Wanna get out of the house? DFWChild’s calendar editor recommends the top five kid-friendly events each weekend coming to Dallas-Fort Worth that are worth the effort of venturing out. To get our Weekend newsletter directly in your inbox every Thursday, drop your email below and we’ll keep you in the loop.
Top Things to Do March 20–22
World’s Only St. Paddy’s Pickle Parade & Palooza
Where: Downtown Mansfield
When: Saturday, March 21, 2026; 8am–7:30pm
Why go? The Pickle Capital of Texas—and where Best Maid pickle company first started—pulls out the stops for its annual festival and parade (kicking off at 10am) on St. Patrick’s Day weekend featuring the spectacle of the Pickle Queens, pickle eating and pickle juice drinking contests and—most darling of all—the Baby Parade for 6 to 48-month-old “Baby Dills.” FREE admission and free children’s activities. $20 to enter Baby Parade.
See the full schedule
Sonia de los Santos
Where: Eisemann Center, Richardson
When: Sunday, March 22, 2pm
Why go? After her original concert date was postponed due to the January freeze, now you’ve got another shot to hear this bilingual, family-music songstress and to join the preshow lobby activity making bird puppets. If Santos isn’t on your radar, give her songs a listen. Her album ¡Alegría! (meaning “happiness”) scored her a Latin Grammy award nomination for Best Latin Children’s Album, she’s previously teamed up with Blippi and Meekah, and she’s just debuted her first-ever children’s book, La Golondrina. Show me
The SpongeBob Musical
Where: Casa Mañana, Fort Worth
When: Opens Saturday, March 21, 1pm and 5pm
Sunday, March 22, 11am and 3pm
Continues weekends through April 12
Why go? If the SpongeBob movie that was just in movie theaters wasn’t enough to satisfy your kids’ thirst, this live musical from Casa Mañana’s Children’s Theatre might do the trick. In this episode of his underwater adventures, he’s on yet another quest to save the citizens of Bikini Bottom, this time from a soon-to-erupt volcano. For your kids who are hard of hearing or sensory-sensitive, book your tickets for special performances on March 27 or 29, respectively. Show me
Texas Forever Fest
Where: Haggard Park, Plano
When: Saturday, March 21, 11am–6pm
Why go? Put on your cowboy hats for Texas-size photo ops and get ready for some boot scootin’ at this free family fest celebrating our state’s Independence Day. Hang out with your littles in the Kid Zone and listen as live musicians bring the tunes all day long. FREE Learn more
Venardos Circus’ Alice
Where: River Walk, Flower Mound
When: Thursday–Friday, March 19–20, 7pm
Saturday, March 21, 11am, 2pm and 5pm
Sunday, March 22, 2pm and 5pm
Continues through March 29
Why go? Trapeze artists in costume as Alice and more characters from Lewis Carroll’s original Wonderland story will be flipping and flying down the rabbit hole, or rather, under the big top. Venardos’ red and white tent will present its Whimsical, animal-free circus in DFW for two weekends only. Can’t make it? Catch Alice again this April in Farmers Branch. Children under 3 free. Show me
Find many more events at dfwchild.com/calendar. Have a special, kid-friendly event you’re promoting? Submit it here.
Top Things to Do March 13–15
Dragon Trails
Where: Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, McKinney
When: Grand opening on Saturday, March 14, 9am–5pm
Continues March 15–June 27
Why go? The Heard is not blowing smoke with this new exhibition of animatronic creatures, this time starring both mythical dragons like the Basilisk (yep, the one from Harry Potter) and more real-life species that roamed the Earth during the time of the dinosaurs. Register online to join the grand opening party and come hear them roaring along the nature trail—though they’ll be still and quiet from 8–9am on second Saturdays. Included with general admission; children under 3 free.
Show me
Family Night
Where: Klyde Warren Park, Dallas
When: Saturday, March 14, 4–9pm
Why go? The always-free family fun and activities gets cranked up a notch for this Saturday evening party. Come out to Dallas’ “living room” park for even more hands-on activities, games (and prizes too), and live performances with ballerinas, magicians and circus performers. Plus, you’re welcome to bring snacks from home, or pack light and hit up the food trucks on site. FREE
Learn more
Wizard of Oz on Ice
Where: Coppell Arts Center
When: Sunday, March 15, 2pm and 6pm
Why go? Just when we think we’ve seen all the possible adaptations of this story, then we find this one—and we’re not mad about it. This show stars of team of world-class ice skating performers (including a former Olympian as the Wizard) and cirque performers in wild, glow-in-the-dark costumes.
Show me
Train-A-Palooza Model Train Show
Where: Grapevine Convention Center
When: Saturday, March 14, 10am –5pm
Sunday, March 15, 10am–3pm
Why go? Come see Thomas the Tank Engine-themed toy train layout, another made entirely of LEGOs and more model trains at this 12th annual event hosted by several local train clubs. Plus, you can take a spin outside on the Choo Choo Express trackless train and, down Main Street at the historic railyard, you’ll find something special: another model railroad layout inside a 65-foot-long baggage car. Free for kids 12 and younger; and all scouting organizations members in uniform. $10 for all others.
Learn more
Second Saturdays: Bioluminescent Magic
Where: Frisco Heritage Center
When: Saturday, March 14, 10am–3pm
Why go? Is your kids fascinated with sea creatures at the moment? How about ones that glow in the dark? We thought so. All ages are welcome to make their own jellyfish crafts, get creative at neon painting stations set glow under blacklights, and more hands-on fun inspired by the center’s Deep Glow exhibit by Texas-based artist Lauren Lewchuk. FREE
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St. Paddy’s Texas Style
Where: Wayne Ferguson Plaza in Old Town Lewisville
When: Saturday, March 14, 1–9:30pm
Why go? First, we love that it’s free admission and nearly all the activities are free—so it’s very budget friendly, right out of the gate. And this annual festival is also a fun one because it’s not only a blend of cultures Texas and Irish cultures. The city throws in a few curveball entertainers like Luche Libre wrestlers and, reliable kiddie activities like inflatables.
See the full schedule
Top Things to Do March 6–8
Soccer: More Than a Game
Where: Perot Museum of Nature & Science, Dallas
When: Opens Saturday, March 7, 10am–5pm
Continues daily (except Tuesdays) through September 7
Why go? Ahead of the FIFA World Cup games hosted here this summer, this family-friendly exhibition plays into that fervor—putting your kids in the players’ cleats. You’ll not only get to test your own skills but also learn about the science behind human movement, the cultural impact of the game, and careers in the soccer world beyond being the star forward. Special admission tickets required; free for children under 2. Show me
In fact, this is a huge weekend for soccer in DFW, when a brand new venue TOCA Social opens in The Colony.
Peppa Pig: My First Concert
Where: Majestic Theatre, Dallas
When: Saturday, March 7, 2pm and 5pm
Why go? The violin, the harp, they cymbals—they all make different sounds, so how do they go together? This live orchestra experience is made for little ones as young as 18 months to follow along with Peppa and her whole family (including baby Evie) as they discover how to make music with strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion—the whole shebang. Characters will be available after the show too for VIP meet and greets. Show me
RELATED: A Look Inside the Peppa Pig Theme Park in North Richland Hills
TEXFest
Where: Historic Downtown Carrollton
When: Saturday, March 7, 3–9pm
Why go? In the nearly 200 years since Texas’ original Independence Day, we’ve developed quite a few traditions, including but certainly not limited to country music and cattle, barbecue and iced tea. And at this family fest, you can get a small taste of them—plus more kid-friendly fun like going for a wild ride on a mechanical bull. FREE Learn more
Flight of the Bumblebee
Where: Fort Worth Botanic Garden
When: Update! This concert has been rescheduled to March 15.
Why go? Fresh off debuting its butterfly exhibit, the botanic garden celebrates another pollinator with this live family concert. Meet in the Fuller Garden to hear the story of friends Betty Bee and Billy Bee, as told through a narrator and actors accompanied by a violin, cello and piano. No ticket required for kids under 2. Show me
Safety Saturday
Where: Frisco Fire Safety Town
When: Saturday, March 7, 9:30am–noon
Why go? This mini village at Frisco’s Central Fire Station is typically open only for school field trips, but does open a few times a year to the public. So bring your littles to this morning event where they’ll get to explore the tiny town, practicing pedestrian safety around its streets, and see a fire engine close up. They’ll also provide mini Jeeps and bicycles (with and without training wheels) for special drive times around town. Sign up for your time slot online. FREE Learn more
Movie Night: How to Train Your Dragon
Where: Harmony Park, Trophy Club
When: Friday, March 6, 6:45pm
Why go? We’re inching toward outdoor movie night season, and Trophy Club is kicking off its own series with this 2025 live action film starring dragon Toothless and his rider Hiccup. Come early to lay your blankets or chairs on the lawn, and let your littles play on the playground until the movie starts. FREE Show me
Find many more events at dfwchild.com/calendar. Have a special, kid-friendly event you’re promoting? Submit it here.
