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Top 10 Things to Do in Dallas with Kids

Dallas happens to be one of the cities that easily pass for a family-friendly destination in the country. A laid-back Western feel remains outside the towering skyscrapers and trendy business centers of North Texas’ main commercial hub. Indeed, the city has a blended charm to it, with both the old and new co-existing just fine. Find museums, art galleries, concert venues, trendy eateries, shopping joints and so much more! There are many fun things to do if you’re visiting with the kids, and all you’ve got to do is pick their kind of stuff.

Explore the Dallas Art of District for all sorts of entertainment options, including opera shows and art exhibitions. The Dallas Museum of Art is for everyone who fancies classic art, whether young or old, and it’s therefore perfect for family treats. If you’ve got some history buffs with you, don’t miss out on the West End Historic District, which houses the Sixth Floor Museum. The latter takes a look into events leading to the assassination of President J. F. Kennedy. Foodies will have a blast exploring Texan food joints, and it’s hard to resist it in Dallas. Here are the top 10 things to do in the city with kids!

Read more on; 50 Fun & Unmissable Things to do in Dallas.

1. Explore the Dallas Zoo

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Situated on a 106-acre stretch of land three miles south of Downtown, the Dallas Zoo is home to over 2,000 animals. These are from about 406 species, and the variety here is impressive, to say the least. Fitting for all ages, the zoo offers incredible sightings of wildlife from across the world, including Nile crocodiles, chimpanzees, Malayan tigers, penguins, and leopards, just to mention a few. The forest aviary houses numerous exotic birds native to Africa.

Feel free to bring your food and drinks, but alcohol, glass items, and disposable straws are prohibited. Pets are not allowed as well. You can also get your meals from the food carts available on the grounds. Morning hours are recommended since most animals come out then. The place is accessible by public transport via the DART Red Line which takes you to the Dallas Zoo Station. See the website for more information on directions and ticket prices.

ADDRESS: 650 S R.L. THORNTON FWY, DALLAS, TX 75203, UNITED STATES

CALL: + 1 469 554 7501

OPEN: 9 AM TO 5 PM DAILY

2. Visit the Dallas World Aquarium

Yet another perfect pick for the kids is the breathtaking aquatic treat in the West End Historic Treat. The exhibits house an incredible variety of marine life from different regions of the world. The establishment has other land animals as well, adding to the experience. The aquarium’s environment is one for the books; with a rainforest backdrop and waterfalls! It’s an indoor aquarium, making it perfect to visit regardless of the weather. The kids will enjoy viewing the numerous exhibits, and you’re advised to take at least two hours to walk around and get the most out of your visit Weekends are the busiest, and visiting early in the morning could help to avoid large groups. Food is prohibited inside the aquarium. Buy tickets online or on-site.

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ADDRESS: 1801 N GRIFFIN ST, DALLAS, TX 75202, UNITED STATES

CALL: + 1 214 720 2224

OPEN: 8.30 AM TO 4 PM DAILY

3. Picnic at Klyde Warren Park

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Just a few meters from the Dallas Museum of Art lies this 5.2-acre urban park. It lies adjacent to the Nasher Sculpture Center and the AT & T Performing Arts Center. The park offers cool, green spaces for games, a dog park, children’s playing areas, and there’s a performance stage at its center. Pack up some sandwiches and head over for a relaxing time on the lawns on a cool afternoon. Slow down over a book as the kids run around in the playing areas and call it a day. Find plenty of seating spaces near the walking trails, and lots of nearby food trucks when the hunger pangs hit. There’s available metered parking on the street. Alternatively, you can find self-parking options in nearby areas. The place is easily accessible by public transport, which is a cheaper option. Entry is free.

ADDRESS: 2012 WOODALL RODGERS FWY, DALLAS, TX 75201, UNITED STATES

CALL: + 1 214 716 4500

OPEN: 6 AM TO 11 PM DAILY

4. Perot Museum of Nature & Science

Let them learn a thing or two about nature and science at this interactive space, housing unique exhibits and hands-on sections. It is located in Victory Park and is housed in a 180,000-square-foot facility. With 6 floors and 11 permanent exhibit halls, the place has a good deal of experiences to offer. Walk through the many exhibits of fossils, rocks, energy sources, dinosaurs, space exploration, and more.

They have interactive games and labs that will keep your kids engaged while having fun. Scavenger hunts and 3D films are available too. If your young ones get ecstatic about science stuff, this one is a no-brainer! There’s a cafeteria for your snacks over a break from all the fun and learning. Check out the Moody Family Children’s Museum at the complex as well especially if you have younger kids. There’s a playroom with loads of fun activities to keep them entertained. Purchase the tickets online.

ADDRESS: 2201 N FIELD ST, DALLAS, TX 75201, UNITED STATES

CALL: + 1 214 428 5555

OPEN: WEDNESDAY-MONDAY 10 AM TO 4 PM

5. Marvel at the works in the Dallas Museum of Art

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Art has a way of speaking to us all, regardless of age. At the Dallas Museum of Art, you get to explore thousands of marvelous works, spanning ancient and modern times. It’s one of the largest in the United States and houses over 24,000 objects from various regions of the world. Perfect for a family visit, the place offers more than just art exhibits. There are several experiences to keep all entertained, including films and interactive classes. Marvel at the decorative arts and design exhibits. Impressive! What’s more? General admission is free! You’ll however still need an entry ticket, so check out their website to plan your visit. Special exhibition tickets are also available once in a while, and ticket prices will vary. See the website for available line-ups.

ADDRESS: 1717 N HARWOOD ST, DALLAS, TX 75201, UNITED STATES

CALL: + 1 214 922 1200

OPEN: TUESDAY-SUNDAY 11 AM TO 5 PM

6. Explore African American history at the African American Museum of Dallas

The 38,000-square-foot museum houses an informative collection and display of African American culture. It is credited for being home to one of the largest African American Folk Art collections in the United States. Besides that, there are iconic works by artists such as Arthello Beck, Clementine Hunter, and Jacob Lawrence. Enjoy an educational and fun experience for free! Entry is free except for tour groups of over 10. You’ll need tickets, however, for special events and exhibitions. Check the website for line-ups. Two hours will do for a full tour, and free public parking is available.

ADDRESS: 3536 GRAND AVE, DALLAS, TX 75210, UNITED STATES

CALL: + 1 214 565 9026

OPEN: TUESDAY-SATURDAY 11 AM TO 5 PM

7. Cool off the heat at Texas Pool

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One thing about Dallas weather is that summers will leave you sweaty and thirsty. Just like most of Texas, summers are incredibly hot. It helps to know that the Texas Pool is a family-friendly venue to cool it all off and have some fun while at it. It offers a wide range of amenities, including slides, snack bars, picnic areas, diving, beach, and water volleyball. The Texas-shaped pool attracts many and is seasonal. It’s open from Memorial to Labor Day. Swimsuits must be family-appropriate, and alcohol is prohibited during regular open hours. You can get a day pass for $30 per family.

ADDRESS: 901 SPRINGBROOK DR, PLANO, TX 75075, UNITED STATES

CALL: + 1 972 881 8392

OPEN: IN SUMMER, MEMORIAL DAY TO LABOR DAY

9. Spend the weekend at Ascend Camp & Retreat Center

This one will require that you spare the weekend to get the most out of your experience. It’s one of the largest family-oriented retreats around, and the wide range of activities and amenities here will leave you spoilt for choice! We’re talking cool cabins, a swimming pool, playing equipment for a variety of games such as archery and paintballing, fantastic hiking trails and horseback riding, camping grounds, and so much more! There are guides and instructors to ensure you’re having fun and staying safe at the same time. Depending on the package you prefer, ticket prices will differ so check out the website for options. Prices include services such as food, and you can always request a breakdown of the cost online.

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ADDRESS: 5218 KIWNIS RD, DALLAS, TX 75236, UNITED STATES

CALL: + 1 469 998 2267

OPEN: 9 AM TO 5 PM DAILY

9. Trinity Park Adventure Forest

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Looking for a family activity with that adrenaline rush? Head over to Trinity Park and get ready for a challenge. With over 20 ziplines, several rope courses, and aerial obstacles suited for different ages, everyone is bound to have a good time. The rope courses have different levels of difficulty, and the minimum age for children participants is 6 years for the main courses and 4 years for the ‘littles’ course.

There are height minimums as well, and you can check out the website below for detailed requirements. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Teens may love the military-style obstacles including cargo nets and wobble bridges, so check those out if they’re tagging along. Reservations are highly recommended, and you’ll need at least half a day to get the most out of your visit. Tickets range from $14.95 for kids to $ 59.95 for adults, subject to change. Group ticket options are available too.

ADDRESS: 1800 DOWDY FERRY RD, DALLAS, TX 75217, UNITED STATES

CALL: + 1 214 391 1000

OPEN: SATURDAY & SUNDAY 10 AM TO 6 PM

10. Eat, shop, and ice skate at Galleria Mall

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With over 200 stores, restaurants, a kids’ playing area, and an ice rink, Galleria Mall in the North Dallas neighborhood is an ideal pick for a slow Sunday afternoon for family fun. It has 3 floors and is quite spacious. There’s a food court on the third floor and an ice rink on the second floor. Grab a hearty meal, then head over for some skating.  Kids who’ve never skated before can take ice skating lessons here too. You could walk around and shop as well in any of the numerous stores available. One thing’s for sure, you’ll hardly run out of options over what to do with the kids here. The place can get quite busy, especially on weekends, and parking will quickly fill up.  Coming early might help, but either way, whether crowded or not, you’ll hardly go wrong with this mall when it comes to family time.

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ADDRESS: 13350 DALLAS PKWY, DALLAS, TX 75240, UNITED STATES

CALL: + 1 972 702 7100

OPEN: MONDAY-SATURDAY 10 AM TO 8 PM, SUNDAY 12 PM TO 6 PM

Dallas offers more than what we’ve listed if you’re looking for things to do with kids in the city. We’ve barely scratched the surface! You’re sure to find lots of fun-filled activities to keep everyone entertained and engaged. Happy travel!