Free and affordable family fun in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex
From art to animals, from tales to trains . . . Dallas-Fort
Worth is a haven of free and affordable family fun. Metroplex
Baby & Kids has compiled some of the best places to go and
things to see that will keep even the most discriminating kids
from crying "I'm bored," and all at a price of $5 or less per
child. sponsored by
All Aboard
From model trains to ride-on trains and
trolleys, your kids will be shouting "choo-choo"
in no time!
Ride the Collin Creek Mall Express Train through seasonal adventures. Whether Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter the express is waiting with caboose on and engine ready to choo-choo up the tracks for every child's excitement.
Board the train in the Lower Level JCPenney Wing Monday-Friday 10am-8pm
and Sunday 12pm-6pm.
A Fort Worth Family Tradition since 1959, the Forest Park Miniature Railroad
offers an approximately five-mile, thirty-five to forty-minute round trip from the Forest Park Depot off Colonial Parkway in Forest Park to the Duck Pond in Trinity Park and back with one stop at the Trinity Park Depot in Trinity Park where passengers may board the train if seats are available. The train crosses six bridges on its route including a 350 foot girder bridge and 171 foot truss bridge, both of which cross the Clear Fork of the Trinity River.
City: Fort Worth
Cost: $3/adults; $2.50/kids 1-12 (cash only)
The M-Line's
air-conditioned and heated trolleys run 365 days a year, providing
local transit service to Dallas' vibrant Uptown Neighborhood. All rides,
except charters, are FREE. Voluntary fare box contributions are
welcomed. Monday-Thursday: 7am to 10pm, Friday 7am to Midnight,
Saturday: 10am to Midnight, Sunday and holidays: 10am-10pm
City: Dallas
Cost: Free
The U.S.'s
largest permanent model train display is in the lobby of
Children's Medical Center of Dallas. Eight trains run simultaneously at this free exhibit. Children's Medical Center has a small fee for parking.
Architecture If your kids like Legos, Tinkertoys, Lincoln Logs and other building
toys, they may enjoy the architectural wonders in Dallas-Ft. Worth. For ideas on
introducing architecture to kids,
visit
archKIDecture, an independent architecture education project that encourages children to explore and participate in the built environment.
Billed as "the last great hall built this century," the Nancy Lee & Perry R.
Bass Performance Hall was designed by David M. Schwarz of Washington, D.C. One of the unique architectural features are the 48 foot high limestone angels on the front of the building. Most of the materials within the Bass Performance Hall are from Texas with the majority from the Fort Worth vicinity.
Tours of Bass Hall may be scheduled for Saturdays at 10:30am.
The
Dallas
Arts District is a unique, 68-acre, 19-block neighborhood in the
heart of the city. A rare jewel that is the centerpiece of the region’s
cultural life, the District is home to some of the finest architecture
in the world. Enhancing the downtown Dallas skyline are buildings by
Pritzker Prize winners I.M. Pei, Renzo Piano, Norman Foster, Rem
Koolhaas and AIA Gold Medal recipient Edward Larrabee Barnes.
Dallas City
Hall & Plaza boasts famed architect I.M. Pei's inverted-wedge
shaped building, which is one of the most distinctive structures
in all of Dallas. The plaza is home to one of Henry Moore's
largest bronze sculptures
Waters dance and leap
skyward at downtown Dallas'
Fountain Place.
At the base of this dramatically sculpted 1.2-million-square-foot office
tower of green reflective glass lies an oasis of colorful flowers,
waterfalls, 172 bubbler fountains and a central fountain. The latter is
one of the world's most complex fountains and consists of 360
computer-driven water jets. Designed by the acclaimed architectural firm
of I.M. Pei & Partners, Fountain Place has received international
recognition.
Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, completed in just 23 months, is a state-of-the-art building with the utmost in customer convenience. Yet, the 49,170-seat open-air ballpark was designed and built with tradition and intimacy in mind, containing features such as a granite and brick facade, exposed structural steel, an asymmetrical playing field, and a home run porch in right field. Texas architecture is featured throughout, from the outer facade to the Lone Stars in the concourses and on the seat aisles. David M. Schwarz Architectural Services of Washington, D.C. was the design architect on the project.
Tours of the Ballpark include Rangers clubhouse, batting cages, press box, owner's suite, dugouts, and much more.
Please check website for tour schedules.
City: Arlington
Cost: Kids 4-18 can tour the Ballpark for $5; under 4/free; adults/$10
Directions
The Fort Worth Water Gardens is a beautiful and refreshing oasis adjacent to the Fort Worth Convention Center. Designed by Phillip Johnson, the Fort Worth Water Gardens is an architectural and engineering marvel to be enjoyed any time of the year. Visitors can experience a variety of water features as they wander through this relaxing urban park.
Arts & Culture
Art, music, theater, international
and pop culture await DFW families
The African
American Museum is the only museum in the
Southwestern United States devoted to the preservation and
display of African American artistic, cultural and historical
materials, with
permanent collections include African art; African American fine art;
magazine, historical, political and community archives. The
Museum is open Tue-Fri 12-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm,
Sun 1-5pm; closed some holidays; open 7/days a week during State
Fair, from 10am-7pm.
The Amon
Carter Museum offers visitors a stunning survey of
American art, from the first landscape painters of the 1830s to
modern artists of the twentieth century, as well as storytimes
and Family Fundays. The Museum is open Tue, Wed, Fri & Sat
10am-5pm, Thurs 10am-8pm, Sun 12-5pm and is closed Mon and major
holidays.
Located in an art moderne 1950s former department store building with a two-story expansive open gallery, the
Arlington Museum of Art is a non-collecting Museum that brings in varying exhibits.
educational programs and camps. The Museum is open Wed-Fri
1-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm. Closed on New Year's Day,
Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. The Museum
closes at 2pm on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
Artie's
Playhouse at
Artisan Center Theater offers plays and musicals designed
specifically for kids as young as 2, and which can be enjoyed by
all other ages. Shows are Saturdays at 10am, with added
performances seasonally. Please check website for current shows.
Families may enjoy Concerts Under the Stars
throughout the Metroplex during the late spring, summer and
early fall months. Pack a picnic and relax! The following cities
and organizations offer free concerts:
The
Crow Collection is a permanent set of
galleries dedicated to the arts and cultures of China, Japan,
India and Southeast Asia. It is open Tue-Sun 10am-5pm; extended
hours on Thurs until 9pm; closed Mon.
First Tuesdays at
the Dallas Museum of Art
offer free admission as well as special family activities.
Special Museum programs
for parents with young children, include art-making activities, storytelling, songs, tours.
Family programs are from 11am-3pm.
City: Dallas
Cost: Free on 1st Tuesdays
Directions
The Adrian E. M.D., Hand Collection is on display at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas in the George W. Truett Memorial Hospital lobby. The display is open and free to the public 24-hours a day. This exhibit of more than 100 cast, bronze-coated hands is the work of Adrian Flatt, M.D., who was chief of orthopedic surgery at Baylor Dallas from 1982 until 1992.
The exhibit includes casts of the hands of historical figures such as
Winston Churchill to sports figures such as Emmitt Smith. Please call
214-820-0111 for more information.
The
Heard Natural Science Museum is a Wildlife Sanctuary that includes nature trails as well as animal exhibits.
The Museum is open Tue-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 1-5pm.
City: McKinney
Cost: Kids
3-17/$5; under 3/free; adults/$8 Directions
The
International Museum of Cultures focuses on
contemporary peoples and challenges of currently existing
communities in remote locations of the world. It is open Mon-Fri
10am-4pm, Sat 1-5pm.
City: Dallas
Cost: $4/adults; $3/4-12; children under
4/free Directions
The
Interurban
Railway Museum houses displays, pictures, and
artifacts from the North Texas transit system. It is open
Mon-Fri 10am-2pm, Sat 1-5pm.
The
Irving Arts
Center is located on a 10-acre complex, in the heart of DFW. The
Center is a Smithsonian affiliate and offers daily exhibits. The
Sculpture Garden showcases several permanent works along with touring
pieces amidst flowers and fountains. The Irving Arts Center offers
several free, annual events for children and families of all ages,
including
Holiday Open House and the
Transportation Art Contest.
If your child has a flair for the dramatic, s/he will enjoy the free programs offered by
Junior Players, the oldest children's theater in Dallas.
Junior Players offers summer camps and
after-school programs that are sure to delight
the youngest thespians.
City: Dallas
Cost: Free
The
Kimbell Art
Museum's holdings range in period from antiquity to
the 20th century. The Museum also holds special events and
family festivals. Admission to the Museum's permanent collection
is free. There is a charge for special exhibitions. Free
parking is available at the Museum, off Arch Adams and Darnell
Streets and at the Darnell Street Auditorium, across Arch Adams
Street from the Museum. The Museum is open Tues–Thurs 10am–5pm,
Fri 12–8pm, Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 12–5pm. Closed Mondays, New
Year's Day, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas
Day.
The Mary Kay Museum is part history lesson, part tribute and part recognition hall devoted to the life of one of America's most famous businesswomen, Mary Kay Ash. The Mary Kay Museum is located inside the soaring glass lobby of the Mary Kay World Headquarters. You can visit the Mary Kay Museum for free from 9am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday, except on major holidays.
The Meadows
Museum at Southern Methodist University
has the most comprehensive collection from the Spanish masters outside
of Spain. There are also special exhibitions, a sculpture garden and the
tree-lined SMU campus is an eye-catcher itself. Children under 12 are
free. Adult admission is complimentary on Thursdays after 5pm and is $8
at other times.
City: Dallas
Cost: Free for kids under 12 and on Thursdays after 5pm Directions
The
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth maintains one of
the foremost collections of postwar art in the central United
States, with a permanent collection consists of approximately
2,600 works of art, including paintings, sculpture,
site-specific installations, drawings, prints, photographs and
videotapes/discs.
City: Fort Worth
Cost: Free on Wednesdays and the first Sunday
Directions
The acoustically renowned
MortMorton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, designed by I.M. Pei,
can be toured on select Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 1pm (please call in advance for monthly tour schedule, as tours are subject to change with rehearsals and performances.) Discover the 4,535 pipes on the Herman W. Lay Family Organ crafted by C.B. Fisk Inc., which is truly an acoustical wonder. Enthusiastic and experienced volunteer docents are available to welcome visitors, school groups, conventions and families for one-hour tours detailing points of interest throughout the Meyerson. Once a month, schedule permitting, a 30-minute organ demonstration of the Lay Family Concert Organ is presented, followed by a tour of the Center.
Nasher
Sculpture Center is an outdoor “roof-less” museum
of 20th-century sculpture and First Saturdays offer
families the opportunity to visit for free as well as to enjoy
special family programming between the hours of 10am-2pm.
City: Dallas
Cost: Free on first Saturdays between 10-2
Directions
The National Scouting Museum is a massive state-of-the-art facility that
features a Norman Rockwell art gallery, high adventure rescues, hands-on
learning experiences, and a historical collection that traces the Scouting
movement from its beginnings. Admission to the Museum is free on Sundays and
Mondays.
City: Irving
Cost: Free on Sundays and Mondays
DireDirections
NorthPark
Center's 1.4-acre landscaped garden, CenterPark, doubles as a
serene, urban retreat and an exciting venue for free community events.
Relax amid world-class sculptures, canopies of trees and green expanses
of lawn. The collection includes Ad Astra, a 48-ft tall orange steel
structure, Corridor pin blue – a larger than life safety pin, by Claes
Oldenburg and Coosie van Bruggen among others. The collection carries on
NorthPark’s tradition of showcasing major works by world-renowned
artists such as Andy Warhol, Frank Stella and Jonathan Borofsky.
Public Art intertwines culture throughout
downtown Dallas. From the red neon Pegasus on the rooftop of the Magnolia
Hotel to the three cowboys and 49 steers in Pioneer Plaza, Public Art
can be discovered and enjoyed throughout the City of Dallas. Use these
downloadable self-guided tour maps to explore the diverse and
vibrant works of public art found throughout the downtown Dallas area.
City: Dallas
Cost: Free
The Sculpture Garden at the base of the statuesque
Trammell Crow
Center boasts more than 20 statues from the French masters,
including Rodin, all of which reside in a peaceful setting with
cascading waters and beautiful gardens.
The
Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame
pays tribute to the top cowboys and cowgirls in Texas. The
museum is located in Barn A of the
Fort Worth Stockyards, in what was once the horse and mule
barns in the Stockyards. Also included in the Texas Cowboy Hall
of Fame are the Sterquell Wagon Collection and the John Justin
Trail of Fame. The Sterquell is billed as “the world’s largest
lifestyle wagon collection” and features more than 60 antique
wagons, carriages and sleighs.
City: Fort Worth
Cost: Adults/$5, seniors 60+/$4, children
(3-12)/$3 Directions
Recognized as the largest private collection of contemporary Texas sculpture ever assembled and made available to the public, the Texas Sculpture Garden
is a significant and unique collection that celebrates the work of 41 prominent Texas artists. Visitors to the park enjoy both the art and its remarkable setting. Winding walking trails, lush landscaping, lakes and fountains have been specially designed to complement the art and provide a fitting backdrop for the work. The Exterior collection
is open daily dawn to dusk; interior art open weekdays 9:00am to 5:00pm and Saturdays 9:00am till noon.
The
Women's Museum is an Institute for the future,
making visible the unique, textured, and diverse stories of
American women. Using the latest technology and interactive
media, the Museum's exhibits and programs expand our
understanding of women's participation in shaping our nation's
history and create a lively environment for dialogue and
discovery. Thousands of stories recount public and private
triumphs and the struggles of those who would be denied their
freedoms in all its forms: political, social, and spiritual. The
Museum is open
City: Dallas
Cost: Adults/$5, seniors & students
(13-18)/$4, students 5-12/$3, children under 5/free Directions
There is nothing like the smell of freshly baked bread.
Mrs. Baird's
Bakery offers tours for children 6 and up.Tours available
Tue-Thurs every hour beginning at 10am; two weeks notice
required.
Bring your child to Home Depot
locations from 9am-12pm on the first Saturday of every month
(for kids ages 5-12) and to
Lowe's on the second and fourth Saturdays
from 10-11am (for ages 6-12) for free build-it clinics for
children. Check the websites for current projects and locations.
Take the kids to pick strawberries and
other treats at Gnismer Farm, a family run “u-pick” farm that offers strawberries, blackberries, asparagus, tomatoes and more depending upon the season.
Please check website to see what is ripe and ready to pick.
City: Arlington
Cost: Starts at $2.50/pound Directions
Take a tour of Tours of the oldest intact farmstead in Tarrant County-
Nash Farm. The
tour includes a history of settlement in North Texas specific to the Nash family, a focus on survival needs like water and food sources, changes in technology evident in the windmill and farming implements, and a hands on activities. Kids will
like the here are two resident sheep, Cinnamon and Jane. Visitors may pet the animals from
the outside of the corral.
Click here to download the form to request a tour.
Relax in an A-frame cottage while enjoying time with your family at
Owens Spring Creek Farm.
For a fun family experience, stop by our Spring Creek Feeding Pen. Your children will enjoy feeding and interacting with a variety of farm animals including goats, lambs and donkeys. Be sure to bring your camera. Weekday admission includes: feed for animals, hay ride, farm tour and museum admission. Open
seasonally Mon-Fri 9am-4pm.
City: Richardson
Cost: $5pp; under 2/free Directions
The Red River Peach Orchard is an
opportunity for families to pick sweet, juicy,
tree-ripened peaches directly from the tree. Hours are seasonal so please check website.
Want to teach the kids how vegetables are grown? Take them to pick their own tomatoes, squash, peppers and cucumbers at
RJR Farms. Hours are seasonal so please check website.
Enjoy exciting and entertaining games and family get-togethers for nickels? That's right. For a mere $1.95 admission at
Nickelmania
in Carrollton and
NickelRama in Garland, families can enjoy games for nickels. Hours vary by season; please check website.
City: Carrollton, Garland
Cost: $1.95 admission; games
priced at 1-6 nickels
Paradise Pond is an indoor play place for children 2yrs. - 6th grade
within first Baptist
Church Grapevine. It includes 10 different stations where the children can play: a grocery store, basketball toss, legos, trains, cars, magnets, dress-up, a small climbing wall, an oversized bounce house and a two-story play feature with slide. Open Play Time: Thursday & Friday mornings 9-11am.
The Tubes is a massive indoor play area
within Irving Bible Church, and is designed for children up through 5th grade.
It is open to the community seven days a week from 8am to 10pm. No reservations are required. The Tubes is a warm and welcoming place for all parents and their children to enjoy.
The A.W. Perry Homestead Museum offers a glimpse of
life as it was in north central Texas at the turn of the 20th
Century. The Museum is open Wed-Sat 10am-12pm & 1-5pm.
Chestnut Square Historic Village is a collection of seven historic houses and buildings dating from the 1850's. Public Walk-up Tours are given at 11:00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (August by reservation). All seven buildings are on the tour, which lasts approximately an hour.
City: McKinney
Cost: Recommended admission donation is $5.00 for adults, and $3.00 for children Directions
Dallas Heritage Village is
a living history museum
portraying life in North Texas from 1840-1910. Family programs
include storytimes, mock gun fights and more. It is open Tue-Sat
10am-4pm, Sun 12-4pm. January, February and August hours:
Tue-Sun 10am-2pm. Closed Mon,
Thanksgiving Day,
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
City: Dallas
Cost: Kids 3-12/$4; adults/$7; under 3/free Directions
The Farmer's Branch Historical Park is nestled on 27 acres that trace more than 165 years of proud Farmers Branch heritage.
Welcoming approximately 50,000 visitors each year, the Historical Park offers many opportunities from
free tours and educational programs to special events and lectures.
Hours are Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat-Sun
12-6pm; closed some holidays.
Less than one mile north of downtown Dallas is
Freedmen's Cemetery, a pre-Civil War burial ground in what was once the Freedmen's Town Area–a small Dallas community formed by African-Americans freed from slavery in the mid-1860s. This historic and state landmark memorial features figures cast in bronze by artist David Newton.
The
Heritage Farmstead Museum is a historic house and
Blackland prairie farm museum. It is open
Mon-Fri 10am-3:30pm, Sat-Sun 1-3:30pm.
City: Plano
Cost: $2; children under 4/free Directions
Designed by Kennedy family friend Philip Johnson, the
John F. Kennedy Memorial is an open-roofed, concrete-walled monument symbolic of an open tomb. It is not unusual to find flowers and notes placed here. Nearby, the infamous School Book Depository and "grassy knoll" have not changed at all - part of the historic nature of the museum and area - since that devastating day in our nation's history.
Log
Cabin Village is a living history museum devoted to
the preservation of Texas heritage.
It is open Tue-Fri 9am-4pm,
Sat-Sun 1-5pm.
City: Fort Worth
Cost: Adults/$4.50, seniors &
children (4-17)/$4 (under 3, free) Directions
The
Museum of the American Railroad possesses one of
the oldest and most comprehensive heavyweight passenger car
collections in the United States. The Museum is open
Wed-Sun 10am-5pm; closed
holidays.
City: Dallas
Cost: Adults/$5, children
3-12/$2.50, under 3/free Directions
The
National Cowboys of Color Museum acknowledges the
contributions of Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, European
Americans, and African Americans in the settlement of the
Western American Frontier. The Museum is open Wed-Sat 11am-6pm.
The
North Texas History Center museum contains Civil
War, Harvesting and Pioneering exhibits based on North Texas
heritage. It is open Mon-Sat 11am-4pm,
Sunday 12:30pm to 4:30pm.
The
Texas
Civil War Museum is a destination which tells the
story of the Civil War soldier 1861-1865. It is an artifact
driven museum with a broad range of collections from both the
North and the South, the home front and the veterans. Victorian
era women’s and children’s clothing continues to tell the story
using fashion trends. This uniquely bridges the hardships of a
wartime lifestyle to the abundant lifestyle of a reunited
country at the end of the century. Museum hours are Tue-Sat
9am-5pm. Closed New Year's
Day, July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
City: Fort Worth
Cost: Adults/$6;
students 7-12/$3; Children under 6/Free with adult Directions
About 30 min south of Dallas is a hidden gem known as the
Galaxy Drive-in. They have four screens and each has a double feature. Most are family friendly movies, but sometimes during the 2nd showing there is an
"R" rated movie.
City: Ennis
Cost:
$6
for adults, $3 children 5-11, children under 5 are free Directions
As the summer months approach, head outside and down to
Victory Park to catch a movie under the stars. Bring your lawn chairs, popcorn, family and friends and join others on select days throughout the months of June and July in the Plaza near American Airlines Center.
Naturally
Yours
Fish, camp, hike, pick fresh produce, canoe and explore. DFW offers
many destinations for nature lovers, from nature
preserves, to gardens, to farmers markets and
more.
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is a 200-acre park that
features vast areas of natural beauty for walking, jogging,
hiking, orienteering, and other outdoor activity such as a
playground, cycling trail and creeks. It is open from 5am to
11pm daily.
Cedar
Ridge Preserve (formerly Dallas Nature Center) is a
natural habitat of 633 acres featuring 10 miles of hiking
trails, a native plant nursery, butterfly gardens, and picnic
areas. It is open Sunrise to Sunset, Tue-Sun.
Colleyville Nature Center is a park that includes
46 acres of natural refuge, nine ponds, 3.5 miles of multi-use
trails, amphitheater, covered pavilion with a grill, rest
benches, playground and fishing pier. Hours are 30 minutes
before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
Enjoy Family Nature Walks and more at Connemara Conservacy.
Experience all that the Meadow has to offer and learn about native plants and animals.
Please check website for scheduled events.
City: Allen
Cost: Free; suggested donation $10/family Directions
City: Coppell, Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano
Cost: Free
The
Elm Fork Nature Preserve is a
self-contained ecosystem that offers an Interpretive Center with
a nature education library that is open for scheduled classes
and hikes. Trails are open daily from dawn to dusk.
The Environmental Discovery Garden & Center
features a self-guided composting and native plant/water
conservation, waterway tours, butterfly garden and a fun
interactive educational play area for children. It is open
daily.
The Fort Worth
Botanic Garden is a lush 109-acre garden that is
home to over 2,500 species of native and exotic plants. It is
open Mon-Fri 8am-10pm, Sat 8am-5pm, Sun 1-5pm. Open later
during Daylight Savings.
The
Grapevine Botanical Gardens
welcomes visitors with hundreds of varieties of plants. This beautiful treasure in the heart of historic Grapevine is an excellent place to enjoy the natural beauty and tranquil surroundings of nature. Admission is free and the Gardens are open from Dawn until Dusk, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Enjoy a walking tour led by a trained garden docent. There is no fee for these guided tours, however monetary donations towards our educational programs are greatly appreciated. See website for tour information
Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area offers
hiking, camping and fishing along the Elm Fork of the Trinity
River, birding opportunities, canoeing or kayaking (BYOC/K — no
equipment available on site except on pre-arranged river tours),
picnicking and an 1870 Minor-Porter Log Home. Hours vary by
season.
City: Lewisville
Cost: $5pp; under 5/free Directions
McCormick
Park is a 12-mile park with a half-mile bike and
hiking trail, picnic area, gazebo and playground. The preserve
has an open wilderness area, ponds, a bird watching area and
more.
Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve is approximately
800 acres and features recreation trails, an equestrian use
area, pavilions, a 17-acre lake and nature preservation and
conservation areas.
River
Legacy Parks is a 1,300 acre oasis with more than
eight miles of paved trails, picnic areas, a playground and the
River Legacy Living Science Center which has some reptile and
fish exhibits. The Parks are open from
5am-10pm daily. The Living Science Center is open
Tue-Sat 9am-5pm.
City: Arlington
Cost: Parks admission is free. Admission to
the Living Science Center is $2/adults, $1/children 3-18, free/
children 2 and under.
Directions
White Rock Lake is a unique, 1,015 acre city lake
which offers six playgrounds, a wide variety of outdoor
activities, including a hike and bike trail (9.33 miles),
Audubon Society-designated bird watching area and wetlands site,
numerous scenic picnic areas, three rental facilities (Winfrey
Point, the Dreyfuss Club and Big Thicket), fishing piers for
catfish, sunfish, and bass fishing.
The Dallas Firefighters Museum is located in one of the city’s oldest remaining fire stations. The station was built in 1907 and originally was the home to Hook and Ladder Company No. 3. The Museum boasts a fantastic collection of fire apparatus including “Old Tige”, an 1884 horse-drawn steam pumper named after then mayor W.L. Cabell. Other apparatus include some of the first motorized engines that were used by the Dallas Fire Department. Children can indulge their fascination with firefighters by climbing on a 1951 Fire engine, pulling on their helmet, and pretending they are on their way to “save the day”. It is open Wednesday
through Saturday 9am-4pm.
Teach young children about fire safety by participating in a Safe & Sound Walk-Arounds at
Frisco Fire Safety Town. During the walk-around, children and adults have the opportunity to learn a variety of safety lessons while touring the indoor and outdoor areas of the facility. The walk around also features a kid-friendly fire engine that children love to play in. Safe & Sound Walk-Arounds occur Monday through Friday starting at 2:00 pm and last approximately 30 minutes.
Bedford
Splash water park has three different pools: tot
pool with slides and fountains, leisure zero grade entry pool
with play area, and a multi-purpose recreation pool. Hours are
seasonal. Admission discounts are available for Bedford
residents.
City: Bedford
Cost: Adult
(18 & Older): $6.50; Children (3-17): $5. No fee for children 2
and under Directions
Splash Factory is an interactive water park featuring age-specific play areas including a water wall, ground sprays, play structures, a magic touch water gun, spray cannons and power geysers. Six touch buttons allow children to interact with the play features.
Surf and Swim is a 4 acre aquatic complex featuring Wally's Cove splashground, a half million gallon wave pool, great food and drink, and plenty of space for your family to soak up the sun. Surf and Swim provides clear inner-tubes and coast guard-approved life jackets for all guests free of charge on a limited basis. Patrons may also bring their own U.S. Coast Guard approved lifejackets. No outside floating devices or “floaties”
are permitted. Hours are seasonal.
City: Garland
Cost: Adults/$6; Kids under 48"/$5; under 2/free; $2 off
admission after 5pm Directions
Would you like to hold a piece of the solar system in your hand? Would you like to touch a piece of Mars? The Monnig Meteorite Gallery can provide you with this experience. By visiting the gallery, you will have the opportunity to explore the mysteries of meteorites! Meteorites are the oldest materials known — even older than our 4.5 billion-year-old Earth! Learn how to identify a meteorite, experience a hands-on encounter with different types of meteorites, and create your own terrestrial impact crater. Open 1-4pm Tuesday through Friday and 9am-4pm on Saturday.
Noble
Planetarium offers children the opportunity to
learn about the solar system
through a series of shows, and hosts free Star Parties that are open to the
public.
City: Fort Worth
Cost: Planetarium admission is $5/adult; $3/child 3-12. Star Parties are free. Directions
The Sky Theater
at UNT is a 100 seat, 40-foot domed theater that is only one of
20 planetarium in the world featuring the Digistar II projection
system that can reproduce tonight's sky with digital
precision. It can make you feel like you are traveling to nearby
stars, or taking a celestial roller coaster, or winding through
a field of electrons within an atom. It is open to the general
public Sat 2pm & 8pm.
City: Denton
Cost: Adults/$5, seniors/$4, children under
12/$3 Directions
The C.R.
Smith Museum has a 1,000-plus item collection,
which invites exploring not only the history of commercial
aviation, but also such things as careers in aviation and the
principles of flight. It is open Tue-Sat 10am-6pm.
City: Fort Worth
Cost: $4/adults; $2/kids 2-12 Directions
The Frontiers
of Flight Museum is a100,000-square-foot
airplane hangar/educational center that showcases over 25
full-size aircrafts, including the Apollo 7 Command Module. The
Museum has a play area for younger children. The Museum is open
Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun, 1-5pm.
City: Dallas
Cost: Kids 3-17/$5; under 3/free; adults/$8 Directions
From the observation area known as
Founders Plaza at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, you'll see some of the 2,300 daily takeoffs and landings from one of the world's busiest airports. Witness winged wonders
with long-distance binoculars, graph board to help you identify the different aircraft,
and a speaker system featuring audio straight from the Control Tower.
Picnic amenities are available.
The primary mission of the
Vintage Flying Museum is to preserve America's
flying heritage in Word, Deed and Action. Twenty aircraft are
on exhibit including several which are extremely rare and
historic. Additional displays include a dedicated reciprocal
and jet engine room, an FAA Aviation Education Resource Center,
WWII memorabilia and artifact exhibits and a unique aircraft
model exhibit. The Museum is open
Sat 10am-5pm, Sun
12-5pm, Weekdays by appointment.
City: Fort Worth
Cost: Adults/$8,
ages 13-17 & Seniors/$5, ages 6-12/ $3, kids under 6/free Directions
From libraries, to bookstores and more, parents have lots of
opportunities to take their kids to a storybook reading. Many
story times also include free crafts. For a listing of
storytimes by city and with age designations, please visit the
Metroplex
Baby & Kids daily Event Calendar.
One fish, two fish . . . Kids will
love watching the free fish feeding shows at
Cabela's and doing some fishing of their own at
Bass Pro Shops.
Dates and times vary so please check websites.
City: Fort Worth, Garland, Grapevine
Cost: Free
The Fort Worth Zoo is a nationally ranked facility, housing more than 350
native and exotic species, and has a carousel, petting zoo and train.
Although regular admission prices are Adults/$12, children
(3-12)/$9, seniors (65+)/ $9, children under 2/free, you can
enjoy the Zoo for half price every Wednesday. Please note that
parking is $5.
City: Fort Worth
Cost: Wednesdays; Adults/$6,
ages 3-12 & Seniors/$4.50, kids under 2/free; parking/$5 Directions
Frank Buck Zoo is home to over 130 animals
from four continents. Check the calendar for occasional special
events and discounts on the already low admission price. Open
daily except Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day. Winter Hours:
Mon-Sun 10am-4pm. Spring Hours: Mon-Sun 9am-5pm.
The Fritz Park Petting Farm provides a peaceful setting where visitors can enjoy the animals in a clean, well-shaded environment. A variety of animals, such as cows, horses, goats, sheep, chickens, deer, turkeys, rabbits, and even peacocks, reside at the farm. Visitors will observe eggs hatching in the incubator and chicks in various stages of development. Come watch the ducks and geese play as they swim and dive in their pond. The petting farm is open from 10am to 6pm Tuesday through Saturday, and from 2 to 8pm Sunday (weather permitting)
during the months of June and July.
Experience free-flying butterflies in the Butterfly House at
Texas Discovery Gardens, a year-round organic urban oasis filled with natural wonders for visitors of all ages.
Butterfly House tickets are sold from 10am-4:15pm.
City: Dallas
Cost: Adults/$8, Child ages 3-11/$4; under
3/free Directions
Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie offers seasonal horse racing as well as some family events.
Get there early and kids can see many of the horses close-up
before the racing begins. There is no minimum age to enter the Grandstand for live racing, however persons under 18 must be accompanied by a parent.
City: Grand Paririe
Cost: $5; under 3/free Directions
The Mustangs of Las Colinas, the largest equestrian sculptures in the world, is a breath taking realistic bronze sculpture of nine wild mustangs running across a granite stream at Williams Square Plaza. This is a must see for visitors and residents alike.
The Pioneer Plaza Cattle Drive is a must-see in Dallas. Pioneer Plaza honors Dallas’ cowboy past by celebrating the trails that brought settlers to Dallas.
It features native landscaping with a flowing stream and waterfall with a re-creation of a cattle drive in the form of bronze statues of longhorns being driven by three horse riding cowboys.
Each sculpture was created by Robert Summers of Glen Rose, Texas. The sculptures are believed to be the largest bronze sculptures of their type in the world.
Located in the heart of the Stockyards National Historic
District,
Stockyards Station exemplifies Fort Worth by
providing an exciting blend of old and new. The Fort Worth Herd presents Stockyard visitors with a glimpse into the past and Fort Worth's rich western heritage with the world’s only twice daily cattle drive (at 11:30am & 4pm; weather permitting). The
Cowtown
Cattlepen Maze is a unique form of entertainment for the entire family, group, or class field trip! With over 5,400 square feet of frequently changed wooden pathways, resembling the cattlepens of the old west, the maze is always a challenge! Maze runners can compete against the clock and each other, attempting to locate check points throughout the maze in a given time, to qualify for Amaze'n Prizes.
City: Fort Worth
Cost: Free (Cowtown Maze is $5/ages 5 and over)
Directions
Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth is rich in Western history and lore. The many restaurants range from casual to elegant, from intimate dining to a family-style atmosphere. Twenty movie screens show first-run films. The shopping is casual, and entertainment includes street acts, weather permitting. Kids are sure to love the ice cream parlors in the summer!
