Things to do with kids in Fort Worth, TX
Checked · All times are local Central Time (Fort Worth time)
Coming up in Fort Worth: Treat Street Stockyards Spooktacular (Oct 31), Fort Worth YMCA Turkey Trot (1K Gobbler Trot for kids, Nov 26), Christmas in the Garden at Fort Worth Botanic Garden (from Nov 20) and 4 more events. 8 always-open places, led by Fort Worth Zoo, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and Fort Worth Herd Cattle Drive (Stockyards). Prices and hours come from each official site.
Halloween & fall events in Fort Worth
Treat Street Stockyards Spooktacular
- When
- Sat, Oct 31 · 12–4pm
- Cost
- Not stated
- Ages
- Ages 12 and under (trick-or-treating) · Outdoor
Trick-or-treating for kids 12 and under in costume at participating Stockyards Station and Mule Alley shops, plus face painting and a Halloween show.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Thanksgiving events in Fort Worth
Fort Worth YMCA Turkey Trot (1K Gobbler Trot for kids)
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · 1K Gobbler Trot 7:45am; 5K and 8K 8:30am
- Cost
- Registration required
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Thanksgiving morning 5K, 8K and a 1K Gobbler Trot for kids downtown. Strollers and dogs are welcome; the first 1,000 Gobbler Trot kids get a finisher award.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: Santa and lights
Christmas in the Garden at Fort Worth Botanic Garden
- When
- Fri, Nov 20 – Sun, Jan 3 (Evenings Nov 20–Jan 3; Santa visits nightly through Dec 24) · Timed entry every 15 minutes, 5:30–9pm
- Cost
- Timed-entry tickets required
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Evening holiday light installations across the garden, including the Winter Cathedral and a glowing bluebonnet field, plus Santa's Village with photos every night through Christmas Eve.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
GM Financial Parade of Lights
- When
- Sun, Nov 22 · Starts 6pm
- Cost
- Free to attend; reserved Street Seats sold separately
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
More than 100 lighted floats, marching bands and a Santa and Mrs. Claus finale. Route: east on Weatherford St, south on Commerce St to 9th St, west to Houston St, north to 2nd St, then Throckmorton St south to 3rd St.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
New Year's events in Fort Worth
Noon Year's Eve at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
- When
- Thu, Dec 31 · 10am–noon
- Cost
- Included with museum admission
- Ages
- Ages Kids & families · Indoor
Celebrate the new year kid-style with photos, crafts and New Year's activities, then the museum's biggest confetti drop of the year in the atrium at noon.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Storytimes and free museum days
Family Story Time at Southwest Regional Library
- When
- Sat, Oct 31 – Sat, Nov 28 (Saturdays) · 10:30–11:30am
- Cost
- Library program
- Ages
- All ages with a grown-up · Indoor
Stories, songs and activities in a fun, interactive setting for children of all ages and their grown-ups.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Free Fridays at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
- When
- Fri, Nov 6 – Fri, Dec 18 (Fridays) · 10am–8pm
- Cost
- Free
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
General admission is free every Friday, when the museum stays open until 8pm. Visitors under 18 are always free. Galleries are closed through Oct 30 for a fall closure, and the museum is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
✓ 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.
Fort Worth Zoo
- Price
- Adult $22 · Child $18 (child 3-12)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Open daily 10am–5pm; half-price Wednesdays
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
- Price
- $$ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Science, history, planetarium and dinosaur exhibits; Tue–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun noon–5pm
Fort Worth Herd Cattle Drive (Stockyards)
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Longhorns driven down East Exchange Ave in front of the Livestock Exchange Building daily at 11:30am and 4pm, weather permitting; no drive on Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Fort Worth Botanic Garden
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Open 8am–5pm (last entry 4pm); see the site for free admission days
Kimbell Art Museum
- Price
- Collection always free; special exhibitions ticketed
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Admission to the collection is always free; special exhibitions are ticketed
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Log Cabin Village
- Price
- Adults $7, youth (4–17) $6, under 4 free (prices rise $1 on Jan 1, 2027)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Living-history village of 1800s Texas cabins; Tue–Sat 9:30am–4pm (last admission 3pm); free parking
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge
- Price
- Adults (13–64) $6, children (3–12) $2, seniors $3; under 3 free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Bison, prairie dogs and 20+ miles of trails; Oct–Apr 8am–5pm, no entry after 4pm
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Fort Worth Water Gardens
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Downtown terraced fountains and pools; open daily 6am–10pm; no wading or swimming
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Fort Worth this weekend?
This weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1) we list 2 family events in Fort Worth: Treat Street Stockyards Spooktacular (Sat) and Family Story Time at Southwest Regional Library (Sat).
What time is trick-or-treating in Fort Worth?
Sunset on Halloween in Fort Worth is at 6:39 p.m. Fort Worth doesn't list official trick-or-treat hours, so plan around dusk. Stockyards: Treat Street Stockyards Spooktacular, Sat., Oct. 31, 12–4 p.m., Stockyards Station and Mule Alley.
What Halloween events are in Fort Worth in 2026?
We list 1 Halloween or fall event in Fort Worth: Treat Street Stockyards Spooktacular (Sat, Oct 31).
What are free things to do with kids in Fort Worth?
These are free according to their official sites: 3 places and 2 upcoming events in Fort Worth, including Fort Worth Herd Cattle Drive (Stockyards), Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth Water Gardens and GM Financial Parade of Lights (Sun, Nov 22). See all 5 above.
Where can kids play indoors in Fort Worth when it's too hot or rainy?
We list 2 indoor places in Fort Worth: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and Kimbell Art Museum (Collection always free).
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in Fort Worth?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in Fort Worth: Fort Worth YMCA Turkey Trot (1K Gobbler Trot for kids, Thu, Nov 26). Our Thanksgiving weekend guide for the Dallas–Fort Worth area has more nearby.
When and where can kids see Santa in Fort Worth?
We list 2 events with Santa in Fort Worth, 1 free: Christmas in the Garden at Fort Worth Botanic Garden (Nov 20 – Jan 3) and GM Financial Parade of Lights (Nov 22). Our Santa guide for the Dallas–Fort Worth area has more nearby.
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Fort Worth?
We list 2 holiday light events in Fort Worth, 1 free: Christmas in the Garden at Fort Worth Botanic Garden (Nov 20 – Jan 3) and GM Financial Parade of Lights (Nov 22, free). Our holiday lights guide for the Dallas–Fort Worth area has more nearby.
Are there storytimes or regular kids' programs in Fort Worth?
We list 2 everyday programs in Fort Worth, 1 free: Family Story Time at Southwest Regional Library (Saturdays) and Free Fridays at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (Fridays).
What is there to do with toddlers in Fort Worth?
We list 4 places in Fort Worth that welcome kids under 2, including Fort Worth Zoo, Fort Worth Botanic Garden and Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge. See all 4 above. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
What are the big family attractions in Fort Worth?
The best-known family attractions we list in Fort Worth are Fort Worth Zoo (kids 3–12 $18), Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and Fort Worth Herd Cattle Drive (Stockyards, Free). They're listed first under always-open places.
How much do Fort Worth family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 3 places in Fort Worth: Fort Worth Zoo (adult $22, kids 3–12 $18) and Log Cabin Village (Adults $7, youth, 4–17 $6, under 4 free, prices rise $1 on Jan 1, 2027). See all 3 above. Confirm before you go; prices change.
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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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