Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Dallas - 2023
2023 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. This is the page where we showcase the Dallas-area winners for 2023. (Click here to see the full list of nominees.)
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.
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1. Dallas Zoo
Explore the 106-acre Dallas Zoo to see and learn about the more than 2,000 animals in their care. From conservation efforts, to education programs for all ages - on top of it being the ideal place for a family outing - start your adventure today at the Dallas Zoo!
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Ripley's Believe It or Not - Grand Prairie
Get ready to experience unbelievable family fun at the fascinating Ripley’s Believe It or Not! with four awesome indoor attractions under one roof. Discover wonder in our Ripley’s Believe it or Not Odditorium, mingle with your favorite star at Louis Tussaud Palace of Wax, take a ride on our thrilling 7d Moving theater, or find your way through Ripley’s enchanted Mirror maze. Ripley’s Grand Prairie is your one-stop destination for hours of family fun!
5. 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.
6. 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.
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. Six Flags over Texas
Home to the biggest thrills in Texas! From thrilling coasters to rides for the kids, we’ve got them all!
9. Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark
Located in Grand Prairie, Texas, Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark is an incredible, year-round 80,000 square-foot, indoor water park with a retractable roof. Recently named 10Best Indoor Waterpark by USA TODAY Readers' Choice Awards, the park offers attractions for every member of the family and for groups of any size. Featuring over 11 thrilling waterslides, multiple age specific activity areas, 4,000 square foot state-of-the-art arcade, Epic Waves outdoor Wave Pool, FlowRider® dual-lane Surf Simulator and Texas "longest" adventure river!”
10. Broadway Dallas
As the premier presenter of touring Broadway in the region, Broadway Dallas delivers the hottest, most award-winning, edge-of-your seat exciting shows to our diverse, multi-generational audiences on a year-round basis (not just in the summer).
11. 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.
12. Galleria Dallas
Inspired by Milan Italy's famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Galleria Dallas features an impressive ice rink surrounded by an international collection of shops and boutiques, setting the standard for world-class shopping in Dallas. Galleria is also Dallas’ distinct dining destination, offering market exclusive restaurants like The Second Floor, Grand Lux Cafe, and The Oceanaire. From its legendary ice rink, to its fusion of hip fashion and chic dining, Galleria Dallas truly is North Texas’ premier shopping destination.
13. Topgolf Dallas
Topgolf is the premier golf entertainment complex where the competition of sport meets your favorite local hangout spot.
14. Great Wolf Lodge (Grapevine, TX)
Don't miss the chance to book an essential family getaway at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine. Featuring an 80,000-square-foot indoor water park (always kept at a cozy 84 degrees), there are plenty of slides, splashes, and fun for the entire family. With thrilling land attractions, kid-friendly daily special events, a range of dining options, interactive games, and more, this an unmissable trip for every member of your pack. Prepare for adventure—all under one roof.
15. 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.
17. LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Dallas - Fort Worth
LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Dallas/Fort Worth is the ultimate kids indoor playground filled with LEGO® attractions and rides. Located at Grapevine Mills mall, the attraction includes LEGO-themed rides, a soft play area, a 4D cinema, a gift shop and much more!
19. 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.
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.
