What Are the Best Free Things To Do in Dallas-Fort Worth with Kids?

While there are always the go-to museums like the Dallas Museum of Art and the Kimbell Art Museum, some of the best affordable entertainment in DFW might be things you haven't tried yet. 

1. McKinney Ave. Trolley - Dallas

Hop on the iconic trolley and ride the rails in Uptown and the Arts District, two of Dallas’ most vibrant neighborhoods.

2. Crystal Canyon Natural Area - Arlington

Do your kids love geology? This cool nature spot is the place for them. One of Arlington’s newest parks, marine shales, siltstones, mudstone containing inner beds of calcareous fossil clams, gypsum layers, and fine-grained sandstone have all found here.

3. Traders Village - Grand Prairie

If you love flea markets, this is the place for you! While little kids might not have the patience to watch you haggle over prices, there’s a carnival with plenty of rides to use as bribes. 

4. Klyde Warren Park - Dallas

Dallas’ premiere open space connects the Arts District to Uptown, and there’s always something to do. Grab a bite from the daily food trucks, check out ongoing activities like story time or seasonal movie nights, or enjoy the splash grounds and kids’ play area.

5. Frisco Heritage Center - Frisco

The 16,000-square-foot museum houses exhibits and objects connected to the development of Frisco and the North Texas region. 

6. Dream Park Playground - Fort Worth

Be prepared to stay at this park for hours. It’s got everything a kid wants: swings, climbing nets, ziplines, tunnels to wiggle through, and plenty of space to run.

Free Outdoor Fun for Kids in Dallas-Fort Worth

7. Fort Worth Herd Cattle Drive - Fort Worth

If you haven’t seen the cattle drive at the Stockyards, you haven’t experienced Fort Worth. There are two drives daily, one at 11:30am and 4pm.

8. Fair Park - Dallas

While known as the home of the Texas State Fair and the Cotton Bowl, Fair Park is also one of the best places in the country to see Art Deco Architecture, as well as home to the Texas Discovery Gardens, the Children’s Aquarium of Fair Park, and the Leonhardt Lagoon Nature Walk.

9. White Rock Lake - Dallas

Walk or ride bikes on the 9.4-mile trail around the lake, watch birds, or pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the views.

10. Historic Downtown Square - McKinney

One of the best downtown squares in DFW, you can easily spend an afternoon people-watching, browsing stores, and listening to live music.

11. The Edge Skatepark - Allen

Little shredders won’t be able to get enough of this skatepark, which is one of the largest in Texas. There’s a BMX track, two in-line hockey rinks, and an indoor rec space for kids ages 10-17 with foosball, pool tables, gaming systems, and a snack bar.

12. Fort Worth Water Gardens - Fort Worth

Kids will love to wander through the three pools featured in this water attraction near Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth.

13. Freedmans Cemetary and Memorial - Dallas

Established in 1861 as a burial ground for Dallas’ early Black population, this is one of the largest Freedman Cemeteries in the country. The memorial plaza was established in 1990 to honor the history and cultural contributions of the thriving North Dallas community.

14. Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve - Plano

Plano’s largest park is over 800 acres of open space, paved and dirt trails, and creekbeds. You can kayak and paddleboard, or reserve the pavilion for outdoor events.

15. AT&T Discovery District - Dallas

If the food hall doesn’t lure you in, the 8,700 square-foot media wall and the grassy area in this urban gathering center will. Check the calendar for events like performances from local artists, movie nights, and festivals.

16. Deep Ellum Murals - Dallas

This historic Dallas neighborhood is home to tons of murals and street art, so take a tour and grab a bite to eat at one of the many family-friendly dining establishments along the way.

17. The Clearfork Farmers Market - Fort Worth

Ideally located on the edge of the Trinity River, this year-round market offers local produce, locally made artisan crafts, and live music, and it’s the gateway to 60+ miles of biking and running trails.

18. Katy Trail - Dallas

Winding its way from Uptown to the Design District, Katy Trail is one of Dallas’ best paved pathways. Ride bikes, walk, or run the path, but keep your kids close, this trail is a busy one!

19. Connemara Nature Preserve - Allen

This 72-acre nature preserve is nestled right into the suburban sprawl of Plano and Allen. Look for butterflies in The Meadow, hike the three miles of trails, or go bird-watching!

20. Trinity River Audubon Center - Dallas

A stunning nature preserve along the edge of Dallas, hike the five miles of trails, watch for birds, check out the hands-on exhibits inside the nature center, and don’t forget about their Sunday Science program!

21. Sweet Pass Sculpture Park - Dallas

A hidden gem of an art space, kids will love to check out the various pieces of sculpture that call this park home.

22. Arbor Hills Nature Preserve - Plano

This beautiful open space meanders along creek beds and fields of wildflowers and has plenty of places to stop for a picnic lunch. It’s a popular spot for good reason.

23. Village Green at Watters Creek Village - Allen

One of the most popular shopping centers in the area, there’s a green space in the middle that’s perfect for meeting friends and watching the creek rush by.

24. Dealey Plaza and JFK Memorial - Dallas

It would be hard to list all the free things to do in Dallas and not include Dealey Plaza and the JFK Memorial. While the Sixth Floor Museum requires an admission fee, you can check out the grassy knoll on your own.

25. iHeartFrisco Hearts - Frisco

Go on a scavenger hunt to find the hearts located in various spots around town.

26. Veterans Park - Arlington

Walk through the Wildscape nature area, throw discs, let the kids run wild on the playgrounds, or ride bikes on the paved trail in this vast city park.

27. Cedar Ridge Preserve - Dallas

DFW isn’t necessarily known for hiking opportunities, but Cedar Ridge Preserve is one of the best open spaces in the metroplex. Creeks, well-marked trails, and incredible skyline views are just a few reasons to visit.

28. Grapevine Glockenspiel - Grapevine

This is something you need to see! Every day at 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and 8pm, two would-be train robbers exit the tower and have an O.K. corral-worthy standoff. This is the only glockenspiel in North America, so it’s absolutely worth checking out.

29. Southern Methodist University - University Park

Stroll through this beautiful university located in the University Park neighborhood. If you want a little culture, take the kids to Meadows Museum, where admission is free for grades K-12.

30. Mandalay Canal Walk - Irving

Walk this charming district with Venice-inspired canals. If you feel like getting on the water, you can take a gondola tour, paddleboard, or even kayak. This is also where you’ll find the annual Dragon Boat, Kite, and Lantern Festival.

31. Historic Water Station Trail & Old Stone Dam - Allen

Enjoy the sunshine, and get moving on this historic trail. Kids will enjoy learning about the stone dam built in 1874 to power steam locomotives.

32. Bishop Arts District - Dallas

One of Dallas’ most vibrant neighborhoods, browse the books at The Wild Detective, check out the street art, check out all the cool things in Urban Owl, and grab an ice cream at Melt as a treat on your way home.

33. Trinity Trails - Fort Worth

Enjoy over 100 miles of trails along the Trinity River. It’s one of the best open spaces in the metroplex, and kids will love the geocaching adventures, Airfield Fallas, and Marine Creek.

34. Main Street Garden - Dallas

Smack dab in the center of downtown Dallas, this new-ish park has a playground, amazing views of the buildings, and is a hub for fun year-round events.

35. Kids Country Playground - Coppell

This fantastic all-abilities playground has plenty of shade, separate areas for little and big kids, sandboxes, mosaic animal sculptures, a pretend town, and much more.

36. Las Colinas Flower Clock - Irving

This unique clock is made completely out of flowers and greenery. It’s a fun little outing for kids.

37. Dash’s Track Disc Golf Course - Frisco

This award-winning course is one of the best disc golf courses in DFW! Kids will love practicing their “swing,” and the open space doesn’t hurt either.

38. Pioneer Plaza - Dallas

A well-known Dallas landmark, Pioneer Plaza is worth a visit. A large open space with a manmade creek and waterfall, the Longhorn cattle statues created by a North Texan artist represent the first settlers of Dallas.

39. Keist Park - Dallas

Kiest Park is one of the largest in Dallas, at over 250 acres. It contains baseball fields, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, soccer fields, and basketball courts. There’s also a second, smaller playground on the west side of the park.

40. Nash Farm - Grapevine

This is the place to go if you want to see what farm life was like in the late 19th century. They have family-friendly programs throughout the year, but be aware that those usually have a small admission fee. 

41. Joya at Oran Good Park - Farmer’s Branch

This incredible park is one of the newest in DFW, and it’s worth a visit—especially at night. Once the sun goes down, the LED lights illuminate the entire playspace. There’s a climbing sphere, a zipline, and a tot playground.

42. Vitruvian Park - Addison

19 acres of green space and a spring-fed creek make up this open space in the heart of Addison. They have several free events throughout the year, including Vitruvian Lights, the Vitruvian Nights Live music series, and the Vitruvian Salsa Festival.

43. Parr Park Rock Art Trail - Grapevine

Kids will love to discover the dozens of beautifully painted rocks that can be found between the trailhead of Wall-Farrar Nature Trail and the trail connection from Parr Park along Big Bear Creek.

44. Frisco PGA District - Frisco

This bustling spot has plenty of restaurants and shopping, but the free Friday night movies, live music events, and other fun events will keep you coming back.

45. Sculpture Trail at Richard Greene Linear Park - Arlington

If you’re in town for a Cowboys or Rangers game and have some time, head to this spot to see up to 40 pieces of sculpture and walk the paved trail perfect for letting the kids burn off energy.

46. Thanksgiving Square - Dallas

Come to gawk at the interfaith Chapel of Thanksgiving, designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize winner Philip Johnson, and stay for the self-guided tour of the square itself. Set 15 feet below street level, you’ll see stunning stained glass windows, the Golden Rule Mosaic, and stand in the 14-foot high Ring of Thanks while expressing gratitude for your loved ones.

47. Spring Creek Forest Preserve Trail - Garland

There are 14 miles of looped trail perfect for bikers, hikers, and walkers. Admire wildflowers and rushing creeks in the spring, shade trees in the summer, and playgrounds and fishing ponds all year.

48. Highland Park Village - Highland Park

There’s a reason Dallas is known for shopping, and this high-end center is a big factor. It was built in 1931 and is considered the first shopping center in the United States, and is now a historic landmark. The ambiance alone is worth hanging around here for the day, and the people-watching does not disappoint.

49. Botanical Garden at Heritage Park - Grapevine

This free botanical garden might be smaller than others in DFW, but it’s just as stunning. Let the kids enjoy Botanical Garden Creek, have quiet reflection time in Julie’s Garden, pay your respects at Memorial Knoll, and enjoy two art installations: New Season and Transition to Beauty

Free Indoor Fun for Kids in Dallas-Fort Worth

50. NorthPark Center - Dallas

This iconic mall is filled with high-end shopping (including a LEGO store), a fun courtyard perfect for running and playing, great food, Bookmarks public library, free kids’ programs, and of course—the ducks and turtles.

51. Dallas Museum of Art - Dallas

Stroll through galleries filled with art from all over the world, stop by the various kid-centric programs, or come for live music later in the evening.

52. Kimbell Art Museum - Fort Worth

Located in the heart of the Cultural District, this impressive museum offers free admission to everyone and has an impressive collection of 375 permanent pieces of art in its galleries.

53. Dallas Stars - Frisco

Watch the Dallas Stars during their practices for free at the Comerica Center.

54. Interurban Railway Museum - Plano

This is the perfect place to take little ones for the morning or afternoon! They have free story time on Fridays, and kids will love touring Historic Car 360.

55. Crow Museum of Asian Art - Dallas

This museum in the heart of the Arts District offers free admission, so wander through the collections, make your way to Klyde Warren Park, and enjoy the vibrant neighborhood.

56. J. Erik Jonnson Central Library - Dallas

Check out the new creative spaces, and see an original print of the Declaration of Independence and Shakespeare’s first folio at Dallas’ first public library.

57. African American Museum of Dallas - Dallas 

This museum doesn’t get nearly enough hype as some of Dallas’ other cultural institutions. It has one of the largest African American folk art collections in the United States and offers free programs like the bi-monthly Sankofa Youth Theatre.

58. Latino Cultural Center - Dallas

You can wander through and check out the exhibits, and make sure to check the calendar, as many family-friendly programs occur throughout the year.

59. Watermark Tree Fort - Dallas

This spot is perfect when you’re looking for an indoor playspace when the weather isn’t cooperating. Get there early—it gets busy!

60. Amon Carter Museum of American Art - Fort Worth

This museum has plenty of fun and free family programs for kids of all ages, and it’s in the heart of the Fort Worth Cultural District, so it’s easy to spend a whole day in the area.

61. Bath House Cultural Center - Dallas

Located on the eastern shore of White Rock Lake, this historical cultural center hosts multiple exhibits a year and has a black box and a lake-level stage for theater shows.

62. Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas - Dallas

View historical currency, engage with interactive exhibits, and learn about the Federal Reserve during a self-guided tour Monday-Friday. No reservation is required!

63. Historic Fielder House - Arlington

This two-story house, built in 1914, features galleries filled with exhibits relating to the history of Arlington and its surrounding communities.

64. Dallas Contemporary - Dallas

This free museum in the Design District is best for older kids, but they occasionally offer family programs!

65. Torian Cabin Museum - Grapevine

Made of hand-hewn logs, this piece of Grapevine history now resides on Main Street. It’s open for tours all year, and the decor changes with the seasons.

66. Oak Cliff Cultural Center - Dallas

With both an art gallery and a multi-purpose studio, this non-profit center aims to enrich the Dallas community through enriching and equitable programming. It’s an absolute must-visit.

67. Tot's Town & Kid's Club - Frisco

This incredible free play space is located inside the Frisco Public Library. Tot's Town is for kids ages birth-5 and offers fun activities that encourage reading, writing, and vocab skills, all through the magic of play! Kid's Club is for older siblings ages Kinder-5th grade and offers STEM-driven activities like a Race Zone, Ball Wall, and a robotics area. This is an extremely popular spot, so be prepared to get there early or be on the waitlist for a bit. 

Free Events, Festivals, and Fairs in Dallas-Fort Worth 

68. Cottonwood Arts Festival - Richardson

This semi-annual arts festival has a whole area dedicated to kid-centric craft stations. The ArtStop includes fun activities like clay play, throwing mud, making puppets, and painting pictures on canvases. There’s also the Chalk the Walk competition, where kids ages 12 and up can use their skills to create chalk masterpieces.

69. AT&T Performing Arts Center Family Weekends - Dallas

Throughout the year, you can head to Sammons Park for free family activities in the Dallas Arts District. There might be anything from petting zoos, face painting, and balloon artists to seasonal fun, including AAPI Heritage Month performances and spooky Halloween activities. As the weather gets warmer, kids can splash around in the ankle-deep Donor Pool. 

70. Good Local Markets - Dallas

With locations in Lakewood and White Rock Lake, it’s easy to spend a Saturday or Sunday morning in one of these year-round farmers markets. Not only will you find local food products, but also toys, clothes, soaps, and other goodies—all made by North Texans.

71. Frisco Rotary Farmers Market - Frisco

From March through December, come to Kaleidoscope Park for produce, meats, and other goodies made by local farmers and artisans.

72. Dallas Farmers Market - Dallas

Wander through The Shed and check out what’s in season, or head to The Market to check out local artisan shops and specialty food vendors.

73. Frisco Starfest - Frisco

This monthly stargazing event is the perfect way to spend an evening with the kids. Pack a picnic dinner and don’t forget to bring your telescope (they have some on-site, too)!

74. Basically Beethoven Hallam Concerts - Dallas

Enjoy free monthly concerts on Saturdays at 3pm, October through May, at the Central Commons in Dallas.

75. South Street Art Festival - Arlington

It’s a full weekend of fine art and live music in the heart of Arlington. Bring your lawn chair, leave the cooler at home, and bring your furry friends!

76. Dallas Symphony Community Concert Series - Dallas

Starting in early spring, the Dallas Symphony hosts free concerts through May in the Arts District. Sometimes, there’s an instrument “petting zoo!”

77. Dallas Arts Month - Dallas

In April, dozens of cultural and artistic events happen throughout Dallas, especially in the Arts District. Check out the Deep Ellum Community Arts Fair in early April, the D’JAM Jazz Stroll and the end of the month, and tons of things in between.

78. Home for the Holidays: A McKinney Christmas - McKinney

This holiday festival happens right after Thanksgiving, and it's one of the best ways to get pumped for the season in DFW. Enjoy fair rides, visits from Santa, rock climbing walls, live music, and holiday treats. 

79. KidFilm Festival - Dallas

This is the oldest and largest children's film festival in the U.S. Every January, you and your family can enjoy new releases, independent films, short films, visits from authors, and more at the Anjelika in Dallas. 

Free Fun for Kids in Dallas-Fort Worth FAQ