Best Weekend Activities for Kids

The weekend is the best time to get the family together. They are also the times when admission prices go up, and depending on size of your group, things can get too expensive. Thankfully, we’ve got tons of deals on some of the best weekend activities for kids so that both your calendar and wallet can stay full.

Top 5 Editor’s Picks

Opt for an outdoor activity to make the most of weekend family time. Here are some of our recommendations on what to do that will keep everyone enjoying the great outdoors:

1. Horseback Trail Rides at Broken Bow Ranch.
2. Group Kayak Tour at Grapevine Lake Estates.
3. One day Admission to The Texas Pool.
4. Summer scenery exhibits at the Dallas Arboretum.

Team scavenger hunt with ZeeTours.

Editor’s Picks: Great Wolf Lodge

Were the kids looking forward to spending the day splashing in the wave pool or riding every slide at the waterpark? Well, don’t let the thunderstorms stop you. Head to Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine Texas, one of the largest family of indoor water parks in the United States. Here are some of its features:

What's inside: A four-story treehouse with a 1,000-gallon tipping bucket, six water slides, two jumbo hot tubs, safe play zones for kids, a wave pool, and a lazy river.

Most extreme water slide: The Howlin' Tornado, a six-story funnel that swirls riders 30 feet up the sides in a four-person raft.

Best Kids Sports in Dallas

Sports for kids not only helps tire them out (which is good for you), but also help develop essential skills and lessons they’ll need in the future. Plus, they’re a great place to have fun and meet new friends. Here are some of our best deals on kids sports in Dallas.

Benefits of Kids Sports

Kids sports can help get out the seemingly boundless energy that children have. Just imagine: they’re in gymnastics class while you take a much needed nap, catch up your favorite show, or simply enjoy having a quiet home. In addition, sports at a young age can help build life skills, such as:

• Working with a team
• Developing motor skills and coordination
• Expanding communication
• Learning discipline
• Establishing good exercise habits

Spotlight: Art Classes for Kids (& Parents)

It takes a long time to build up the attention span for art, whether it’s music, painting, or writing, so starting with kids at a young age can help. Art can open up children’s imagination and creativity while allowing them to express themselves. It can also help improve focus and determination to complete a project. You can even join them in a drawing or painting class to create together!

Here’s what one customer had to say about Matt Burk Music Studio.

“Our daughter is 5 and this is her first experience with singing lessons. We could not be happier. Kaitlin is an amazing teacher and a perfect fit for our daughter. She is full of positive energy and genuinely invested in ours daughters success!” -Masayo P.

Live Shows for Kids in Dallas

Taking your kids to a live show is something they will remember for years to come. Dallas has plenty of options to choose from, whether it’s the latest movie that came out, the circus is in town, or some other kid-friendly event. Here are some best deals on live shows for kids in Dallas.

Pro Tip:

Save money by eating beforehand or packing meals.

Spotlight: Austin Toy Museum

Open since early 2016, the Austin Toy Museum is the culmination of decades of work by toy collector Caleb Zammit. This is a kids’ museum for children of all ages—it features more than 20,000 toys from Zammit’s personal collection, including classic action figures and video games.

Perfect for: Children young and old. There are exhibits of classic toys that children of the ‘70s and ‘80s can introduce to their kids, including Rainbow Brite, Care Bears, and Masters of the Universe.

Recommended Exhibit: The arcade. The collection boasts more than 50 video-game systems that you can actually play, including ‘80s arcade cabinets and some of the first home consoles.

See what else made the cut on our list of the Best Kid-Friendly Museums in the US.

The Best Things to Do with Kids Based on Their Age

There are so many things to do in Dallas, so it can be hard to decide how to spend your day. Unsure which activity is right for your little one? Here to make it even easier is our recommendations on fun (and, in some cases, educational) things to do with your kids based on their age.

Where to Take Little Kids (6 or Younger)

Explore a children’s museum.

Your toddler may be too young to be able to appreciate any art, which is why they design children’s museums. Full of exhibits designed to foster curiosity and creative thinking, museums are amazing places to explore with kids. Browse all deals on Dallas museums.

Spend a day at the zoo.

Zoos are home to all kinds of critters, from chimpanzees to rhinos to giraffes to bears and more. In addition, most zoos allow kids under a certain age to get in free. Browse all deals on Dallas zoos.

Where to Take Midsize Kids (Ages 7–11)

Head to an aquarium

Aquariums have exciting sights for kids: tubular passages that let you walk “through” water while jellyfish and sharks swim overhead; a spot to see otters at play; and an area where kids can touch stingrays, starfish, and even baby sharks. Be sure to see what show is going on at the aquarium of your choice to fit it into your day. Browse all deals on Dallas aquariums.

Play some mini golf.

By the time your child reaches the age of seven, they may have already started tapping into their competitive nature. With its colorful balls, curvy putting greens, and spinning obstacles, mini golf provides the perfect distraction for kids. Plus, it’s an activity that the entire group can do at the same time for a little family rivalry. Browse all deals on Dallas mini golf courses and go karts.

Where to Take Big Kids (12 or Older)

Take a virtual-reality ride.
The 7D Experience combines the rush of a roller coaster with the mind-bending tricks of 3D film. Guests get strapped into a motion seat that is capable of creating a motion impression of flying, crashing, and falling. You’ll don 3D glasses and use a laser gun during your chosen scenario, where you’ll compete with others in a battle against zombies, robot cowboys, or whatever new foe the 21st century comes up with. Browse all deals on Dallas arcades.

Spend the day at a waterpark.

By the time your kid is over twelve years old, it’s likely that they’ve gotten over their fear of waterslides and rides and their swimming skills are finally developed. Spend a nice, sunny day at the waterpark to cool off and relax. Browse all deals on Dallas waterparks.