Things to Do with Kids Around Dallas-Fort Worth

One of the best things about Dallas-Fort Worth is how much there is to do with kids, any time of year. Whether you’re new to the area or just looking for something different this weekend, here are some favorites worth the drive, from zoos and museums to roller coasters and indoor water slides.

Animals and nature

• Fort Worth Zoo (Fort Worth). One of the most highly rated zoos in the country, with thousands of animals and a large Texas wildlife area.
• Dallas Zoo (Dallas). Home to giraffes you can feed, plus elephants, gorillas, and a children’s area.
• Dallas World Aquarium (Dallas). A walk-through rainforest and aquarium in downtown Dallas.
• SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium (Grapevine). Sharks, sea turtles, and touch pools at Grapevine Mills.
• River Legacy Nature Center (Arlington). Hands-on nature exhibits and miles of wooded trails along the Trinity River.
• Dallas Arboretum (Dallas). Sixty-plus acres of gardens on White Rock Lake, including a children’s garden built for exploring.

Museums and learning

• Perot Museum of Nature and Science (Dallas). Dinosaurs, a sports hall where kids can race a virtual athlete, and floors of hands-on exhibits. They have a little river in their yard that kids can splash around in during warmer months.
• Fort Worth Museum of Science and History (Fort Worth). A planetarium, a dinosaur dig, and a play area for younger children.
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center (Grapevine). Indoor LEGO building areas, a 4D theater, and small rides, best for kids about 3 to 10.

Thrills and splashes

• Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington). The original Six Flags park, with roller coasters for big kids and a whole section of rides for little ones.
• Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark (Grand Prairie). Water slides and a lazy river under a retractable roof, so it’s open year-round.

Free things to do

The places above charge admission. These don’t, and they’re just as fun.

• Fort Worth Stockyards (Fort Worth). Watch the Fort Worth Herd cattle drive down Exchange Avenue twice a day, then wander the historic district.
• Klyde Warren Park (Dallas). A park built over a freeway, with a children’s park, splash fountains, and food trucks.
• Dallas Museum of Art (Dallas). General admission is free every day, and ticketed exhibits are free on the first Sunday of each month.
• Amon Carter Museum of American Art (Fort Worth). Free admission, with Western art kids tend to love and a lawn with a great view of downtown.
• Fort Worth Water Gardens (Fort Worth). A downtown water park you can walk through, with terraced pools and fountains. It’s for looking, not swimming.
• River Legacy Parks (Arlington). Miles of paved and wooded trails along the Trinity River, plus playgrounds and picnic areas.

A few tips

• Check hours and buy tickets online before you go. Many places charge less online, and some require timed entry.
• Summer afternoons in Texas are hot. Plan outdoor stops for the morning and save the museums and the indoor water park for the afternoon.
• If you’ll go somewhere more than twice a year, a membership usually pays for itself.

For December, see my holiday roundup and the free advent calendar. And if there’s a dog in the family, plenty of these outings work for your dog too.

If you’re thinking about a move to Dallas-Fort Worth, I’m happy to help.