Dallas is a great spot for family fun. Whatever your budget or interests, there are plenty of kid-friendly activities to take part in that parents too will enjoy, both indoors and out. Want history? We’ve got that! Want waterparks? Done. Need to avoid the steamy outdoor temps at all costs? Not a problem. Here’s a roundup of the best things to do with kids in Dallas.
15 Seriously Fun Things to Do with Kids in Dallas
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Published Jul 20, 2023
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Visit Dallas
Photo courtesy of Dallas World Aquarium
1. Watch the Black-footed Penguins at the Dallas World Aquarium
- Neighborhood: Downtown Dallas
- Price: $19.95 to $29.95 per person
- Where to Stay: Omni Dallas Hotel (from $312/night), SpringHill Suites by Marriott Dallas Downtown/West End (from $172/night)
Whether you’re from Dallas or just visiting, a trip to the Dallas World Aquarium is worth the ticket price. Travel around the world without leaving the premises, with exhibitions ranging from the Orinoco Rainforest to Mundo Maya to South Africa. And while it is hard to pick a favorite animal between the sloths, crocodiles, flamingos and fish galore, we are partial to the black-footed penguins. Watch their feeding and maybe even through a fish or two to them yourself if it’s your lucky day. After a full morning of exploring, enjoy a meal at one of the three full-service restaurants on site.
2. Go Ice Skating at Dallas Galleria
- Neighborhood: Galleria
- Price: $12 admission plus $5 for skate rentals
- Where to Stay: The Westin Dallas Galleria (from $269/night), Apartment in Farmers Branch (from $122/night)
Ice skating in the summer? Heck yes. The Dallas Galleria has long been the best kept secret for ice skating for all levels in North Dallas. Want to take your kid’s love of skating to another level? There is also an ice-skating school that you can participate in and opportunities to host parties and private events. The photo above is from an upcoming Barbie theme skate night on July 22. Get your twirl on, ya’ll!
Photo courtesy of Dallas Museum of Art
3. Learn Something New at the Dallas Museum of Art
- Neighborhood: Dallas Arts District
- Price: Free General Admission
- Where to Stay: HALL Arts Hotel Dallas (from $303/night), Canvas Hotel Dallas ($199/night)
Did you know that Dallas is home to the largest contiguous arts district in the country? Yep, it’s true. And so, it comes as no surprise that the Dallas Museum of Art is stacked with activities for kid of all ages. Think family classes and workshops, toddler Tuesdays, and summer art camps. The Dallas Museum of Art’s mascot, Arturo, is shown at various exhibits indicating that something for kids and families is close by.
Photo courtesy of Texas Rangers
4. Cheer on the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field
- Neighborhood: Arlington
- Price: tickets starting at $14
- Where to Stay: Live! By Loews (from $239/night), Comfort Suites Arlington (from $123/night)
Cheer on the Texas Rangers (who are currently first in their division) at the club’s new ballpark that has been called one of the best in baseball, thanks to its top of the line facilities and retractable roof to help shield fans from the ferocious Texas heat. Kids love the variety of theme nights at the field including Shark Week, Dude Perfect, Star Wars and more. Post-game, head next door for dining, shopping, and even a place to spend the night. Go Rangers!
Photo courtesy of Frontiers of Flight Museum
5. Let Your Imagination Take Off at Frontiers of Flight Museum
- Neighborhood: Love Field Airport
- Price: youth go free and adults $12
- Where to Stay: Park Cities Luxury Home (from $378/night), Love Field Historic Home (from $83/night)
Are your kiddos curious about aviation? Who isn’t? This magnificent museum has more than 30 air and space vehicles to check out, in addition to 20 galleries and displays and over 35,000 historical artifacts. There are also summer and winter camps for kiddos that are especially interested in what they see after their initial visit. Up, up and away to the Frontiers of Flight Museum located next to Dallas Love Field airport.
Visit Dallas
6. Float the Lazy River at Jade Waters
- Neighborhood: Market Center District
- Price: rates starting at $90 for 2 people on ResortPass
- Where to Stay: Hilton Anatole (from $197/night)
For kids who need to cool off, you can’t beat this waterpark located on the property of the Hilton Anatole. It has winding waterslides, a long lazy river and a 7,000-square-foot splash and play kids’ zone. Adults will love hanging out at the beach entry pool as their older kids run around and get their wiggles out on a hot summer day. And while typically the waterpark is reserved for hotel guests, you can buy a ResortPass to get around this if you aren’t keen on spending the night.
Ashley Andrews/Dallas Farmers Market
7. Shop and Eat Local at Dallas Farmers Market
- Neighborhood: Dallas Farmers Market
- Price: free
- Where to Stay: The Statler Dallas (from $376/night), Lorenzo Hotel (from $170/night)
There’s something about strolling a local farmers market that really makes you appreciate where you come from and the people that work hard to harvest produce in your area. The Dallas Farmers Market features an incredible display of things grown within 400 miles of Dallas. There is also The Market Shops which is a 26,000-square-foot food hall and vendor market that features local specialty foods and beverages, plus a great view of the Dallas skyline. It is super pet- and kid-friendly and a great way to spend your day.
Photo courtesy of NorthPark Center
8. Beat the Heat at NorthPark Center
- Neighborhood: North Dallas
- Price: free
- Where to Stay: North Dallas Luxury Apartment (from $180/night), Hilton Garden Inn (from $112/night)
NorthPark Center is the absolute best mall in Texas and perhaps the United States. Yep, we said it. This luxury shopping center that prioritizes art and culture over kiosks and chaos is the ideal way to beat the heat in Dallas with kids. Not only is there a food court, endless shops for retail therapy, and various gardens for burning energy, but there is also free kids programing like story time and music classes, plus Bookmarks library for reading and exploring for ages 0 to 12.
Photo courtesy of Dallas Zoo
9. Learn About and Interact with Animals at the Dallas Zoo
- Neighborhood: South Dallas
- Price: children $17; adults $22
- Where to Stay: Bishop Arts Luxury Townhouse (from $333/night), Bishop Arts Hotel (from $139/night)
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Catch these animals and more at the expansive Dallas Zoo, which just so happens to be the biggest one in Texas. There’s plenty to keep kids entertained here beyond the exhibits, including educational tours, games and creative projects, plus close-up animal encounters. Psst: The Zoo will be selling tickets for just $1 this August 8, so hurry up and get yours fast!
Photo courtesy of Texas Discovery Gardens
10. Explore the Wonders of Nature at Texas Discovery Gardens
- Neighborhood: Fair Park
- Price: $6 children; $12 adults
- Where to Stay: Historic Home in Junius Heights (from $123/night), Tiny House in Dallas (from $100/night)
Although Dallas is a big city, it has plenty of projects that are dedicated to showing off beautiful nature all around the great state of Texas. Texas Discovery Gardens is a native gardens and butterfly house at Fair Park. Fun activities include releasing butterflies in to the wild, exploring 1,000 feet of toy train tracks, scoping out the snake house and more. This is the first public garden in the state of Texas to be certified 100 percent organic by the Texas Organic Research Center, and it is safe to say your kids are going to love it as an alternative of running around the backyard for the one thousandth time.
Photo courtesy of Perot Museum of Nature and Science
11. Become a Scientist at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science
- Neighborhood: Dallas Arts District/Victory Park
- Price: $13 children; $25 adults
- Where to Stay: Hotel Swexan (from $625/night), Courtyard by Marriott Dallas Downtown (from $403/night)
Inspiring minds through nature and science no matter your age or interest is the goal of this educational outpost with a serious lineup of fun for those that enjoy learning about how things work. There are discovery camps, special exhibits and hands-on labs for kids of all ages, in addition to the general admission ticket that allows you to roam at your leisure. The Perot Museum of Nature and Science recommends taking the T. rexcalator (escalator) up to level four and working your way down.
Photo courtesy of Old City Park
12. Go Back in Time at Old City Park
- Neighborhood: Cedars
- Price: Free
- Where to Stay: Canvas Hotel Dallas (from $225/night), Hyatt Regency Dallas (from $261/night)
Want to take your kids to experience something that is both historical and fun? This collection of 19th century pioneer and commercial buildings is a great blast from the past showcasing one of the first neighborhoods in Dallas in all its glory. Old City Park is home to the largest collection of Victorian homes and commercial building in Texas from this period and take up 20-acres smack dab in the middle of Dallas. Strolling the grounds will give your kids a window into what it was like over 100 years ago for Texans.
Photo courtesy of Great Wolf Lodge
13. Enjoy a Staycation at Great Wolf Lodge
- Neighborhood: Grapevine
- Price: half day passes start at $45 a person
- Where to Stay: On Site at Great Wolf Lodge (from $199/night)
Want to be the absolute coolest adult in the eyes of your kids? Offer up a day or a weekend at Great Wolf Lodge, aka the coolest indoor waterpark around. And while staying there is the ideal way to truly experience all that the property has to offer, they are now offering day passes for those who live in Dallas to be able to get in on the fun and still sleep in their own bed at the end of the day. There is a truly impressive and seemingly endless number of activities including an indoor waterpark, Northern Lights Arcade, Racoon Lagoon, the Howlin’ Tornado, character appearances and more.
Photo courtesy of Legoland
14. Build and Buy at Legoland Discovery Center
- Neighborhood: Grapevine
- Price: Tickets start at $29.99
- Where to Stay: Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center (from $399/night), Hilton DFW Lakes (from $205/night)
If you think your house is full of Legos, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Head to Grapevine Mills to check out the 35,000-square-foot Legoland Discovery Center that features more than two million (!) Lego bricks. There are three themed rides, a 4D theater, and a snack shack to grab a coffee for the adults and a sweet treat for the kids. Kids ages 3 through 10 (and big kids at heart) will have a blast at this brick paradise.
Photo courtesy of Six Flags Over Texas
15. Feel the Ultimate Adrenaline Rush at Six Flags Over Texas
- Neighborhood: Arlington
- Price: admission starts at $35
- Where to Stay: Live! By Loews (from $239/night), Comfort Suites Arlington (from $123/night)
Known as the official thrill capital of the Lonestar State, Six Flags Over Texas has long been the go-to destination for DFW adrenaline seekers thanks to its 100 rides and 14 roller coasters. The resort is especially amped about its latest and greatest attraction Brave the Wave which is North America’s first water coaster and roller coaster combination. Other fun times to take the kids include themed seasons like Summer Nights Spectacular, Oktoberfest, Kids Boo Fest, and more.