Fun and Free Family Activities in Dallas and Fort Worth
Cedar Hill State Park at 1570 FM 1382, ten miles south of Dallas has the best bike trails. On the weekends you can’t stir the bicycles with a stick. For information, call 972-291-3900.
The best free entertainment for a kid can be found at Founder’s Plaza at DFW International Airport at 2829 30th Street (Carbon Road) in Dallas. Little kids who like airplanes, trucks, and other big stuff will truly be thrilled to spend an hour watching the jets come and go from this busy airport.
The best place to see pets run wild is at the Off-Leash Dog Park at Mockingbird Point near the intersection of Mockingbird and West Lawther. The city set aside some park land at the northeast corner of the lake. For information, call 214-670-4100.
The best playground is at Andrew Brown Community Park East at 260 E. Parkway Boulevard in Coppell. The town doesn’t exactly come to mind when thinking about the Disneyland of outdoor play spaces but nestled within the 148 acres of the Park is a veritable imagination plantation that can soothe the hyperactive souls of children of all ages.
The best rainy-day activity with the kids can be found at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World at 2501 Bass Pro Drive in Carrollton. A giant aquarium, boats to climb on, tents to test, giant stuffed catfish pillows, fishing equipment no one even knew existed, a driving and putting range – what more do you need to keep the kids intrigued for a few hours, short of a Pokemon? If you’re really lucky you might just catch an elk-calling contest or a seminar and there are always those fly-tying demos. For information, call 972-724-2018.
Another great playground is at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children at 2222 Welborn Street (214-559-5000). It’s true you can’t just waltz, a passel of pikers in tow, onto this specially designed park at the Dallas hospital for children with severe orthopedic problems. But if you call ahead and make a reservation, this place can provide all ages of childish folk hours of safe and athletic fun.
The Fort Worth Nature Center, located just inside the city limits of Fort Worth at 9601 Fossil Ridge Road, has free admission and accepts donations. At over 3,600 total acres, the Center and Refuge, the largest city-owned nature center in the U.S., offers residents and visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the natural history of north central Texas. The Center is open daily (except major holidays) from 9-5 and is located on the northwest side of Fort Worth, four miles west of I-820 on Jacksboro Highway (Highway 199). Financial support for the Center comes from the City of Fort Worth Parks and Community Services Department. For information call 817-237-1111.
At NorthPark Center Mall in Dallas you can have storytime with Santa through Dec. 23rd this year, offered once daily, free of charge. Children of all ages can gather in Santa’s Victorian-style sitting room and listen to 30-minute tales about life at the North Pole with elves and reindeer. Located on Level Two next to Neiman Marcus. The mall’s address is 1030 NorthPark Center.
Scrooge at NorthPark is featured through Christmas Eve this year for the 28th year in his unique theatre with free performances daily which includes an interactive puppet show in the Step Court near Dillard’s.
The 2005 Sounds of the Season can be heard through Dec. 24th also at NorthPark where each year choral, orchestral, and dance groups from all over the DFW area perform holiday programs. Locations are at the Fountain Court at Dillard’s and the new Nordstrom Court.
