20 Things to Do in Dallas With Kids

Keely Kate | July 12, 2023

Dallas, home to the Dallas Cowboys, is a rich city filled with vibrant art and cutting-edge technology. As the ninth largest city in America, there are plenty of things to do in Dallas, with and without kids. Below, we provide you with both indoor and outdoor activities (we know how hot it can get in the summer) that you can do with so many different ages and interests.

Whether it be splashing around at Hurricane Harbour on a hot July day or going to Peppa Pig World with your five-year-old on a chilly October afternoon, we have you covered for fun things to do in Dallas with kids.

Top 20 Things To Do in Dallas with Kids

Here is a list of the twenty best things to do in Dallas with kids:

1. The Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden
2. Hurricane Harbor
3. Six Flags
4. Trinity Forest Adventure Park
5. Dallas Zoo
6. Dallas World Aquarium
7. McKinney Avenue Trolley
8. Klyde Warren Park
9. Belo Garden
10. White Rock Lake
11. Perot Museum of Nature and Science
12. Legoland
13. Dallas Museum of Art
14. Play Street Museum
15. iFLY Dallas
16. Sea Life Aquarium
17. National Videogame Museum
18. Alley Cats Entertainment
19. Peppa Pig World
20. Andretti Go Karting

1. Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden

Address: 8525 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218

Do you want to enjoy the great outdoors with a side of science and adventure? Make no other trip than to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Inside, you will find the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden, with daily activities including the Walne Family Discovery Lab, OmniGlobe, Little Adventures (thematic and seasonal storybook readings and puppet shows), and STEMStops.

They also have select events available to see on their calendar). 

This is a great activity to do with all ages, especially on a nice spring day. Be careful in the summer, as it is an outdoor activity and temperatures get high. Different activities are open at different times, so make sure to double-check before going. 

Hours of Operation

Daily from 9 am – 5 pm

2. Hurricane Harbor

Address: 1800 E Lamar Blvd, Arlington, TX 76006

Hurricane Harbor is the best way to beat the summer heat. As an extremely kid-friendly thing to do in Dallas, it easily makes this list. Located inside Six Flags, there are a variety of things to do for all interests, like a lazy river, water slides, thrill rides, and so much more.

Hook’s Ship is perfect for the little ones that want to enjoy an attraction, and Hook’s Lagoon Treehouse is even more extravagant for the slightly older kids. 

Hurricane Harbor is another thing to do with kids of all ages. Summer is the best season to visit the waterpark, just remember to bring lots of sunscreen!

Hours of Operations

Monday – Friday: 11 am- 6 pm

Saturday – Sunday: 11 am – 7 pm

3. Six Flags Over Texas

Address: 2201 Road to Six Flags, Arlington, TX 76011

Wanting to stay and ride the rides after a refreshing visit to Hurricane Harbor? Six Flags over Texas is another family attraction in Dallas for all ages. There are food, rides, and seasonal events for the whole family! In the fall, they have Oktoberfest and Fright Fest; during the holidays, they have Holiday in the Park.

The most upcoming event they have is July fireworks for the Fourth of July weekend. 

Six Flags is an all-ages attraction. However, since it is family-friendly, make sure to review their park policies before you leave and stay hydrated! 

Hours of Operations

Monday- Thursday: 11 am – 7 pm

Friday: 11 am – 8 pm

Saturday – Sunday: 11 am – 9 pm

4. Trinity Forest Adventure Park

Address: 1800 Dowdy Ferry Rd, Dallas, TX 75217

Are any of your children adrenaline junkies? Well, Trinity Forest Adventure Park is the place to take them. It is an aerial adventure park that is made of ropes courses that vary in difficulty.

There are zip lines, ladders, cargo nets, and even a climbing tree! All courses are self-guided, and everyone moves at their own pace, which is perfect for any age or skill level. 

There is a minimum age of 4 for the children’s rope course, and for the main courses, the age limit is 6. This is a perfect place for elementary and older kids, but there are weight and height restrictions, so check into those before you make the drive over. 

Hours of Operations

Sunday- Thursday: 10 am – 6 pm

Friday- Saturday: 10 am – 7 pm

5. Dallas Zoo

Address: 650 S R.L. Thornton Fwy, Dallas, TX 75203

The Dallas Zoo is another great family-friendly thing to do with all ages. With animals of all types, keeper chats, giraffe feedings, bird landings, wild encounters, and wonders of the wild, there are more than enough kid-friendly things to fill your day up with!

They also offer other programs like a backstage safari, wild adventures summer camp, and wild earth preschool!

The Dallas Zoo is the perfect place for all ages and all times of the year. Make sure to check the website and calendar for upcoming dollar days! 

Hours of Operations

Open Daily: 9 am – 5 pm

6. Dallas World Aquarium

Address: 1801 N Griffin St, Dallas, TX 75202

Looking for an indoor and outdoor experience with all sorts of aquatic animals? Look no further than the Dallas World Aquarium. According to their website, there are exotic birds, sloths, endangered animals like crocodiles and giant river otters, and manatees and monkeys.

They also have a variety of fish, shellfish, jellyfish, and seadragons! Exhibits to explore include the Cloud Forest Trek, Mundo Maya, Orinoco, the Aquarium, South Africa, and Borneo. 

The aquarium is wonderful to take the whole family, and it works in any type of weather! Rain or shine, there is plenty of things to do with kids at the Dallas World Aquarium

Hours of Operations

Daily 8:30 am – 4 pm

7. McKinney Avenue Trolley

Address: 2700 Cityplace W Blvd, Dallas, TX 75204

Not your standard Dallas attraction to do with kids, the McKinney Avenue Trolley is for all of the train lovers in your family! While it’s “free,” the M-Line asks you to name your price to ride, whether that be through cash in the Trolley Box or a recurring donation. When on the trolley, you can ring the bell, so your little one will enjoy that!

Check out their website for accessibility information, routes, and scheduling details. Your kids of all ages will love riding this trolley on a nice sunny day! 

Hours of Operations

Monday- Thursday: 7 am – 10 pm

Friday: 7 am- 12 am

Saturday: 10 am – 12 am

Sunday and Holidays: 10 am – 10 pm

8. Klyde Warren Park

Address: 1909 Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Suite 403

In the heart of downtown Dallas, Klyde Warren Park offers a slice of nature in the middle of the concrete jungle. There is always something to do, and this park is one of the best things to do in Dallas with kids of all ages. Everyday activities include the Sheila and Jody Grant Children’s Park, a Dog Park, and the Nancy Best Fountain.

There are also a wide variety of special events happening around the park every week. Check their Things to Do page for more details. 

Head out with your kids to Klyde Warren Park and also enjoy a bite from the many food trucks, open during the weekdays from 11-3 and on the weekends from 11 – 8.

Hours of Operations

Monday –  Friday 11 am – 3 pm

Saturday – Sunday 11 am – 8 pm

9. Belo Garden

Address: 1014 Main Street, Dallas, TX  75202

Another great outdoor activity for the kids to do in Dallas Belo Garden is wonderful for older kids. As there aren’t many activities to do other than stroll around the lush gardens, it’s great for older kids who enjoy the outdoors and learning about nature. It is 1.7 acres and was designed to give people a break from the hustle of Dallas.

There are more than 100 trees and more than 10,000 individual ornamental grasses, seasonal flowers, and decorative shrubs to enjoy, according to their website.

Hours of Operations

Open Daily: 7 am – 10 pm

10. White Rock Lake

Address: 8300 East Lawther Drive

White Rock Lake is a great lake and park to bring your kids for a leisurely afternoon stroll and picnic! It’s about 5 miles northeast of downtown Dallas, and it’s one of the most heavily used and visited parks around.

They have hike and bike trailers, a museum, the Dallas Arboretum, a dog park, the Audubon Society bird-watching area, boat ramps, piers, and lots of picnic areas. 

This is a family-friendly park for your younger and older kids to enjoy! Perfect for splashing around in the lake on a hot summer day, your visit to White Rock Lake is the perfect kid-friendly thing to do in Dallas.

Hours of Operations

Open Daily: 6 am – 11 pm

11. Perot Museum of Nature and Science 

Address: 2201 N Field St, Dallas, TX 75201

Switching from outdoor activities to indoor ones, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science is the first of the wide variety of indoor things to do in Dallas with kids. Exhibits like the farmers market, nature exploration, a miniature version of the Dallas Skyline, dino dig, an art lab, and much much more are waiting for your little ones at the Museum!

They also have events throughout the summer for both kids and adults that accompany them! Check their website to see what they are!

The Perot Museum of Nature and Events is a great place to bring your kids of all ages. You can beat the intense summer heat or escape the chilly winter air here, and it’s in the heart of the city.

Hours of Operations

Monday – Saturday: 10 am – 5 pm

Sunday: 11 am – 5 pm

12. LegoLand

Address: 3000 Grapevine Mills Pkwy, Grapevine, TX

Are your kid’s creative geniuses? Do you want to get out of the house and let your imagination roam free? Then head over to Legoland in Grapevine. They have over 12 attractions for your family, including ride and play, meeting your favorite Lego characters, and the classic build and tests that Lego is so known for. You can also plan a birthday party there!

Legoland is fantastic for your kids, both young and old- even the parents will enjoy this excursion!

Hours of Operations

Sunday – Friday: 10 am – 6:30 pm

Saturday: 10 am – 8 pm

13. Dallas Museum of Art

Address: 1717 N Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75201

The Dallas Museum of Art is a great thing to do in Dallas with older kids. The different exhibits and art pieces will captivate you and your kids. You can check out which exhibits will be at the museum here, so plan accordingly!

In addition to the rotating exhibits, they have different programs and events like lectures and films shown at the Museum if you are interested in doing these with your kids!

Hours of Operations

Monday: Closed

Tuesday – Thursday: 11 am – 5 pm

Friday: 11 am – 9 pm

Saturday – Sunday: 11 am – 5 pm

14. Play Street Museum

Address: 7130 Skillman St #150, Dallas, TX 75231

Want a museum trip that’s not strictly an art museum and will keep your little ones entertained? Head over to the Play Street Museum in Dallas to spend a day playing indoors. For ages eight and under, their website says that it’s designed to “encourage a young child’s sense of independence, exploration, and creativity.” Kids are about to navigate through the museum and play areas to the ones that most interest them. 

Play Street Museum makes it clear that it is not a drop-off or a daycare and that your child has to be accompanied at all times. Food and beverages are not allowed inside the play area. 

Hours of Operations

Monday – Thursday: 9 am – 6 pm

Friday: 9 am – 5 pm

Saturday and Sundays: Closed

15. iFLY Dallas

Address: 8380 TX-121, Frisco, TX 75034

Have your kids ever wanted to skydive? At iFLY Dallas, you can make their dreams come true with indoor skydiving. iFLY is perfect for birthday parties or other events, but they also have unforgettable one on one experiences. There are different wind tunnels to choose from, all designed to simulate skydiving and provide a safe flight experience and memories that will last forever. 

Their website says ages 3 – 10 are able to fly, so you can do this with all members of your family. Definitely plan ahead for this activity since there are flight guidelines to know, and they are available to check out on their website. 

Hours of Operations

Monday – Friday: 12 pm – 7 pm

Saturday: 9 am – 8 pm

Sunday: 10 am – 7 pm

16. SeaLife Aquarium

Address: Grapevine Mills Mall, 3000 Grapevine Mills Pkwy, Grapevine, TX 76051

Not quite the same as the Dallas World Aquarium, the SeaLife Aquarium in Grapevine offers more hands-on experiences for your kids. You can touch a real sea star, and there is also the only 360-degree ocean tunnel in Texas located here! Other exhibits inside are the sea turtle rescue center, stingray bay exhibit, rainforest adventure exhibit, and pollinator garden.

There are over 5,000 creatures to explore and get to know at SeaLife. 

They also offer joint passes with both LegoLand and Peppa Pig World since all are in close proximity and would make a great day trip. 

Hours of Operations

Sunday – Friday: 10 am – 6:30 pm

Saturday: 10 am – 8 pm

17. Peppa Pig World

Address: 3000 Grapevine Mills Pkwy, Dallas, TX 76051

Peppa Pig is a cute British cartoon that has captivated so many little ones. And in Dallas, TX, meeting her is a reality. It is an indoor play center specifically designed for preschool-aged children, focusing on bringing the world of Peppa Pig to life. You can climb into her treehouse, George’s fort, visit the dog garage, shop at the supermarket, and of course, meet Peppa herself!

Hours of Operations

Sunday- Friday: 10 am – 6 pm

Saturday: 10 am – 7 pm

18. National Video Game Museum

Address: 8004 Dallas Pkwy Ste. 300, Frisco, TX 75034-4003

Is there a video game lover in your house? The National Video Game Museum is a perfect activity to do in Dallas with your kids! It’s the country’s first dedicated museum to video games, and it has 20 exhibits that you can interact with, along with lots of history woven through to document and preserve the history of video games.

There is also a retro arcade with games at the end of the museum, so your kids can get a taste of what it was like to play video games prior to the 2000s!

Hours of Operations

Sunday- Friday: 10 am – 5 pm

Saturday: 10 am – 6 pm

19. Alley Cats Entertainment

Address: 2008 West PleasantRidge Rd, Arlington, Texas 76015

What would a family-friendly list of things to do be without a bowling alley? At Alley Cats Entertainment, not only can you bowl, but there are batting cages, an arcade, rock wall climbing, laser tag, a comedy club, and putt-putt!

There truly is something to do for everyone at Alley Cats Entertainment. Check the website to make sure that outdoor activities are good to go before you plan your trip or if there are any special promos going on that weekend. 

Alley Cats Entertainment can be an excellent way to hide from the summer sun or to have fun on a rainy day with the variety of activities offered. Kids of all ages will enjoy a trip out!

Hours of Operations

Sunday – Thursday: 10 am – 12 am (Midnight)

Friday: 10 am – 1 am

Saturday: 9 am – 1 am 

20. Andretti Go Karting

Address: 5752 Grandscape Blvd #100, Suite 100, The Colony, TX, 75056

Last but certainly not least on this list is Andretti Go Karting. They also have an arcade, laser tag, a hyper deck for virtual reality, and bowling! You can host a birthday party or event here as well if your kid is interested in that option. Brand new is the Mario Karts, especially for ages 4-7 years old (max weight, 90 lbs).

They also offer a military discount for the service member. 

Hours of Operations

Monday – Thursday: 11 am – 11 pm

Friday and Saturday: 10 am – 1 am

Sunday: 10 am – 12 am (Midnight)

Conclusion

We hope that something on this list makes its way into your top ten things to do with your kids in Dallas! If you are in town visiting and want a few more ideas as to what to do or where to go, then head to some of our other pages!