Dallas, Texas, is one of the nation’s biggest metropolitan areas and makes for an incredible destination for family getaways. With an abundance and variety of kid-friendly Dallas activities and attractions, you’ll be able to enjoy the best of the city while guaranteeing everyone in your group has an unforgettable time.
Dallas includes world-class museums, among the nation’s biggest and best zoos, aquariums, amusement parks and extensive urban green spaces, providing plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. The city is also famous for its historical barbecue scene, making it a must-try destination for any food enthusiast.
Dallas has a little something for everybody, with plenty of destinations and experiences that are equally appreciated by grown-ups and kids alike. Below, we detail 31 things to do in Dallas with kids, to help you plan your perfect family-oriented trip.
1. Dallas Zoo
- Address: 650 S.R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas, TX 75203
- Age Range: All ages
The Dallas Zoo is just a few miles south of Downtown Dallas and is the state’s biggest and oldest zoo and it ranks among the top attractions in the city. It certainly has appeal for all ages, with over 2,000 animals of 400-plus species. Here you’ll find the Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo, the Endangered Species Carousel, the Conservation Railway Mini-Train and other kid-focused attractions, plus special activities such as Backstage Safari and Wild Adventures Camp.
- Address: 1801 N. Griffin St., Dallas, TX 75203
- Age Range: All ages
Blending the experience of a zoo and an aquarium, this attraction in the West End Historic District features both land and marine animals. Visitors can see everything from anacondas, harpy eagles and crocodiles to jellyfish, penguins, moray eels and sharks. One standout highlight is the Cloud Forest Trek, which is home to the only three-toed sloths on display in the country.
- Address: 3000 Grapevine Mills Pkwy, Grapevine, TX 76051
- Age Range: All ages
A standout attraction inside the massive Grapevine Mills mall in Grapevine, Texas, SEA LIFE Aquarium Grapevine is a popular destination in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Visitors can get an up-close look at fascinating animals, including sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, sea jellies, caimans and even an albino reticulated python. Exhibits include interactive rockpools, the 360-degree Ocean Tunnel and the Rainforest Adventure.
- Address: 2201 N. Field St, Dallas, TX
- Age Range: All ages
One of the nation's great natural history and science museums, the Perot Museum of Nature & Science is a top family attraction in Downtown Dallas. Its 60,000 square feet and five floors include no fewer than 11 permanent exhibits, including the perennially crowd-pleasing T. Boone Pickens Life Then & Now Hall, lorded over by the giant fossil skeletons of Alamosaurus and Tyrannosaurus rex.
- Location: Woodall Rodgers Freeway 75201
- Age Range: All ages
Downtown Dallas’ 5.2-acre central greenspace is beloved by locals and visitors alike, while being a nice location for young kids to visit, as well. It features the Sheila & Jody Grant Children’s Park, delighting kids 12 and under with its 35-foot climbing tower and slide, water features, climbing wall and other playzone delights—and it’s situated right alongside the Ginsburg Family Lawn. Klyde Warren Park’s also a great place for eats with its iconic Food Truck Lane, where you can find a variety of local-style meals.
- Address: 2201 Road to Six Flags, Arlington, TX 76011
- Age Range: All ages
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex lays claim to the very first Six Flags location: Six Flags Over Texas opened its doors in Arlington back in 1961 and it remains one of the area’s leading family attractions. From El Diablo, the world’s biggest loop coaster, to Titan, the tallest and fastest roller coaster in all of Texas, there are some big-time thrills here, to say the least, but also plenty of tamer rides, such as Boomtown Depot and Yosemite Sam’s Texas Tea Cups. Speaking of Yosemite Sam, kids can enjoy meeting Looney Tunes characters in the park.
- Address: 4503 W. Lovers Ln, Dallas, TX 75209
- Age Range: All ages
This long-standing farm-to-table restaurant offers a warm, family-friendly ambiance inside and out, plus a diverse, crowd-pleasing lunch and dinner menu including special kids’ entrees such as mac-and-cheese, spaghetti and chicken fingers. Its relaxed setting and comforting home-style dishes make it an easy and enjoyable choice for dining with children.
- Address: 300 Reunion Boulevard E, Dallas, TX 75207
- Age Range: All ages
Head for the top of one of Dallas’s signature landmarks for dazzling panoramic views over the cityscape from 470 feet up on the observation deck, which includes free high-definition telescopes that kids are sure to love. “The Ball,” as locals affectionately call Reunion Tower, also includes a rotating sky-high restaurant.
- Address: 3000 Grapevine Mills Pkwy, Grapevine, TX 76051
- Age Range: 3-12
Home to more than four million LEGO pieces, this fun-filled attraction in Grapevine, Texas, features an impressive replica of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. Guests can enjoy rides, virtual reality experiences and a 4D cinema, along with Pirate Beach water play and plenty of hands-on building activities. LEGOLAND Discovery Center is a great choice for younger visitors and those with a creative spirit.
- Address: 5319 E. Mockingbird Ln, Dallas, TX 75206
- Age Range: All ages
What better place to take kids for lunch or dinner than a restaurant dedicated to grilled cheese? The menu here features a wide range of sandwiches, including the indulgent Grilled Mac & Cheese, along with plenty of other kid-friendly options. Favorites include DGC Fries, root beer floats and milkshakes.
11. White Rock Lake
- Address: 8300 East Lawther Dr., Dallas, TX 75201
- Age Range: All ages
One of Dallas’ most beloved outdoor escapes, this 1,015-acre reservoir sits about five miles northeast of Downtown. It offers opportunities for kayaking, sailing, fishing and picnicking, along with a nearly 10-mile hiking and biking trail. It is a great spot for family outings and outdoor recreation.
- Address: 2021 N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 72507
- Age Range: All ages
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament offers an exciting, immersive experience that brings history to life with live jousting, sword fights and royal pageantry. The lively atmosphere, colorful costumes and cheering crowds make it especially engaging for children, while the themed meal adds to the fun. It is a memorable outing that combines entertainment and dining in a way the whole family can enjoy.
13. Pioneer Plaza
- Address: 1428 Young St, Dallas, TX 75201
- Age Range: All ages
Pioneer Plaza is a fun and easy stop for families, featuring a larger-than-life sculpture of a cattle drive with bronze longhorns and cowboys. Kids can walk among the statues, climb nearby areas and enjoy the open space while learning a bit about Texas history. Its central location near Downtown also makes it a convenient addition to a day of exploring.
- Address: 5938 Skillman St, Dallas, TX 75231
- Age Range: 3 and up
From fascinating history and cultural explorations to classic tales and holiday stories, Dallas Children’s Theater has been supplying outstanding onstage family entertainment since 1984. It’s been ranked among the finest institutions of its kind in the country. Alongside the packed season of annual plays, Dallas Children’s Theater, situated within the Rosewood Center for Family Arts, leads workshops, classes and outreach events.
15. Katy Trail
- Age Range: All ages
Whether you’re pushing a stroller or taking a family bike ride, the 3.5-mile-long Katy Trail is a fantastic choice for taking advantage of a sunny day in the heart of Dallas. This rails-to-trails path, ideal for strolling, jogging and cycling, follows part of the old route of the Union Pacific Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad’s Southern Branch and is filled with lovely public art.
16. Cane Rosso
- Address: 2612 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226
- Age Range: All ages
Situated in the Deep Ellum neighborhood, with other locations in the metro area, Cane Rosso is regularly listed among the best pizzerias not only in Dallas, but in America as a whole. A few bites of the Neapolitan-style pizza here—produced from fresh dough made daily in-house with imported Italian flour—and you’ll see why. In addition to the main offerings, which will appeal to many younger diners, Cane Rosso offers a special kids’ menu with small personal pizzas, fried mozzarella, and simple pastas.
- Address: 6500 Great Trinity Forest Way, Dallas, TX 75217
- Age Range: All ages
For a blissful escape into natural beauty on your Dallas getaway, you can’t do much better than the Trinity River Audubon Center, which is situated only about 10 miles south of Downtown but feels worlds away. It falls within the 6,000-acre Great Trinity Forest, the biggest urban forest in the U.S. and includes a beautiful mosaic of bottomland hardwoods, wetlands and blackland prairie threaded through by walking trails. The on-site nature center and museum offer all-ages activities and there are numerous special events throughout the year as well.
18. AT&T Stadium
- Address: 11 Legends Way, Arlington, TX 76011
- Age Range: All ages
If you count sports lovers among your family crew, you really ought to consider swinging by AT&T Stadium: the biggest in the NFL and homefield for the Dallas Cowboys. Whether you’re catching America’s Team in action on the gridiron or taking one of several guided tours available, the stadium’s a must-visit for Dallas tourists and football fans of all ages.
- Address: 1462 1st Ave., Dallas, TX 75210
- Age Range: 2-10
The Dallas Children’s Aquarium offers a unique educational experience ideal for children ages 2-10, but all ages are sure to enjoy it as well. With interactive exhibits, hands-on activities and engaging displays, visitors will learn about ocean conservation and the importance of protecting our environment. From touch tanks to fascinating creatures, create unforgettable experiences with your family with a day at the aquarium.
- Address: 7130 Skillman St. #150, Dallas, TX 75231
- Age Range: 1-8
Looking for a place where your children can explore, learn and have endless fun? Look no further than Play Street Museum. This interactive museum brings your child’s imagination to life with hands-on activities and imaginative play areas to keep little ones entertained for hours.
Watch as your kids immerse themselves in a grocery store setting, try on different costumes to explore potential future professions and develop social skills while interacting with other children.
- Address: 14902 Preston Rd., Dallas, TX 75254
- Age Range: 3 and up
If you're looking for indoor fun things to do in Dallas, Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park is an ideal stop. Here, you and your kids can get your hearts pumping as you bounce, climb and play your way through this exciting indoor playground. Challenge your kids to a game of dodgeball, soar to new heights on the trampolines or test your limits on the obstacle course. There’s something for your entire family to enjoy at Urban Air.
- Address: 2525 Elm St. Suite 110, Dallas, TX 75226
- Age Range: 3 and up
Immersive Gamebox offers a unique and exciting experience for the whole family. This interactive adventure combines elements of video games, puzzles and escape rooms to create an immersive environment.
Work together as a team to solve challenges, overcome obstacles and explore digital worlds. Immersive Gamebox is a fantastic way to spend quality time with loved ones, foster teamwork and create unforgettable memories.
- Address: 1800 Dowdy Ferry Rd., Dallas, TX 75217
- Age Range: 6 and up
Looking for an outdoor adventure that will thrill the whole family? Look no further than the Trinity Forest Adventure Park. This unique park offers a thrilling experience as you climb, swing and zipline through the trees. The park features courses with varying difficulty levels, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Challenge yourself on obstacle courses, test your balance on wobbly bridges and feel the rush of adrenaline as you zipline through the air. Recharge, reconnect and make lasting memories in nature.
- Address: 2970 Epic Pl., Grand Prairie, TX 75052
- Age Range: All ages
Escape the Texas heat and dive into endless fun at Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark. This massive aquatic park offers thrilling water slides, relaxing lazy rivers and a wave pool, perfect for water lovers of all ages. Relax on the Rio Grand lazy river or in one of the many lounge areas or experience the thrill of the towering tipping bucket and exhilarating water slides.
- Address: 6911 Lemmon Ave., Dallas, TX 75209
- Age Range: All ages
If you or your child has a passion for aviation or are simply curious about the history of flight, the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas is a must-visit destination. This captivating museum takes you on a journey through time, showcasing incredible aircraft, from historic planes to even a lunar module.
Interactive exhibits and engaging displays make learning about aviation fun and exciting for all ages. Spark your child’s imagination and ignite a lifelong interest in exploration at the Frontiers of Flight Museum.
- Address: 8525 Garland Rd., Dallas, TX 75218
- Age Range: All ages
Discover one of the most stunning botanical gardens in America at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. This enchanting oasis offers a serene escape for adults, while the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden provides endless fun for kids. Explore interactive water play areas, embark on hands-on adventures and discover the wonders of nature. It’s the perfect place to cool off and have fun while learning.
- Address: 3000 Grapevine Mills Pkwy, Suite 253 (east side of the mall)
- Age Range: All ages
Meow Wolf is one of Dallas’ most exciting art exhibits and it provides a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.
This sprawling, immersive art experience blends a maze-like layout with vibrant neon environments, hidden passages and imaginative floor-to-ceiling installations. With interactive elements, playful surprises and accessible design throughout, it offers a fun and engaging adventure for both kids and adults.
- Address: 3801 Parry Ave, Dallas, TX 75226
- Age range: All ages
The Dallas Firefighters Museum is an exciting place for young kids to see historical firetrucks, some of which are over 100 years old.
One of the main attractions is Old Tige, a steam engine built in 1884, along with a large lineup of classical and more modern trucks. Kids can sit in some of the newer vehicles and onsite staff can help them to learn more about the trucks and even press some buttons.
Kids can also try on child-sized fire suits and learn from firefighters directly for an unforgettable experience. As a quick and inexpensive outing, the Dallas Firefighters Museum is the perfect choice for families visiting Dallas today.
- Address: 3601 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Dallas, TX 75210
- Age range: All ages
The Texas Discovery Gardens at Fair Park provides endless trails and paths to enjoy in its sprawling 7.5-acre facility. Enjoy seasonal gardens and flower blooms and make sure to visit the Butterfly House and Insectarium, where kids can walk among thousands of colorful butterflies and more.
While the Butterfly House may be the main event, there are also exciting attractions spread throughout the park, including playgrounds, play areas, miniature trains and much more.
- Address: 1717 N Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75201
- Age range: 5+
The Dallas Museum of Art is full of local and international art and it can be a wonderful family outing when visiting Dallas with kids.
The museum has daily programs for kids that include hands-on activities and lessons about creating and appreciating art. You can also simply wander the halls and see what inspires them and there’s no shortage of colorful paintings, sculptures and artifacts to discover.
31. Grandscape
- Address: 5752 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX 75056
- Age range: All ages
Grandscape is a large entertainment complex that offers a wide range of activities perfect for families visiting the Dallas area. Kids can enjoy attractions like arcades, escape rooms and a central Ferris wheel, along with outdoor play areas and seasonal programs. With plenty of dining options, a movie theater and comfortable spaces to relax, it is an easy and enjoyable place to spend a full day with children.
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