18 Free Things To Do in Dallas With Kids

Sarah D.:  The trails at Rowlet Creek Perserve traverse an incredible 97-acres of woods and prairie running along the Rowlett Creek. The preserve is generally flat land making it a leisurely hiking area, though the trails are not paved. If the kids like to fish, Rowlett Creek is known for the Sand Bass spawning in April. In addition to hiking, the preserve has been adapted for challenging biking, so some children might enjoy off-road biking while the others hike, picnic, or grill. A lovely place to spend the day with kids!

Lisa R:  In addition to regular member-only meetups, this astronomical society hosts public star gazing parties at different locations in the DFW area.

Stephanie W.:  The Interurban Railway Museum in Plano features fascinating exhibits about the history of the railroad in Dallas. Some are seasonal, such as the Holidays on the Texas Electric Railway, in which a mini railroad is set up that shows how the holidays have been celebrated on trains in our past. Tours of the museum's historic train car, Car 360, are available as well. A must-see for history and train-loving kids!

Cost: Free

Sarah D.:  Teach your children about the transformative effect of a farm! Bonton Farm is located in a small south Dallas neighborhood previously identified as a food desert. Bonton Farms opened its doors to help change the neighborhood from within by "restoring lives, creating jobs and igniting hope"!

Bonton Farms offers tours on select days, be sure to call ahead!

Age: all ages

Cost: Free!

This popular lake in Dallas is an urban oasis, with a 9-mile running and biking trail around the lake, as well as several playgrounds, picnic areas, bird-watching areas, and kayaks available for rent. The Dallas Arboretum sits on the lake, too.

Jim Montgomery Swim School believe that the love of aquatics starts young. We teach babies through adults how to become confident and safer swimmers as well as train kids in developmental and pre-competitive swimming. Now offering a masters swim program

Lisa R:  Dallas Park and Recreation Department's Best Buy Teen Tech Center is an innovative, creative, out-of-school learning space where young people can work with adult mentors to pursue their interests in programming, graphic design, robotics, engineering and more!

The McKinney Avenue Trolley is a fun, historic way to travel around Dallas for free! These vintage trolley cars were all built between 1909 and 1926 and were all in service through the 1950s. The lines reopened in 1989 as a tribute to the old transit system, and they are now in service 365 days a year throughout Uptown!

General admission to the Dallas Museum of Art is always free. They do require visitors to have a ticket for entry. There's plenty to see and do at DMA! Be sure to check out their family programs. Whether you're looking for quiet time with your baby, messy fun for your preschooler, or an art workshop for your tween, they have something for everyone.

With a dedicated children's park & play area, botanical & butterfly gardens, game carts with board games and daily special activities for children (i.e., water gun fights, STEM activities, concerts, storytimes), this is one of the best parks in Dallas! Food trucks are on site for when the family gets hungry.

Stephanie W.:  Spend the day at Farmers Branch Historic Park! You can picnic with your family during the day, and when the moon and stars come out, the Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas will be there to provide awesome telescopes to view deep space objects. If you have your own telescope at home, you are encouraged to bring it as well!

Stephanie W.:  The Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge is the most iconic bridge in Dallas! Located near Trinity Groves, it provides the city with a beautiful addition to its skyline, and helps connect the north and south parts of the city. It can be used as a pedestrian bridge though many cars use it daily, and events are held on it throughout the year, making exploring it a great addition to any staycation!

Cost: Free to walk across

Nash Farm always offers free admission. Grapevine’s agrarian traditions are preserved at Nash Farm, which includes the original 1869 farmhouse, historic barn and other structures. The farm grounds, petting zoo, historic structures and exhibits are open for self-guided tours during regular business hours, and also offer fun and educational family-friendly events throughout the year.

Stephanie W.:  Grapevine's Botanical Gardens at Heritage Park is a hidden gem right between Dallas and Fort Worth. You'll find a butterfly garden, ponds, a large fountain at the Great Lawn, and so much more. This is such a great spot for families to enjoy the fresh outdoors and see beautiful flowers and wildlife!

Sarah D.:  River Legacy Parks is described as the "crown jewel of Arlington's park system." The park itself is over 1,000 acres with extraordinary park amenities including playgrounds, a world class nature center, and a life size skeleton of a T-Rex. The two options for a stroll in nature - River Legacy nature walk and River Legacy hiking trail - account for 8 miles of easy or easy/intermediate, paved excursions into a real urban escape. River Legacy is the perfect way to enjoy a day in nature with the family!