Gabby Cullen

Gabby Cullen has over 15 years of media experience, starting in public relations before moving to the editorial side in 2009. With a decade of expertise in parenting and lifestyle, she balances her work as an editor and writer while navigating life as a mom of two. An avid reader and true crime podcast fan, Gabby lives in Dallas, TX with her family. Find her on Instagram and Threads @gabbycullen.

Latest posts by Gabby

The Gateway to the Ozarks Needs to Be on Your Travel Bucket List

Submitted by Gabby Cullen on Wed, 08/27/2025 - 9:15am

Dogwood Canyon Nature Preserve is one of the most popular Ozark tourist attractions.

Springfield, MO, and the surrounding areas are known as the gateway to the Ozarks: a stunning region in the heart of America filled with caves, springs, forests, and vast limestone formations. It’s also home to Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro, and one of the country’s most important conservationists.

His foundation has created nature parks and important educational institutions that put the spotlight on his home state far more than a certain Netflix show could ever hope to do. And while I loved watching Jason Bateman captain his boat among the fingers of the Lakes of the Ozarks, it was by exploring the land preserved by Mr. Morris’s that I was able to truly understand the historical and natural impact and wild beauty of the Ozarks.

Springfield, along with the nature preserves that fall under the Johnny Morris Foundation umbrella, is just an eight-hour drive northeast of Dallas, near Branson, one of the most popular Ozark tourist attractions for North Texans. If you’re planning on exploring this beautiful part of the country on your next vacation, include the gateway to the Ozarks in your itinerary.

17 Things To Do with Dallas-Fort Worth Babies Before They Turn One

Submitted by Gabby Cullen on Sun, 08/24/2025 - 12:32pm

The Rory Meyer's Children Garden is one of the best things to do with baby in DFW. Photo by Gabby Cullen

If you think your baby's first year is going to be nothing but naps, diapers, and spit up, think again. There are tons of things to do with a baby in DFW, making it hard to know where to start, so we've put together what we call our "baby bucket list" for the metroplex, and it's got everything from splash pads to hands-on playtime. storytime, and even a Mommy & Me class. The best part? Almost every activity is free for your baby! The only thing stopping you from doing it all is getting all your gear in the car before nap time hits.

School Calendars 2025-2026: Start & End Dates for Dallas-Fort Worth Schools

Submitted by Gabby Cullen on Sun, 08/10/2025 - 12:19pm

Get ahead of planning vacations for your students with their official school calendars! Photo courtesy Canva

It's not too soon to start thinking about next year! School calendars for the largest school districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex for the 2025-2026 school year are below, and you'll want to bookmark the page now for reference—especially when planning family vacations or booking summer camps (you know they'll fill up quickly!). Follow the links for each district below for details on school holidays and semester breaks, as well as to stay up-to-date on any last-minute changes from your local district.

Dallas Family Fun: 23 Last-Chance Summer Adventures Before School Starts

Submitted by Gabby Cullen on Sun, 08/03/2025 - 2:41pm

A great end-of-summer activity is spending the day at Safari Splash at the Fort Worth Zoo. Photo courtesy Fort Worth Zoo

The new school year is right around the corner, and we’re betting that if you hear the words “I’m bored” one more time, you’ll be camping out in front of their new classroom door. To help you make it through these last couple of weeks, we’ve rounded up the best end-of-summer activities in Dallas, Fort Worth, and the rest of the metroplex.

From family-friendly Dallas attractions to free kid-friendly events in Dallas and elsewhere, here’s what you should cross off your summer bucket list before school starts. Be sure to also visit our DFW Summer Activities Guide to find more family fun ideas, and subscribe to our email list to get stories just like this delivered straight to your inbox.

New On-Demand Laundry Service in DFW Is Perfect for Busy Families

Submitted by Gabby Cullen on Sun, 08/03/2025 - 10:07am

NoScrubs laundry service has arrived in DFW. Photo courtesy NoScrubs

If there’s one thing all parents can agree on, it’s that having kids means you’ll be doing lots and lots of laundry. From the moment you bring them home until they’re tossing their socks on the floor of their rooms as teens, the piles of clothes, whether they’re dirty or clean, never go away. What if there was a way to (literally) lighten the load? A new on-demand laundry service has just come to North Texas, and if getting your laundry done is something you’d love to check off your to-do list permanently, NoScrubs could be the perfect fit.

Co-founder and CEO, Matt O’Connor, launched Instacart in Austin, so he’s no stranger to helping people make their busy lives easier. "Unfortunately, the laundry burden usually falls on moms. I grew up with a working mom who didn't have time to do the family's laundry. When people would come over, we would make sure to shut the laundry room door because the floor was covered in laundry waiting to be done," he says.

Beat the Heat: 15 Cool Things To Do With Kids on Hot Days in Dallas-Fort Worth

Submitted by Gabby Cullen on Sun, 07/20/2025 - 12:54pm

Nothing beats a special cold treat on a summer day, and we know where to go! Photo by Elsa Simcik

North Texas families are no strangers to hot summer days, but when it comes to thinking up ways to beat the heat, everyone can use a little inspiration. Since the temps can rise into the triple digits more often than not in July and August, making outdoor adventures almost impossible without a way to cool off, knowing the best things to do during a heat wave in DFW is a game-changer.

From the best free indoor activities in Dallas-Fort Worth to tips on how to keep kids cool in summer, our guide of TKTK ways to beat the heat will come in handy more than once before cooler weather hits.

If you're looking for more summer fun, check out our Dallas-Fort Worth Summer Guide for Kids.

The Westin Stonebriar Resort Is a Staycation Dream Come True

Submitted by Gabby Cullen on Wed, 07/16/2025 - 11:14am

A picture of the pool at the Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa

The Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa is one of those spots that has everything a family needs for a quick staycation. Amazing pool? Check. Great food? Check. A location that’s a few minutes away from fantastic family fun? Check! I recently spent a weekend at this popular North Texas hotel, and if you need a way to beat the heat and get the kids out of a summer slump, this is the place to do it.

If you're looking for more fun summer ideas, check out our guide to the best activities, deals, and things to do in DFW.

9 Best Lazy Rivers in Dallas & Fort Worth for Kids

Submitted by Gabby Cullen on Sun, 07/13/2025 - 11:07am

Take a leisurely float on North Texas' longest indoor lazy river at Epic Waters. Photo courtesy of Epic Waters

Summer in North Texas often means finding a body of water and spending plenty of time in it. Luckily, there are lazy rivers in Dallas, Fort Worth and the rest of the metroplex that are not only an easy way to cool off, but they're perfect if you aren't a huge fan of the thrills that come from some of the other water attractions out there: You can get away from the busy lines of the water slides, enjoy the current that pulls you along, and you can watch the kids as they swing or float by. Some are attached to family-friendly hotels, and some are in bigger waterparks, but all of them promise fun for the whole family.

Looking for more activities to cool off from the summer heat? Check out our massive Dallas-Fort Worth Kids Summer Guide for all things summer vacation, with awesome ideas about ways to entertain, save money, and have fun this summer!

Gabby Cullen

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