Hey, Mamas! (and Dadas). I know it’s tempting to stay cooped up inside the house all day with your little one, but I’m telling you to pack up your bags and get out! It’ll be good for both you (and your sanity) and your little one. There is so much to do in Dallas with your baby so pick something and go have fun. Let me know if you’ve tried any of these places in Dallas with your baby and what you thought of them.
It’s $FREE.99 so go do it!:
STORY TIME: I remember thinking G was too little to enjoy story time as a baby, but I was proven wrong. Most story times we have visited do a great job incorporating music, bubble, songs, dances, and more to keep even the littles babies engaged. I encourage you to seek out some in your area and give it a try.
1. NorthPark Story time: Most public libraries offer a children’s story time so check online to find one closest to you. The Northpark Mall does a great story time. They have a “Baby Bounce” catered towards the younger babies with lots of songs, shakers, and movement. And they have a story time out in the middle of the mall for older ages. It’s all done through the Bookmarks Dallas Public Library. Check out their schedule here: http://dallaslibrary2.org/branch/bookmarks.php
2. Barnes and Nobel: Check out the location closest to you for times https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/
3. Library: I have yet to find a library that doesn’t have a good story time.
INDOOR Playgrounds: Because it’s Texas and it’s so dang hot. Sometimes you don’t want to play outside. This is also perfect for cold winter rainy days. Our two favorites are located inside Watermark Church and Prestonwood Baptist Church.
4. Watermark Play Fort: when you walk in the main entrance you go straight back and it’s behind the coffee bar. The fact that it’s by the coffee is a bonus 😉
M-F 9am – 6pm, Sat 7am-2pm
7540 LBJ Fwy, Dallas, TX 75251
http://www.watermark.org/dallas/treefort
5. Prestonwood Play Place: This one is very intricate and everything is padded which is a plus! You have to check in at the desk before you go in to play but it’s still free.
M-S 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m
http://prestonwood.org/
6. Stephanie recommends: “Play dates at the Ark in Coppell and the tubes at Irving bible church, both accommodate babies and older kids Carrollton has 2 splash pads that are great for babies and toddlers and the best part all are FREEEEEEEE”
Splash Pads and Spraygrounds: These are popping up everywhere! I certainly haven’t been to all of them, but here are a couple I have checked out that did not disappoint.
7. Campbell Green: 16600 Park Hill Dr, Dallas, TX 75248
8. Oak Hills: This one is bran new and even has a little water slide. 1225-1299 Royal Palm Ln, Carrollton, TX 75007
9. Lake Highlands North Park: 9344 Church Rd, Dallas, TX 75231
10. Ferguson Park: 1900 Gross Rd, Dallas, TX 75228
Check out http://www.dallasaquatics.org/132/Spraygrounds to find more!
11. Klyde Warren Park: Get wet playing in the fountains, stay dry on the playground, eat at the food trucks or pack your own picnic, listen to a live concert. There is so much to do. Check out there itinerary online to see what events they have coming up or stop by any day just to play.
2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas, TX 75201
https://www.klydewarrenpark.org/Things-To-Do/Activity/childrens-park.html
It’s gonna cost you a little but you’ll have fun:
Do you like animals and wild life? Check these out:
12. Sea Life Aquarium in Grapevine: Thank you, Abby, for the recommendation. G and I haven’t gone yet but here is what she had to say: “We have had passes there ever since Oliver was 18 months old. It’s very contained and good for bad weather days since you’re inside. Most everything is at their level and perfect for their size. We have found that it is perfect for a Saturday night because everyone else is doing other things and the aquarium is usually very empty.” https://www.visitsealife.com/grapevine/
13. Texas Discovery Gardens 10am–5pm daily
Come for the butterfly release each day at noon, bring a blanket for a peaceful picnic on the outdoor garden lawn and explore the rest of the 7.5-acre gardens.
texasdiscoverygardens.org
14. Dallas Zoo: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily
Check out their “Stroller Buddies” program for ages 10 months-2yrs, a 6-week session is offered on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday from 9 – 10:30 a.m. September through October. http://www.dallaszoo.com/education/camps-classes/preschool/
15. Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park: 9:00am- 4:30om daily. Enjoy all the animals but without the heat of walking around the zoo. We haven’t gone yet but had more than enough people recommend it. Go see the Weekly Fish Feeding Demonstration Schedule 2:30pm daily
16. Dallas Arboretum: Stroll around with your baby and see the beautiful flowers or head on over to the children’s garden for lots of fun. There’s a little fountain splash area right when you walk in, or if you keep going and take your first left in you’ll find a small little play area with some more fountains for kiddos to splash and run around in a little sand box, and a little play house. There is always an employee at the entrance to keep the kiddos in and answer and questions you have.
Keep on walking and you’ll find yourself down by the “pond” with all sorts of things for kids to learn about water, wind, solar power and more. Great for the older ones.
You can easily get lost in the kids are so I suggest grabbing a map.
Mellissa recommends: going on “Toddler Monday/Tuesdays at the Arboretum. (in the spring). They have a small petting zoo, face painting, and music on the Pecan Grove lawn area! I can’t remember the exact hours but I want to say 9:00-10:30??”
*Teachers get in free
*Go August 1-31 to take advantage of August Dollar Days
Admission is just $1, with $2 hot dogs, root beer floats and $1 popsicles and $4 ice cream sundaes. Enjoy the end of summer at the Dallas Arboretum with a picnic and a cool beverage. (food & drinks available until 4pm)
17. Perot Museum: The Moody Family Children’s Museum inside the Perot Museum of Nature and Science fills up quickly with playful kids, but for your littles babes there is a little gazebo-style area with a mole hole to crawl through, knobs and levers to turn, and stories to read from the book bench. On your way out, show them the brightly colored giant leap frogs and the xylophones in the outdoor musical forest.
*Teachers get in free
https://www.perotmuseum.org/
18. The Crayola Experience: Located inside The Shops at Willow Bend Mall in Plano. Plan the most colorful day with your little one. Children under the age of 3 are free!
6121 W Park Blvd
Suite A100
Plano, TX 75093
Move your body with these options:
19. Gymboree: Nope, not the clothes, the gym! Great for little ones. Each class teaches the baby a new skill. For example, when we went at 6 months old they were teaching them to balance using “things that rock.” The whole room is padded and cleaned after every session. Highly trained staff.
Your first class is FREE so it’s certainly worth checking out at least once.
20. Play Street Museum: Their mission is “provide superior quality play and educational experiences for young children and their families.” Many people have recommended this but we still need to go ourselves. There are 6 locations in the DFW area so find one near you and let me know what you think! http://www.playstreetmuseum.com/locations/
21. Playdate Co.: Another one that I can’t wait to check out on the next rainy day. I’ve heard great things about this indoor play area. Since reading this on their website I cannot wait to check it out myself, “While your children enjoy our play spaces, relax with a complimentary cup of coffee in our parent-dedicated seating, and enjoy our free Wi-Fi.”
2701 Custer Parkway
Richardson, Texas, TX 75080
22. Jump Street: Children 3yrs and under are limited to the Earthquake Area only and are not allowed on the main trampoline courts, dodge ball courts, or any of the additional activities for their safety. Cost: Under 4yrs is $4.99 and 4-7yrs is $7.99
23. Little Gym: think gymnastics for little ones. As easly as 4 months old and on up to 12 years.
Pricing: Tuition plans starting at $25.15 per class
PIN IT for later!
What did I leave out? Share your recommendations in the comments!
What an amazing list! I’m new to the area and this will help me so much. Thank you for taking the time to put this together!
Hello! This guide is exactly what I’ve been looking for! Stay at home mom with a soon to be 2 year old an dthis guide will now keep me and the babe busy with fun activities. Thank you!
Hello! This guide is exactly what I’ve been looking for! Stay at home mom with a soon to be 2 year old an dthis guide will now keep me and the babe busy with fun activities. Thank you!