Things to do with kids in Arlington, TX
Checked · All times are local Central Time (Arlington time)
Coming up in Arlington: Arlington Turkey Trot (5K & 1-Mile Fun Run, Nov 26), Arlington Holiday Lights Parade & Tree Lighting (Dec 12), STEAM Storytime at Southeast Branch Library (from Oct 28) and 1 more event. 8 always-open places, led by River Legacy Living Science Center. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Thanksgiving events in Arlington
Arlington Turkey Trot (5K & 1-Mile Fun Run)
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · 1-mile fun run/walk 8am; 5K 8:30am
- Cost
- $30 registration (2026 listing)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Family Thanksgiving morning 5K and 1-mile fun run/walk at Choctaw Stadium, benefiting the Miracle League of Arlington. It sold out in 2025, so register early.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: Santa, lights and tree lightings
Arlington Holiday Lights Parade & Tree Lighting
- When
- Sat, Dec 12 · Reindeer Games and Santa photos 2–5pm; parade 6pm; tree lighting after the parade; Santa photos until 9pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor + outdoor
Indoor Reindeer Games and crafts at the downtown library, bounce houses on the First Baptist North Lawn, a 6pm lighted parade, then the Mayor and Santa light the 65-foot tree. Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus follow until 9pm.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Storytimes
STEAM Storytime at Southeast Branch Library
- When
- Wed, Oct 28 – Wed, Nov 25 (Wednesdays) · 10:30–11:15am
- Cost
- Library program
- Ages
- Ages Ages 3–5 · Indoor
Stories plus hands-on science, technology, engineering, art and math play. Developmentally appropriate for ages 3–5.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Family Storytime at Ron Wright Lake Arlington Branch
- When
- Mon, Nov 2 – Mon, Nov 30 (Mondays) · 10:30–11:15am
- Cost
- Library program
- Ages
- Ages Ages 2–4 · Indoor
Weekly family storytime with books, songs and wiggles; some weeks are themed (Silly Monsters, Children's Book Week). Developmentally appropriate for ages 2–4.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
River Legacy Living Science Center
- Price
- Nature center free; Discovery Room $3 ages 3–12, $5 ages 13–59
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Nature center with live animals and trails in River Legacy Park; Mon–Sat 9am–5pm. Discovery Room closed Oct 21–Nov 6 for a new exhibit
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Arlington Museum of Art
- Price
- Free general admission
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Rotating exhibitions; Tue–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 1–5pm
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame
- Price
- Adult $9.50, ages 4–18 $7.50, 3 and under free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Bowling history with hands-on lanes; Tue–Sat 9:30am–5pm
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Six Flags Over Texas
- Price
- Ticketed; ages 2 and under free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Theme park with rides for all ages; Holiday in the Park lights, shows and Santa on select days Nov 22–Dec 30 (included with admission); check the park calendar for open days
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Meadowbrook Park Inclusive Playground
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Inclusive playground near downtown Arlington
✓ Details checked Oct 25, 2026 on the official website
River Legacy Park
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
1,300-acre city park along the Trinity River with trails, forest and wetlands; open daily 5am–10pm
Veterans Park
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Playgrounds for ages 2–5 and 5–12, trails and a pond
✓ Details checked Oct 25, 2026 on the official website
George W. Hawkes Downtown Library
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Downtown library with a large children's area and storytimes
✓ Details checked Oct 25, 2026 on the official website
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Arlington this weekend?
River Legacy Living Science Center, Arlington Museum of Art and International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame are open most days, but we don't have an Arlington event listed for this weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1). Next up: Arlington Turkey Trot (5K & 1-Mile Fun Run, Nov 26) and Arlington Holiday Lights Parade & Tree Lighting (Dec 12).
What time is trick-or-treating in Arlington?
Sunset on Halloween in Arlington is at 6:38 p.m. Arlington doesn't list official trick-or-treat hours, so plan around dusk.
What are free things to do with kids in Arlington?
These are free according to their official sites: 1 place in Arlington, including Arlington Museum of Art.
Where can kids play indoors in Arlington when it's too hot or rainy?
We list 3 indoor places in Arlington: Arlington Museum of Art (Free general admission), International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame (Adult $9.50, ages 4–18 $7.50, 3 and under free) and George W. Hawkes Downtown Library.
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in Arlington?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in Arlington: Arlington Turkey Trot (5K & 1-Mile Fun Run, Thu, Nov 26). Our Thanksgiving weekend guide for the Dallas–Fort Worth area has more nearby.
When and where can kids see Santa in Arlington?
We list 1 event with Santa in Arlington: Arlington Holiday Lights Parade & Tree Lighting (Dec 12). Our Santa guide for the Dallas–Fort Worth area has more nearby.
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Arlington?
We list 1 holiday light event in Arlington: Arlington Holiday Lights Parade & Tree Lighting (Dec 12). Our holiday lights guide for the Dallas–Fort Worth area has more nearby.
Are there storytimes or regular kids' programs in Arlington?
We list 2 everyday programs in Arlington: STEAM Storytime at Southeast Branch Library (Wednesdays) and Family Storytime at Ron Wright Lake Arlington Branch (Mondays).
What is there to do with toddlers in Arlington?
We list 5 places in Arlington that welcome kids under 2, including River Legacy Living Science Center, Meadowbrook Park Inclusive Playground and River Legacy Park. See all 5 above. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
How much do Arlington family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 2 places in Arlington: River Legacy Living Science Center (Nature center free) and International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame (Adult $9.50, ages 4–18 $7.50, 3 and under free). Confirm before you go; prices change.
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
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