However much we love and appreciate at-home streaming services, there’s no replacing the experience of watching a movie on the big screen. But not all theaters are made with little kids or squirming toddlers in mind. So, we sought out DFW-area cinemas that are the most uniquely kid-friendly, which by our definition, is where they can have a thrilling, playful experience, watching child-appropriate content, and where parents can relax too. And what we found goes beyond 3D movies—to 4D-capable theaters with sensory elements, brand new immersive digital domes, and even theaters made for play.
RELATED: Drive-In Movie Theaters in DFW
LEGO 4D Cinema
For your littlest kids who just wanna have fun, there’s LEGOLAND Discovery Center at Grapevine Mills. With already so much to do inside this attraction—its dozen play spaces range from rides to soft play—this 4D mini movie theater is just extra icing on the cake.
LEGO 4D Cinema shows only LEGO movies, as you can imagine, and they’re all short films (10 minutes or so), and in every show from every seat in the house, you’ll feel wind, rain or snow. Which element depends on what happens in the show. During this December and January, these four shows are on the roster: LEGO City 4D: Officer Pursuit, LEGO DREAMZzz 4D: Z-Blob Rescue Rush, LEGO Friends 4D: Alien Invasion, & LEGO Ninjago 4D: Masters of the 4th Dimension.
Another thing we love about this theater is that you don’t have pay separately or time your arrival based on what you want to watch. The shows play on rotation every 15 or 20 minutes and are included with general admission, so there’s no need to think ahead or micromanage your outing. So you can choose one or catch them all, depending on when your child is ready to move onto the next play space. Just grab a pair of plastic 3D glasses (not paper ones that easily rip) and head inside when you’re ready.
Location: LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas-Fort Worth
3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway, Grapevine, Texas
Contact: 469/444-3050
Learn more: legolanddiscoverycenter.com/dallas-fw
Jane & John Justin Foundation Omni Theater
You may remember the old Omni Theater at the Fort Worth Museum of Science & History, but this one is a whole new story. Renovations were in the works for 18 months and took a whopping $22 million to build this immersive digital dome—what they’re calling “the world’s largest LED dome display within a museum”—with Cosm technology. (You may recognize the name. Cosm opened its own dome attraction, too, at Grandscape.)
The Omni’s grand opening date is coming up on Saturday, December 14, and very soon, you’ll be able to go online to book tickets for specific films/times. Their winter/spring movie lineup is chock full of educational, documentary-style films, like Butterfly Journey, Great Bear Rainforest (narrated by actor Ryan Reynolds) and a half dozen or so more titles.
All of the shows run about 40 minutes long and are mostly made for kids in kindergarten and up, but all ages are welcome inside the theater. If you’re bringing a baby or toddler, note that stroller parking is outside the theater, and 2 and younger can sit on your lap for free. For everyone else, tickets will be $15 for adults; $11 for children 3 and older; $3 discount for museum members.
For extra fun this December, book your tickets for the Polar Pajama Parties on December 14 and 21, which include a movie screening. And here’s one special show you won’t want to miss: Cliburn Family Concerts: Voyager, coming February 22–23. Get your tickets now at cliburn.org for this show all about NASA and space exploration.
Location: Fort Worth Museum of Science & History, 1600 Gendy Street, Fort Worth, Texas
Contact: 817/255-9300
Learn more: fwmuseum.org
Camp Cinemark
Inside Cinemark Allen 16 and XD, this specially designed theater feels like a trip to an overnight camp in the woods. Its cushy chaise lounges are more comfortable than traditional movie chairs and easier for curling up with your kids. For your other kids who’d rather sprawl out down in front, they too can lounge on large, rectangular bean bags.
Another feature that’s helpful (especially for breastfeeding moms or other parents who need to keep a constant eye out for their rambunctious ones) is the overhead string lights. They dim when the movie begins but never go out, so you can actually see.
To see showtimes and book your seats online, look for screenings labeled “Camp” with a flag. Tickets vary by showtime; under 1 free. As soon as the theater opens (about 10–15 minutes before the opening credits start rolling), you’re welcome to enter and let your kids explore the space.
Location: Cinemark Allen 16 and XD, 921 SH 121, Allen, Texas
Contact: 214/383-9712; 370@cinemark.com
Learn more: cinemark.com/camp-cinemark-allen
screenPLAY!
When you want to go see a full-length, new-release movie (Moana 2, for example) as a family, but you also know your kid will need to work their wiggles out before sitting somewhat still in their theater seat, this is the spot—or rather two spots. B&B Theatres locations in Wylie and Red Oak (about 20 minutes south of downtown Dallas) each have a screenPLAY! theater with an incredible, vertical playground built into the side of the auditorium.
This playspace with tubes and slides is designed for kids as young as 2, and a flat play area on the floor in front of the screen is great for your youngest. You’re welcome to enter the theater starting 30 minutes before the movie. Then, when it’s time to settle in for the movie (read: for parents to rest their feet for 1.5 hours), check the digital buttons on your seat and turn on the heated seats. Pricing varies by showtime.
Location: 615 N. I-35 E Road, Red Oak, Texas
Contact: 469/373-7473
Learn more: bbtheatres.com/screenplay
Location: 711 Woodbridge Pkwy, Wylie, Texas
Contact: 972/419-8505
Learn more: bbtheatres.com/screenplay
4DX
Again, B&B Theatres is really knocking it out of the park. In addition to its screenPLAY! theaters (see above) for littles, we think older kids will be game to try out B&B’s new 4DX theater, which is not only 3D capable but also offers a rollercoaster-esque experience.
While the action on screen gets going, the bank of connected seats matches the action, rocking guests forward, backward and sideways. You’ll need to strap in with the seatbelt and hold onto your armrests. Keep the lids on those cups, too. A bar in front of you sprays bursts of air or water. Not keen to be splashed? Just tap the button on your armrest.
And on the side walls of the theater, strobe lights, bubble machines and fans that blow wind, fog and even scents are ready for action. Which ones of these will you experience during your visit? That all depends on the movie you’re seeing. Luckily for families, upcoming kids movies—like Wicked, Moana 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog 3—are super fun in this 4DX theater.
To sit in these 4DX seats, kids need to be over 4 years old and at least 3.5 feet tall, and as with real rollercoasters, they advise women who are pregnant to sit it out. Go online to reserve your tickets and come early to check out all the other fun at the Red Oak location, like the arcade with a rock climbing wall.
Location: 615 N. I-35 E Road, Red Oak, Texas
Contact: 469/373-7473
Learn more: bbtheatres.com/4dx
Top image of LEGO 4D Cinema, courtesy of Merlin Entertainments, Inc.
