Fun Things to Do in Dallas With Kids: A Local Guide for DFW Families & Nannies

Four children having fun running across a grassy play area in Dallas

8 fun things to do in Dallas with kids

Forget about the popular tourist spots, because the best family outings are found a little off the beaten path! Here are the eight family-friendly attractions worth exploring across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

1) Get creative and feed curious minds

Learning doesn’t have to feel like schoolwork. These imaginative destinations encourage children to experience, create, and discover something new.

a) Discover the magic of aviation at the Frontiers of Flight Museum

The Frontiers of Flight Museum is located right next to Dallas Love Field Airport, creating a great opportunity to combine fascinating aviation and space exploration exhibits with watching real aircraft in action.

b) Get creative at SPARK! Dallas

SPARK! Dallas is an imaginative arts playground where children can climb, explore, and exercise their creativity in workshops, pop-up activities, and open play sessions.
It's worth checking the age guidelines before visiting, as SPARK! is primarily designed for children in second grade through high school, and some activities have age restrictions.

c) Step back into Texas farming history at Penn Farm Agricultural History Center

The Penn Farm Agricultural History Center offers a fascinating glimpse into Texas farming history, where children can discover how families lived and worked on farms in the past.

2) Step outside and explore

When you’re little, the best adventures happen outdoors. The Dallas-Fort Worth area has some wonderful natural spaces where children can get muddy, spot wildlife, and discover the wilder side of Texas.

a) Turn a walk into an adventure at the River Legacy Nature Center

Your daily stroll becomes a mini science expedition at the River Legacy Nature Center! The Discovery Room features interactive environmental exhibits, while the neighboring park has miles of winding trails to explore.

Located in Arlington, River Legacy Nature Center is a lovely place to combine a little learning with time outdoors.

b) Find adventure beyond the city at Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center

Located in Cedar Hill, Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center is the ideal location to introduce children to the different landscapes, habitats, and wildlife found around North Texas.

c) Explore the wild side of Dallas at Trinity River Audubon Center

With five miles of trails winding through restored Blackland Prairie habitat, Trinity River Audubon Center is a wonderful location for a mini nature expedition with your little ones.

3) Discover something a little different

Sometimes it’s fun to swap the usual family day out for something unexpected, with an experience that offers local history, nostalgia, and Texas character.

a) See the city from a different perspective on the M-Line Trolley

All aboard! The M-Line Trolley vintage streetcars are a fun and novel way to explore Uptown and the Dallas Arts District. This free service is funded by donations, so don’t forget to drop a few coins in the fare box when you step on board. 

b) Marvel at fluttering butterflies at Texas Discovery Gardens

Step inside the Butterfly House at Texas Discovery Gardens and watch hundreds of butterflies flutter through a tropical garden. Look closely, and you’ll also find all sorts of weird and wonderful reptiles and insects hidden among the plants.

We’ve done the exploring, so all that’s left is to choose your favorite fun things to do in Dallas with kids! And if you’d love your children to enjoy more outdoor adventures, creative activities, and enriching experiences, our Lone Star Nannies caregivers are here to help. Get in touch with our team and discover how the right nanny can bring more fun and joy to family life.


Welcome to Lone Star Nannies, specialists in matching Texas families with full-time and part-time nannies, newborn night care, and on-call babysitters. With a personalized, relationship-focused approach, we’re proud to support families in Dallas–Fort Worth and surrounding North Texas suburbs with reliable long-term nanny placements, temporary care, and event childcare solutions.


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