25 Best Family-Friendly Things to Do in Dallas
Explore top fun activities in Dallas, TX for families! From aquariums to parks & museums, find exciting adventures for kids & parents alike. Perfect travel guide!
Dallas is a wonderful suburban city in the great state of Texas and is a wonderful place to raise your kids. Rich with culture and history, Dallas has a variety of incredible experiences that are fun for the entire family.
“The Big D,” as the locals call it, Dallas is an eclectic combination of cowboy country and urban metropolis. Ranging from interactive museums, outdoor water parks, and Texan-specific activities, Dallas is surely a place that will keep your family endlessly entertained. This North Texas gem has hundreds of attractions and adventures waiting to be discovered.
Here is your guide to the 25 best things you can do in Dallas Texas with the kids.
Dallas World Aquarium
📍Map It: 1801 N Griffin St, Dallas, TX 75202
Phone: (214) 720-2224
Hours: 8:30AM - 6PM
Entrance: $18.95 - 28.95
The Dallas World Aquarium is a staple of the city. The aquarium has much more than meets the eye. The aquarium below the surface is a world-class experience that exhibits a forty-foot-long journey through a tunnel made of translucent glass. You will walk through a 20,000-gallon aquarium in which sharks, stingrays, and a variety of others will glide through the depths around you.
On the surface, you will escape the oceans and enter the world of a South American rainforest. This recreated experience leads you to a three-level zoo that allows you to walk into the living habitats of playful penguins and adorable three-toed sloths.
2. Dallas Arboretum
📍Map It: 8525 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218
Phone: (214) 515-6615
Hours: 9AM - 5PM
Entrance: $10 - $20
Visiting the Dallas Arboretum is an excellent way to immerse kids into nature – without ever leaving the city! The Arboretum is the ultimate park experience. Surrounded by blossoming natural beauty in a serene environment is a tranquil environment for parents, but fun for the entire family.
The Arboretum is very interactive. Through its lush gardens are exhibits that teach its guests about the variety of plant life and how they work together in the ecosystem. Keep an eye on the calendar for festivals; the merging of natural beauty and the arts is a unique experience for all.
3. Ride the McKinney Avenue Trolley
📍Map It: 3153 Oak Grove Ave, Dallas, TX 75204
Phone: (214) 855-0006
Hours: 7AM - 10PM
Entrance: Free, but donations are appreciated.
The historic McKinney Avenue Trolley is a family-friendly adventure into the heart of downtown Dallas. The trolley dates back to 1983 and is a landmark in itself. A day on the trolley offers limitless options for the tastes of all visitors.
The trolley is free and brings you to several of the city’s finest attractions. It first takes you through the vibrant and aesthetic downtown Arts District before taking stopping at beautiful Klyde Warren Park. The trolley will stop at tempting restaurants and trendy uptown markets along the way.
4. Perot Museum of Nature and Science
📍Map It: 2201 N Field St, Dallas, TX 75201
Phone: (241) 428-5555
Hours: 10AM - 5PM
Entrance: $21-$33
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a great place for curious individuals of all ages. Within architectural masterpieces is a world of science and discovery that is world-renowned.
The museum has a variety of unique exhibits that is tailored to the understanding of the connections between nature, the world today, and how it is all connected. Explore the exhibits of prehistoric life from a scientific lens that puts the history of our world in perspective. There is even an outdoor play area for the kids glowing with potential energy.
5. Klyde Warren Park
📍Map It: 2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas, TX 75201
Phone: (214) 716-4500
Hours: 6AM - 11PM
Entrance: Free
Klyde Warren Park is the perfect escape from the busy city, without ever leaving Dallas. The lush park is in the center of the town, but with the peace and tranquil environment, you would never know it.
This inner-city park has a large field that is the perfect place to play fetch with your pup or join a pick-up soccer game. On the weekends, the park fills up as special events and concerts take over the scenic park.
6. Highland Park Village
📍Map It: 47 Highland Park Village, Dallas, TX 752055
Phone: (214) 443-9898
Hours: 10AM - 6PM
Entrance: Free
Highland Park Village is a high-end shopping district in Dallas. The entire district is an open-air venue that has wide pathways for kids to run about. The buildings are crafted in beautiful colonial Spanish architecture.
Along the main walkway, you will encounter a playground to hold the kid’s attention during a luxurious day of adulting. For a fun experience, visit during the holidays. The Village does an excellent job adapting holiday themes throughout the park. Highland Park is best known for its artistic pumpkin carving and pumpkin patch in the fall months.
7. North Texas Performing Arts Center
📍Map It: 12300 Inwood Rd #112, Dallas, TX 75244
Phone: (972) 422-2575
Hours: 7:15PM
Entrance: $14-$20
Visiting the Children’s Theatre at the North Texas Performing Arts Center in Dallas is an experience that can be both entertaining and inspiring. The production company regularly hosts plays on its stage and most of its talent is homegrown!
One of the focuses of the theatre is to expose kids to theatre art. They offer after-school programs in which kids can enroll in one of many production courses – including intro to acting, elementary production classes, and group voice class. At the end of the semester, the students show off their hard work and put on a show of their own.
Related Read: 40 BEST Things to Do in Waco, TX
8. Hawaiian Falls Waterparks
📍Map It: 4550 N Garland Ave, Garland, TX, 75040
Phone: (972) 905-6916
Hours: 10:30AM - 6PM
Entrance: $25.99 - $39.99
The Hawaiian Falls Waterpark in Garland is the perfect summer solution to the endless Texas heat. Hawaiian Falls is an outdoor waterpark with aquatic rides and slick waterslides.
If you are looking for a destination for a birthday party, look no further. The park is an excellent place to visit due to its affordable passes and discounted group passes.
The rides have varying choices for all age levels. From adrenaline-filled drops for young adults to mellow and scenic rides for youngsters, Hawaiian Falls has something for everybody.
9. Reunion Tower
📍Map It: 300 Reunion Blvd E, Dallas, TX 75207
Phone: (214) 296-9950
Hours: 1:30PM - 9PM
Entrance: $14 - $40
The views from the observation room of the Reunion Tower are something to behold. The highest floors of the tower lend 360-degree views of all of downtown Dallas. These panoramic views are a must-see for people of all ages.
The memory of overlooking your city and pointing out where your house will be a memory a kid will reflect on forever. For a fun experience, you can book a children’s tour which includes a guide and group photo with the Dallas skyline as your backdrop.
10. Trinity Groves
📍📍Map It: 331 Singleton Blvd Suite 200, Dallas, TX
Phone: (214) 744-0100
Hours: 11AM - 9PM
Entrance: Free
Trinity Groves is a delicious slice of Dallas’s cuisine and culture. Dallas is known to have a booming food scene and Trinity Groves leads the movement.
Trinity Groves is essentially a strip mall of the best varieties and quality food Dallas has to offer. Depending on the kids’ picky cravings, you can choose from traditional Tex-Mex, Texas BBQ, and steakhouses that are the pride of the city. If the little ones required sweets, be sure to stop and visit the woefully underrated Cake Bar.
Related Read: 10 Best Indoor Water Parks in Texas
11. Cedar Ridge Reserve
📍Map It: 7171 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75249
Phone: (972) 709-7784
Hours: 6:30AM - 9:30PM
Entrance: $3 donation
Typically, Texas is viewed as a desert; however, that could not be further from the truth when visiting Dallas. One of the best outdoor options is to leave the city into the Texas Hill Country where you find the Cedar Ridge Reserve.
These lush forestlands are a thriving habitat for abundant wildlife. Kids can get out into nature and hike through one of Cedar Ridge’s many incredible hiking trails. Fully immerse yourselves in the woods by reserving a campsite and sleeping among the trees and under the stars.
12. Texas Horse Park
📍Map It: 811 Pemberton Hill Rd Blvd, Dallas, TX 75217
Phone: (469) 804-2660
Hours: By appointment only
Entrance: $60
Is there more of a true Texas experience than riding horseback along trails once owned and ridden by Davy Crockett? At Texas Horse Park, a Western American adventure is at your fingertips.
Texas Horse Park is a ranching company that offers horseback riding lessons for individuals of all ages and skill levels. The paths you will ride wander through the stunning Great Trinity Forest. While traveling through the ancient woods, be sure to stop at a large Native American Archaeological site and learn about the history of these lands.
13. White Rock Lake
📍Map It: 542 E Jefferson Blvd, Dallas, TX 75203
Phone: (214) 670- 1923
Hours: 24 Hours
Entrance: Free
A day at White Rock Lake is a great way for kids to experience the outdoors. White Rock Lake is an ideal location for families because of its many features and activities that will keep even the most stubborn children entertained for hours.
The lake has a 0.9-mile bike trail that encircles the entirety of the lake. If you wanted to get on the water, renting a kayak or a paddleboard is an excellent choice. Young anglers can also fish for bass or catfish in this enormous lake.
14. Six Flags Over Texas
📍Map It: 2201 E Road to Six Flags St, Arlington, TX 76011
Phone: (817) 640-8900
Hours: 11AM - 7PM
Entrance: $39.99
Six Flags Over Texas is a family-friendly adventure for kids of all ages. With a variety of rides, Six Flags has fun opportunities for everyone. Be sure to inquire about group and family discounts for admission.
The highlight of Six Flags Over Texas is the adrenaline-inducing, thrilling rollercoasters. With legendary high-altitude drops to twisting loops, the rides are extremely popular for young adults. There are calm and comfortable rides for the younger children as well as river rapid adventures that are fun for the entire family.
15. Dallas Museum of Art
📍Map It: 1717 N Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75201
Phone: (214) 922-1200
Hours: 11AM - 5PM
Entrance: Free, but requires an online reservation.
Dallas is a hub for dozens of museums and the Dallas Museum of Art regularly tops the list. The museum has an excellent collection of local art, in addition to its impressive collection from around the world. The outdoor sculptures are an iconic downtown monument.
Kids will enjoy one of the many rotating exhibits with engaging presentations that are fully interactive. Make this a summer staple, because the greatest feature the museum has to offer is that admission is free!
16. Nasher Sculpture Center
📍Map It: 2001 Flora St, Dallas, TX 75201
Hours: 11AM - 5PM
Entrance: $5 - $10
The Nasher Sculpture Center is a unique experience designed by Renzo Piano and features expertly crafted sculptures. This outdoor art exhibit displays works from history’s most notable artists – including Picasso, Rodin, and Matisse.
The beautifully landscaped outdoor venue is peaceful. Kids can enjoy the experience using their imagination while looking at the master-crafted pieces. Through their eyes, the property is far more a fairy tale than it is a museum.
For a fun evening activity, visit when the sun goes down. The outdoor sculpture yard transforms into a light-filled gallery in a unique atmosphere.
17. National Video Game Museum
📍Map It: 8004 Dallas Pkwy, Frisco, TX 75034
Phone: (972) 668-8400
Hours: 10AM - 5PM
Entrance: $10 - $12
Is there anything more synonymous with kids than video games? In Dallas, kids can discover the origins of their favorite games and consoles. They will learn the history, development, and stories of video games all while playing the classics through the years.
Like a traditional museum, the National Video Game Museum has rotating exhibits that showcase a corner of the historic industry for visitors to experience. The experience is fun for kids and parents alike as the experience of playing your childhood favorites with your little one playfully connects generations.
18. Dallas Heritage Village
📍Map It: 1515 S Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75215
Phone: (214) 421-5141
Hours: 10AM - 4PM
Entrance: Free
A visit to Dallas Heritage Village is a peak into the early life of Texas. The village is a preserved and functioning town, rich with the customs and traditions of Dallas’s past. These traditions have been passed down for generations and are practiced to this day.
With the unique opportunities of the village, kids can learn about their city in a fun and interactive setting. Spend the afternoon exploring the 13 acres of undisturbed Texas wilderness followed by an evening marveling at the old-style architecture of the legendary village.
19. The Wild Detectives
📍Map It: 314 W Eighth St, Dallas, TX 75208
Phone: (214) 942-0108
Hours: 10AM - 12AM
Entrance: Free
The Wild Detective is not your typical bookstore. Gone are the silent and stuffy bookshelves and are replaced with interactivity and engagement.
The mission behind the store is to create a space that encourages idea sharing and manifesting creativity. Using festivals and live readings, The Wild Detective fosters an environment primed for deeper learning and understanding.
It would be best for young ones to experience The Wild Detective during the daylight hours. Once the sun goes down, the bookstore joins the nightlife scene with live music and spirits.
20. Wild Bill's Western Store
📍Map It: 311 N Market St, #101, Dallas, TX 75202
Phone: (214) 954-1050
Hours: 10:30AM - 7PM
Entrance: Free
Immerse yourself into an authentic Texas experience and check out Wild Bill’s Western Store. Wild Bill’s is not your regular western-wear store, it is THE Wild West shopping experience. The building’s longhorn and belt buckle façade is an iconic landmark of the west end of downtown Dallas.
The legendary store has been a downtown Dallas staple for more than 50 years. The kids can dress up like cowboys in custom hats, boots, and oversized belt buckles. After enjoying the Texas-sized experience, take a piece of it home where you can always pretend to be a cowboy.
21. George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
📍Map It: 2943 SMU Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75205
Phone: (214) 200-4300
Website
Hours: 9AM - 5PM
Entrance: $26
The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum is a stunning deep dive into the history of the American presidency. Unlike most historical libraries and museums, this one focus specifically on the years in which George W. Bush occupied the Oval Office.
The museum provides access to artifacts and official documents during one of the most tumultuous times in our nation’s history. Explore the uncovered perspective of President Bush and his storied term as the leader of the free world.
22. Dallas Zoo
📍Map It: 650 S R L Thornton Fwy, Dallas, TX 75203
Phone: (469) 554-7501
Hours: 9AM - 5PM
Entrance: $12-$17
The Dallas Zoo is an enormous 106 acres and is the largest zoological experience in all of Texas. In addition to being just absolutely huge, Dallas Zoo is also the oldest zoo in the state.
The zoo has received acclaim around the world for its impact on conservation and quality of life for its animals. It may take a few days, but the kids will love every corner of this great zoo and its collection of over 2,000 animals.
23. AT&T Stadium - Home of the Dallas Cowboys
📍Map It: 1 AT&T Way, Arlington, TX 76011
Phone: (817) 892-4000
Hours: Varies
Entrance: Varies
Young kids are always looking up to their heroes. In their little world, the athletes they see on TV become living superheroes. In Dallas, there is no collection of superheroes greater than the Dallas Cowboys.
In 2009, Jerry Jones built his football cathedral, AT&T stadium. Today, it is the heart of North Texas and a dream destination for kids throughout the state. Book a stadium tour to get on the field where the Dallas Cowboys battle on Sundays.
24. Frontiers of Flight Museum
📍Map It: 6911 Lemmon Ave, Dallas, TX 75209
Phone: (214) 350-3600
Hours: 10AM - 5PM
Entrance: $7 - $10
The Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas is a collection of exhibits and artifacts that explore the history of space flight and aviation. A trip to this exciting museum is an excellent opportunity to educate, motivate and inspire kids to reach for the stars.
The museum has many galleries sharing the stories and profiles of our country’s greatest pilots and astronauts. Tying the experience together, the highlight of the museum is the retired aircraft. Kids will have the chance to sit in the cockpit of a real-life fighter jet.
25. Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark
📍Map It: 2970 Epic Place, Grand Prairie, TX 75052
Phone: (972) 337-3131
Hours: 10AM - 8PM
Entrance: $20 - $34
Visiting the Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark is a day at the pool to the extreme. Dallas turns frigid in the winter months and a chance to visit the largest indoor waterpark in Texas is a welcomed relief.
The enormous park has adrenaline-spiking waterslides and crashing wave pools that are certain to get even the most adventurous kids’ heart pumping. If calm is more your speed, Epic Waters also features calm rides, fun restaurants, and interactive games to beat the frosty winter days.
Alex Frick is a Midwestern-born, RV-pulling, bike-touring, globetrotting freelance writer and journalism student at the University of Florida. Traveling full-time with his travel nurse wife and their famous hiking tabby, Rafiki, Alex specializes in outdoor adventure writing and sports coverage, drawing from his experiences living nomadically. With a passion for uncovering hidden gems and lesser-known destinations, Alex's work invites readers to experience the world through the eyes of a modern adventurer.
