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24 Family-Friendly, Affordable Summer Activities in DFW
Everything is bigger in Texas – except the price tag on family-friendly fun. Summer time in DFW doesn’t have to mean paying an arm and a leg to keep the whole family entertained. Free and affordable activities are all over the metroplex and will make everyone want to get out of the house for some good ole’ fashioned family fun. Make the most of your summer with this list, filled with activities guaranteed to keep kiddos, parents, and wallets happy.
PARTY ON (FAMILY STYLE)
‘til Midnight at the Nasher at Nasher Sculpture Center
‘til Midnight at the Nasher presents live outdoor concerts featuring the best in regional music talent paired with film screenings in the Nasher Garden. Catering will offer bar services, grab & go snacks, and street tacos the night of the event. Steel City Pops also offers all-natural popsicles in seasonal flavors.
Admission: free
Dates: June 16, July 21, August 18
Time: 6 p.m. – 12 a.m.
SummerFest Friday Night Fireworks and All-American Garage Party at Lake Grapevine and Gaylord Texan
Grapevine’s Friday Night Fireworks are back at the Gaylord Texan! Make your way to the 5th floor of the resort parking garage at 7 p.m. for music and great food as a live DJ hosts fun and games at the “All-American Garage Party,” all while you countdown to “Friday Night Fireworks” over Lake Grapevine at 9:30 p.m. Click on the link to see additional viewing fireworks viewing locations around Lake Grapevine.
Admission: free
Dates: every Friday through September 1, 2017
Time: 7 p.m. (entertainment), 9:30 p.m. (fireworks start) – end of show
Sunday Funday Series at Panther Island Pavilion
Sunday Funday, a family-friendly, laid back event runs every Sunday. Located on the banks of the Trinity River at Panther Island Pavilion, it features tubing, food trucks, music, kayaks, canoes, pedal boats and stand up paddle boards. Bring blankets, chairs, games or anything else that would be fun in the sun. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. No outside coolers, food or drinks will be allowed on site. Feel free to bring your furry friends on leashes.
Admission: free
Dates: Sundays, June 18 – August 10
Time: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
Little Elm Park at Lake Lewisville
Take a trip to the beach without leaving North Texas! Featuring 12 sand volleyball courts, a large open swim area that offers a life jacket loaner program, fire pits along the beach and kayak and paddleboard rentals, you’ll feel like you’re on the coast. The Lighthouse Grill provides delicious burgers, snacks, and beer.
Admission: free
Date & Time: Any
Safari Nights Concert Series at Dallas Zoo
Original artists and tribute bands will fill the Zoo with music during the Safari Nights concert series on Saturdays. Bring blankets or lawn chairs to enjoy the show, or reserve a private cabana that includes chairs and fans under a tent. Catch a special presentation of Wonders of the Wild, the interactive wildlife show featuring birds and mammals from all over the world. Food will be available for purchase, along with soft drinks, cold beer and wine.
Admission: $15 for ages 12 to 64, $12 for ages 3 to 11, free for children under 2 and members
Dates: June 17, June 24, July 1, July 8, July 15
Time: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Home to more than 7,000 native and exotic animals and several indoor and outdoor exhibits, the Fort Worth Zoo provides an entire day of fun for any family. Kids can experience a hands-on exhibit that showcases the unique wildlife and includes a petting zoo. They can visit all four great ape species or some of the most endangered reptiles and amphibians on the planet at the Museum of Living Art.
Admission: $14 for ages 13+, $10 for children 3 to 12 and ages 65+, free for children 2 & under
Dates: Any
Time: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission: varies by seat choice, starting from ~$8
Globe Life Park in Arlington opened in 1994 and is the home of The Texas Rangers Major League Baseball Team. Regular season games are now on sale. Purchase your tickets now and enjoy the game!
See link for game dates and times
Admission: $2, free for children 3 & under
Sandy Lake Amusement Park is family owned and operated, and designed with a variety of entertainment while providing a place to get together for fellowship, not lost in a crowd. Attractions include thrill rides for all ages, swimming, mini golf, paddle boats and arcade.
Dates: Any
Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 .p.m. Saturday & Sunday, closed Mondays
BEAT THE HEAT
Regular Admission: $15 for guests 48”+, $11 for guests under 48”, free for ages 2 & under
City of Dallas Resident Discount: $13 for guests 48”+, $9 for guests under 48”, free for ages 2 & under
Bahama Beach offers the best family waterpark value in the metroplex. We have everything from slides for the big kids and adults who are young at heart, to an interactive water playground for the little ones. For those who want to kick back and relax, wade into one of two zero-depth entry beaches, and take a float down the lazy river. Plenty of food and beverages to satisfy your summer cravings tops it all off.
Dates: June 2 – August 13, closed Mondays
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday
Frisco Athletic Center Water Park
Admission: $12 for ages 18+, $10 for ages 2-17
Cool off this summer with our seven water features! Challenge a friend to a race down the Preston Plunge, conquer The Fort, or float the Lazy River, and much more. You’ll find plenty of shade and a concession stand, too.
Dates: June 3 – August 20, August 26 – 27
Time: varies by water feature, click link for specific hours
Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park
Admission: $8 for ages 12+, $6 for ages 3 to 11 and seniors (ages 65+), free for ages 2 & under
The Children’s Aquarium has been designed with kids in mind. With 55 interactive zones and exhibits, 256 different species and 17 stingrays waiting to be petted, everyone can enjoy and learn something new about our aquatic friends from around the world.
Dates: Any
Time: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
ART & CULTURE
Dallas Museum of Art Summer Family Fun
Admission: free
Enjoy a new experience each day! Make family connections and memories with works of art as you enjoy story time, guided tours, and drop-in art making. Fun for all ages!
Dates: June 13 – August 11
Time: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
BOGO Wednesdays and Arboretum After Hours at Dallas Arboretum
Admission: $15 for ages 13+, $12 for seniors (ages 65+), $10 for ages 3 to 12, free for ages 2 & under
On Wednesdays, the Dallas Arboretum will offer buy one get one free general admission and extend its hours until 8 p.m. Pack a picnic dinner, bring a favorite book and have a mid-week escape from a busy schedule. Check the Arboretum website for scheduled Wednesday evening activities throughout the year. Discount is available at the ticket booth only, with a limit of one purchase per person.
Dates: Wednesdays, June 14 – October 25
Time: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
August Dollar Days at Dallas Arboretum
Admission: $1
Admission is just $1, with $2 hot dogs, root beer floats, ice cream sundaes, and pies. Enjoy the beginning of summer at the Dallas Arboretum with a picnic and a cool beverage!
Dates: August 1 – 31
Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Family Fun Fridays at Dallas Arboretum
Admission: $15 for ages 13+, $12 for ages 65+, $10 for ages 3 to 12, free for ages 2 & under
Bring the whole family to the Pecan Grove for a critter-filled petting zoo, incredibly artistic face painting and lively music, every Friday through the end of July.
Dates: June 2 – July 28
Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
CATCH A FLICK
Movies in the Park at Haggard Park
Admission: free
Head to Haggard Park on the last Saturday of the month to watch some of this year’s most loved family-friendly blockbusters. Food trucks will be on site to sell refreshments, and each event will have a fun twist or activity before the movie starts. For Rogue One, attendees and their dogs are encouraged to dress up and take part in Star Wars-themed costume contests at 6:30 p.m. There will also be a Jedi Training class hosted by Roser Martial Arts Center at 7 p.m.
Dates: June 24 – ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY, July 29 – MOANA, August 26 – THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE
Time: 8 p.m.
Moviehouse Eatery Free Kids Movies at Moviehouse Eatery in McKinney
Admission: free
Join us every Tuesday morning for FREE Summer Kids Camp! Each week we’ll show one of our favorite family-friendly flicks starting at 10 a.m.! Tickets are given out on a first come, first served basis starting at 9 a.m. See website for film schedule. (*The film schedule for July 18-August 22 is still TBD!)
Dates: June 20 – NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM, June 27 – SECRET LIFE OF PETS, July 4 – TROLLS, July 11 – MADAGASCAR ESCAPE 2 AFRICA
Time: 9 a.m.
Dive-In Movies at NRH2O Waterpark
Admission at ticket booth: $14.50 for guests 48”+, $11 for guests under 48” & senior citizens (age 55+), free for children 2 years & under
Admission online: $12.50 for guests 48”+, $10.50 for guests under 48” & senior citizens (age 55+), free for children 2 years & under
Float in the wave pool and watch your favorite movies under the stars! Dive-In Movies start at dusk, between 9 and 9:30 p.m. receive half off General Admission after 5 p.m. with a coupon from our Discounts page (valid for up to four guests). Click on this link for the Discount coupon.
Dates: June 16 – SECRET LIFE OF PETS, June 23 – SING, June 30 – TROLLS, July 7 – JAWS, July 14 – MOANA, July 21 – THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE, July 28 – FINDING DORY, August 4 – FROZEN
Time: 9 p.m.
Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse at various Cinemark Theatres
Admission: $1
The Summer Movie Clubhouse is a ten-week program of recently released G and PG films for kids. The cost is $1 per person (kids and adults!) per movie at the door the morning of the program. A ten-week series punch card is available at the theatre box office or online for $5 at participating theatres.
Dates: April 18, 2017 to November 17, 2017
Time: varies with movie selection
Coyote Drive-In in Lewsiville and Fort Worth
Admission: $8 for ages 12+, $6 for ages 5 – 11, free for ages 4 & under
With two of its three locations in the DFW area, these Drive-In Movie Theaters & Canteens each feature multiple movie viewing screens, a fast casual restaurant (serving food including movie snacks and alcohol), a kid’s play area and pet-friendly environment.
Dates: Any
Time: varies with movie selections, open starting at 5:30 p.m. daily
JAM OUT
Music Thursdays at Klyde Warren Park
Admission: free
Join us for Music Thursdays at Klyde Warren Park, each spring through fall! This weekly series features local musicians, DJs, jazz and more. Pack a picnic or grab a bite from Relish or the food trucks, claim a spot on the lawn and enjoy! See link for a calendar of scheduled music.
Dates: Thursdays
Time: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Vitruvian Nights Live at Vitruvian Park
Admission: free
The best FREE Summer Concerts in DFW are back! Vitruvian Nights Live returns to the beautiful Amphitheater at Vitruvian Park, with Live Music and Gourmet Food Trucks every other Thursday.
Dates: June 15, June 29, July 13, July 27, August 10
Time: 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Concerts by the Lake at Harbor Amphitheatre
Admission: free
All concerts start at 7:30 p.m. at The Harbor Amphitheater. BYOB allowed; restaurants at The Harbor provide food choices, or food can be brought in or delivered. Bring chairs, blankets, picnics & beverages and enjoy the hottest music scene in North Texas!
Dates: Thursdays, May 4 – July 27
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Rockin’ the River at Panther Island Pavilion
Admission: free
Searching for things to do in Fort Worth just got easier. We offer a free weekly tubing and concert series with a cool twist – an outdoor live music venue and waterfront stage right on the Trinity River with the gorgeous backdrop of downtown Fort Worth. Conclude your rockin’ evening with a fantastic fireworks show. Enjoy the show from a tube or the shore for a uniquely-Fort Worth music experience!
Dates: Saturdays, July 1 – August 5
Time: 1 p.m. – 10 p.m.
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