It’s that time of year again: spring break! If you want to avoid long lines, airport meltdowns, sand and sunburns while still giving your kids an amazing school-free week—look no further. Consider us your travel planners to the ultimate Dallas Fort-Worth staycation.
See below for our favorite local destinations for spring break fun according to your kid’s interests, from the outdoors, science and space travel to art, history and culture. Spend just one day or the whole week exploring these greatest destinations.
Need more options? Search our entertainment calendar and our camp directory here.
Spring Break Art Activities in Dallas
For the arts-loving tot, plan your day at the Dallas Museum of Art, where you can join story times, drop-in art activities and sensory play. If your little ones are not too exhausted, take a walk across the street to the neighboring Nasher Sculpture Center, offering free admission March 13–17 and a full slate of spring break activities, including creative play, sketching in the sculpture garden, and a catch to see the handiwork of the Dallas Yarn Bombers up close.
Spring Break Art Activities in Fort Worth
Cowtown is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the best places to see art in the country. A day museum hopping is easy in Fort Worth, as a bulk of museums are within walking distance from each other—the only problem is which destinations to choose!
To inspire your budding artists, begin at The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. The Modern is offering an Art Break! spring break program March 11–15, where kids can join daily hands-on projects themed after the museum’s collection, followed by a drop-in family program. Admission for kids under 18 is free every day and free to everyone on Monday and Friday of spring break.
Pop in to Café Modern for grub or check out the many restaurants just east of the museum before making your way over to the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. From March 12–15, the museum host come-and-go activities from 1–4pm, including crafts and story times with Prickles the Jackaloupe stuffed animal character. And at the Kimbell Art Museum, the schedule for their Spring Break Art Extravaganza from Tuesday, March 12–Friday, March 15 including everything from watercolor painting and tie-dye to screen-printing.
Nature Activities in Dallas
Do your kiddos still have an itch for fun in the sun? Just 20 minutes by car is the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Its Dallas Blooms festival is in full swing, with activities including Mommy and Me Mondays and Tiny Tot Tuesdays. Plus, they’ll be open for extended hours, until 7pm, during spring break.
If your little ones are curious about life in the rainforest and under the sea, take a trip to the Dallas World Aquarium, a multi-level walk-thru environment that’s unlike any aquarium you’ve been to, trust us. Check the feeding schedule online to plan when your kid’s favorite creatures—like otters and penguins—will chow down.
Wrap up with food truck grub and a spin on the playground at Klyde Warren Park, which offers free activities and entertainment every day.
The Katy Trail has long been a favorite way to get around Dallas. Park along Knox Street and grab a bite to eat (we recommend the chips and queso at the Katy Trail Ice House) before making your way to the trail. Bring your bikes, or enjoy the stroll southward and back.
Nature Activities in Fort Worth
Start your day in bloom at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, which is currently hosting several exhibitions, including the animatronic Dinosaurs Around the World. Plus, you can wander through the Rainforest Conservatory to see Butterflies in the Garden, a special exhibit of live butterflies fluttering freely around you. This special event runs March 1 through April 14.
After buzzing about the garden, drive 10 minutes to the Fort Worth Water Gardens. Kids will be amazed at the wonderful Philip Johnson-designed urban park, featuring three different pools of water (quiet, aerating and active). Be sure to hold hands as you descend the steps into the jaw-dropping active pool.
You could spend a whole day visiting the 540-plus species currently living at the Fort Worth Zoo. Come for the spring break camps or any day, and be sure to make time for stage shows and animal encounters at the Outdoor Learning Theater to get an up-close look at some of the zoo’s mammals, reptiles and birds.
Culture & History Activities in Dallas
Expand your horizons by taking in the cityscape views and joining daily family activities at at the nearby Reunion Tower GeO-Deck during spring break through March 16 (included with admission), be sure to check out the interactive Constellation experience. This allows visitors to add their names to a star—your little ones will leave knowing they’ve left their mark 470 feet up in the air. Families with older kids can learn about one of the sadder chapters in Dallas history by taking a tour of Dealey Plaza before visiting The Sixth Floor Museum.
If you and your clan would like to venture a little out of the downtown area, make a pilgrimage to the Bishop Arts District. Though the neighborhood dates back to the 1930s, it’s become trendy yet again thanks to plenty of independently owned shops and eateries. Cap off your day by scoring a coveted seat for your brood at the popular Oddfellows or strolling through DFW Mantiques, a man-cave-meets-antique-shop where all kinds of knickknacks are sold, including toys.
Culture & History Activities in Fort Worth
You could spend a whole day in Fort Worth’s Sundance Square and never be bored with dozens of stores, restaurants (many with patios) and cultural attractions and events. But if you and your brood are in the mood for something a little more rustic, dress your little ones in their cowboy boots and hats and head to the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, only five minutes away from the Square. The Stockyards’ history dates back to 1866, when herdsmen brought in cattle through the city—it’s been called Cowtown ever since.
Watch the daily cattle drive at 11:30am or 4pm; when the longhorns aren’t parading down East Exchange Avenue, you can visit them behind the Livestock Exchange Building. Try to navigate the Cattle Pen Maze (it’s only $6, and half price on Tuesdays), then reward yourselves with old-fashioned sweets from The Candy Barrel.
RELATED: How to Help Your Kids Experience the World Without Leaving Home
Staycation Hotels in Dallas-Fort Worth
Great Wolf Lodge
Great Wolf Lodge will keep your kids having fun for hours on end with endless waterparks and pools, attractions such as the Build-a-Bear Workshop (for Great Wolf characters), the MagiQuest live action game, ropes course, and more. The Lodge also accommodates parents, with a spa, fitness center and endless dining options. And there is a suite for every family size—choose from standard, themed and premium suites that hold up to eight people.
100 Great Wolf Dr., Grapevine
800/693-9653
greatwolf.com/grapevine
Gaylord Texan Resort
The Gaylord Texan Resort proves everything is a paradise all on its own. Overlooking Lake Grapevine (a sight for sore eyes at night), the resort boasts indoor gardens your children can explore, indoor pools (the Paradise Springs outdoor waterpark reopens May 17) and 10 restaurants and cafes when you need to refuel. Family entertainment this spring ranges from escape rooms and scavenger hunts to Easter Bunny meet and greets and more character interactive shows with Alfie the Armadillo, Layla the Longhorn.
1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine
817/778-1000
gaylordtexan.com
Hilton Anatole
Find your home away from home at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas and fun activities for the whole family. Watch your kiddos dribble their way to the basket at the basketball court, play a game of tag on the grassy area near the outdoor fountain and enjoy a breakfast for champions at the outdoor Terrace. When it’s mommy time, head to the VSpa where you can choose from facials, massages, manicures and pedicures—you may not want to go back home. The outdoor JadeWaters reopens for spring break for poolside fun, including water slides, a lazy river and a kids splash zone.
2201 North Stemmons Freeway, Dallas
214/761-7520
hilton.com
RELATED: Great Hotels in Dallas-Fort Worth for a Staycation
Top image courtesy of Kimbell Art Museum
