Best Things to do in Dallas-Fort Worth with Kids

Planning a trip to Dallas–Fort Worth with kids and trying to figure out what to do?

There are so many options here. I’ll be honest, this is one of those trips where it’s really easy to want to do everything. I definitely felt that way.

After visiting with my four boys, I quickly realized that trying to fit it all in just doesn’t work.

The best parts of our trip came from choosing a few things we were really excited about and planning our days around those.

In this guide, I’m sharing the best things to do in Dallas–Fort Worth with kids so you can decide what’s actually worth adding to your trip.

Because the Dallas–Fort Worth area is so spread out, I grouped these ideas by area to help you plan your days with less driving.

This makes it easier to pick a few things in the same area and actually enjoy your time instead of spending it in the car.

Best Things to do in Dallas with Kids

Perot Museum of Nature and Science

We had so much fun here. My boys raced a cheetah and a T-Rex, loved driving the robots, and spent a long time exploring all of the hands-on exhibits. We honestly could have stayed for hours.

This is one of those places where you think you’ll spend a little time and then suddenly realize you forgot to eat lunch and it’s the middle of the afternoon.

Thankfully, there is a café on-site if you didn’t bring food. Just know it is a bit pricey.

If you’re looking for an indoor activity that keeps kids engaged, this is an easy yes.

Dallas World Aquarium

This was one of the more unique stops on our trip.

It feels less like a traditional aquarium and more like walking through different ecosystems.

You’re moving through different levels, seeing animals along the way, and it keeps things interesting for kids.

The sloth was my favorite part.

Klyde Warren Park

This is one of those spots I had on our list and would absolutely include next time.

It’s right in downtown Dallas and works really well as a break in the day, especially if you’re visiting nearby places like the Perot Museum.

There’s a Children’s Park playground, a large green space where kids can run around and play, and food trucks nearby which makes it easy to grab something quick to eat.

During the day, kids can play in the Nancy Best Fountain, and at night it turns into a choreographed light and water show.

If you’re looking for a place to let your kids run around and burn off some energy, this is a really easy stop to add in.

Reunion Tower

This is one I personally would love to do.

Any time there’s a tower or landmark like this in a city, I always want to go up in it. It’s such a fun way to see everything from a different perspective.

If you’re already spending time in downtown Dallas, this looks like an easy add-on that doesn’t take a lot of time but still feels like a memorable stop.

If this is something you’re considering, you can check current ticket options and availability here.

The Eye (Quick Stop)

This is a quick and quirky stop if you’re already nearby.

I’ll be honest, we tried to go see it and ended up just catching a glimpse from the car.

The area was really busy, traffic was a bit chaotic, and we couldn’t find a good place to park.

If you do go, I’d treat it as a quick stop and not something to plan your day around.

Best Things to Do in Fort Worth with Kids

Fort Worth Stockyards

We loved visiting the Stockyards. Watching the cattle drive and just walking around was such a fun experience.

It really felt like true Texas culture, which made it stand out from a lot of the other things we did in the area.

If you go, don’t miss the cattle drive. It happens twice a day and is such a unique experience, especially for kids.

We also really enjoyed doing the Cowtown Cattlepen Maze. My boys got competitive with it, which made it even more fun.

Make sure to walk over to Mule Alley while you’re there. It’s part of the Stockyards but has a slightly different feel with more updated shops and restaurants.

We ate at Second Rodeo Brewing and really enjoyed it. It is a great place to enjoy some live music too!

And don’t skip dessert at MELT Ice Cream. It was so good!

Everything at the Fort Worth Stockyards is very walkable, which makes it feel manageable with kids, and there’s a good mix of things to see and do without needing a strict plan.

If the Stockyards are on your list, you can read my full Fort Worth Stockyards with kids guide here.

Cidercade Fort Worth

We had such a blast here!

For a flat fee, you get unlimited access to hundreds of arcade games, which my boys absolutely loved.

There’s a mix of retro and classic games along with some of the newer ones, so it really works for a wide range of ages.

They had everything from skee-ball and basketball games to Mario Kart racing and tons of pinball machines.

We ended up spending more time here than I expected, and it was one of those places where everyone found something they enjoyed.

The food was also really good, which made it an excellent dinner option too!

Peppa Pig Theme Park

We went here because our four-year-old really wanted to, and honestly, we all ended up having a blast.

There are a few rides, including the Daddy Pig Roller Coaster, along with a lot of fun play areas. The Fun Fair was one of our favorite spots.

They also have character meet and greets, and we got to meet George and Daddy Pig, which was really fun for the kids.

This park is definitely geared toward younger kids, probably around ages 3 to 6.

That said, my older boys embraced it and still had fun with their younger brother, which made it feel worth it for our whole family.

It’s also an easy one to fit into your trip since you can do it in about half a day.

You can check tickets and current pricing for the Peppa Pig Theme Park here.

Best Things to Do in Frisco with Kids

The Star in Frisco

This was one of those stops that ended up being simpler than I expected but still really fun.

The kids ran around on the turf at Tostitos Championship Plaza and honestly didn’t want to leave.

It’s an easy stop that doesn’t require a lot of planning but still feels memorable, especially if you have kids who like sports.

Don’t miss The Huddle sculpture while you’re there. It’s right in the middle of a roundabout and is a pretty cool spot to check out.

More Frisco Attractions

There are a couple of other spots in this area that were on our list but we didn’t get to on this trip.

The National Soccer Hall of Fame and the National Videogame Museum both looked like great options, especially for older kids.

KidZania also looked really interesting. It’s an interactive experience where kids can try different real-life jobs and activities, which I think the kids would think is super cool.

If you’re already in Frisco, these would all be easy to add to your day.

Best Things to Do in Grapevine with Kids

Grapevine Mills

This is one area that’s high on my list for a future trip, and Grapevine Mills looks like a really easy place to spend a day with kids.

There are so many family-friendly attractions all in one place here, which makes it a really appealing option, especially if you want an easy day without a lot of driving.

You’ll find things like LEGOLAND Discovery Center, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Peppa Pig World of Play, and Meow Wolf all in one spot.

Historic Downtown Grapevine

I also love the idea of spending time in Historic Downtown Grapevine.

It looks like one of those places that’s just fun to explore with walkable streets, local shops, and seasonal events.

Grapevine is also known as the Christmas Capital of Texas, and I would love to come back and experience it during the holiday season.

This would be a great option if you want something a little more relaxed mixed into your trip or if you are staying near Grapevine.

How to Choose What to Do (Keep It Simple)

There is a lot to do in Dallas–Fort Worth, and it can feel overwhelming trying to fit it all in.

What helped me most was choosing a few “must-do” experiences first and planning our days around those.

Think about:

• What your kids would be most excited about
• What feels unique to this area
• How far things are from each other

Then once you have a general idea of what you want to do, it also becomes much easier to decide where to stay.

You can browse family-friendly hotel options in Dallas–Fort Worth here to compare locations and find something close to what you want to do.

If you’re still figuring that out, you can read my guide on where to stay in Dallas Fort Worth with kids.

A Simple Tip That Makes This Trip Easier

Dallas–Fort Worth is one of those places where trying to do too much can make your trip feel rushed, especially with how spread out everything is.

There are so many fun things to do here, but you really can’t do it all in one trip.

And with the amount of driving between areas, trying to fit too much into one day can quickly become exhausting.

Instead, pick a few things you’re really excited about, group them by area, and keep your days simple.

That’s what will make your trip feel more enjoyable and a lot more doable with kids.

If you want help putting this all together, I walk through exactly how we structured our days in my Dallas–Fort Worth itinerary with kids.

Want help putting your trip plan together?

I created a simple Travel Itinerary Planner to help you map out your days, keep track of activities, and make your trip feel a whole lot more organized.

It’s the exact system I use when planning our family trips.

Grab your free Travel Itinerary Planner here.

May you LOVE your adventure! KW