Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Dallas - 2020
2020 Best Places for Kids in the Dallas region!
The best places to take kids in Dallas, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. But there is LOTS more to do in and around Dallas: Get great ideas here at KidsOutAndAbout.com! What is listed below are just the starting point: Browse through our site and calendar to find lots more, sign up for our fabulous weekly e-newsletter, and be sure to click on Everything That's Free.
Dallas Zoo
Welcome to the largest zoological experience in Texas! Thousands of animals and an unwavering commitment to conservation, education and research.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Explore your world through 11 mind-blowing exhibit halls filled with magnificent prehistoric creatures, the wonders of space, and extraordinary experiences with wild weather, glistening gems, robots, sports, and more. Race a virtual T. rex, experience the power of earthquakes and construct model skyscrapers. Spark little imaginations in a mini version of downtown Dallas and take in a variety of traveling exhibitions. Exhilarating 3D films, a Wolfgang Puck Café and outdoor leapfrog forest complete the day of fun. A world of scientific wonders awaits.
Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark
Epic Waters is TX's Largest Indoor Waterpark! Located in Grand Prairie, TX, the park showcases 80,000 sq. ft. of year-round weatherproof family fun. Epic Waters is home to thrills from mild to wild, including 12 waterslides, the longest indoor action river in Texas, an outdoor wavepool, a children’s play area that’s equipped with an aquatic fort, a double FlowRider® surfing simulator, an arcade, a café, a full-service bar, private cabanas, and much more!
Reunion Tower
Reunion Tower is the iconic centerpiece of the ever-changing Dallas skyline. Futuristic and always reaching upward, it symbolizes the city it stands above. Expand your horizons from 470 feet up you’ll experience breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views, a free digital photo and an indoor/outdoor observation deck that lets you see for miles in any direction. Birthday parties, graduation celebrations, anniversaries, and more. Take your next celebration to new heights at Reunion Tower!
Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary
Connect with nature at this natural science education center and 289-acre wildlife sanctuary preserved in McKinney, Texas. Explore miles of hiking trails, exhibits and more.
Hawaiian Falls
Hawaiian Falls is built with the family in mind. We are passionate about serving our guests by creating a clean, safe and fun Hawaiian themed environment for the whole family. You can play with the kids in the Wave Pool, float down the Lazy River, or watch as they go down their favorite rides like the Pineapple Express. Whether you're looking for a way to relax or looking to entertain the kids on a hot summer day, Hawaiian Falls has you covered!
My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the Dallas area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication.
Dallas Arboretum
The Dallas Arboretum, one of the most beautiful outdoor attractions in Dallas, features 66-acres of spectacular display gardens that showcase incredible seasonal flowers, ornamental shrubs, trees and plant collections in a serene setting on White Rock Lake.
The Dallas World Aquarium
The adventure at The Dallas World Aquarium begins at the top of the rainforest exhibit, where exotic birds, such as Cocks-of-the-rock and many species of toucans, can be seen. Lounging around are Two-toed and Three-toed sloths. Endangered animals, such as Orinoco crocodiles, Giant river otters, Antillean manatees and several species of monkeys are part of the many conservation projects.
Great Wolf Lodge (Grapevine, TX)
Stay and play at Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine! Our Dallas, Texas resort offers recently renovated suites, indoor water park fun, and dry-land adventures for the entire family. We feature kid-friendly activities, cabanas, a range of dining options, an adult-friendly wine down service, and more all under one roof. Your stay includes access to the 80,000-sq. ft. water park, kept comfy at 84-degrees year-round.
North Texas Performing Arts
NTPA is an educational nonprofit dedicated to developing the character of youth through quality performing arts education and family entertainment. We believe that theatre changes lives. We strive to teach our students not only how to act, sing and dance, but also how to be better human beings.
NTPA offers classes, productions, and camps for ages 2-18 in Plano, Fairview, Frisco and Dallas. The NTPA Academy offers a high-quality performing arts schooling alternative for full and part-time students in grades 6-12. NTPA Starcatchers offers programs for students with special needs. NTPA’s classes are taught by highly qualified directors, actors and singers who have worked everywhere from Broadway to L.A.
Topgolf Dallas
Topgolf is the premier golf entertainment complex where the competition of sport meets your favorite local hangout spot.
Chuck E. Cheese
Where A Kid Can Be A Kid! Have a blast with food, games and prizes for the whole family.
Escape The Room Dallas
Escape the Room is a fun, interactive entertainment concept located in Dallas. While it looks like any other ordinary room, it’s actually a real life adventure game designed for small groups of friends, families, co-workers or strangers. Find the hidden objects, figure out the clues and solve the puzzles to earn your freedom and Escape the Room. You have 60 minutes, so be quick! Book today to see if you have what it takes to escape.
Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park - McKinney
If you are looking for the best year-round indoor amusements in the Prosper, Plano, Allen and McKinney areas, Urban Air Adventure park is the perfect place! With new adventures behind every corner, we are the ultimate indoor playground for your entire family. Take your kids’ birthday party to the next level or spend a day of fun with the family and you will see why we are more than just a trampoline park. Urban Air Trampoline Park has been voted BEST Gym In American for Kids by Shape Magazine, BEST Place To Take Energetic Kids and BEST Trampoline Parks.
Children's Aquarium at Fair Park
The Children's Aquarium has been designed with kids in mind. With eye-level, interactive zones and exhibits, everyone can enjoy and learn something new about our aquatic friends from around the world. Birthday parties, summer camps, and night programs are also available in addition to the every day fun of the aquarium!
Galleria Dallas
From its legendary ice rink, to its fusion of hip fashion and chic dining, Galleria Dallas is one of the most dynamic shopping environments in North Texas. Our mall has an international collection of shops and boutiques, setting the standard for world-class shopping in Dallas. Nestled under Galleria’s famous domed skylight is the Children Play Place – the perfect “playground” for our youngest guests.
Grand Prairie Farmers Market
Farmers Market at Market Square, 120 W. Main St., in downtown Grand Prairie, Texas, is open Saturdays from late March through mid-December and features locally grown fruits and vegetables, plants, tamales, baked goods, salsas, dips, relishes, eggs, honey, chips, soaps, candles and more.
African American Museum of Dallas
The main objective of the Museum is the presentation of meaningful experiences for children and adults who would not ordinarily visit a museum. The rich heritage of black art and history is housed in four vaulted galleries, augmented by a research library. Living African American culture is experienced through entertaining and educational programs presented in the theater, studio arts area and classrooms.
Altitude Trampoline Park - Cedar Hill
Altitude Trampoline Park Cedar Hill is the fourteenth location of the Altitude family is approximately 30,000 square feet in size with 20,000 square feet of interconnected, wall-to-wall trampoline attractions! The park includes high-energy equipment such as trampolines, a foam pit, tumble tracks, and much more entertainment for families, groups, and individuals!
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in six categories. Here were their choices.Favorite Arts Education
Dallas Children's TheaterDallas Children’s Theater features professional actors performing for an annual audience of 250,000 young people and their families through mainstage productions (9 in the 2019-2020 season), a national -touring company, and an arts-in-education program. As the only major organization in Dallas focusing solely on youth and family theater, DCT builds bridges of understanding between generations and cultures, instilling an early appreciation of literature, art, and the performing arts in tomorrow’s artists and patrons.
Favorite Sports Education
YMCA of Metropolitan DallasThe Y is dedicated to building programs for youth development, for healthy living and for social responsibility that promote strong families, character values, youth leadership, community development and international understanding. The Y makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower people and communities to learn, grow and thrive by providing supportive and inclusive environments that nurture the potential of every youth and teen, improve the nation's health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors.
