The Best Things to Do in Dallas with Toddlers

As a young family of five, we struggle to find fun activities for our toddler. Most family-friendly places are designed for older kids. So as a local, I took it upon myself to find the best things to do in Dallas for toddlers. I am happy to say I found a lot!

We started “our sweet adventures” in Dallas with our oldest son when he was 18 months old. We finally finished when he was 2.5 years old. So, all of these places are perfect for toddlers.

From STEM play to indoor waterparks, storytime, museums, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, a botanical garden, a Crayola and Legoland experience, and more – this list of the best things to do in Dallas with toddlers is both educational and fun!

As a stay-at-home mom, I know how important it is to get out of the house and find fun activities. And when we travel, we always try to find places for our kids to enjoy too. So this guide is intended for both locals and visitors.

With visitors and locals in mind, most attractions are located in Dallas, but there are also a few in the Dallas metroplex. Several places are also great for older siblings so the entire family can enjoy a fun day!

Best Things to Do in Dallas with Toddlers: Indoor Play and Museums

There are several fun things to do in Dallas with Toddlers for indoor play and education. Toddlers can cool off at indoor water parks, make Crayola arts and crafts, build legos, enjoy story time, and learn about science and art.

Pro tip: always check prices and the calendar for Tuesdays. Many places designed for younger kids will have “Toddler Tuesdays,” including special activities or better prices.

CAMP

Of all the best things to do in Dallas with toddlers, CAMP is a family favorite! The CAMP counselors do a terrific job of engaging the kids and making it an interactive experience for everyone. Even as an adult, I had a blast!

So what is CAMP? It is a family-focused, interactive toy store and a curated play experience for kids and kids at heart.

I do not want to give away too much because going to CAMP “in the dark” makes the experience surprisingly fun. Moreover, every few months, CAMP rotates its themed exhibits.

Here is what I can share – inside the CAMP store is a secret magic door that transports you into another “world.” Based on the themed exhibit, several different rooms are interactive for kids, and the CAMP counselor will help guide the kids to discover fun around every corner.

A few themes include Disney’s Mickey & Friends, NIKE, Paw Patrol, and Disney’s Encanto. Check the CAMP website for more information on the current exhibit.

Best for ages 2 – 8 years old

Crayola Experience – Toddler Town

Crayola Experience is the perfect place for young, creative minds. Kids of all ages can enjoy a colorful hands-on experience at over 20 attractions.

There are many fun attractions, but the Crayola Experience Toddler Town is perfect for tiny tots. Toddler Town has a colorful playground, a giant Lite Brite, a chalkboard neighborhood, and more.

Take advantage of the Crayola Experience Toddler Tuesday program! Every first Tuesday of the month at 11:30 am, a Crayola Experience member leads a special crafts project, reads a story, and has fun activities for toddlers.

We love Crayola Experience because it’s like an all-day, everyday art camp! After a few hours of creative play, you will leave with a handful of colorful memories. Our toddler brought home selfie coloring pages, melted crayon cars, a spin art canvas, and watercolor paintings.

Best for ages 2 – 8 years old

Dallas Museum of Art – Arturo’s Nest

You are probably wondering how an art museum is one of the best things to do in Dallas with toddlers—because the Dallas Museum of Art has fantastic opportunities and programs for children of all ages, including toddlers and babies.

The Dallas Museum of Art offers engaging and fun programs for toddlers year-round, such as Toddler Tuesdays and Toddler Art Class. These events incorporate arts and crafts, playtime, singing songs, storytime, and special gallery viewings. To learn more about the toddler programs, check out the calendar of events through the family programs on the Dallas Museum of Art website.

But wait, there’s more! The Dallas Museum of Art also has Arturo’s Nest (open daily), a beautiful room for toddlers that helps develop their motor skills with educational toys, games, puzzles, and books. Arturo’s Nest also features activities based on the monthly theme.

FREE (some programs require a paid ticket)
Best for ages 18 months – 4 years old

Read next: 20+ Best Travel Toys for Toddlers

Epic Waters Waterpark – Rascal’s Round Up

If your toddler is a little fish, you must take them to Epic Waters Waterpark. It is the largest indoor waterpark in North Texas!

Epic Waters Waterpark has an “epic” interactive aquatic playground for young kids. It has slides, geysers, sprinklers, a sensory water table, and a giant 300-gallon tipping bucket!

Tiny tots can sit in the “beach” area and splash all day while thrill-seeking toddlers climb the aquatic fort and go down the slides. The best part, kids at heart (adults) can supervise and join the fun with toddlers. I can’t even count the number of times we went down the slides with our little one!

Best for ages 18 months – 5 years old

Great Wolf Lodge

The Great Wolf Lodge is an incredible family-friendly resort with fun attractions, including an arcade, a rope course, and an 80,000-square-foot indoor water park. It’s a great place to stay, but you can also purchase day passes to enjoy the resort attractions. Whether you stay at the resort or just come to play, the indoor water park is one of the best things to do in Dallas with toddlers.

The indoor water park has several different areas for toddlers to splish and splash. The Club Paw Pool has a small aquatic fort, kiddie slides, geysers, and water cannons. There is also a set of water slides with gentle slopes and tiny dips and turns.

Next to Club Paw Pool is a huge water fort treehouse for more adventurous toddlers to climb and explore. It has thrilling slides and interactive splash features. Our 2.5-year-old toddler could not get enough of these “big kid” slides.

Comfortable swimmers can also play at the family wave pool. The wave pool has a zero-depth-entry shallow area that gradually gets as deep as five feet. As a young family, we enjoyed our time under the mushroom canopy, chasing the small waves.

Best for ages 18 months – 5 years old

Kids Empire

Kids Empire is a unique indoor theme park for kids of all ages. There are two obstacle courses, slides, a disco dance room, bicycles, building blocks, and more.

The toddler zone is perfect for tiny tots with a miniature obstacle course, a ball pit, and soft climbing blocks. For older kids or adventurous toddlers (like ours), there’s a massive obstacle course with balance beams, rope courses, slides, and a second-level turf soccer field!

As parents, we had so much fun. We could feel like kids again while supervising our toddler through the obstacle course. I kid you not (no pun intended); the giant obstacle course was almost a 1:1 ratio of kids to adults. Needless to say, Kids Empire is one of the best family-friendly places in Dallas.

Best for ages 18 months – 10 years old

Bookmarks at NorthPark Center

Did you know there is a special Dallas Public Library Space at the NorthPark Center called Bookmarks? You can go on a shopping spree and then visit the library to read books to your little one under one big roof. It’s the best of both worlds!

In addition to over 5,000 books that you can check out for free, Bookmarks also has games, puzzles, coloring tables, and computers with learning games. Bookmarks also host several FREE events throughout the year, including the weekly and popular Toddler Tuesday Storytime. 

Every Tuesday at 10:30 am, Bookmarks hosts an interactive storytime for parents and toddlers NorthCourt. The storytime is a lot of fun with reading, singing, dancing, and jumping. 

Check the NorthPark Center event page or the Dallas Public Library (Bookmarks) calendar page to learn more about Bookmarks Toddler Tuesday Storytime, and other events.

Free
Best for ages 18 months – 3 years old

Read next: 10 Fun and FREE Things to Do in Oklahoma City with Toddlers

Legoland® Discovery Center – DUPLO® Village

Who is ready to build something extraordinary? Legoland® Discovery Center is an awesome indoor LEGO® playground with over 12 family-friendly attractions.

Legoland® Discovery Center is an excellent place for families with toddlers and older children because there are designated areas for different ages. The animal-themed DUPLO® Village is perfect for toddlers. It has DUPLO® building blocks, giant soft building blocks, and a small climbing area with a slide.

Those with adventurous toddlers can also try their hand at racing legos on the racetrack, take flight on a magical carnival ride, move through the ninja obstacle course, and meet LEGO® characters. If you visit in the spring and summer, you can enjoy the outdoor Pirate Beach waterpark.

Local’s tip: There are so many fun things to do in Grapevine with kids—Peppa Pig World of Play and Legoland Discovery Center are in the same location. You can save money by purchasing the combo ticket for Legoland Discovery Center and Peppa Pig World of Play!

Best for ages 2 – 10 years old

Peppa Pig World of Play

Get ready to step into the world of Peppa Pig to explore 14 themed play areas, all based on the globally popular tv show. And get the opportunity to meet Peppa Pig herself!

Peppa Pig World of Play is one of the best indoor playgrounds in Dallas for toddlers. Kids will enjoy imaginative play at Peppa Pig’s House, riding bicycles at Grandad Dog’s Garage, splashing “mud” on Peppa Pig, climbing through an obstacle course at George’s fort, and more.

Even if you do not watch the show, Peppa Pig World of Play is one of the best things to do in Dallas with toddlers and preschoolers. It does a great job of incorporating the beloved characters enough to make fans happy, but also to please anyone wanting to have a fun experience.

Best for ages 2 – 5 years old

Perot Museum – Moody Family Children’s Museum

The Perot Museum is one of the best things to do in Dallas with toddlers because it has one of the coolest play areas for kids. “Hidden” on the lower level is the Moody Family Children’s Museum – a safe space for children under five to play and discover hands-on fun.

There is an epic Dallas skyline playground, a farmer’s market, an outdoor dino dig, an art lab, a sensory water table, and a little reptile exhibit. There is also an enclosed area with a small climbing structure, sensory busy boards, and giant building blocks for babies and young toddlers.

Trust me, besides the Perot Museum exhibits and the Moody Family Children’s Museum, you can stay here all day, and your kid will never get bored. We were the last ones inside because our toddler refused to leave.

Best for ages 18 months – 5 years old

Read next: Best Indoor Playgrounds in Dallas

Play Street Museum

Play Street Museum is an interactive children’s museum and imaginative kids’ indoor play area. The museum allows children to have independence and explore their creativity in a safe environment. It’s truly a beautiful way to let your toddlers play.

There are several locations in the DFW metroplex, each with a theme—a Downtown Dallas replica, the great outdoors, a farm, a town square, and more. Every location also has plenty of opportunities for imaginative and interactive play. As parents, you can either sit back and watch your child’s imagination grow or join the fun!

Best for ages 1 – 6 years old

The Cove at the Lakefront

The Cove at the Lakefront is one of the best aquatic indoor playgrounds in North Texas for families of all ages. It has tower waterslides, a lazy river, a floating pad course, a FlowRider, a toddler spray ground, and an aquatic playground.

The bright aquatic playground has double-lane slides perfect for toddlers and a few tube waterslides for small kids to feel like big kids! The playground also has water cannons, several interactive water features, and a giant dump bucket. 

The spray ground is a fun place for tiny tots. It has several water sprouts for splashing, a small treehouse with slides, a pirate ship slide, sensory tables, and soft climbing structures.

My favorite thing about The Cove at the Lakefront is their special Toddler Time. On select days, the waterpark opens early for toddlers to use the spray ground and aquatic playground. Toddler Time is also only $5 per person or FREE for members!

Best for ages 18 months – 6 years old

The Dinosaur Company – DINOstory Time!

If you have a dinosaur-loving toddler, you will love The Dinosaur Company. The Dinosaur Company is known for making life-sized animatronic prehistoric creatures, but did you know they also offer tours, including FREE storytime for toddlers? The DINOstory Time is one of the best things to do in Dallas with toddlers. 

The event starts with storytime where children hear a few dinosuar stories. Then storytime is followed by various hands-on activity stations for an enriching experience. They can enjoy a small dino dig, get creative with arts and crafts, learn how to draw dinosaurs, and more. 

After storytime, you can also take a self-guided tour (for an extra cost) into the Creature Corral. It is a holding area for animatronic dinosaurs and giant bugs that have returned from exhibits. 

Best for ages 18 months – 5 years old

Best Things to Do in Dallas with Toddlers: Outdoor Adventures

Allowing kids to play outside is so beneficial for their health and growth. Going to the local park is always a great idea, but for something a little more adventurous, check out these fun outdoor attractions in Dallas for toddlers.

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden – Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden

A visit to the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden should always be on a Dallas itinerary, especially if you have kids. After strolling through the beautiful botanical garden, stop at the incredible and expansive Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden.

The Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden has several galleries designed to be age-specific but not age-restrictive. There is a treehouse canopy (basically an eco-friendly trampoline), a kaleidoscope, a secret garden hedge maze, an educational edible garden, a sensory water play area, and more.

The best place for toddlers to explore is the First Adventure gallery. The First Adventure gallery has fun interactive exhibits such as the caterpillar maze, a sandbox, giant insects to climb on, a tree house, a small water area for splashing, and more.

On the weekdays at 10:30 am, you can also attend storytime (a 10-15 minute program), where kids will explore seasonal and thematic storybooks related to science and nature. There are fun puppet shows on the weekends at 10:30 am and 11:30 am!

Best for ages 1 – 8 years old

Klyde Warren Park

What was once a freeway is now an urban oasis. A day at Klyde Warren Park is one of the best FREE things to do in Dallas with toddlers.

Klyde Warren Park is a 5.2-acre public park in Downtown Dallas with ample opportunities for a beautiful day at the park. There is plenty of green space to play on, delicious dining options, fun splash pads, outdoor games, weekend story time and music, a magical water fountain show, and an epic playground.

The Sheila and Jody Grant Children’s Park has 18,000 square feet of fun with a 35-foot climbing tower and slide, a kid-sized climbing wall, interactive water features, a tree-top lookout, and so much more.

When spending time at Klyde Warren Park, do not miss the Nancy Best Fountain show. In addition to being a fun interactive splash pad for kids, it is also a beautiful water show. Every day at noon, the fountain comes alive for 30 minutes with dancing waters and music. At night (6:45 pm), the water show is illuminated in color for a spectacular performance.

Local tip: check out Klyde Warren Park’s calendar to attend Music and Stories with Miss Kimberley for a fun hour of music, movement and stories. This event is perfect for toddlers!

Free
Best for ages 18 months – 12 years old

Texas Discovery Gardens

Texas Discovery Gardens is a hidden gem in Dallas. You can stroll through the gardens, watch model trains zoom by, check out the snake house, and explore the magnificent two-story butterfly house.

The butterfly house transports you to a tropical paradise with hundreds of international butterflies dancing around you. Make sure you plan your trip around the butterfly release (every Wed-Sun at noon) to learn about the species and watch the butterflies flutter away.

The model train garden is a fun area for toddlers. There are over 1000 feet of train tracks, with at least five trains passing through small towns and some notable Texas sites like the Alamo. Outside of the gardens is also an outdoor playground with a cool bridge. It is not toddler-friendly, but if you have older kids, they will surely enjoy it.

Best for ages 18 months – 10 years old

And that concludes my list of the best things to do in Dallas with toddlers! I hope you have found plenty of fun places to take your family for your weekend in Dallas.