The 18 Best Things To Do in Dallas With Kids [Museums, Wildlife, and Entertainment]

Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and is full of family-friendly activities for kids of all ages. It offers a variety of museums, outdoor adventures, and unique attractions that everyone in the family can enjoy.

You can check out expansive parks, engaging science museums, and interactive art spaces on a family getaway to Dallas. Whether you want to meet animals at the largest zoo in Texas, hit an indoor waterpark, or walk the trails of a nature preserve, you can do it all in Dallas. It’s a particularly good destination for education, offering hands-on science experiments, engaging libraries, and interactive art.

Dallas is easily accessible, with 2 major airports and a north-central Texas location that makes it a good starting point for exploring other Texas destinations, including nearby Fort Worth, Grapevine, Frisco, and Glen Rose. It’s also within a day’s drive of Austin, San Antonio, and Houston — you can even reach Oklahoma in just a couple of hours.

This guide has everything you need to know about enjoying kid-friendly things to do in Dallas. Whether you’re a Dallas local looking for new things to do as a family or planning your next family trip to the Dallas Metroplex, we recommend these attractions for a memorable trip to the Big D.

The 8 Best Activities in Dallas With Kids

1. Visit the Largest Zoo in Texas

Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes the Dallas Zoo. Spanning more than 100 acres and home to more than 2,000 animals and 400 species, the zoo is fun and educational for families. You can see endangered species and learn about conservation efforts. Guests can feed tortoises and giraffes by hand for an up-close-and-personal experience with wildlife.

Ride the Conservation Railway miniature train, take a spin on the endangered species carousel, or feed birds in the interactive aviary. The children’s zoo, featuring play areas and a barn, is a highlight. 

The zoo is just 3 miles south of downtown Dallas and is open every day except Christmas. It’s open in the summer from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and in the winter from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission ranges from $8 to $24, depending on the season. Dallas Zoo members and children under 2 get in free. Parking is $12 per car for nonmembers and free for members.

Hot Tip:

Visit on the first Tuesday of the month and you’ll pay just $8 admission.

2. Float Into the Dallas World Aquarium

Visit the Dallas World Aquarium to see birds, mammals, and of course, fish. Start at the rainforest to see exotic birds, sloths, otters, and manatees. Within the aquarium, you can watch the jellyfish float by and check out the leafy seadragons. In the Mundo Maya cenote, spot the beautiful ocelot, flamingoes, and kid-favorite axolotl.

Dallas World Aquarium is open every day except Christmas and closes early on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve. Hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with last entries permitted at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $29.95 for adults, $19.95 for children 3 to 12, and free for kids 2 and under. Seniors 65 and older pay $24.95. Active duty and retired military personnel and 1 guest can get tickets for $24.95 each.

3. Experience the Old West at Fort Worth Stockyards

In the late 1800s, more than 4 million head of cattle were trailed through Fort Worth, earning the city its “Cowtown” nickname. That cattle-driving heritage lives on at the Fort Worth Stockyards with twice-daily cattle drives through the streets, championship rodeo competitions, and more. Kids can go through the Cowtown Cattlepen Maze, visit the petting zoo, and ride a train on the historic Cotton Belt Route.

The stockyards district offers entertainment, shopping, food, and more as you walk the same brick walkways as the millions of livestock that have passed through this 98-acre historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Entrance to the Fort Worth Stockyards district is free, and so is watching the cattle drives that are held at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., weather permitting. Activities, dining, and shopping vary in price. The district is open 24/7, but it’s a good idea to check the hours for the attractions you want to visit.

4. Step Into the Real Unreal at Meow Wolf Grapevine

Set within a former Bed Bath & Beyond at Grapevine Mills Mall, Meow Wolf Grapevine, The Real Unreal, offers a family-friendly art encounter that’s immersive and interactive. You step into the world of an ordinary family’s extraordinary experience with twists, turns, and portals through an interactive landscape. Kids particularly enjoy the arcade in Lamp Shop Alley, dancing with a refrigerator goat in Brrrmuda, and relaxing in the treehouse and book nook in the Forest.

Explore for an hour or a few hours as you unravel the mystery of Meow Wolf. The exhibition is open 7 days a week, though hours may vary depending on events, weather, and demand. Usually, it’s open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays. Ticket prices depend on the entry time you select and start at $40 for adults and $20 for children 4 to 12. Kids 3 and under are free, and there’s a $5 military discount for active duty and veteran servicemembers. Strollers aren’t permitted in the exhibit but can be stored in the lobby.

5. Swim With Wolves at Great Wolf Lodge

The indoor waterpark at Great Wolf Lodge is 84 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, so you can swim whether it’s cold, hot, or rainy outside (though the slides close for thunderstorms). Stay a couple of nights at the resort for an immersive family experience with the waterpark, character encounters, and nightly glow parties, or get a day pass to swim and check out the lodge’s additional attractions.

The waterpark is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Prices for resort room reservations vary but start at around $200 per night. Day pass prices also vary depending on the day you want to visit, but you can expect to pay about $50 per person for a full-day pass or $45 per person for a half-day pass from 4 p.m. to closing. Kids 2 and under get in free with paying adults.

6. Play With Bricks at LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Another kid-friendly gem in Grapevine Mills, Legoland Discovery Center is an indoor playground with rides, 4D movies, and plenty of brick-building opportunities. You can splash outside at Pirate Beach, enter a virtual reality racing experience, soar on rides, and see various movies in the 4D cinema. There’s also a peek into the Lego factory and weekend character appearances. You can build and test Lego racing cars, and check out replicas of Dallas-area landmarks. You can take a break at the small cafe inside, and take Legos home from the gift shop, including build-your-own minifigs and a design studio.

Legoland Discovery Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission starts at $19 per person but varies depending on the time slot you select. You can purchase a combination ticket for Legoland Discovery Center and Sea Life (the aquarium across the hallway) for as low as $29.99 per person. A triple combination ticket for Legoland Discovery Center, Sea Life, and Peppa Pig World of Play (within Grapevine Mills) starts at $36.99. Kids 2 and under are admitted free.

Hot Tip:

Adults must be accompanied by a child to visit Legoland Discovery Center.

7. Play Vintage Games at the National Videogame Museum

A treat for kids and parents alike, the National Videogame Museum showcases the history of video gaming, from its origins to the games we play today. While some pieces are only on display, most of the museum is open for play. It starts with a huge, interactive Pong game with steering wheel-sized controls, with a display of historic consoles — including some that parents might remember playing as kids.

You can play on a rotating selection of vintage handheld games (usually including the Game Boy), check out the row of vintage computers (complete with Oregon Trail), and enjoy console games with favorites including Mario Kart and Street Fighter. Then, step into an ’80s-themed bedroom to play Duck Hunt before you drop your tokens into the arcade games.

Admission to the National Videogame Museum is $12 for adults and $10 for kids 3 to 10, seniors, educators, and active or veteran military members. Kids 3 and under get in free. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m.

Hot Tip:

Save some time to use your tokens in the Pixel Dreams arcade at the end of your visit. This arcade features classic games — that still work great — and an impeccable soundtrack with ’80s and ’90s jams.

8. Expand Your Mind at the Frisco Public Library

Frisco Public Library is a dream to explore for kids and book lovers. Filled with reading nooks and play pods, including bookshelf tunnels to curl up in, kids have no problem finding a spot to get lost in a book. The entire library is a feast for your imagination, with robots, 3D printers, virtual travel kits, and even baking kits.

Walk past Rexy, the T. Rex replica, and look for her footprints on the floor. If you stand on the footprint windows, you might feel the vibrations of this prehistoric predator’s footsteps. Keep going, and you’ll find exploration play rooms for kids: Tot’s Town and Kid’s Club. Tot’s Town is designed for kids under 5, featuring climbing spaces, a railroad, and interactive displays. Kid’s Club is for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade with robot battles, microscopes, physics challenges, and more. Kids of all ages must be accompanied by an adult.

It’s free to visit the Frisco Public Library, including Tot’s Town and Kid’s Club. Out-of-town visitors can’t check out books or other materials, use the Makerspace (the high-tech design and 3D printing lab), or use computers, though Texans who don’t live in the Frisco area can purchase a membership card for a $50 annual fee to access these features. The library is open daily with hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday to Sunday.

Hot Tip:

The Frisco Public Library is right next door to the Frisco Discovery Center, where the National Videogame Museum is located, so you can make a day of visiting both!

The 4 Best Museums and Arts in Dallas With Kids

1. Perot Museum of Nature and Science

The downtown Dallas Perot Museum of Nature and Science features 5 stories of science with a T. Rexcalator and hands-on learning. You can see prehistoric fossils, marvel at gemstones, experience an earthquake, and head outside to splash with the frogs. Interactive exhibits, permanent exhibits ranging from birds to space, and energy, and a 3D theater offer entertainment and enrichment for days.

Kids 5 and under can enter the Moody Family Children’s Museum, where budding paleontologists can dig for fossils at the outdoor dinosaur dig pit. There’s also an art studio, a terrarium of animals, a farmer’s market, and a kid-sized Texas skyline.

The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission with access to the permanent exhibits is $25 for ages 13 and up and $15 for youth ages 2 to 12. Various admission discounts are available, including free admission for qualifying educators, military members, and first responders.

Hot Tip:

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is one of the few museums where you can see a T. Rex model with hair-like feathers, so don’t skip the dinosaurs!

2. Take in a Show at Broadway Dallas

Broadway Dallas offers families the opportunity to see Broadway touring shows, including “The Lion King” and “Peter Pan.” The theater also offers the Give a Kid a Seat program, which provides free Broadway show tickets to Dallas students from underserved neighborhoods. In addition, STEAM-based classes taught by Broadway Dallas artists are available.

Age recommendations for shows vary by production, but some are particularly family-friendly and offer matinee showings with lower-priced tickets than evening shows. Broadway Dallas is within Fair Park, where the State Fair of Texas is hosted. Showtimes and ticket prices vary depending on the performance.

3. Develop Art Appreciation at the Dallas Museum of Art

The Dallas Museum of Art is one of the largest art museums in America and offers kid-friendly art features every day. Arturo’s Nest is the museum’s play space reserved for kids up to 4, and there’s a Young Learner’s Gallery for older kids. Families can enjoy art in the gallery spaces and create art with classes and workshops for children. The museum also offers summer art camps, family events including pop-up art spots, and Art to Go family totes that can be used to write, talk, play, or make within the museum.

General admission to the museum is free, though all guests must reserve a ticket for entry. Special exhibitions require a paid ticket but are free on the first Sunday of each month. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

4. Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary

The 289-acre Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary is a nature preserve with permanent science exhibits, nature trails, and gardens. It features animals of the world, a living lab, fossils, and more than 6 miles of hiking trails where you can immerse yourself in North Texas nature. The Animals of the World trail is a favorite with families.

Learn about native plants in the garden and find out how you can plant a pollinator-friendly garden in the native Texas butterfly garden exhibit. The museum offers birding, scouting, homeschool, and preschool programs, summer nature camps, overnight stays, and more.

General admission is $12 for adults and $9 for children 3 to 12 and seniors 60 and older. Kids 2 and under are admitted free. The nature preserve is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

The 6 Best Outdoor Fun in Dallas With Kids

1. Stroll the Gardens at Dallas Arboretum

Perched on the shore of White Rock Lake with more than 66 acres of greenery and gardens, Dallas Arboretum is a beautiful place to enjoy the outdoors in Dallas. You can visit the gardens to see various sculptures, flowers and plants, lush green lawns, and flowing water in the fountains.

The Rory Meyers Childen’s Adventure Garden offers interactive exhibits, gardens, and hands-on STEM activities for children to enjoy education and adventure. The children’s garden also features a discovery lab, exploration globe, STEM stops, and adventurer activities. On Family Fun Fridays, kids can enjoy the petting zoo and Kindermusik.

The Dallas Arboretum is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $22 for ages 13 to 64, $13 for children 2 to 12, and $18 for seniors 65 and up, though there are various discounts available through the summer months. Admission to the Children’s Adventure Garden is an additional $3, and parking is $12 if purchased online or $15 if purchased on-site.

2. Get Thrilled at Six Flags Over Texas

Spanning more than 200 acres with over 100 attractions, Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington is a major amusement park — and the first in the Six Flags chain. With family rides and rides just for kids, Six Flags Over Texas offers fun for everyone in the family. Kids can stop by the kid security station at the front gate to get a height check and ID wristband, and there are family restrooms in the Bugs Bunny Boomtown kids area. There are also private nursing areas.

Kid-favorite attractions include Marvin the Martian Space Rockets, Looney Tunes Adventure Camp, Taz Tornado Swings, and Wile E. Coyote’s Grand Canyon Blaster. There’s always the classic Gunslinger swings, La Fiesta de las Tazas teacup ride, and the Mini Mine Train for families.

Admission hours and prices vary, so it’s best to check the Six Flags Over Texas calendar ahead of your visit. Daily ticket prices start at $29 per person.

3. Splash and Slide at Bahama Beach

Just 10 minutes south of downtown Dallas, Bahama Beach is an outdoor waterpark with a playground, lazy river, slides, and endless water attractions. This family waterpark features Coconut Cove, a water play area for kids, the Calypso Cooler lazy river, Lil Paco’s Splash Pad for infants and toddlers, and thrilling slides for older kids, teens, and adults — including the 2-person Boomerango tube ride.

You can bring your own small cooler with drinks and food from home for a $5 cooler fee, though Bahama Beach doesn’t allow any restaurant or catered food to be brought into the park. and oversized coolers require a $10 fee.

Bahama Beach is open late May through mid-September, including weekdays during summer break. Hours vary depending on the day but are 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. most weekdays and Saturdays, and 12 to 6 p.m. most Sundays. Admission is $15 for guests 48 inches and up, $11 for guests under 48 inches, and free for kids 2 and under.

4. Enjoy the Community at Klyde Warren Park

Known as the “Town Square of Dallas,” Klyde Warren Park is in downtown Dallas with park features and programming for the Dallas community. Splash fountains, fireworks displays, food truck Fridays, fitness classes, outdoor movies, and concerts make this a vibrant park where there’s always something fun to do.

Kids can climb and play to their heart’s content at the playground and join discovery walks or learn about STEM topics. The park occasionally hosts concerts, music classes, and events with kids in mind.

It’s free to enter the park and participate in most events, though some experiences require payment, such as visiting food trucks or Mi Cocina on the Park restaurant. Metered parking is available on the street, or you can visit nearby parking garages. Valet parking is available for $15. It’s $5 with validation if you dine at Mi Cocina on the Park.

5. Walk in Prehistoric Footsteps at Dinosaur Valley State Park

Dinosaurs roamed the earth millions of years ago, but you can still see their footprints today at Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose. The main draw of this Texas state park is the Paluxy River, where you can wade or swim to view and walk in tracks left behind by sauropods and theropods.

Walk or wade across the river rock ledge to reach the roped-off main track site, and check out the Blue Hole, popular for swimming. The Ballroom track site is a can’t-miss attraction, where you can get in the river and step into dinosaur tracks below the water.

In addition to dinosaur track sites, the park offers miles of hiking trails, educational exhibits, horseback riding, picnic areas, and camping. It’s $8 for visitors 13 and up and free for kids 12 and under. Camping and horseback riding require additional fees. The park is open daily, with gate hours from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and office hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Hot Tip:

The best time to visit Dinosaur Valley State Park is in the late summer, when water levels are lowest and it’s easier to see the tracks and wade in the water. However, bacteria levels may be high if the river isn’t flowing well, so check the park website ahead of your visit for any warnings.

6. Meet African Animals at the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is a 1,800-acre wildlife facility with more than 1,000 exotic and endangered animals. These animals roam free in herds, and you can take a 7-mile scenic safari drive through the wildlife center to interact with the animals. You can see more than 50 species of wild animals, including giraffes, rhinos, and cheetahs.

The Children’s Animal Center within Fossil Rim offers educational opportunities for kids. Here, they can compare domestic animals to native and exotic animals, learn about conservation, and take a short ecotrek through the hiking path around the American red wolf enclosure. Another walking trail offers a reading nook at the center.

You can do a self-guided drive through the wildlife center for $29.95 for guests 12 and up and $24.95 for kids 3 to 11. Children under 2 are admitted free. Each vehicle receives a free cone of animal feed, and additional cones are available for purchase. You can opt for a public guided tour for $44.95 for guests 3 and older, which includes a cone of animal feed for each person. Private guided tours, behind-the-scenes guided tours, and nights in the on-site lodge are available. The wildlife center is open daily except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, and Christmas Eve from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with the last admission at 4:30 p.m.

Final Thoughts

Dallas is a great destination for family travel, full of activities for families and children of all ages, with world-class museums and outdoor adventures. You can blend entertainment, education, and fun in the Dallas area, whether your family is into art, catching wildlife, or just playing around.