Nestled in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth, Arlington, Texas boasts attractions and activities for all ages. As the entertainment hub of DFW, it offers everything from thrilling adventures and outdoor fun to cultural experiences and behind-the-scenes tours. Discover these 11 kid-friendly activities in Arlington that promise unforgettable memories.
Commune With Nature at River Legacy Nature Center
Ideal for nature lovers as young as 2 years old, the River Legacy Nature Center provides children a hands-on connection with the natural world around them. Kids will learn about native Texas animals as they observe them in captivating indoor exhibits and 10 miles of hiking trails featuring a large turtle pond.
River Legacy Nature Center even offers a downloadable app (River Legacy Discovery Trail) that is available in the Mac App Store and designed to guide families along their trails located in the woods within walking distance. With it kids may earn rewards for locating certain hidden wonders, challenge themselves with fun quizzes, and learn about rare wildlife.
A new Discovery Room features 30-foot interactive screens and woodland habitats, plus families can attend the Nature Center’s year-round community celebrations like the Great Backyard Bird Count in February and the Fall Festival held each October. There is no fee to explore the center’s aquariums and terrariums, interactive exhibits, public programs, community festivals, and surrounding nature trails.
Location: River Legacy Nature Center, 703 NW Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, TX
Hours: 9am–5pm Monday–Saturday; closed Sunday
Pricing: Free admission to all areas of the center except the Discovery Room, which is $5 for adults, $3 child 3–12. Pricing may vary depending on the visiting exhibit.
Contact: 817/860-6752
Website: riverlegacy.org
Zip Through Treetops at Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park
Just a hop, skip, and a zip from the River Legacy Nature Center, families can experience Tarzan-like thrills at Go Ape Zipline. These one-of-a-kind treetop excursions take visitors on a journey through the forest canopy. Excursions can last up to three hours, including a 30-minute safety briefing, so make sure to clear your afternoon for this attraction.
Each guest is outfitted with essential safety gear. Then parents and their children are free to embark on a self-paced adventure of varying heights and difficulty levels. Note that kids must be at least 3 feet, 3 inches tall to participate, and kids 5 years old and younger must be supervised by an adult for every two children. Gloves are mandatory too, so bring a pair from home or purchase one from Go Ape. Book your timed excursion online.
Location: Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park, 1601 NE Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington, TX
Hours: 10am–4pm Monday, Thursday & Friday; 9am–4pm Saturday & Sunday; closed Tuesday & Wednesday
Pricing: $49.95 day pass, $79.95 adventure pass
Contact: 800/971-8271
Website: goape.com
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Scale the Wall at Dyno-Rock Indoor Climbing Center
Dyno-Rock provides a safe, climate-controlled environment for year-round climbing. The facility boasts 16,000 square feet of indoor climbing surfaces suitable for all ages and skill levels. Dyno-Rock offers climbing equipment for children as young as 4, and kids 8–13 can climb on the boulder wall with an adult. If you’re a new visitor, you’ll first need to sign a waiver and take part in a 10-minute orientation.
Location: Dyno-Rock Indoor Climbing Center, 608 E. Front St., Arlington, TX
Hours: Open daily. 2–10pm Monday–Saturday; 1–7pm Sunday
Pricing: $12 day pass, or $22 for a day pass with full gear. Come on Sundays for free gear rental for kids 13 years old and under.
Contact: 817/461-3966
Website: dynorock.com
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Battle With Lasers at Alley Cats Entertainment
Alley Cats Entertainment in Arlington offers cutting-edge laser tag in its two-story arena. Families can navigate through hand-painted, glow-in-the-dark artwork that adds a captivating twist to every turn. Reservations are not required for laser tag battles.
While there’s no technical height or weight requirement for kids to join the laser tag, they’ve got to be able to wear the vest, which weighs about 15 or 20 pounds. Alley Cats offers virtual reality laser tag too for anyone at least 48 inches tall. But the laser tag is only the tip of the iceberg here. A “Best Day Ever Pass” can be purchased for all-day fun for $40 that gives unlimited bowling, laser tag, rock climbing, putt-putt golf, and a $20 game card.
Location: Alley Cats Entertainment, 2008 W. Pleasant Ridge Road, Arlington, TX
Hours: Open daily. 11am–11pm Monday–Thursday & Sunday; 11am–midnight Friday; 10am –midnight Saturday
Pricing: $10 per person per battle; $40 day pass for all activities
Contact: 817/784-2695
Website: alleycatsbowl.com
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Plan Your Escape at The Secret Chambers
Escape rooms for kids aren’t just thrilling; they’re gateways to creative critical thinking and problem-solving prowess. At The Secret Chambers, most escape rooms are open for children under 10, except for the Poe Adventure, which is tailored for ages 10 and up.
Coming for the first time? Try the Pirate Adventure, which starts participants off as a blindfolded prisoner in chains. With just one hour to escape the ship’s brig, families are tasked with finding a way out before the bomb goes off. Reservations are required and can be made online.
Location: The Secret Chambers, 2111 N. Collins St., Ste. 225, Arlington, TX
Hours: Open daily. 2–10pm Monday–Friday; 10am–10pm Saturday & Sunday
Pricing: $140 minimum booking fee covers up to 4 people; $35 per additional player. Extra for refreshments, group photos or merchandise to remember the experience.
Contact: 682/347-4033
Website: thesecretchambers.com
Explore an Arlington Fire Station
Kids 5 and up are welcome to experience a day in the life of a firefighter at their local Arlington fire stations by scheduling a 30-minute tour that explores the fire engines, cutting-edge firefighting equipment and gear, and offers kids the chance to meet the heroes who keep the community safe. Fire house visitors will hear fire prevention and safety tips and be given the opportunity to ask questions. Go online to request a tour and arrive early since parking is limited.
Location: Arlington Fire Station 1, 401 W Main St., Arlington, TX
Arlington Fire Station 2, 1727 Sherry St., Arlington, TX
Hours: Tours may be scheduled daily from 10am–6pm.
Pricing: Free admission
Contact: 817/459-5500
Website: arlingtontx.gov
Listen to Stories at the Arlington Museum of Art
Every other Wednesday, from 11am–noon, the Arlington Museum of Art transforms into a wonderland of stories and creativity. Following a theatrical book reading by a children’s librarian, kids will dive into an art activity that ties directly into the story, turning listening into hands-on fun.
Events are held in the library’s HELP Center Gallery, Traditional Gallery, or Boardroom. Upon arrival, please check in at the front desk. The best part is that admission and parking are free, but you’ll need to pre-register online.
Location: Arlington Museum of Art, 1200 Ballpark Way, Arlington, TX
Hours: Stories 11am–noon every other Wednesday. Museum open 10am–5pm Tuesday–Saturday; 1–5pm Sunday; closed Monday.
Pricing: Free admission for story time; tickets required for special exhibits.
Contact: 817/275-4600
Website: arlingtonmuseum.org
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Run the Bases at Globe Life Field
Kids don’t have to wonder what it’s like to play on a Major League Baseball field anymore, they can experience it themselves. After every Sunday afternoon game during the regular season, children 13 and younger can come onto the field and dash across the bases. For this incredible opportunity, 1) stay until the end of the game, 2) tune in for the announcement during the eighth inning, and 3) gather behind Section 125 on the main concourse.
If you’d rather meet the players themselves, come on Family Fun Tuesdays, when the Rangers players sign autograph before the games. (Tuesdays are also when the venue offers deals on tickets, parking, food and drinks.) Passes to the autograph sessions are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the player’s appearance, and you must be present to receive one.
Location: Globe Life Field, 734 Stadium Drive, Arlington, TX
Hours: Afternoon games on Sundays
Pricing: Free admission onto the field with cost of baseball game ticket
Contact: 817/533-1972
Website: globelifefield.com
Race Full Throttle at K1 Speed
For your older kids—at least 48 inches tall—families can experience the thrill of turbo-paced karting at K1 Speed’s indoor (read: air conditioning) track. The Arrive & Drive racing option lets parents and junior racers battle it out for the fastest lap. For a snack between races, guests can refuel at the Paddock Lounge or keep the adrenaline pumping at the facility’s arcade. For safety, be sure to wear closed-toe shoes, and skip any outfits with flowing fabrics.
Location: K1 Speed, 1801 E. Lamar Blvd., Arlington, TX
Hours: Open daily. Noon–10pm Monday–Thursday; noon–midnight Friday; 10am–midnight Saturday; 10am–10pm Sunday
Pricing: Starts at $26.95 for one race, and up to $64.95
Contact: 817/500-5095
Website: k1speed.com
Discover Geological Wonders at Crystal Canyon Natural Area
Welcoming hikers, bird watchers, wildflower enthusiasts, and families alike, this 40-acre preserve is a treasure trove of geological wonders. See if you can spot the evidence of the near-shore marine life that once existed here—like calcareous fossil clams. Thanks to recent state funding, this natural area is even more of a gem, with recently added benches, pedestrian bridges, a drinking fountain, and interpretive signage (for identifying some of the flora and fauna).
The half-mile, soft-surface trail is well maintained and ideal for little ones who don’t have the stamina for longer hikes. It’s also heavily wooded, which means a lot of shade for warmer days and the need for bug spray. For those with strollers, hikers warn of slippery conditions when it rains, and it’s important to note that there are no restrooms. An on-site parking lot is limited to 10 spots.
Location: Crystal Canyon Natural Area, 1000 Brown Blvd., Arlington, TX
Hours: 5am–10pm daily
Pricing: Free admission
Contact: 817/459-5474
Website: arlingtontx.gov
Ride Mini Rollercoasters at Six Flags Over Texas
Whether kids are boating through the candle-lit Speelunker Cave as they witness loot-seeking pirates, whizzing down winding slides in Looney Toons Adventure Camp, or rollercoasting Wile E. Coyote’s Grand Canyon Blaster, Six Flags Over Texas caters equally to apprehensive tots and thrill-seeking teens.
Most rides have no height requirement when riding with an adult, but kids riding alone must be from 36–48 inches. For those more daring, don’t miss out on the Runaway Mine Train, the first-ever mine train roller coaster in the world. It reaches speeds of 38 miles per hour and ends with a heart-pounding 39-foot drop.
Parents of children under 54 inches can notify ride operators they’d like to participate in a Kid Swap. This allows one parent to wait in a designated area with the child while the other rides. Then they can swap places. Seasonal family celebrations like Fright Fest, Kids Boo Fest, and Holiday in the Park, feature additional activities, entertainment, and holiday decorations.
Location: Six Flags Over Texas, 2201 Road to Six Flags, Arlington, TX
Hours: 6–11pm Friday; noon–11pm Saturday; noon–9pm Sunday
Pricing: Daily passes vary in price ($35–$59). Monthly passes are available, as well as add-ons like The FLASH Pass that allows guests to reserve their ride and skip the line. Purchasing tickets online instead of at the gate is typically less expensive. Children under 2 are free.
Contact: 817/640-8900
Website: sixflags.com
Top image courtesy of Texas Rangers
