Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Dallas - 2022
2022 Best Places for Kids in the Dallas region!
Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. Typically, we showcase the Top 20 winners... but this year, in honor of KidsOutAndAbout.com's 21st birthday (we originally launched in June of 2001), we bring you the Dallas area's
TOP 21 Places to Take Kids!
Of course, there are literally hundreds of wonderful places to take your kids in our area, not just this year's winners! 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.
1. Dallas Zoo
Welcome to the largest zoological experience in Texas! Thousands of animals and an unwavering commitment to conservation, education and research.
2. 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!
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
7. 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 5-18 in Plano, Fairview, Frisco, Dallas and Southlake. The Conservatory at NTPA Academy offers a high-quality, flexible schooling option for students in grades 6-12 who want to pursue a career in the performing arts. Specialty programs include NTPA Collegiate Pursuits, NTPA Studios film production program, NTPA Starcatchers for students with disabilities, and NTPA Deaf Theatre.
8. 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. Take your next celebration to new heights at Reunion Tower.
9. Hawaiian Falls Waterparks
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!
11. 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.
13. Grand Prairie Farmers Market
Farmers Market at Market Square, 120 W. Main St., in downtown Grand Prairie, Texas, is open Saturdays from April to December and features locally grown fruits and vegetables, plants, tamales, baked goods, salsas, dips, relishes, eggs, honey, chips, soaps, candles and more.
14. Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park
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.
16. Dallas Museum of Art
Established in 1903, the DallasMuseum of Art (DMA) is among the 10 largest art museums in the country. With a free general admission policy and community outreach efforts, the DMA is distinguished by its commitment to research, innovation, and public engagement. At the heart of the Museum and its programs is its global collection, which encompasses 25,000 works and spans 5,000 years of history, representing a full range of world cultures. Located in the nation’s largest arts district, the Museum acts as a catalyst for community creativity, engaging people of all ages and backgrounds with a diverse spectrum of programming, from exhibitions and lectures to concerts, literary events, and dramatic and dance presentations.
17. 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.
20. Go Ape! Zip Line & Treetop Adventure
The Go Ape Treetop Adventure course creates a one-of-a-kind outdoor experience. This exciting high ropes course includes suspended obstacles, rope ladders, Tarzan swings and some truly epic ziplines. More than a simple canopy tour, the Treetop Adventure takes between 2-3 hours to complete. Perfect for every outdoor adventurer and even those wanting to take a first step into aerial adventure
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in three categories. Here were their choices.Top Arts Educator: 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 5-18 in Plano, Fairview, Frisco, Dallas and Southlake. The Conservatory at NTPA Academy offers a high-quality, flexible schooling option for students in grades 6-12 who want to pursue a career in the performing arts. Specialty programs include NTPA Collegiate Pursuits, NTPA Studios film production program, NTPA Starcatchers for students with disabilities, and NTPA Deaf Theatre.
Top Sports Educator: YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas
The 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.
Top STEM Educator: Sci-Tech Discovery Center
Bright ideas! That’s what Sci-Tech Discovery Center hopes to inspire. By providing hands-on discovery experiences in the essential areas of science, math and technology to kids of all ages and backgrounds. Sci-Tech Discovery Center seeks to spark a life-long interest and help equip our area’s children with these advanced skills. At Sci-Tech we believe in advancing education and providing inspiration to the next generation of engineers, scientists, educators and innovators.
