12 Of the Best Kid Activities in Dallas, Texas
Are you planning a vacation to Dallas and searching for all the things that you can enjoy with your child? If so, you are in the perfect place. There are plenty of fun kid activities in Dallas, Texas that will allow you to experience the culture, history, and beauty of the area!
The fun fact about this huge city is that whenever you visit here you will find something new each time. The beauty of this city is enhanced by its museums and gardens, they are just top-notch. If you are thinking about kid activities in Dallas, Texas, there are plenty. Texas is also famous for its delicious barbecue, and you can find Tex-Mex on almost every corner.
So, this place has so much to offer you which is a good thing but also confusing because it would make it a little bit hard for you to choose the best activities that you and your children can both enjoy. But don’t worry, we are here to help you navigate the things to do in Dallas with kids by narrowing down the best places to go.
If you’re looking for kayaking options near Dallas, here’s a few places you must visit: White Rock Lake, Lake Ray Hubbard, Lake Grapevine, and Trinity River. Did you know In Pennsylvania, if you’re a kayaker planning to launch your kayak into the waters, you’ll need to have a PA launch permit to do so legally. So, what exactly is a PA launch permit, and where can you obtain one? Tripztour’s guide can help you!
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Top 12 Things to Do in Dallas with Kids
1.. Perot Museum of Nature and Science
If you are a science lover, then this place is heaven for you! But even if you are not a science buff, you will also enjoy and love the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. This hands-on museum will give you the unique experience of an earthquake. It may be terrifying but fun at the same time!
The Moody Family Children’s Museum is another great destination and is located right on site at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. This is an immaculate place for the little ones to enjoy and have fun.
Travel Tip: Dallas is a beautiful city. It has so many attractions to visit and if you are planning to visit all or maybe even half of them then the best things you can do is buy a CityPASS. This will help you save money on the entry fees to the different places; this is a good enough reason to buy one, right? But there is one more reason to buy a CityPASS: You don’t have to wait in a long queue of people to buy tickets. This clearly means less time in the queue and more time having fun!
2. Ride a Vintage Streetcar
If you are a fan of vintage riding then you should go to McKinley Avenue. Here you will find a maroon sign tagged M-LINE Trolley. Children love riding a train and a car. And the best part is that these vintage-style streetcars operate between the Dallas Museum of Art and Klyde Warren Park. Basically, it is a bonus point to witness these places too.
These classic vintage cars are so elegant if you want to enjoy them on too-hot or too-cold Dallas days then they also have air-conditioned heaters for the comfort of people throughout the year. And the good news is …the riding is free!
3. Best Kid Activities in Dallas, Texas: Dallas Zoo
It never made a difference what age children are, the zoo is always a great option, no matter the city and time of the year. The Dallas Zoo is very beautiful. Plus, that mini-train ride is an additional joy. The T-Rex Express Mini Train at the Dallas Zoo will cost you around $3 per rider. The Dallas Zoo is the oldest, established in 1888, and largest zoo in Texas, encircling 106 acres with more than 2,000 animals from 406 species. Isn’t it great?
Retired Texas citizen Nasreen Stump tells people to take advantage of the DART Red Line if they’re hanging around downtown. It will bring you directly to the Zoo and there will be no parking problem or fee. You can even get a discount of $2 on Zoo entry if you display your same-day DART pass. But this thing only works for two days on Mondays and Tuesdays. You can purchase your passes for the whole day or distinct day parts. There is also the option of a contactless GoPass app to make things comfortable for people.
Travel Tip: The Dallas Zoo is in partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Reciprocity program. It denotes that if you’re a member of your local zoo, you might get free entry at the Dallas Zoo.
4. Dallas World Aquarium
Aquariums are another kid favorite, although some children are kind of scared of the water the mesmerizing school of fish always makes up for them. The Dallas World Aquarium is on the list of favorite things to do in Dallas with kids because it houses so many animals, not just marine animals but also endangered animals, like the Orinoco crocodiles. The kids’ favorite is the two-toed sloth.
5. Reunion Tower GeO-Deck
Being on top of the world is something that gets kids excited and adults also. That’s exactly what you feel at the top of the Dallas Reunion Tower. The height of the GeO-Deck is 470 feet above the ground and provides a 360-degree picture of the Dallas-Fort area. The breathtaking view will leave you speechless, especially at sunset. Also, make sure you check out the 52-foot-long display of interactive touchscreens known as the Halo.
6. Klyde Warren Park
Klyde Warren Park bridges Uptown and Downtown Dallas. The green space that this park includes is around 5.2 acres so you can happily enjoy and perform your regular activities, like yoga and workout sessions, and free movies, with very interactive water features. If you are worrying about children then take them to the Sheila and Jody Grant Children’s Park, a multi-dimensional play expanse that possesses a 35-foot tower for climbing, a tree-top explorer, and a climbing wall.
If you are someone who loves exploring street food, then this place is heaven for you because the garden is encircled by food trucks. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your stuff for this fun exploration and take your bite to one of the various grassland cafes.
7. African American Museum of Dallas
The African American Museum of Dallas will allow you to explore the culture and history of Dallas and surrounding area. It is the only museum in the Southwest that is completely dedicated to the preservation and collection of African American creative, cultural, and historical materials. For instance, the “Facing the Rising Sun” array features images, found entities, and historical recorded documents from the North Dallas community called Freedman’s Town. It also has one of the biggest African American Folk Art collections.
8. Belo Garden
Nature lovers should visit this downtown garden that was previously a parking area. Today, it’s the spot to be on a sultry summer day in Dallas. It has a beautiful interactive fountain that sprinkles cool water on the sweltering public, making it one of the best kid activities in Dallas, Texas. This beautiful park has more than 100 trees and is home to more than 10,000 individual decorative grasses, creating a perfect space to be for a small natural retreat.
9. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
The sixth floor of the book storage is where Lee Harvey Oswald hid, waiting for the president’s motorcade to drive past Dealey Plaza.it is famous, particularly for its dramatic news reports of the affairs. Next, you can check out the window where Oswald roosted with his rifle. This destination is best suited for older children and teenagers. If you have a city pass then you can easily enter here otherwise you can book this JFK Assassination and Museum Tour.
Travel Tip: The museum is closed on Monday and Tuesday, so when planning your visit be sure to take that into account.
10. George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum is stunning! It is in remembrance of past honored presidents. It is so alluring to look at the way presidential libraries try to give an account of the past from the viewpoint of the man who was in charge.
The museum is more dedicated to the tweens and older kids, but there are still plenty of things in the museum that are good for younger kids. Also, there is a space that is a replica of the president’s desk in the Oval Office. You can get your picture taken here.
If you’re hungry after exploring, you can enjoy lunch at Cafe 43 (so named because Bush was the 43rd president). It’s a beautiful location and the food is fantastic.
Travel Tip: The entry the museum is included in CityPASS.
11. Medieval Times Dallas
Medieval Times is one of the best kid activities in Dallas, Texas to experience as a family. Not only will the kids love it, but it will also entertain the adults! The dining experience is unique because utensils are not provided to make the experience more realistic (although they are available on request). The quality of the food is quite good as well, so you will get not only an excellent show, but also a mouth-watering meal! So, it’s a win-win-win.
12. Best Kid Activities in Dallas, Texas: Galleria Dallas Ice Rink & XD Ride
This ice-skating rink is located in the basement of a shopping mall. The entry fee is just $10, and an additional $5 if you have to pay for skate rentals. Another great feature of this rink is it is placed in the middle of the food court area. So, whenever kids have cravings on the rink, you can take a short break for lunch or at least for a small gelato.
If any of the members of your family is more into gaming, then you can also head up to the next level and join them on an XD Ride. It’s basically a virtual reality theme park. It will bring you the thrill of a roller coaster ride and the 7D interactive video game will make an exhilarating adventure sure to make your day. All players are strapped with a motion chair that provides you the sense that you are truly collapsing, hitting, and flying.
“Along with the motion impact, there is the state-of-the-art sound, breeze, and light effects that are enough to make you feel like you are a part of the play. The amazing part of this game is that you will be provided with a laser-focused blaster to watch over the enemy invasion and play for a high score to win against your family and buddies.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Dallas with the children?
Dallas is a wonderful destination year-round, but sometimes it depends upon you what your preferences are. If you like cooler weather and fall activities, October and November are outstanding months to come by. If you’re planning for warmer temperatures and outdoor activities, then spring and summer are excellent.
Are there any free things to do in Dallas with kids?
Dallas has various attractions for families that are completely free including the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center, the Denton’s Firefighter Museum, Pioneer Plaza, the Trinity Skyline Trail, the Klyde Warren Park, and many more. Be sure to check out local museums for free days during the week!
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About Me
I’m Melissa, but you can call me Missy. I continuously crave a new adventure and love sharing those adventures with you! My sidekick is my 5 year old daughter. Together we are conquering the world, one city at a time! Find family travel tips and guides that will help you plan your next adventure!
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