Things to do with kids in Dallas, TX
Checked · All times are local Central Time (Dallas time)
Coming up in Dallas: Trick or Treat on Downtown Streets (Oct 31), Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot (Nov 26), Holiday at the Arboretum (from Nov 11) and 4 more events. 9 always-open places, led by Dallas Zoo, The Dallas World Aquarium and Children's Aquarium Dallas at Fair Park. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Halloween & fall events in Dallas
Trick or Treat on Downtown Streets
- When
- Sat, Oct 31 · 4–7pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Downtown Dallas, Inc.'s 8th annual Halloween night of treats and fun, followed by a Día de los Muertos parade on Commerce Street.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Thanksgiving events in Dallas
Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · Timed start 8:30am; untimed start 8:30 or 9am; Diaper Dash 8:30–11am
- Cost
- Registration required; Tots/Toddlers/Strollers $15 (prices rise closer to race day)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Thanksgiving-morning 5K and 8-mile run/walk downtown, with youth entries for ages 7–12, a tots/strollers entry for newborns to age 6 and a Diaper Dash crawl for babies.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: Santa, lights and tree lightings
Holiday at the Arboretum
- When
- Wed, Nov 11 – Sun, Jan 3 (Daily Nov 11–Jan 3; admission varies by date (exact price shown when you pick a date)) · Daytime 9am–4pm; Holiday at Night 5–10pm
- Cost
- Ticketed; prices vary by day and time (see site)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Holiday displays across the garden, including the final season of the 12 Days of Christmas gazebos. Evening Holiday at Night sessions run 5–10pm.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Dallas Zoo Lights
- When
- Fri, Nov 13 – Sun, Jan 3 (Select nights Nov 13–Jan 3; closed Dec 24–25) · 5:30–9pm
- Cost
- Tickets from $19; parking $15
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Walk-through holiday light and lantern displays at the Main Entrance, ZooNorth and the zoo tunnel. A combo ticket ($10 more) adds daytime zoo entry from 2:30pm.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Tree Lighting Celebration at Klyde Warren Park
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · 4–7pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Lighting of the Mayor's Tree with free photos with Santa, story time with Mrs. Claus, face painting, dance performances, stilt walkers and visits from Frosty and Rudolph.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Storytimes and free museum days
DMA FREE First Sundays at the Dallas Museum of Art
- When
- Sun, Nov 1 & Sun, Dec 6 (First Sunday of the month) · 11am–5pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
Free admission to DMA exhibitions on the first Sunday of the month, with drop-in Open Studio art-making (noon–4pm) and a highlights tour (2–3pm). No tickets needed; garage parking is $25.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Story Time in the Park at Klyde Warren Park
- When
- Wed, Nov 18 & Wed, Dec 16 (Monthly on Wednesdays) · 10–10:30am
- Cost
- Park program
- Ages
- Ages Young children with a grown-up · Outdoor
Outdoor story time with the Dallas Public Library in the park's Children's Park.
✓ 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.
Dallas Zoo
- Price
- Tickets from $18 (price varies by date); 2 and under free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Open 364 days (closed Dec 25); usually 9am–5pm, 9am–4pm in some winter months; parking $15
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
The Dallas World Aquarium
- Price
- Adult $34.95 · Child $24.95 (child 3-12)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Rainforest, sharks and manatees under one roof; open daily 8:30am–5pm (last entry 4pm); closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day; prices plus tax, 2 and under free
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Children's Aquarium Dallas at Fair Park
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Kid-sized aquarium in Fair Park (enter Gate 6); open daily 9am–5pm, last ticketing 4:30pm
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
- Price
- $$ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Science museum with the Moody Family Children's Museum; open 11am–5pm
Reunion Tower GeO-Deck
- Price
- $$ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Indoor/outdoor observation deck 470 ft above downtown Dallas with telescopes; general admission includes a digital photo. Timed reservations; hours vary, see site
✓ Details checked Oct 25, 2026 on the official website
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
- Price
- $$ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
66 acres including the 8-acre Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden; open daily 9am–5pm; picnics and wagons allowed
Dallas Museum of Art
- Price
- Free general admission; ticket required
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Free general admission (a ticket is required for every visitor); Wed–Sun 11am–5pm
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
City Park (Old City Park / Dallas Heritage Village)
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Dallas's first park, with historic buildings dating from 1840; grounds open daily 7am–9pm; buildings Tue–Sat 10am–5pm and Sun–Mon noon–5pm unless reserved; free parking
Klyde Warren Park
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Deck park over the freeway with the Sheila and Jody Grant Children's Park; free and open daily 6am–11pm
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Dallas this weekend?
This weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1) we list 2 family events in Dallas, all free: Trick or Treat on Downtown Streets (Sat, free) and DMA FREE First Sundays at the Dallas Museum of Art (Sun, free).
What time is trick-or-treating in Dallas?
Sunset on Halloween in Dallas is at 6:36 p.m. Dallas doesn't list official trick-or-treat hours, so plan around dusk. Downtown: Trick or Treat on Downtown Streets, Sat., Oct. 31, 4–7 p.m., Main Street Garden Park.
What Halloween events are in Dallas in 2026?
We list 1 Halloween or fall event in Dallas: Trick or Treat on Downtown Streets (Sat, Oct 31, free).
What are free things to do with kids in Dallas?
These are free according to their official sites: 2 places and 2 upcoming events in Dallas, including Dallas Museum of Art, Klyde Warren Park, Trick or Treat on Downtown Streets (Sat, Oct 31) and DMA FREE First Sundays at the Dallas Museum of Art (Nov 1 and Dec 6).
Where can kids play indoors in Dallas when it's too hot or rainy?
We list 4 indoor places in Dallas: The Dallas World Aquarium (kids 3–12 $24.95), Children's Aquarium Dallas at Fair Park, Perot Museum of Nature and Science and Dallas Museum of Art (Free general admission).
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in Dallas?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in Dallas: Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot (Thu, Nov 26). Our Thanksgiving weekend guide for the Dallas–Fort Worth area has more nearby.
When and where can kids see Santa in Dallas?
We list 1 event with Santa in Dallas: Tree Lighting Celebration at Klyde Warren Park (Dec 5). Our Santa guide for the Dallas–Fort Worth area has more nearby.
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Dallas?
We list 2 holiday light events in Dallas: Dallas Zoo Lights (Nov 13 – Jan 3) and Tree Lighting Celebration at Klyde Warren Park (Dec 5). Our holiday lights guide for the Dallas–Fort Worth area has more nearby.
Are there storytimes or regular kids' programs in Dallas?
We list 2 everyday programs in Dallas, 1 free: DMA FREE First Sundays at the Dallas Museum of Art (First Sunday of the month) and Story Time in the Park at Klyde Warren Park (Monthly on Wednesdays).
What is there to do with toddlers in Dallas?
We list 5 places in Dallas that welcome kids under 2, including Dallas Zoo, The Dallas World Aquarium and Children's Aquarium Dallas at Fair Park. See all 5 above. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
What are the big family attractions in Dallas?
The best-known family attractions we list in Dallas are Dallas Zoo (Tickets from $18, price varies by date), The Dallas World Aquarium (kids 3–12 $24.95), Children's Aquarium Dallas at Fair Park and Perot Museum of Nature and Science. See all 5 above. They're listed first under always-open places.
How much do Dallas family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 2 places in Dallas: Dallas Zoo (Tickets from $18, price varies by date) and The Dallas World Aquarium (adult $34.95, kids 3–12 $24.95). 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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