult-aimed activities. I try to think about it like the grocery store: I have to teach my kids how to act, what to look for, and what it means to be there, all while finding ways to engage them at their level in the activities that I love. On this trip to Waco, the winning combination was taking it slow, being attentive to when they were getting antsy, and mixing in plenty of kid-time breaks so that when they needed to be more “adult,” they had more patience to try.

Since this is constantly a work-in-progress, I’d like to hear from you! If you have any tips for how to enjoy museums, stores, or other experiences with your kids, please share them below.