20 Things to do in Dallas
with kids

What is it?
A popular city park with a 1,015-acre lake surrounded by beautiful natural scenery

Why should you go?
White Rock Lake Park, situated about 5 miles northeast of downtown Dallas, is an amazing place to interact with nature and enjoy a family day out. You can rent bikes to ride around the lake or grab a pair of binoculars to catch the brilliant bird-watching opportunities and see white pelicans.
The lake, stocked with crappie, catfish, and bass, is great for fishing, as well as kayaking, canoeing, and boating. Still, there is nothing wrong with just sitting back, having a picnic, and looking at the fantastic Dallas skyline while your little ones are running around.

What is it?
A natural history and science museum with interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and virtual experiences

Why should you go?
The Perot Museum is a great destination when it comes to indoor kids' activities in Dallas. It features five floors of interactive exhibits focusing on various topics, from dinosaurs to engineering. Your kids will learn more about Earth and our Solar System, admire the diversity of gems and minerals, dive into the possibilities of energy, make their own predictions on the weather, or challenge you in the robot arena.

The museum also houses an immersive 3D Theater, where you can take a journey to the Jurassic period or discover a magical world of the oceans.

What is it?
A 66-acre public garden with exotic flowers, ornamental shrubs, and an interactive area for children

Why should you go?
The city's Arboretum and Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful places to see in Dallas, which is suitable for families with kids of all ages. Situated in a serene setting on White Rock Lake, it boasts lush floral displays and the 8-acre interactive Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden, designed to connect children with nature.

Your little ones can take discovery trails, explore various water features, look through a giant kaleidoscope, find all the hidden treasures in the secret garden, and enjoy an elevated walk through the tree canopy.

What is it?
An immersive aquarium and zoo featuring a variety of marine and rainforest life from around the world

Why should you go?
The Dallas World Aquarium, nestled inside a massive refurbished warehouse in the West End Historic District, invites you and your kids to journey through the three-level rainforest. You will admire free-flying exotic birds, spot sloths hanging out in their favorite trees, see Orinoco crocodiles, and discover a wealth of river inhabitants.
Your journey will continue in the world of Maya. You will see a variety of Central and South American species and, best of all, walk through a forty-foot-long glassed-in tunnel filled with sharks that circle overhead.

What is it?
A green oasis in downtown Dallas featuring an interactive fountain and an 18,000-square-foot children's area

Why should you go?
A bustling 5-acre green space built over a freeway in the vibrant Dallas Art District is one of the city's most popular outdoor attractions. It features a children's park with a kid-sized climbing wall, a 35-foot climbing tower and slide, and other state-of-the-art play equipment. Another highlight is a fountain with a 5,000-square-foot splash pad that can accommodate hundreds of children at a time.

The park also hosts a variety of daily activities and special events, ranging from yoga classes to movie screenings and food festivals.

What is it?
The oldest and largest zoological park in Texas, which is home to over 2,000 animals representing over 400 species

Why should you go?
Spending a day at the 160-acre Dallas Zoo is one of the most exciting and fun things to do in Dallas with kids. Walking through the zoo, you will observe Sumatran and Malayan Tigers, elephants and crocodiles, two troops of gorillas, and a dozen cute African penguins swimming effortlessly underwater.

Be sure to visit giraffes to feed them by hand and check out the Lacerte Family Children's Zoo, where you can get up close with nearly two dozen species of birds from around the globe in a unique interactive aviary.

What is it?
One of the country's largest art museums, offering a range of educational programs for visitors of all ages

Why should you go?
This museum, situated in the vibrant Dallas Art District, is a fantastic place for families to explore art together. Besides its extensive collection, which you can enjoy for free, it offers numerous engaging and fun activities for children of all ages, from babies to teens.

The program includes story times, performances, art-making workshops, special gallery viewings, and other events incorporating art, craft, and play. The museum also houses a beautiful children's space called Arturo's Nest which helps to develop motor skills with toys and games.

What is it?
An iconic observation tower providing panoramic views of the Dallas skyline and surrounding areas

Why should you go?
The 561-foot-tall Reunion Tower is a great destination for a family outing both during the day and at night when the globe at the building's top is beautifully illuminated. Take your little ones to the GeO-deck to enjoy amazing views of the city and beyond and learn about Dallas landmarks by using interactive touch screens and participating in fun activities.

Be sure to check out a calendar on the tower's website to catch special family events, taking part during school breaks and on weekends.

What is it?
A 212-acre amusement park featuring six themed areas and the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Texas

Why should you go?
The thrilling Six Flags Over Texas park, located halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth, offers plenty of fun family things to do and a wealth of attractions for kids, adults, and everyone in between. The park features several water rides and over a dozen roller coasters, including the wooden Texas Giant and the steel Titan, reaching speeds of up to 85 miles per hour.

It also offers a range of live music shows, dance performances, DC characters meet-and-greets, and plenty of dining options.

What is it?
A live entertainment experience with a two-hour tournament show and a four-course medieval-style banquet

Why should you go?
Taking a trip from today's America to the 11th century is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and unusual things to do in Dallas with kids. As soon as you head to the castle gates at Medieval Times, you will immerse yourself in the world of knights with jousting, sword-fighting, horsemanship, and falconry.

You will enjoy the show seated in a large arena-style setting, and you will be treated to roast chicken, sweet buttered corn, and other meals as you cheer for one of six knights competing in the joust.

What is it?
An 80,000-square-foot water park with a large variety of waterslides and water attractions

Why should you go?
Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark, located a short drive away from Dallas, offers you year-round family fun. It boasts the longest indoor action river in Texas, an outdoor wave pool, a surfing simulator and numerous water slides for older children, and an interactive playing area for the youngest kids with an aquatic fort full of slides, geysers, and sprinklers.

In addition, the water park houses an expansive arcade room filled with a variety of classic, modern, and state-of-the-art games.

What is it?
Dallas's last remaining streetcar line offering free sightseeing rides in lovingly restored historical cars

Why should you go?
If you and your little ones are tired of walking, why not take them for a ride on the McKinney Avenue Trolley? All the vintage streetcars serving downtown Dallas have whimsical names, such as Rosie, Petunia, and Green Dragon, and unique stories about their past.

These beautiful cars, with varnished wooden seats and antique fare boxes, start their journey on McKinsey Plaza and pass some of the city's best sites. Catch one of these cars to travel back in time, enjoy the view from the window, and reach your next destination, be it Klyde Warren Park or Dallas Art Museum.

What is it?
A living history attraction situated in a late-Victorian farmhouse 30 minutes away from downtown Dallas

Why should you go?
The Heritage Farmstead Museum is a great place for families to step back in time and learn about rural life in North Texas in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The museum occupies a 4.5-acre site which includes a farmhouse, a barn, a working blacksmith shop, and other original historic structures. There are also numerous artifacts on display, from household items and farming tools to Victorian textiles.

The museum offers various workshops, live demonstrations, and summer camps with fun activities like caring for animals or playing croquet.

What is it?
One of the country's leading children's theaters offering a diverse range of shows and education programs

Why should you go?
The Dallas Children's Theater gives you a fantastic opportunity to sit back, relax, and keep your kids entertained at the same time. The theater has a busy schedule of various shows, including plays, musicals, puppet performances, and more, suitable for different ages groups from 3 years old.

You can easily catch a fun show based on well-known children's fables loved by preschoolers or choose a thought-provoking play created especially for today's teens.

What is it?
A 7-acre aerial adventure park consisting of high rope courses of varying levels of difficulty at up to 50 feet

Why should you go?
Trinity Forest Adventure Park is a must-visit for sporty families looking for an adrenaline rush. Situated just miles from downtown Dallas, the park provides multiple climbing trees and various obstacle courses, including a special course for those as young as 4 years old.

The park is filled with zip lines, wobble bridges, cargo nets, and balance beams and offers something for visitors of all ages and skill levels. Be sure to wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and get ready for your next family adventure.

What is it?
A large public park known for its huge bronze sculptures of the iconic Texas Longhorns

Why should you go?
Pioneer Plaza, conveniently located in downtown Dallas, is a great photo spot and the perfect place to soak up the Texas spirit, thanks to the iconic sculptural composition of the cattle drive.

Bring your little ones to this park to marvel at 49 bronze steers, take fun and beautiful pictures, and learn more about the local Texan cowboy and pioneer culture. Explore this place with your private in-app audio tour to dive deeper into the city's history and see how it has changed from a pioneer settlement to today's modern city.

What is it?
An indoor family entertainment center with a range of attractions located between Dallas and Fort Worth

Why should you go?
The Legoland Discovery Center is a dream world for little and big Lego fans. It features various themed areas, interactive exhibits, and fun activities, such as a journey through a Lego-themed medieval castle where they must help rescue the princess from the evil troll.
It is easy to spend the whole day creating and racing Lego cars, exploring the interactive city made of Lego bricks, and enjoying exciting 4D Lego movies with special effects like wind, rain, and snow.

What is it?
An indoor play center inspired by the hit animated series and designed specifically for preschool kids

Why should you go?
The Peppa Pig World of Play is literally the whole world filled with instantly recognizable locations from the show, where your little ones can play, have fun, and ignite their imagination.

There are 14 themed areas, including Peppa Pig's house, interactive muddy puddles, and Grandpa Pig's train. Your kids will also enjoy climbing through the multi-level fort, exploring the area through a telescope, shopping in the supermarket, and playing musical instruments.

What is it?
A year-round indoor ice rink located at a popular shopping mall in the North Dallas neighborhood

Why should you go?
Ice skating is a great answer to the question of what to do in Dallas with kids, especially if you have already visited all the famous museums and amusement parks. The Ice Skating Center at the Galleria Dallas shopping mall is open all year round, including the hottest summer days, and all you need to do is to get there, rent figures or hockey skates — and have fun on the rink.

In addition to public skating sessions, the center offers group and private lessons for all ages and levels.

What is it?
A public aquarium designed for kids, with a focus on high-tech, high-touch, and hands-wet activities

Why should you go?
During your visit to the Children's Aquarium, situated in the historic Fair Park, your little ones will highly likely fall in love with the underwater world. They will meet over 250 species living in oceans, rivers, and lakes around the world, from tiny, colorful fish to large sharks and a Giant Pacific Octopus.

To have more fun, kids can stick their hands in an interactive tank of Red Garra, also known as Doctor Fish, and even pet and feed cute stingrays.