50 Fun Things to do this Summer: Family activities that can be done in the Dallas area.
Summer is here and the weather is beautiful, and we’re looking for fun summer things to do. That’s right, it’s finally time to continue that summer resolution of getting out more as a family. The great thing about Dallas – Fort Worth is all the parks, trails, and things to do. The bad thing (depending on who you ask) is that there are so many things to do that it can be overwhelming to know what to do with your time. Here are 50 suggested fun-filled activities for all ages!
Summer is right around the corner and with it comes the smell of hot dogs and the sight of kids in swimsuits. We are so happy that you have stumbled upon our page looking for family-friendly fun in the Dallas Fort Worth Area. Though our list is not exhaustive we hope you find something new to do this summer that inspires a lifetime of memories.
5 Fantastic Artsy, Cultural, Educational, and Fun Thing To Do In Dallas
Sometimes it feels like there’s nothing to do in Dallas. Just kidding, there’s always a lot to do, even if you’re just in town for a few days. Here are five fun things to get you started:
Dallas Children’s Theater
Are you tired of the same old summer activities? Have you ever wanted to see a show on Broadway but don’t have the money or time? Well, worry no longer. This summer go to the Dallas Children’s Theater! The Dallas Children’s Theater has been captivating kids and families with the fun of Broadway Like Plays and a lot more! They’ve performed their one-of-a-kind shows for 38 years in Dallas, Texas If your child is looking for family entertainment that will leave them spellbound from start to finish, go no further than the Dallas Children’s Theater.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
The one word that best describes The Perot Museum of Nature and Science, located in Dallas, Texas, is WOW. While there are many museums in the Dallas area, but nothing like the rare architectural jewel that is The Perot. From dinosaurs and space to wild weather and robots, the Perot makes learning fun. If you’re looking for a “hands-on” experience, check out their current traveling exhibits or explore their downtown Dallas exhibit featuring various landmarks such as Klyde Warren Park and Bank of America Plaza.
Dallas World Aquarium
Just when you thought you’d seen all the strange creatures that inhabit planet Earth, now you can see them in 3 lofty dimensions at The Dallas World Aquarium. In an exhibit celebrating the rainforests of South America, guests watch a family of three-toed sloths makes their afternoon climb from tree branch to tree branch. A few feet away, in the jungle-scape portion of the building, black vultures fly as visitors walk through a simulated jungle with its own 20,000-gallon river filled with piranhas and stingrays. And don’t miss the bat cave that boasts a colony of bats that come out to eat insects throughout the evening.
Legoland Discovery Centre
Legoland Discovery Centre is a fascinating indoor family attraction featuring models and attractions inspired by the Lego building toys. As well as fun rides, live shows, Lego characters, and a 4D cinema, there’s also a Lego store for souvenirs as well as other stores to knock around in during your visit.
Visit the Planetarium: The Sky Theater @ UNT
Curious about the sky? Then get your tail to the sky theater. This unique 100 seat, the 40-foot domed theater features a state-of-the-art Digistar projection system to bring visitors stunning views of the night sky. Learn about constellations and stars, travel to nearby planets, or go on a celestial rollercoaster ride. You can also take in a selection of other entertaining but educational programs designed for students, families, and space trekking adults.
5 Indoor Theme Parks & Other Activities in North Texas
It’s good to know where you can beat the heat in DFW. At times the temperatures can get pretty brutal in the summers in DFW and it’s even worse when you have nowhere to go during a break from work. Thankfully there are a few great places around Dallas Fort Worth and North Texas that are sure to keep you cool and help beat the summer heat.
Shenaniganz
We just couldn’t write a blog about summer fun and leave out all the summer fun things to do with your family and friends at Shenaniganz. That would be like not inviting your friends and family to your birthday party! We don’t know about you, but we love birthday parties. We love Fourth of July parties. We love New Year’s Eve parties. And we sure as heck love the summer parties — see we want to make sure that you, your friends, and your family have so much fun partying this summer that you won’t know what to do when school starts! We’ve got 6 great offers to help keep your summer fun!
Shenaniganz Summer Passes
Fun should be unlimited-especially on the hottest days. Get your Shenaniganz Summer Pass for an UNLIMITED play pass EVERYDAY! So say goodbye to the boring normal, and say hello to UNLIMITED summer fun at Shenaniganz because we’re delivering the best summer ever. Summer passes can be purchased online or in-house and are valid at both Shenaniganz of Rockwall and Shenaniganz of Greenville so get yours today!
Teen’s Night
Bring all your friends & join us this summer for fun at Teen Night! With unlimited play for just $19.99, your teens will have a blast! It’s time to get your Teen out of the house & off the couch this summer and Shenaniganz helps you do that with Teen Night! All fun, no curfew! Teen Night has fun, food & friends, it’s like your favorite family-friendly club! You can buy your Teen’s Night passes online or you can get them EVERY Wednesday this summer at Shenaniganz of Rockwall!
Summer Morning Madness
Calling all morning-owls! We’ve got a deal worth rolling out of bed for! Join us weekdays this summer for Morning Madness! Get unlimited bowling, laser tag, arcade credits, and more for one low price! Wanna know a great way to start the day? Now that’s something to wake up early for. You can learn more about Shenaniganz Morning Madness or buy your Morning Madness passes online!
Summer Family Magic & Comedy Shows
Join Shenaniganz LIVE for a hilariously magical summer! Back by popular demand! Join us for a family favorite Magic & Comedy show with award-winning magician & comedian, Mike Williams! Our Magic & Comedy Shows are great for kids of all ages with lots of interaction, magic, & comedy. You’ll be dazzled, fooled, & amazed by hilarious magic at Shenaniganz. Our family-friendly show is great for all audiences! Buy your tickets today!
Summer Playdate Special
We know it’s hard to find fun things to do with toddlers in the summer. Maybe your older kids are out of school – so what can you do that will satisfy them but will also keep everyone else entertained? The answer is simple – take them to Shenaniganz! While the big kids are out running around and playing Virtual Reality or Laser Tag, you can take your toddlers to the Shenaniganz Kid Zone! With our Summer Playdate Special, your smaller kids play, eat a kid’s meal, and then play some more! It’s an extra special time for families! You can buy your passes online or in-house the day of!
Kids Bowl Free
Nothing says “fun” like “free”, and at Shenaniganz this summer, your child can get FREE Bowling! That’s right, we’re not joking! Your kids can bowl free all summer long with Kids Bowl Free! That means more cash in your pocket and more fun for your kids! It’s a win-win that everyone can get behind! Think it’s too good to be true? We’re about to prove you wrong!
Escapology Escape Rooms
Looking for a fun activity for your summer family reunion? Or, maybe you’re planning a summer birthday party for your 10 year old who’s known for their focus and determination? Or, maybe you want to organize an event for your corporate team-building program. If so, then look no further. Escapology offers a unique, exciting, and challenging experience that’s certain to make long-lasting memories while providing a tremendous amount of fun. With exciting room thems like Hannah Barbera’s Scooby-Doo and the Spooky Castle Adventure or TH3 C0D3 – a challenging hacker mystery. With 3 DFW Locations and one in East Texas, you’re sure to have an Escapology close to you!
Book Your Escape Room for Escapology Rockwall
Book Your Escape Room for Escapology Victory Park
Book Your Escape Room for Escapology McKinney
Book Your Escape Room for Escapology Tyler
Mesquite Rodeo
At the Mesquite Rodeo, you’ll see a lot of cowboys, bull riders, and other folks in cowboy hats; and they’re all there to see the action. With so many family-friendly events such as the mutton busting and the calf scramble, your whole family is sure to be entertained for hours. The best part about the Rodeo? You can show up multiple times throughout the summer and get the same level of exciting enjoyment each time! So rope in the family and join the Mesquite Rodeo every Saturday of the month from June 4th – August 27th!
Medieval Times
If you’re like most families or groups of friends, you’re always trying to find new things to do together. If you’ve never checked out Medieval Times, the dinner-and-show experience that transports guests back to the 11th century, you’ll definitely want to this summer. A mixture of exhilarating story and adventure, all served with delicious meals, laughs and of course a little jousting.
Urban Air Adventure Parks
Are you a daredevil? Maybe you were just born for an adrenaline-pumping adventure? Or do you feel at home on an obstacle course? Either way, we’ve got the perfect venue for you: Urban Air. Our indoor adventure parks are your ultimate destination for trampoline park fun! In Texas, they have convenient locations like North Dallas, McKinney, Bedford, and Tyler. If you’re in Florida we recommend the parks in Plantation or Wellington. If you’re in Oklahoma, nothing beats the Tulsa location!
5 Outdoorsy Fun Things To Do In Dallas This Summer
For the outdoorsy types, Dallas is a wonderful place to be. Just over the border from Texas, it’s a short drive from Fort Worth and only 20 miles from Austin. With miles upon miles of parks, including hiking trails and playgrounds, and all the wildlife you could hope to see from red-tailed hawks to free-ranging deer and wild pigs, the outdoorsy types will be kept busy.
Hiking
Hike with a view!
The Trinity River Audubon Center is a nature preserve located in the Great Trinity Forest, the largest urban hardwood forest in the country. It’s home to over 400 species of birds and offers hikers just under 4 miles of trails to explore. This means you don’t have to spend days hiking the Appalachian Trail; you can get your fix right here in Dallas.
Visitors can choose from a number of different trails—from easy hikes that are less than a mile to more challenging ones that go up to 3 miles. Hikers will also have their choice of views: taking in wetlands, birds in their natural habitat, or overlooks of the Trinity River. If you want an escape from city life but don’t feel like going too far from home, this is the perfect spot for you.
Camping at Dinosaur Valley State Park
If you love dinosaurs and are looking for a place to get away then you might want to check out the Dinosaur Valley State Park. This park goes down in history not just because of the dinosaur fossil prints that can be seen there but because of its trails as well and other activities available to people. So you want to see some cool dinosaurs, but your buddy wants to camp, and your other friend wants to go for a hike? Then look no further than Dinosaur Valley
Dallas Zoo
The Dallas Zoo is zoo-mazing! Or should we say “A-mazing”? Anyway, it’s huge. With over 150 species of animals (including rare and endangered species) to see and lots of family activities to partake in, this place creates memories that last a lifetime. If you and your kids going bored at home. Then Family activities are the ultimate cure. The most reliable place to find family entertainment is the Dallas Zoo. With over 3,000 animals and 400 different species to see and explore, there is no shortage of family fun in Texas.
Hang out on the Lake Ray Hubbard
There’s no better way to cool off from the Texas heat than being in the water! PAck up your family for a fun-filled day on Lake Ray Hubbard. It doesn’t get any better than this, you can rent a boat, or jet skis for an exciting adventure. You can play some volleyball, swim, kayak, or just have a family-friendly cookout.
Go Horseback Riding Dallas Equestrian Center
With three covered arenas, two outdoor jumping/riding fields and so much more, you’ll want to keep Dallas Equestrian Center handy for when you need it most. With a wide variety of horse-related services, there are things to do from sunup until sundown. If that’s not enough, there’s even a barn with stalls. Plus, we have some of the best horse trainers around who can take your riding skills from novice to expert in no time.
5 Fun Things to do at Theme Parks and Waterparks in Dallas
Six Flags
Between the looping roller coasters and rugged terrain, Six Flags over Texas will give you a thrill like no other theme park. When you’re done screaming through loops and twirling upside down, enjoy some old-fashioned family entertainment – shows, attractions, and stage performances await! Finish up the day with some of their delicious food. No matter which rides you decide to take on or what type of show you want to see, Six Flags is an action-packed destination filled with fun for all ages!
King Spa and Water Park
A vacation in the middle of your busy life! This luxurious, resort-themed extension of the renowned King Spa & Sauna has state-of-the-art amenities such as the innovative ‘bade’ pool, water bar, and 30 ft slide. Admission to the water park is a separate charge however you can purchase a combination pass for a discounted price to take advantage of both facilities. Admission to the water park includes access to all the pools and public amenities while additional services can be purchased with a simple scan of your locker key. Relax refresh and recharge, King Waterpark is the perfect destination to take a splash and eat.
See a Rangers Game
Nothing says summer like hot dogs, nachos, and soda. Well, maybe that’s baseball games. This summer, show your family what it means to be a true sports fan by taking them out to the ballpark to watch the Texas Rangers score homerun after homerun after homerun.
Epic Waters Indoor Water Park
Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark is the largest indoor waterpark in Texas – open year-round! With retractable roof panels, you can enjoy high-speed slides and frame-worthy views of the Grand Prairie skyline! Don’t forget about our FlowRider, surfing simulator to surf or boogie board. Chill out poolside at our Splash Zone with multiple activities for your family to also enjoy.
Trinity Forest Adventure Park
Soar through the trees and enjoy a spectacular view of nature. Enjoy an aerial adventure for all ages, with six courses ranging from easy to difficult, there is something for every adventurer. Trinity Forest Adventure Park is a fun place for families and groups to spend time together, offering healthy outdoor exercise and practice in communication and teamwork.
5 Fun Things To Do At Home This Summer
Have a picnic in your backyard
Everyone loves a good picnic at the park, but let’s face it. There’s nothing more fun than throwing one in your backyard with the kids! Encourage the little ones to grab their best friends and head outside for a fun-filled picnic! Let your little one be in charge of choosing a spot on the grass and load up the basket with your favorite outdoor treats. Show up your inner child by letting them help prepare some quirky snacks. Don’t forget to include some adult beverages too!
Science Experiments
Looking for summer activities for your kids? Science is all around us — so we’re here to help you expose your child to the fun side of science! If you’re ready to amaze your kids with some cool, easy science experiments, we highly suggest you visit Curiodyssey. Where you and your little ones can find a variety of curated and tested experiments that are fun and easy for you and your kids to replicate at home!
Make your own playdough
Looking for something fun to do? How about making your own playdough?! You’ll have great fun and you can even take the playdough with you. We love these instructions on how to make playdough at home, a bag of salt and there’s even a pair of gloves that you can use too!
Ice Age Activity Bin
Nothing beats the heat and engages your kids like an ice age activity bin. Ice Age activity bins provide hours of creative play! Filled with ice and water, Ice Age Bins are filled with multi-color shapes and beads of different sizes and a variety of flotation animals. Children will love creating dozens of imaginative sculptures while they learn to make predictions and use fine motor skills to maneuver with tongs, spoons, perforated ladles, and transfer tweezers or use their hands to play for hours. This website is amazing step-by-step instructions for how to make an ice age activity bin!
Shenaniganz FREE Summer Activity Book
We know there’s nothing like lounging around and enjoying the time off, that’s why we’ve made this FREE printable Summer Activity book! Simply download this FREE activity book, print, and let your little one enjoy it!
