15 Free Kid-Friendly Family Things to Do in Dallas with Kids
Looking for inexpensive family entertainment in Dallas?
Dallas is just the right place for you and your family.
Despite being famed for its flash and glamour, D-town is teeming with family-friendly activities that are practically free.
We’ve also compiled a list of the top family-friendly, fun-filled free activities in Dallas to assist you in planning a trip here on a tight budget.
- Dallas Museum of Art — Dallas Arts District
As a Dallas must-see attraction, this museum offers a wide range of educational programs and free exhibits.
What You’ll Experience
When traveling with children in Dallas, you should make time to visit this iconic attraction.
This museum will enthrall you with its outstanding displays because it is home to a sizable collection of artwork.
Kids can explore the several interactive displays on display at the Center of Creative Connections in addition to simply admiring the exhibits.
A range of educational programs are also offered at the museum for children and teenagers.
The best part is that none of the amazing exhibits at the museum cost a penny.
Recommended Ages
Children of all ages are sure to enjoy the displays and educational programs at the Dallas Museum of Art.
- Klyde Warren Park — Dallas Arts District
The park has plenty of fun activities, including playgrounds and splash pads.
What You’ll Experience
Want to visit a free water park in Dallas, Texas?
I recommend that you go to Klyde Wade Park.
The truth is that this isn’t a huge water park with slides, buckets, and pools.
The park does, however, include some wonderful water elements that will satisfy your kids’ hunger for splashy enjoyment.
The interactive fountain created by a caterpillar that gracefully evolves into a butterfly is our favorite water element.
And I can assure you that children will adore the sight of the water bursting from the butterfly’s wings.
The playgrounds, storytelling tree, and kid-sized amphitheater in the park make it even better.
Did we also mention that it is a venue for a number of free kid-friendly activities in Dallas?
Recommended Ages
Children of all ages can participate in programs, games, and activities all year long at Klyde Wade Park.
- Target First Saturdays — Dallas Arts District
Take advantage of this free family event to encourage your kids’ artistic side.
What You’ll Experience
Target First Saturdays are your best bet if you’re looking for kid-friendly, educational activities in Dallas.
The goal of this monthly family event, which is held on the first Saturday of each month, is to help your children find their inner Picasso.
This family tradition offers a variety of artistic games and activities to ignite your kids’ love of art, including story time, scavenger hunts, and crafts.
Recommended Ages
Children ages 9 and under will enjoy this fun session at the Nasher Sculpture Center.
- Bishop Arts District
Explore this diverse and trendy area of Dallas to the delight of your teenagers.
What You’ll Experience
Take your teenagers for a great day of exploring the diverse and picturesque streets of the Bishop Arts District.
Even moody teenagers will have a great time exploring this area with its amazing selection of galleries, eateries, and shops.
The neighborhood also boasts vibrant street art that your Instagram-obsessed teen would love.
After your family’s exploration, take your kids to Texas Theatre to see a few old movies.
Recommended Ages
Tweens and teens would benefit most from exploring this upscale area (at least 12 years old).
- Pioneer Plaza — Downtown
This downtown plaza offers a glimpse into Dallas’s beginnings.
What You’ll Experience
With a quick detour to Pioneer Plaza in Downtown Dallas, you may travel back in time and relive Dallas’ founding.
The plaza honors and remembers the pathways that brought settlers to the city with its bronze monuments.
It also serves as a cool retreat in the middle of Dallas because of its dense canopy of trees, native flora, and bubbling stream.
This attraction can also be instructive for your kids with a bit of investigation.
Recommended Ages
For visitors of all ages, Pioneer Plaza is a terrific place to stop in Dallas.
- Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge — Downtown
Take in the splendor of this magnificent and beautiful bridge.
What You’ll Experience
It is absolutely spectacular to see Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge.
The bridge will fascinate you at any time of day or night with its 400-foot steel arch and tangle of twisting wires.
This iconic cable bridge, created by the renowned Santiago Calatrava, has changed the appearance of the city’s skyline.
It’s an architectural marvel, in my opinion, a piece of art and one of the best free things to do in Dallas right now.
Recommended Ages
Children over the age of nine should visit Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge.
- Katy Trail — Highland Park
Hit the trails of this urban route to burn some extra calories while soaking in the beautiful scenery.
What You’ll Experience
Want to burn some calories?
Why not use the bike and pedestrian routes on Katy Trail to skate, stroll, jog, or go on a hike?
Amazingly, the route serves more purposes than just exercising.
You’ll pass through a variety of enticing views and interesting elements as you travel along this well-liked urban trail.
The trail has water fountains, plazas, viewpoint spots, mile markers, and overhead lighting.
Recommended Ages
Kids ages 6 and up can enjoy a pleasant outdoor experience at Katy Trail.
- Museum of Geometric and MADI Art — Uptown
Take your kids to this Dallas museum to see unique collections of art.
What You’ll Experience
The Museum of Geometric and MADI Art is unlike any other location in Dallas.
This unusual museum offers hard-edged, non-representational art, allowing you to peruse captivating geometric artwork.
The museum’s exhibits will no doubt captivate children, especially those who enjoy creating Minecraft block kingdoms.
Recommended Ages
There are exhibits at the Museum of Geometric and MADI Art that are suited for kids ages six and older.
- Crow Collection of Asian Art — Dallas Arts District
In this free museum, you can explore the diverse and captivating cultures and art of Asia.
What You’ll Experience
The Crow Collection of Asian Art provides the whole team with a vibrant and instructive experience.
It will not only show you a variety of fascinating artworks, but it will also introduce you to the civilizations of Asia.
This museum will take your family on tour through Asia, whether they are interested in learning about Japanese art or Vietnamese culture.
The museum also offers complimentary family-friendly events all year round.
Recommended Ages
Crow Collection of Asian Art is the best choice for kids ages 3 and older.
- Deep Ellum Murals — Deep Ellum
Taking a stroll through this vibrant community will give you plenty of chances to capture Instagram-worthy moments.
What You’ll Experience
Visit Deep Ellum to see Dallas’s Instagram-famous locations.
Teens will adore Deep Ellum’s amazing murals because it is known as a dynamic entertainment and energetic community.
These urban art pieces were made by the 42 Murals Project, and they range in design and style.
So gather your teenagers and indulge in as many selfies and shots as you like.
Recommended Ages
This Dallas artsy community is perfect for tweens (12 years old) and teens.
- Giant Eyeball — Downtown
Undoubtedly among Dallas’s most delightfully peculiar sights is The Giant Eyeball.
What You’ll Experience
There are unique quirks in every city.
The enormous 30-foot fiberglass eyeball is just one of the many fantastically bizarre sights and attractions in Dallas.
The Giant Eyeball is the personification of the phrase “everything’s larger in Texas,” created by acclaimed multimedia artist Tony Tasset.
And even though it’s guarded, you can still easily view this sculpture from the walkways close by.
Recommended Ages
Children as young as 9 will delight in taking images of the captivating and exquisitely weird Giant Eyeball.
- Belo Garden — Downtown
Belo Garden offers a tranquil retreat right in the middle of the city.
What You’ll Experience
Texas stone and indigenous plants come together beautifully at Belo Garden.
This 1.7-acre urban oasis provides a tranquil escape from the bustle of the city with over 100 trees and 10,000 beautiful grasses.
Visitors can also admire the garden’s many ornamental bushes and seasonally appropriate flowers.
It also frequently offers events and free kid-friendly activities in Dallas and has a water feature that may be interacted with.
Recommended Ages
Belo Garden is a stunning urban park with attractions suitable for kids of all ages.
It’s actually considered to be among the free activities to do in Dallas with babies.
- Ride a Vintage Street Car — Uptown
On one of these retro street vehicles, you may have a comfortable and cost-free tour of the city.
What You’ll Experience
Climb on the McKinney Avenue Trolley for a fun and relaxing way to visit some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
These historic air-conditioned cars take you to many places in Dallas, including the Dallas Museum of Art and Klyde Warren Park.
Find an M-Line Trolley stop to take this ride (maroon signs with a round shape).
You might also get one at the Uptown Station, which is located at 2700 Cityplace West Blvd.
Recommended Ages
On this antique streetcar trip, kids of all ages will experience a ton of thrilling moments.
- White Rock Lake — Lake Highlands
There is something for everyone to do on White Rock Lake.
What You’ll Experience
Our favorite free activities for families in Dallas are those along White Rock Lake.
This park offers plenty of chances for outdoor activities, making it ideal for active families.
Walking, fishing, running, biking, and letting the kids play at any of the five playgrounds are all options.
If you don’t feel like engaging in any physical activity, you might simply unwind and have a picnic with your friends.
You can also go on a canoeing or paddleboarding trip for a modest charge.
Take a look at the Bath House Cultural Center, which is also open to the public for no cost, to spice up your trip even more.
Recommended Ages
Visitors of all ages will enjoy the attractions of White Rock Lake.
- Downtown SkatePark — Downtown
Visit this skatepark in the city to hone your kids’ skating abilities.
What You’ll Experience
Taking a young skater with you on your trip?
Then, don’t forget to include Guapo Skateboards in your list of free activities to do in Dallas with kids.
This indoor skate park will satiate your skater’s wanderlust, rain, or shine.
Even better, there are specialists and seasoned skaters who can offer some encouraging words of guidance for your kids.
Alternatively, you might go to 4DWN SkatePark, which also features pros and mentors to assist prospective skaters.
Recommended Ages
Children ages 9 and upwards are the most suitable audience for this activity.
