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10 Fun Things to Do With Kids In Dallas

  • Thursday August 17th 2023

7905 Untitled 465 | SEA LIFE Aquarium

Are you looking for fun activities in Dallas to do with your kids? The city has plenty of things for families to do with kids of all ages. From outdoor picnics and hiking to indoor videogames and kids’ playgrounds, the city has more than you can take. If you’re planning a family tour of the city, this article will give you 10 fun things to do with kids in Dallas. 

1. Klyde Warren Park

Families enjoying a movie at Klyde Warren Park

When visiting Dallas for the first time, Klyde Warren Park is the best public park for you. It’s right in the heart of the city, making it easy to access. Food trucks are everywhere, with benches where you can sit and enjoy the snacks. The park is clean and spacious, covering 5.2 acres between two highways. You’ll see many families having picnics and walking their dogs while enjoying the park’s beautiful surroundings. 

You can enjoy taking a leisurely stroll on the park’s walking paths that offer scenic views of the city. Kids can enjoy the large playground with several play structures such as slides, climbing walls, and swings suitable for children of all ages. Also, the park has several areas designated for games such as chess, ping-pong, foosball, and giant Connect Four. 

Other things you can do at the park include reading books, playing board games, participating in art and craft activities, and attending free yoga and fitness classes that take place several times a week. The Park hosts numerous events throughout the year, including concerts and movie screenings. You can plan to attend some of those activities, especially if you’re a resident of the city. 

2. Trinity Forest Adventure Park

Assuming you’re looking for fun activities in Dallas to do with thrill-seeking kids, the Trinity Forest Adventure is the perfect place for you. Bring your kids of 4 years and above to enjoy high rope courses with varying difficulty levels. Come prepared to step out of your comfort zone, especially if you fear heights. The constant climbing and hanging on the ropes will drain your energy, but it will turn an ordinary week into an epic one. 

The park has several ropes courses, including suspended bridges, tight ropes, cargo nets, and zip lines, all designed to test your balance, strength, and agility. You’ll enjoy soaring through the air, plus experience a rush of adrenaline as you glide from one platform to another. You can also take the giant swing, which is an enormous pendulum swing that takes you to new heights, providing a bird’s eye view of the forest before dropping you in a thrilling freefall. 

If you’re a beginner in rope courses or have a fear of heights, the park has lower zip lines you can use. The park provides safety gear such as helmets, harnesses, and ropes to keep you safe. They also give safety instructions and train you before allowing you to get on the ropes. In other words, Trinity Forest Adventure Park is beginner friendly. Besides rope activities, you can also rent an ATV and explore the trails and scenic routes of the Trinity Forest. 

3. White Rock Lake 

People walking and riding on the 9 miles trail around White Rock Lake.

White Rock Lake is an excellent place to escape the noise and busy traffic of Dallas City without going too far. You can still see the city skyline from the lake, which is only 5 miles away. There’s plenty to do in this place to satisfy your outdoor desire, from rowing and fishing to jogging and biking on the 9 miles trail. 

White Rock Lake has many hiking and biking trails that wind through the lush forests and beautiful scenery. The trails are suitable for all skill levels since they have fewer people using them, especially on weekdays. You can bring your bike or rent one for a few hours or the whole day. The rental companies near the lake have all bike sizes and types, meaning you can find small ones for your kids. 

If you’re a fan of water sports, White Rock Lake is the perfect place to indulge in some boating and fishing. You can bring a boat or rent a kayak, paddleboard, or canoe to explore the calm waters of the lake. Additionally, the lake has beautiful parks with trees that are not too dense but still enough to give you shade. You can use the park for a family picnic, kids’ playground, or walking your dog. 

4. Dallas Museum Of Art 

Kids learning to create artworks at Dallas Museum of Art

Let’s say you’re looking for budget-friendly, fun things to do in Dallas with kids, the Dallas Museum of Art is a good choice. With free admission, there’s no reason you shouldn’t check it out. The only cost you have to pay is the parking fee if you bring a car. It will only take about two hours to explore the art display. And you can take photos without using flash. 

Being free doesn’t mean that the museum has less to offer. It has an impressive collection of more than 24,000 works of art from around the world. The collection includes works from many different cultures and periods, including African, Asian, European, and American art. Some of the highlights of the collection include ancient Greek and Roman art, medieval and Renaissance art, and contemporary art from around the world. You can explore the collection through self-guided tours, audio guides, or guided tours led by museum staff. 

The museum has a variety of activities and programs designed for families with children. These include “Arturo’s Nest,” a play space for children ages 0-4 that encourages creative play and exploration, and “Family Story Time,” which features stories and art-making activities inspired by works of art from the museum’s collection. 

5. Reunion Tower 

Visitors using interactive displays at the observation deck inside the Reunion Tower

One of the fun things to do in Dallas is visiting the Reunion Tower, a 561-foot-tall tower that offers a panoramic view of the city. It has a distinctive shape that resembles a glowing ball on a stick, with LED lights that illuminate the tower at night. This architectural marvel is easy to recognize from a distance, making it an icon of the Dallas skyline. 

The visit starts by riding a high-speed elevator that takes only 68 seconds to reach the observation deck. From this vantage point, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the city, including famous landmarks like the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, the American Airlines Center, and the AT&T Stadium. The tower’s observation deck is also equipped with telescopes, which provide a closer look at the city’s skyline. It also includes interactive touchscreens and multimedia displays that allow you to explore the history and culture of Dallas. 

In addition to the view, the Reunion Tower has a restaurant located at the top, which revolves 360 degrees, providing you with a constantly changing view of the city. You can take family photos at the tower or have one of the staff members take them with their cameras and then email them to you. 

6. SEA LIFE Aquarium

Visitors watching the stingray in the SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium

Located a few minutes northwest of Dallas, the SEA LIFE Aquarium in Grapevine Mills is a great place to have fun with kids as they explore the underwater world. The aquarium features a diverse array of marine life, including fish, reptiles, and amphibians. One of the things that make SEA LIFE Aquarium exceptional is the 360-degree ocean tunnel. You can walk inside the tunnel and watch fish swimming over your head and below your feet. 

The SEA LIFE Aquarium in Grapevine is home to 5,000 species of marine life. Some outstanding creatures you’ll enjoy watching here include sharks, stingrays, jellyfish, turtles, and snakes. There’s also an exhibit featuring flashlight fish that glow in the dark. If your kids love mermaids, they’ll enjoy interacting with the mermaid actresses and taking photos with them. 

Besides watching marine life, you’ll have a chance to touch some of the creatures in the interactive rockpools. Kids will enjoy taking the turtle journey, where they get to name a turtle and take them through a rehabilitation process. The VR experience is also popular with kids as it transports them to the ocean for a closer look at the marine creatures.

7. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas

Families playing games at the LEGOLAND Discovery Center

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas is an indoor Lego-themed amusement park offering a wide variety of attractions and activities for kids and families. It’s an excellent place to encourage children to learn through play. With over 2 million LEGO bricks in the center, children can use their imagination to build and create their own creative pieces. 

They also have several interactive zones, such as the Build and Test area, where children can experiment with building structures and vehicles and test their creations on ramps and courses. Kids will learn through the educational exhibits and a Miniland exhibit featuring miniature replicas of Dallas landmarks made entirely out of Lego bricks. 

There is also a 4D Cinema, which combines 3D visuals with special effects like wind, water, and bubbles, making it a thrilling and immersive experience for children and adults alike. They also have a mix of rides, such as the Merlin’s Apprentice ride, which takes kids on a whirlwind adventure through the sky, while the Kingdom Quest ride invites them to shoot lasers at targets as they travel through a medieval world. Younger children can enjoy playing at the DUPLO Farm, designed specifically for them. 

8. Peppa Pig World of Play Dallas

Younger kids playing at Peppa Pig World of Play.

Peppa Pig World of Play is a popular attraction for younger kids 1 to 8 years old. Children can play and learn at the same time as they engage with their favorite characters from the Peppa Pig series. They can jump in muddy puddles, play dress-up, go grocery shopping, and even visit Peppa Pig’s house! The exhibits are designed to encourage children to use their imagination and creativity. 

Some of the activities kids can do at Peppa Pig World of Play include; 

  • Role-playing: Kids can enter different themed rooms, such as Peppa’s house, the supermarket, and the doctor’s office, and engage in role-playing activities with their friends or family. 
  • Interactive exhibits: The center features various interactive exhibits that allow kids to learn and explore, such as a play kitchen, a music room, and a construction zone. 
  • Playground: There is also a playground area where kids can climb, slide, and play. 
  • Meet and greet: Kids can meet Peppa Pig and her friends during scheduled meet and greet sessions. 
  • Birthday parties: Peppa Pig World of Play also hosts birthday parties with special packages that include food, decorations, and a private party room. 

9. Frontiers of Flight Museum

Aircraft display inside the Frontier of Flight Museum.

The Frontiers of Flight Museum is one place where kids can’t get bored. It has plenty of rooms and planes to explore, including designated areas for kids and their families. The aircraft’s diversity is outstanding, featuring commercial planes, military aviation, and space exploration. You’ll see how planes have evolved from World War II-era to modern times. 

Some historic aircraft you’ll see in this museum include a replica of the original Wright Flyer, which was the first successful powered aircraft. There’s also a capsule from the Apollo mission and a World War II-era fighter plane that was used by the US Army Air Forces and other allied forces. Besides historical aircraft, the museum has exhibits on current space exploration efforts, such as NASA’s plans for a manned mission to Mars. 

In addition to learning about the history of flight, families can also enjoy a variety of interactive exhibits and experiences. For example, the museum has a flight simulator that lets visitors experience what it’s like to fly a plane. There’s also a 3D space shuttle experience that takes visitors on a virtual tour of the inside of a real shuttle. 

10. National Videogame Museum

Visiting the National Videogame Museum is among the kid-friendly things to do in Dallas because kids love video games. If you played them as a child, you’ll also enjoy seeing some of the devices you used in those days. And not only that, but you’ll also get to play them. Whether you’re reliving fond memories of your childhood or discovering classic games for the first time, the museum has something to appeal to every generation of video game enthusiasts. 

The museum’s exhibits feature items from the early days of video games, such as Pong and Space Invaders, all the way up to modern-day favorites like Fortnite and Minecraft. You can even see some rare and valuable items, such as the only known copy of the Atari game “Air Raid” with its original box and manual. 

Besides playing the games, you’ll also learn about the evolution of video game technology, the impact of video games on culture, and the future of gaming. They also have a lab where you can learn how video games are made and even get a chance to experiment. So if your kids love gaming, consider taking them to this museum. It’s one of the few places where you won’t force them to come. And with so many games to play, they won’t get bored. 

Final Thoughts On Fun Things To Do In Dallas With Kids 

If you’re visiting Dallas with kids, you'll have a broad choice of places to go. From green parks to amusement parks, you can select the place your kids love the most or the one that fits your budget. If you haven’t visited all the places in the above list, you may want to explore them in the future to broaden your experience. 

Do you plan to visit SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium? It’s advisable to consider visiting the LEGOLAND Discovery Center and the Peppa Pig World of Play. The three places are in the same location and have tons of fun things to do with kids in Dallas. Best of all, you can receive discounts when you buy a combo ticket for three or two destinations. Buy your tickets in advance to guarantee entry on busy days and enjoy great discounts. 

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