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Things to Do in Dallas with Kids
Dallas is a great family city once you know where to aim. Big-name museums cluster in the Arts District, the city's best green space wraps around White Rock Lake, and a short drive gets you to aquariums, LEGO and some of the best holiday lights in Texas. This guide is organized by area so you can plan days without spending them on the highway, with parent tips from our local guides and free picks flagged.
We run a donut and sweet treats tour on Lowest Greenville, just a few minutes from White Rock Lake and the Dallas Arboretum, so we've included our favorite way to pair the two.
By the Underground Donut Tour team · Updated November 2026
At a glance
- Free favorites: Klyde Warren Park, the Dallas Museum of Art (free general admission), White Rock Lake's trail and playgrounds
- Rainy day picks: Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas World Aquarium, Museum of Illusions Dallas
- Sweet treat: Our Dallas donut and sweet treats tour welcomes kids 2 and up, with kids' tickets from $55
Kid-friendly things to do in Dallas, by neighborhood
Downtown and the Arts District
Klyde Warren Park
FreeA deck park over the freeway with a children's park, splash fountains, a dog park, food trucks and free programming most days.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Rainy day pickFive floors of dinosaurs, gems, sports science and hands-on exhibits. One of the best kids' museums in Texas.
Parent tip: Go when it opens and head to the top floor first, then work your way down.
Dallas Museum of Art
FreeFree general admission. Look for the family art-making spaces on the lower level.
Dallas World Aquarium
Rainy day pickA rainforest you walk down through, with sloths, penguins and manatees.
Museum of Illusions Dallas
Rainy day pickMind-bending rooms and photo spots in the West End at 701 Ross Ave, freshly expanded in 2025.
Parent tip: Klyde Warren Park sits right between the Perot Museum and the Dallas Museum of Art, so it's the perfect place to let kids burn off energy between museums.
White Rock Lake, Lakewood and Lower Greenville
White Rock Lake
FreeA 9-mile loop trail for bikes and strollers, playgrounds and lake views.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
66 acres on the lake, including the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden, an outdoor science garden built for kids.
Lower Greenville
A walkable strip of restaurants, ice cream and sweet shops, and home to our Dallas donut tour.
Parent tip: Pair the morning donut tour on Lower Greenville with an afternoon at the Arboretum or a bike ride around White Rock Lake. They're only a few minutes apart.
Fair Park and South Dallas
Fair Park
Home of the State Fair of Texas every fall, plus the Children's Aquarium at Fair Park year-round.
Day trips around Dallas
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas/Fort Worth
In Grapevine Mills, with LEGO builds, rides and a 4D cinema for younger kids.
SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium
Next door at Grapevine Mills, easy to pair with LEGOLAND Discovery Center.
Fort Worth Stockyards
Catch the cattle drive, twice daily, plus Western shops and rodeo history.
Frisco and Plano
Big parks and kid-friendly entertainment centers just north of the city.
Sweet treats and kid-friendly eats
Underground Donut Tour (kids' tickets from $55, ages 2 and up). Our Dallas Donut and Sweet Treats Tour walks Lowest Greenville, one of the city's most fun food streets, with stops for donuts, churros, macarons and more. Guides set the pace around your group, which is a big help with little ones.
Taste Dallas's best donuts on one walk
Kids 2 and up are welcome. Guides set an easy pace for little legs.
Parent tip: Let us know about allergies or dietary needs when you book, and download our free Kids' Activity Book for the trip.
What families say about our Dallas tours
"We had so much fun exploring a small section of Dallas! All the donuts, churros, macaroons and other items were so delicious. The tour guide Ashley was amazing. She was funny, engaging and paced the tour to fit the needs of my family (kids 1year-5)."
Anne D., Google, March 2026
All 5-star guest reviews.
Exploring on your own? Our Best Donut Shops in Dallas guide lists the city's best donut shops by neighborhood, and Best Holiday Donuts in Dallas covers seasonal treats.
Sample days
Day 1: Lakewood and the lake
- Morning: donut tour on Lowest Greenville.
- Lunch nearby.
- Afternoon at the Dallas Arboretum and the Children's Adventure Garden.
- Sunset at White Rock Lake.
Day 2: Arts District
- Perot Museum when it opens.
- Lunch from the food trucks at Klyde Warren Park.
- Playtime in the children's park.
- The Dallas World Aquarium or the Museum of Illusions.
Day 3: Zoo or day trip
- Morning at the Dallas Zoo.
- Or head to Grapevine for LEGOLAND Discovery Center.
- Add SEA LIFE next door.
- Back to Dallas for dinner.
Dallas with kids by season
Holidays (mid-November to early January)
- Holiday at the Arboretum: Nov 11, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027. This is the final season of the 12 Days of Christmas gazebos, so expect extra crowds. Kids under 3 free.
- Dallas Zoo Lights: select nights Nov 13, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027.
- The Trains at NorthPark: a model train display that kids love during the holiday season.
- Klyde Warren Park tree lighting: free, with holiday music. See Best Holiday Donuts in Dallas for seasonal treats.
The rest of the year
- Spring: Dallas Blooms at the Arboretum brings tulips and color across the gardens.
- Summer: go early, then head indoors to the Perot, the aquariums or the Museum of Illusions during the afternoon heat.
- Fall: the State Fair of Texas at Fair Park, with rides, fried everything and the Big Tex photo op.
- Winter: mild days that are great for the Zoo and the lake trail.
Dallas with kids FAQ
Is the Dallas donut tour good for kids?
Yes. Kids 2 and up are welcome, the route is a short flat walk on Lowest Greenville, and guides pace the tour for families. Kids' tickets start at $55.
What are free things to do in Dallas with kids?
Klyde Warren Park, the Dallas Museum of Art, White Rock Lake's trail and playgrounds, and the Klyde Warren Park holiday tree lighting.
What's the best indoor activity in Dallas for kids?
The Perot Museum is the top pick, followed by the Dallas World Aquarium and the Museum of Illusions.
Where should families stay in Dallas?
Uptown and downtown keep you close to Klyde Warren Park and the Arts District. Lakewood and East Dallas put you near White Rock Lake, the Arboretum and our tour.