We’re not kiddin’ around. From major attractions like the Fort Worth Zoo to hidden gems like the Play Street Museum, there’s something in Cowtown for children of all ages. You’ll have no trouble entertaining the youngsters with this list of 30 kid-friendly activities around the 817.
Here comes the next generation of actors.
Photo by @casamanana
🎭 All about the arts
Casa Mañana Theatre, 3101 W. Lancaster Ave.
See Broadway and Children’s Theatre performances that are fun for the whole family. Kids can also get involved with classes, camps, and internships to feed their inner performer.
Amon Carter Museum of American Art, 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd. | 🎟️ Family memberships available
Explore some of the biggest names in American art history and learn more through rotating exhibitions. Kids will love the ARTivity totes to get involved with the collection in hands-on activities or they can play the day away in the Family Pop-Up Space.
Bass Performance Hall, 525 Commerce St.
Enjoy an evening at the theater with upcoming family shows like “Bluey’s Big Play.” Kids can increase their arts education through a variety of opportunities in the free Children’s Education Program.
Cowtown Kids Art Studio, 5354 W. Vickery Blvd.
Enroll your junior artist in weekly classes that cover a wide variety of mediums, techniques, skills, art history + appreciation. Kids can create six original creations each term or can join summer camps to stay out of the heat.
Check out the life-sized Light Bright at the FWMSH.
Photo by @fwmsh
🧠 Educational activities
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, 1600 Gendy St. | 🎟️ Memberships available
Originally the Fort Worth Children’s Museum, the institution features geological, biological, astrological, and historical exhibits. Kids will love the Paluxysaurus Jonesi skeleton and can take science into their own hands at the innovation studios.
Fort Worth Aviation Museum, 3300 Ross Ave. | 🎟️ Memberships available
See 25+ airplanes and interactive exhibits with your aspiring pilot. Kids will definitely remember the flight simulator.
Log Cabin Village, 2100 Log Cabin Village Ln.
Travel back in time and learn about Texas pioneer life. Kids will remember trying on period costumes and watching demonstrations like butter churning and blacksmithing.
Foster a love of nature in your kids with a trip to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.
Photo by @fortworthbotanicgarden / Brooke Johnson
🌳 Great outdoors
Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd. | 🎟️ Family memberships available
Enjoy 2,500+ species of plants across 120 acres in the oldest botanic garden in Texas. Kids can unleash their inner botanist with classes, workshops, and camps.
Forest Park Miniature Railroad, 1700 Colonial Pkwy.
Settle in for a five-mile loop through the beautiful Trinity Park on the newly refurbished miniature train. Kids will love chugging over the Trinity River on a little bridge designed specifically for the train — and chowing down on cotton candy from the mid-ride concession stop.
Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge, 9601 Fossil Ridge Rd. | 🎟️ Family memberships available
Explore 3,600+ acres of this national natural landmark with interactive activities like trail rides and canoeing. Kids will love seeing the bison from the center’s new viewing platform.
Cattle Pen Maze, 145 E. Exchange Ave.
Wind through 5,400+ sqft of wooden pathways that resemble the cattle pens of the Old West. The routes frequently change so make sure to check the observation deck beforehand to get your bearings. Kids will get a kick out of racing both the clock and each other for a chance to win an a-maz-ing prize.
The Stockyards also offers trail rides and longhorn photos.
Photo by @stockyardsstation / @amandamdominguez
🦁 Animal encounters
Benbrook Stables, 10001 Benbrook Blvd.
Go full Texan with trail-riding through 100 acres of this family-owned equestrian center. Kids can take horseback riding lessons or peak into ranch life with one of the camps.
Fort Worth Zoo, 1989 Colonial Pkwy. | 🎟️ Family memberships available
See 500+ species in one of the world’s best zoos that has ~one million annual visitors. Kids will remember seeing the zoo’s baby animals like Brazos the elephant and Moja the lion.
SeaQuest Fort Worth, 1974 Green Oaks Rd. | 🎟️ Memberships available
Explore the world’s ocean with the 36,000-gallon exhibit of sharks, stingrays, and tropical fish, or travel to the rainforest to see exotic birds and sloths. Kids will never forget feeding the sharks or seeing the mermaid swim with the fish.
Stockyards Barnyard Petting Corral, 157 E. Exchange Ave.
From goats to sheep, camels to kangaroos — there’s a pet for any type (or age) of rancher. Kids will remember the baby goats nuzzling their hands for a secret snack.
Jump out of a bind at the Red Door Escape Room.
Photo by @reddoorescape_fortworth / @reddoorescape
🎳 Indoor adventures
Cowtown Bowling Palace, 4333 River Oaks Blvd.
Trade scorching hot days for an afternoon on the lanes at this hometown spot. Kids will love the disco lights and bumpers to help them beat their parents.
Red Door Escape Room, 2600 W. 7th St., Ste. 114
Challenge your friends to solve the puzzle — before it’s too late. Teens will get a kick out of the escape rooms with Wwild West, circus, time machine, and casino themes.
Play Street Museum, 5925 Convair Dr., Ste. 533
Little ones can play pretend in the town square or explore interactive exhibitions. Kids will love having a space that’s just their size.
iFLY Fort Worth, 663 Northeast Loop 820, Hurst
Be weightless while skydiving indoors at the state-of-the-art vertical wind tunnel. Kids can also learn the key science and technology of defying gravity with STEM field trips.
Are you game for the Texas Giant at Six Flags Over Texas?
Photo by @newjerseycoasters
🎢 Thrill-seeking fun
Six Flags Over Texas, 2201 E. Road to Six Flags St., Arlington | 🎟️ Season passes available
Try all 13 roller coasters in the 212-acre amusement park. Teens will get the thrill of their lives on the Judge Roy Scream and Mr. Freeze.
Altitude Trampoline Park, 5650 Kroger Dr. | 🎟️ Memberships available
Test out your best tricks at the 25,000+ sqft trampoline park. Kids will be bouncing off the walls while playing trampoline dodgeball, basketball, and wipeout.
K1 Speed, 1801 E. Lamar Blvd., Arlington | 🎟️ Memberships available
Race your friends and family on this high-speed go-kart track. Your junior driver won’t forget winning the Teen Cup.
DFW Adventure Park, 13055 Cleveland Gibbs Rd., Northlake
Teens can challenge their friends to paintball tournaments and airsoft matches. Kids won’t forget the thrills of a zombie-themed paint tournament.
There’s fun to be had for kids of all abilities.
Photo by @fwmsh / @cowtownpaparazzi
🤝 Sensory-friendly playgrounds
Dream Park Playground, 2001 University Dr.
Little ones can enjoy 57,000 sqft of play space designed for all abilities. Kids can explore the fun house climbing gym, hot air balloon slides, and adaptive swings.
Galaxy Park Playground, 1600 Gendy St.
Imaginations can soar at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History’s new all-inclusive, space-themed playground. Kids will love the asteroid climbing gym and parents will love the new shade structure.
Patricia LeBlanc Park, 6300 Granbury Cut-Off St.
The universal playground was donated to the city by the nonprofit Playground Unlimited. Kids of all abilities can explore the wheel-chair accessible playset.
These kiddos are already braver than we are.
Photo by @seaquestfortworth / @daniele_luna
💧 Splash around
NRH2O Family Water Park, 9001 26 Blvd., North Richland Hills | 🎟️ Season passes available
Camp out in a beach chair by the tide pool or try out the water slides with your kiddos. Kids will love the 14 splash-tastic attractions.
Marine Park Pool & Aquatic Center, 303 NW 20th St.
The city’s newest public pool features a slide, wet deck, and zero-depth beach entry. Kids will remember the interactive play structure with water cannons and a tipping bucket.
🍽️ Foodie families
Young Chefs Academy, 6333 Camp Bowie Blvd.
Anyone can cook — this culinary school offers weekly classes for all ages and skill levels. Kids will love diving into the world of cooking with camps and holiday events.
Central Market Cooking School, 4651 W. Fwy.
Team up with your junior chef with parent and child cooking classes. Kids will love learning to make their favorite meal, and then they can help you prepare it at home.
🧃 Be prepared
Shop some of our favorite kid-friendly essentials to keep the whole family happy, hydrated, and ready to make memories.
- Owala Kids Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler | This tumbler has a spill-resistant straw (yes, that’s a thing) and is top-rack dishwasher safe.
- Bentgo Kids 5-Compartment Lunch Box | Pack snacks for kids in a popular Bentgo box that’s BPA-free and dishwasher safe.
- Nintendo Switch | You just can’t beat a handheld gaming device for keepings kids quiet, happy, and entertained during car rides around town.
- Hap Tim Travel Backpack | Keep everything in a backpack that’s got good padding on the straps, plenty of compartments, a wide mouth opening, and a rain-resistant exterior.
- Kids sketch pad | Kids can sketch, take notes, and feel connected to your adventures with a sketchbook meant to inspire creativity.
- Disposable cameras | Kids will have a ton of fun + stay entertained by taking their own pictures of what they see during your adventures.
- KeepGoing Travel First Aid Kit for Kids | Be prepared for minor scrapes or bruises that could slow your day down — this kit contains 60 pieces of essential first aid supplies.
- Sunscreen stick | Have a portable sunscreen stick handy for outdoor adventures.
Ready to visit these local attractions but don’t know where to start? We’ve created this handy map so you can find all of these featured activities.
