There are a lot of fun things to do in Dallas with kids. With an amazing array of both indoor and outdoor activities, the Big D offers a cocktail of exciting things that not only kids will love, but also their parents, too.
Check out our list below to know why Dallas is one of the best places for a kid-friendly adventure!
1. Discover Underwater Life at the Dallas World Aquarium
It’s not like you’ll have a hard time convincing your kids to go see a gigantic aquarium, but if they need a little convincing, tell them Nemo is waiting at the Dallas World Aquarium. Located at the West End Historic District, a 22,000-gallon tunnel awaits all sightseers where saltwater animals like seadragons and crabs live. There are also freshwater ecosystems waiting to be discovered and a rainforest where you’ll see crocodiles, toucans, and monkeys. By the river, there’s various freshwater fish, turtles, and manatees too.
Other attractions you must not miss include a walk-through cenote display where sharks are enclosed, the Mundo Maya exhibit with the “tree of life,” and an outdoor South African lagoon where you can see penguins.
2. Go Loco with Rides at Six Flags Over Texas
There’s always something exciting to do at Six Flags Over Texas, from kid-friendly activities to exhilarating coasters. Guaranteed, there’s fun for kids of all ages.
For your little ones, there are a number of kids rides that provide fun but are still safe. Check out Sylvester and Tweety’s State Ferris Wheel, Looney Tunes Adventure Camp, Caddo Lake Barge, Bugs Bunny Boomtown, and several more.
For bigger kids, thrill rides like The Joker, the New Texas Giant, Mr. Freeze, and Batman are perfect for the little daredevil. As for family rides, try Six Flags Speedway Go Karts, Roaring Rapids, Chaparral Antique Cars, and El Aserradero.
Once you’re all done getting the best ride of your lives, you can unwind at Six Flags’ numerous dining, shopping, and entertainment centers.
3. Shop at NorthPark Center
The NorthPark Center isn’t your ordinary mall. This high-end facility as beautifully trimmed gardens, gorgeous fountains, and one of the best collection of 20th and 21st-century art from the world’s greatest artists such as Beverly Pepper and Andy Warhol. if you’re there simply to stroll or window shop, you should not miss seeing various art forms like paintings and sculptures, and teach your kids to appreciate art.
But if you really want to shop. NorthPark houses tons of stores, including Disney, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus store that’s four levels high. There’s also Bookmarks, a branch of the Dallas Public Library where your kids can read books and participate in story hour.
4. Please Your Palate
In Texas, there’s no shortage of Southern hospitality, everything is larger than life, and the food will have you and your kids unbuckle your belts. First and foremost, you should not miss the famous Texas barbecue, but really, that’s just the start of your entire eating journey when it comes to dining in the Big D. You’ll love how cowboy cuisine is advertised using neon signs where gigantic burgers, grits, catfish, and steak are waiting for you to devour.
In Dallas, you get to choose from the many Mexican restaurants, bars, and microbreweries. Uptown, meanwhile, is the place to experience the Southern brunch, where the best baked eggs, grits, burgers, and buttermilk-fried chicken are in store.
5. Check Out World Class Museums
One of the best things to do in Dallas with kids that’s also educational at the same time is to take your kids on a science adventure. If you have very little kids, don’t miss the Moody Family’s Children’s Museum, a place where kids ages five and below will truly enjoy. For older kids, visit the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, where learning is made fun.
The Perot is called Dallas’ “world of wonder.” The museum has a massive collection of natural history, mathematical concepts, and scientific evidence that pique your curiosity and encourage children to think.
After visiting the above-mentioned museums, you might as well drop by Rose Hall of Birds, Lamar Hunt Family Sports Hall, and the Texas Instruments Engineering and Innovation Hall.
6. Have Fun with Animals at the Dallas Zoo
The Dallas Zoo is the largest and oldest zoological park in Texas, established in 1888. Back then, it only had two mountain lions and two deer, but today, the zoo has more than 2,000 animals spread out across its 106 acres.
The park itself is home to different attractions, such as the Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo, where you can take your kids to pet farm animals in The Farmyard, play in The Stream, and feed birds in Birds Landing. You also don’t want to miss the Koala Walkabout, the only place in Texas where koalas live, and the Giants of the Savannah habitat. Take your kids to see warthogs, lions, zebras, giraffes, and elephants.
Last but not the least, visit the new Simmons Hippo Outpost and see the animals in their natural behavior in its underwater viewing window, your view to the 120,000-gallon pool. This is where Nile hippos spend most of their time, only leaving before the sun sets at to look for grass and other vegetation.
7. Watch the Mavericks, Rangers, or Cowboys
Texas always has time for sports, and to say that their sports teams are popular is an understatement. During the fall, go to Arlington at the AT&T Stadium to see America’s Team. Kids will enjoy the sea of thousands and thousands of people, retractable ceiling, and the largest high-def display in the world.
You can also take your kids to the Globe Life Park and run the bases every Sunday afternoon game. Or you can always get them to see the Rangers and sign them up for Jr. Rangers Club.
For a Mavericks Game, head on to Victory Park at the American Airlines Center. Apart from seeing the team in action, you also get to see the Mavs Dancers and Mavs ManiAACs, and cheer while Champ the mascot dunks. Your family can even be featured on the jumbotron if you’re lucky! See how your kids react!
8. Catch an Epic Battle at Medieval Times
Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament is the place to be to see what’s it like in Medieval Spain. There’s a two-hour show featuring magnificent horses, real weapons, and knights — a spectacle that your kids will truly love.
And the food is sure a royal treat. Enjoy a four-course menu that includes roasted chicken, tomato bisque soup, herb-ladened potatoes, sweet buttered corn, garlic bread, and a scrumptious dessert. There are no assigned seats, so make sure to get in there early. You can also take your kids to watch birds of prey and horses up close.
9. Enjoy the Sights and Activities at Klyde Warren Park
Klyde Warren Park basically connects the Dallas Arts District with he Uptown. It’s five acres in size and home to the Children’s Park. In there, there’s an amphitheater for kids where different programs and activities are prepared. The park also has a storytelling tree, playgrounds, and ineteractive fountains.
If your kids get hungry, there are numerous food trucks available from corner to corner. They can also watch a concert at the performance pavilion, play board games like chess, backgammon, and checkers, read tons of books from the lending library.
A whole day at Klyde Warren Park will surely tire your kids out, but the fun they get from the experience is second to none.