Kids love video games—there’s no way around it. And while experts agree that balancing screen time is most beneficial for children, we also know that an afternoon or evening out at the arcade can also be a healthy way too for kids to work out their energy, especially during extreme weather months or holiday breaks.
Of course you’ll find arcades at attractions all over Dallas-Fort Worth, including at putt-putt or mini golf centers, laser tag or bowling centers, but if you’re looking for a destination, these listed below are particular stand-outs for either their affordability, versatility, special needs accommodations, or for their new and expanding locations.
Do you frequent another local arcade that ought to be on our list? Let us know by emailing elizabeth@dfwchild.com.
Nickel Mania
There’s not much else you can get for a nickel these days, but here at this Carrollton mainstay since 1996, the kids can play more than 100 classic arcade games with regular ol’ nickels. You’ll need to pay a small $4.49 admission fee to get in, then stop by the coin changer to load up on nickels. The best time to come is for “happy hour” from 4–7pm on Wednesdays, when players get 1,000 free tickets you can redeem for prizes. That, plus the fact that you can bring your own snacks with you into the arcade, make Nickel Mania one of the most affordable options in DFW.
Hours: Open daily during the summer and during the school year is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. See details here.
Location: 2661 Midway Road (off Trinity Mills), Suite 218, Carrollton
Learn more: 972/713-9500; nickelmania.com
NickelRama
Also running the nickel game since 1996 is NickelRama. They’ve got the same old school games at each of their two Garland locations, but the Firewheel spot has lots of pinball machines that’s a must-see for pinball enthusiasts. Check out their Facebook page for announcements of their newest game additions.
Arcade admission is free for children 3 and younger and $4.95 for everyone else. Reps say they’ll honor a group admission price of $3.95 per person for groups of at least six people. When you arrive, you have the option of purchasing a $5 or $10 cup worth of nickels, or you can stop by their change machine.
Note that they only have vending machines on-site, no concession stand, but you can bring your own snacks and drinks from home.
Hours: Open daily, see hours details here.
Locations: 1238 Belt Line Road and 3046 Lavon Drive, Garland
Learn more: Belt Line: 972/414-7042; Firewheel: 469/786-1854; nickelrama.com
Celebration Station
Let the kids loose among the claw machines, air hockey, driving games and alley rollers (think Skee-Ball) here at this Mesquite destination where the arcade is only one of the many reasons to visit. There’s also mini golf, bumper cars, go-karts and kids karts for littler kids.
There’s no admission fee, you can pay for games a la carte or in a bundle. Their best deal is the $50 game card (with a value of $75), or get an unlimited wristband to do whatever you please for two or three hours.
Hours: Open 11am–10pm Sunday through Thursday and 11am–11pm Friday and Saturday
Location: 4040 Towne Crossing Boulevard, Mesquite
Learn more: 972/279-7888; celebrationstation.com
Main Event
Our readers voted for Main Event as the Best Party Venue for Fun & Games in our 2023 Best for Families survey, so there’s no question that this mega-chain of family entertainment centers is a fan favorite. And for good reason. Beyond the bowling and pool, Main Event is a parent’s one-stop shop for everything from dozens of arcade games and more high-tech experiences like virtual reality, laser tag and escape rooms. The Lewisville location has a “mixed reality” multiball, and the Frisco location also has glow-in-the-dark mini golf.
Let the kids go wild (as long as their energy lasts) with an all-you-can-play pass (early bird pricing available before noon.) They also have a promo where you get a free 30-minute play time for signing up for their emails.
Hours: Most locations follow these hours: Monday 10am–1am, Tuesday–Thursday 10am–midnight, Friday 10am–2am, Saturday 9am–2am, and Sunday 10am–midnight
Locations: Multiple locations: Fort Worth North, Fort Worth South, Frisco, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Lewisville and Plano
Learn more: mainevent.com
Chuck E. Cheese
Gone are the singing animatronic characters from yesteryear. These days, Chuck E. Cheese locations are renovated or new, bright and clean, and a great spot for enjoying a pizza buffet while the kids hit up the arcade and sprint across the light-up dance floors. Each location has an average of 70 games. Keep an eye out for appearances by a costumed Chuck E. Cheese.
Get a Play Pass or a rechargeable Play Band wristband, which makes hopping from one game to the next seamless, so your kid can focus on the fun and racking up tickets to spend at the prize counter.
Have a child with special needs? Come on the first Sundays on the month during Sensory Sensitive Sundays. Participating locations open early, dim the lighting and turn down the volume on the arcade games to help provide a calmer environment.
Hours: Times vary by location but generally open as early as 10am and close as late as 10pm
Locations: About a dozen fun centers across Dallas-Fort Worth. Click here and type in your zip code to find the one closest to you.
Learn more: chuckecheese.com
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games
Named for the famous family of Italian racecar drivers, this entertainment complex is a must-go for both adults in need of a nostalgic date night (I can tell you firsthand that their dining and drink menu is pretty great) and for families, too, to enjoy loads of video and arcade games.
Some of the attractions have height requirements: must be 42 inches tall for the laser tag and 54 inches tall for the virtual reality Hyperdeck. And the go-kart racing isn’t just for adults and teens either. Kids 4 to 6 years old can race the Mini Mario Karts in a 5-minute heat, and kids as young as 7 can join the Junior Race.
This location at Grandscape in The Colony will be joined by two more locations coming soon: Grand Prairie in December 2023 and Fort Worth to open in March 2024.
Hours: Times vary by day but are generally opens as early as 10am and closes as late as 1am
Locations: 5752 Grandscape Blvd., Suite 100, The Colony
Learn more: 469/527-3278; andrettikarting.com
Bishop Cidercade
This arcade is the top spot for adults (like me) who love retro video games and a cold glass of hard cider to boot. The Dallas-based Bishop Cider company operates several locations across Texas including in Dallas’ Design District, in downtown Fort Worth and another coming soon to Arlington.
You’ll expect more than 140 arcades games in Dallas and more than 275 arcade games in Fort Worth. Skee-Ball, air hockey, pinball, shuffleboard and pool tables—the works—and many more games you might not have seen since you were a kid.
Everyone 5 and older pays the $10 admission, which covers unlimited games. You won’t need any tokens or coins to play. You can bring the family during the day when Cidercade is open to all ages or come after 8pm when it reverts to an arcade bar for 21 and up only. And come hungry, their artisan pizza menu includes options both adults and kids can enjoy.
Hours: Both locations are open 10am–midnight Sunday through Thursday and 10am–1am Friday and Saturday. 21 and up only after 8pm.
Locations: 2777 Irving Boulevard, Dallas; 1813 West Bowie Street, Fort Worth
Learn more: Dallas: 214/208-1922; Fort Worth: 817/264-2835; cidercade.com
Top image courtesy of Main Event
