With all those days to fill this summer season—beyond any camps you may have already booked—your entertainment budget may be stretched to the max. So we’ve rounded up some great ideas for out-of-the-house entertainment that’s not just affordable, it’s altogether free. See below for a few of our favorite ways to stay on budget this summer by enjoying free admission and free activities here in Dallas-Fort Worth.
Free Events
Make your first stop our online calendar at dfwchild.com/calendar where you can check the box for “free events” and find concerts, movie nights, art activities and more family-friendly fun happening all summer. For example, Fun in the Sun at Grandscape hosts new entertainers or games each Tuesday. Or go indoors and out of the heat, like at Showtime Saturdays with new entertainers each week on Galleria Dallas’ level three Children’s Play Place.
We’re always updating our calendar and adding new events as they are announced, so check back regularly for more free events this summer and throughout the year. An easier way to stay in the know? Sign up to receive our Weekend newsletters to have my picks for the best upcoming events delivered right to your inbox every Thursday.
Splash Pads
Many outdoors pools or aquatic centers charge admission, but neighborhood splash pads? No wristbands are required there. Check out our list by city of splash pads, spray parks or interactive fountains. Most are open through Labor Day or beyond, and many have partial shade coverings, restrooms or picnic tables. Just come wearing your suits, bring towels or a picnic, and be sure to go in the morning or early evening to avoid the harshest temps of the day.
Parks
Speaking of splash pads and picnics, most neighborhood parks are, of course, free and a great destination for playground fun, ponds and docks for some family fishing. You may already have a favorite park or playgrounds in rotation, but if you have the time for a trip downtown, one destination with a full schedule of always-free entertainment is Klyde Warren Park. Its everyday activities range from game carts to kid-friendly walkSTEM tours, and of course there’s playtime in the expanded Sheila and Jody Grant Children’s Park. Looking for indoor playgrounds? Several local churches offer free access to their playgrounds.
Free Museums
When those highest temps of the summer hit and you’d much rather stay inside in the air conditioning, it’s time to plan a return trip to the museum. Did you know that several museums in Dallas-Fort Worth offer free admission (not to mention the free air conditioning)?
Amon Carter Museum of American Art is always free for everyone, Dallas Museum of Art gives free general admission to its permanent collections, and The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth always gives free admission to children under 18. And on Free First Saturdays each month, Nasher Sculpture Center offers free admission for everyone and kid-focused art activities—worth planning your calendar around.
And while not a museum in the classic sense, NorthPark Center boasts its own collection of 20th and 21st century art among its luxury shops. Have a look while you take the kids to visit the ducks and turtles that live in the shallow pond next to Neiman Marcus, carry on the tradition sliding down the adjacent sloped planters, or visit the shopping center’s own Bookmarks library.
Libraries
Speaking of libraries, many have much more than story time readings planned for this summer. Don’t underestimate your local library’s robust calendar of special events and activities for little kids up to teens, including parties and prizes for kids who complete their summer reading programs.
And if you’re in the Collin County area particularly, be sure to pay a visit to the newly reopened Frisco Public Library. The new building has tripled in size, features a new Tiny Town, and as its centerpiece stands its own dinosaur skeleton. Rexy, a life-size model of a female T. rex, measures 42 feet long and 22 feet tall.
Kids Eat Free
When you find yourself out of the house and out of snacks, consult our guide to kids eat free meal deals, with options at local eateries your kids will actually eat (fingers crossed). We regularly update our guide, and we’ve got them listed by day of the week so you can more quickly and easily find something when and where you need it.
Have other ideas or tips for free summer activities? Let us know at editorial@dfwchild.com.
Top image of Fun in the Sun, courtesy of Grandscape
