The 11 Best Things to do with Kids in Fort Worth

1. Visit SeaQuest

Journey to SeaQuest Ft. Worth, the ultimate land and sea adventure! SeaQuest is home to some of Texas aquariums’ most unique and interactive experiences! Not only will you see some of the most diverse sea creatures in the world, but you’ll also discover mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and amphibians from around the planet! This is a hands-on adventure, as visitors get to touch, feel, and feed animals from various habitats around the world.  

You’ll journey through the Amazon Rainforest, Caribbean, Mayan Jungle, and Pirate Island as you interact with sharks, snakes, turtles, and lizards during your quest. Are you a fan of sloths? Come hang with “Flash” the Sloth! SeaQuest Ft. Worth offers one of the very few sloth encounters in Texas. You’ll get to feed and pet him directly while snapping some “flashy” selfies. 

2. The Dallas Zoo

As the largest zoo in Texas, the Dallas Zoo is one of the more classic things to do in Dallas-Fort Worth with kids. From tigers and gorillas to giraffes and exotic birds, the kids will be wowed by seeing in person all kinds of creatures they’ve only ever seen pictures of or heard about. Special encounters and experiences are offered at the Dallas Zoo, such as giraffe feedings and shows and special lessons from the zoologists who work there.

3. Peppa Pig World of Play 

Peppa Pig World of Play is an indoor play facility (themed after the popular kids’ show) that allows children to freely explore various games, rooms, and fun features like musical instruments that engage their minds and help develop their imagination. There are 14 different play areas with different features that make the Peppa Pig world more real than ever. Whether you’re looking for a place to host a birthday party or just looking for a simple outing with the kids, Peppa Pig World of Play is a DFW option that will almost certainly resonate with your children due to the show’s worldwide popularity.

4. The Crayola Experience

Located in the Shops at Willow Bend in Plano, the Crayola Experience offers a creative outlet for children to express themselves with color. There are fun activities like making art with melted crayon wax, coloring with a colossal caddy of crayons, and making sculptures out of a special fluffy compound. There’s also a playground, a show to watch, and even a cafe for meals and snacks, which is always a plus when looking for things to do in Dallas-Fort Worth with kids! Your family won’t be disappointed you spent the morning or afternoon enjoying the beauty of color at The Crayola Experience.

5. Perot Museum of Nature and Science

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is chock-full of fun for kids and parents alike. Families can stargaze and enjoy the wonders of space in the Expanding Universe Hall, behold dinosaurs from prehistoric times in the Life Then and Now Hall, and enjoy the beauty of rocks of all kinds in the Lydia Hill Gems and Minerals Hall, all of which are permanent exhibits. Plenty of other permanent and temporary exhibits cover all kinds of topics, from engineering and science to sports and meteorology. There’s also a children’s museum there for younger children and a 4k digital projection theater where you can catch films both in 2D and 3D.

6. KidZania

One of the most unique experiences in the DFW area, KidZania offers your children a fun chance to learn and grow in their decision-making skills. Designed especially for children ages 4 to 14 (though younger toddlers and babies are also allowed), KidZania is essentially a 100,000 square-foot play city where children can choose a profession, work and fulfill tasks to earn kidZo (the currency of KidZania), and then spend that money (or even put it in a pretend savings account). These lessons in financial literacy are unique and can be a great way to start teaching your kids about money management while having fun! Amongst all the things to do in Dallas-Fort Worth with kids, KidZania offers a totally unique and enriching experience for your kids and is well worth the visit.

7. Reunion Tower

Standing at over 550 feet, Reunion Tower is an observation deck where you can spend anywhere from five minutes enjoying the view of the city to a couple of hours celebrating a birthday. The observation deck is both indoor and outdoor. There are various events hosted there throughout the year for kids and adults alike, so be sure to check their calendars to plan your family visits accordingly. Incidentally, if you and your significant other are ever in the DFW area without the kids, Reunion Tower also makes for a romantic dinner spot for date night!

8. The Dallas Arboretum

If you and your family are looking for outdoor things to do in Dallas-Fort Worth with kids so you can get some fresh air and vitamin D, the Dallas Arboretum is a perfect option. Filled with lush gardens spanning over 66 acres, this outdoor masterpiece has gorgeous flowers, stoic trees, and beautiful water features. There are cooking and horticulture classes and special activities for children in the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden, including a discovery lab and puppet shows.

9. Sci-Tech Discovery Center

The Sci-Tech Discovery Center is a place full of possibilities for kids to get creative with science-oriented activities and challenges. Open Tuesday through Sunday; it offers lots of different learning exhibits, such as bubble tables, an air pressure zone, and building challenges. The WOW stage is where you’ll find live science demonstrations, and there are also opportunities for kids to hear from female professionals who work in STEM careers (that is, careers in science, technology, engineering, and math). This can be an especially inspiring experience for kids who are interested in those fields themselves.

10. Texas Horse Park

The Texas Horse Park at the Trinity is host to two different equestrian non-profits and is one of the unique things to do in Dallas-Fort Worth with kids. One of the non-profits, River Ranch Educational Charities, offers horsemanship lessons for kids ages seven and up and trail rides for kids ages 12 and up. From time to time, River Ranch also offers free community events on the third Thursday of each month. Check their website before you visit to understand what might be good for your family. Spending time with horses can be a wonderful experience for anyone!

11. Topgolf

Topgolf, while not unique to DFW, is always a great chance to get everyone together for golfing fun. Combining a fun environment with good food and a high-tech driving range, Topgolf will be fun for golfers of any age and ability to compete or practice their swing. You’ll get a bay to yourself, however much time you want to pay for, and the chance to order snacks and drinks while you take turns swinging away. Just watch out; your kids might end up being better golfers than you think!

These 11 experiences in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are perfect for making any free weekend or family vacation as excellent and fun as it can possibly be!