March brings spring break, St. Patrick’s Day and plenty of opportunities to get out of the house before summer heat sets in. Whether you’re planning around holidays, school breaks or just looking to fill a free weekend, this list can help you map out a month of family fun across Dallas-Fort Worth.
Look ahead to these outings below that are worth adding to your family calendar, and find even more family fun events any day of the week dfwchild.com/calendar.
Butterflies in the Garden
Where: Fort Worth Botanic Garden
When: Sunday, March 1–Thursday, April 30, 2026
Why go? No need to blanket your own lawn in milkweed. Thousands of butterflies of all different species will be fluttering around inside the garden’s Rainforest Conservatory. You’ll easily recognize the blue morpho, but which other native and exotic species can you spot?
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Little Farmer Fridays
Where: Heritage Farmstead Museum, Plano
When: Friday, March 6–Friday, May 8, 2026
Why go? Sign up in advance for these themed play days for 2 to 5-year-olds every other Friday, starting with a barn dance on March 6 and another one all about sheep on March 27. But on any day of the series, farmhands will lead crafts, stories and tractor-pulled wagon rides around the four acres.
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North Texas Irish Festival
Where: Fair Park, Dallas
When: Friday–Sunday, March 6–8, 2026
Why go? Want to do more than simply wear green this St. Patrick’s Day? Join in this celebration of Irish history and Celtic culture at this annual festival. From step-dancers and bagpipers, to storytelling and even demonstrations from sheepherding dogs—there’s loads to see and experience. And with the children’s area, there’ll be activities and crafts to keep the kids engaged and learning all day.
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Peppa Pig: My First Concert
Where: Majestic Theatre, Dallas
When: Saturday, March 7, 2026
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.
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The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac
Where: Eisemann Center, Richardson
When: Saturday, March 7, 2026
Why go? 2026 is the Year of the Horse, but ever wondered how the horse and other animals made it into the Chinese Zodiac? The folklore starts with an emperor who needed to develop a way to tell the time. You’ll discover the full origin story in this live production from Honolulu Theatre for Youth—with martial arts, music and traditional Chinese movement.
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TEXFest
Where: Historic Downtown Carrollton
When: Saturday, March 7, 2026
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
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North Texas Teen Book Festival
Where: Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas
When: Saturday, March 7, 2026
Why go? Got a teen who reads nonstop? They’re already on the right track. And this annual book fair will only encourage that obsession. Expect meet and greets with readers, book signings and panel discussions from about 75 authors of YA and middle grade books—from Soman Chainani (The School for Good & Evil series) to R.L. Stine (Goosebumps). FREE
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Soccer: More Than a Game
Where: Perot Museum of Nature & Science, Dallas
When: Opens Saturday, March 7, 2026
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.
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Dragon Trails
Where: Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, McKinney
When: Opens Saturday, March 14, 2026
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.
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IRONKIDS
Where: The Cove at The Lakefront, Little Elm
When: Saturday, March 14, 2026
Why go? There’s IRONMAN, this is IRONKIDS—a much more fun and way manageable race for kids of all ages, including a Toddler Trot for 1 to 3-year-olds, and a Diaper Dash (26.2-foot crawl) for 2 and younger. Kids have serious ambitions? Come back the next day to cheer on adult competitors in the IRONMAN race.
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St. Paddy’s Texas Style
Where: Wayne Ferguson Plaza at Old Town Lewisville
When: Saturday, March 14, 2026
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), but 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. FREE admission
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Wizard of Oz on Ice
Where: Coppell Arts Center
When: Sunday, March 15, 2026
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.
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Spring Break at the Carter: Focus on Photos
Where: Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Fort Worth
When: Tuesday, March 17–Friday, March 20, 2026
Why go? Inspired by the Carter’s new exhibition Black Photojournalism, opening just a couple days prior, these free, all-ages art activities teach kids some basic principles of photography, while making it fun too with creative challenges and games around the galleries. Sign-up opens February 1, so go online to choose which day(s) you prefer. FREE
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DJ Raphi
Where: Granada Theater, Dallas
When: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Why go? Dance and wiggle with your toddlers to “Baby Shark” and “Red Light Green Light” at this live concert by recording artist and YouTube performer DJ Raphi, on this last stop of his Hype Tour through the U.S. For a taste of his sound, check out dance videos to silly and uplifting songs for the littlest kids. He even spins a sick beat to “Googoo Gaga.”
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Aqua Egg Hunt
Where: Frisco Athletic Center
When: Saturday, March 21, 2026
Why go? Get a jump on Easter fun by jumping in the pool at the Indoor Aquatic Center. With a net (not a basket), your kids will collect as many eggs as they can during their registered time slot. And new this year, Frisco offers a sensory-friendly egg hunt, either in or out of the water—whichever your kid is comfortable with.
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The SpongeBob Musical
Where: Casa Mañana, Fort Worth
When: Saturday, March 21–Sunday, April 12, 2026
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. Call the box office in advance to ask about lapsit tickets for children under 1.
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Nature Con…servation
Where: Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge
When: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Why go? Think Comic Con meets outdoor recreation. Bring the kids out to explore the refuge’s nature trails, go paddling along the West Fork of the Trinity, or hop on a hayride for the best view around its 3,000-plus acres. When you need a break, sit down for the crafts and grab a snack from the on-site food trucks.
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Find more family fun events every day of the week at dfwchild.com/calendar.
