Kid-approved spots
Splash pads, playgrounds, play cafes, museums, and hidden gems across the metroplex. Every one checked out in person.
97 spots
Blase Family Farm
Pick-your-own blueberries in Rockwall, roughly late May through early July, with wooded trails, shaded picnic tables, and a blueberry popsicle on the way out.
1232 E Fork Rd, Rockwall
Broken Yolk Cafe
A McKinney breakfast spot with a play area for kids: moms eat while the kids play. Make it a play date.
6651 Alma Rd, Suite 250, McKinney
Caddo Park
A big, beautiful Plano park that has it all: great playground equipment, open space, and enough to fill a whole morning.
2701 Roundrock Trail, Plano
Casey's Clubhouse at Dove Park
An inclusive playground in Grapevine that feels like stepping into a storybook, designed for kids of all abilities.
1509 Hood Ln, Grapevine
CityScape at CityBridge Community Church
A free indoor play-city in Plano: rope tunnel bridges, skyscraper busy boards, and room to run, all air-conditioned and all $0.
6400 K Avenue, Plano
Dig World
Kids can drive REAL excavators, bulldozers, and skid steers at this construction theme park at Grapevine Mills. Yes, really.
2200 W Grapevine Mills Circle, Grapevine
Frisco Public Library
One of the prettiest libraries in DFW, with an indoor play area toward the back next to the storytime space. Still a favorite.
8000 Dallas Pkwy, Frisco
Harry Myers Park
Our go-to for beating the Texas heat: a free splash pad, a shaded playground right next to it, and the KidZone playground with two zip lines, all in one Rockwall park.
815 E Washington St, Rockwall
KIDZPlay at Prestonwood
A free indoor playground in Plano that is open to everyone, no membership required, with a three-story slide the kids talk about for days.
6801 W Park Blvd, Plano
Panadería Guatemalteca La Mejor
The most authentic Guatemalan bakery we have found, family owned in Garland since 1995. The tamales are everything.
1725 S 1st St, Suite B, Garland
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Dallas's great nature and science museum, with a dedicated Children's Museum downstairs built just for little ones.
2201 N Field St, Dallas
Pink Coffee
The prettiest coffee shop in DFW might be hiding in Garland: everything is pink, the photo ops are endless, and they roast their beans in house.
2334 W Buckingham Rd, Suite 210, Garland
PlayGrand Adventures
A huge all-abilities playground in Grand Prairie with a soft-turf littles section that is perfect for toddlers.
2100 Epic Pl, Grand Prairie
30 Brunch House
A solid Rockwall brunch and breakfast spot the whole family enjoyed.
2455 Ridge Rd, Suite 101, Rockwall
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
Movie and dinner under the same roof in Richardson: the easy-mode date night.
100 Central Expy, Suite 14, Richardson
Altitude Trampoline Park
A Richardson trampoline park that works even for very little jumpers if you time it right.
110 W Campbell Rd, Richardson
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve
A 200-acre natural escape in Plano: prairies, forests, creeks, trails, an observation tower, and playgrounds.
6701 W Parker Rd, Plano
B&B Theatres Wylie (screenPLAY!)
A movie theater with a playground INSIDE the auditorium: kids climb and slide before the show, then everyone settles into heated recliners.
711 Woodbridge Pkwy, Wylie
Beard Park
A clean, toddler-friendly Little Elm park with turf grass, trails, and a shaded sitting area.
310 E Eldorado Pkwy, Little Elm
Bolder Adventure Park
Zip lines, rock climbing, ropes courses, tubing slides, arcade games, and bumper cars: indoor adventure for the whole family in Grand Prairie.
2324 W Warrior Trl, Grand Prairie
Bonnie Wenk Park
A huge McKinney park with multiple play areas, cool slides you will not see elsewhere, and a super fun zip line toward the back.
2996 Virginia Pkwy, McKinney
Brooklyn Dumpling Shop
A Deep Ellum dumpling stop that pairs perfectly with a Perot Museum day, just a 10 minute drive away.
2548 Elm St, Dallas
Bubbles Eat & Play
An indoor play space in Fairview that also sells food and coffee, so everyone wins.
201 Town Pl, Fairview
Buckhorn Park
A shaded, well-kept Plano park with separate sections for toddlers and older kids.
3601 Mission Ridge Rd, Plano
CIAO! Sweets & Gelato
Desserts that look exactly like fruit but are actually hand-crafted mousse cakes, plus gelato that feels like a Paris patisserie landed in Richardson.
850 S Greenville Ave, Suite 102, Richardson
Cafe Frida
A Frida Kahlo-inspired coffee shop in downtown Garland with colorful Mexican-Filipino fusion drinks and pastries.
509 W Walnut St, Garland
Cheeky Monkey
A great indoor play spot for small children near the Galleria area. Hours of fun.
5203 Alpha Rd, Suite 115, Dallas
Children's Aquarium at Fair Park
A smaller aquarium at Fair Park that is perfectly sized for little ones.
1462 1st Ave, Dallas
Cinnaholic
Cinnamon rolls with custom toppings in Richardson. A sweet, friendly family treat stop.
100 S Central Expy, Unit 15, Richardson
ClawZania
A claw machine arcade in Richardson with the cutest plushies. Way more fun as a family than it has any right to be.
1362 E Belt Line Rd, Richardson
Crayola Experience
Hands-on color and craft attractions at The Shops at Willow Bend that fill a whole indoor day.
6121 W Park Blvd, Suite A100, Plano
Cuquita's Restaurant
Traditional Mexican breakfast and lunch in Garland, with horchata and all the traditional drinks.
1957 Northwest Hwy, Garland
Dark Ritual Coffee Roasters
A Rockwall coffee roaster where the big cookie steals the show.
112 Greenhill Ln, Suite 110, Rockwall
Diggers Cove
DFW's first indoor sensory sand playground, designed for kids 10 and under: clean, imaginative, screen-free play in Plano.
7200 Independence Pkwy, Suite 238, Plano
Dino Kidz
Perfect soft play for little ones in Allen. You do not have to worry about anyone getting hurt.
1201 W McDermott Dr, Suite 112, Allen
Down to Play
An inclusive Dallas indoor playground for children of all abilities, with a dedicated sensory room for calming breaks and a separate toddler zone.
6464 Northwest Hwy, Suite 138, Dallas
Eiswelt Gelato
Hand-sculpted, animal-shaped gelato in Carrollton with flavors like Thai tea, durian, and Vietnamese coffee.
3044 Old Denton Rd, Suite 117, Carrollton
Elite Outlet
A hidden-gem outlet in McKinney: discounted appliances, home finds, and new items every single week.
702 S McDonald St, McKinney
Game Show Battle Rooms
Your family actually PLAYS the game show: real hosts, real buzzers, teams facing off head to head, right by the Galleria.
4887 Alpha Rd, Farmers Branch
Garland Central Library (Nicholson)
An awesome library stop in downtown Garland, especially for homeschooling families, with a nursing room for moms.
625 Austin St, Garland
Halperin Park
The deck park over I-35E in Oak Cliff, right next to the Dallas Zoo, with a splash pad the kids go crazy for, including a giant tipping bucket.
626 S R.L. Thornton Fwy, Dallas
Hapik Climbing
A colorful climbing gym at Firewheel for families that love adventure, with auto-belays that make it safe for kids.
550 Town Center Blvd, Suite 200, Garland
Heritage Farmstead Museum
A living-history farm in the middle of Plano, with farm animals and tons of picture opportunities.
1900 W 15th St, Plano
Heritage Park
A big newly renovated park in Sachse with a huge slide and a train the kids can climb on.
4408 Hudson Dr, Sachse
Huddin Homestead Fun Farm
One of our favorite pumpkin patches: tons to do, unique animals to feed, and the friendliest staff.
1666 FM1141, Rockwall
Hui Lau Shan
The famous Hong Kong mango dessert chain, now in Richardson: mango mochi, mango pancakes, and their iconic fruit drinks, handmade fresh daily.
1602 E Belt Line Rd, Richardson
Interurban Railway Museum
A free downtown Plano museum with storytime for littles, plus a real train car to explore after.
901 E 15th St, Plano
Josephine City Park
A great small-town splash pad with bathrooms and seating, perfect if you are out toward Josephine.
201 S Main St, Josephine
Joya at Oran Good Park
A one-of-a-kind playground in Farmers Branch with glow-in-the-dark features, best visited as the sun goes down.
13300 Dennis Ln, Farmers Branch
Jumping World
Trampolines, arcade games, and no Texas heat. Great for toddlers and older kids, and it is on the GetOut Pass.
4445 Saturn Rd, Unit B, Garland
KaJiN Christmas Tree Farm
Fresh precut North Carolina Fraser firs, Santa on weekends, a mini hay ride, and a miniature horse named Lady.
3221 Co Rd 2508, Caddo Mills
Kaleidoscope Park
Frisco's newer signature park, with open lawns, public art overhead, and free family programming year round.
6635 Warren Pkwy, Frisco
Kid Mania
A big indoor playground in Plano that saves rainy days. Go on a weekday if you can.
7252 Chase Oaks Blvd, Plano
Kids Kingdom
A big castle-style playground in Rowlett with a dedicated soft-turf toddler zone, swings, shaded seating, and clean restrooms on site.
5300 Main St, Rowlett
Kidzone Park
A grass-turf Rockwall playground with plenty for the kids to do, right down the street from Harry Myers Park.
807 E Washington St, Rockwall
Klyde Warren Park
Downtown Dallas's deck park, with fountains that dance to music every day and a children's park the littles love.
2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas
Liberty Playground at Windhaven Meadows Park
A fantastic all-abilities playground in West Plano with plenty of space for a full morning of play.
5400 Windhaven Pkwy, Plano
Mexican Bar Company
Brunch at MBC in Plano: Mexican flavors, a real kids menu, and French toast I am still thinking about.
6121 W Park Blvd, Suite RS-10, Plano
Miss A
The dollar store of accessories at Firewheel: tons of cute finds for little fashionistas without the meltdown price tag.
355 Cedar Sage Dr, Garland
Nail Love
The world's largest nail salon is in Richardson: 13,000 square feet, robots serving drinks, free boba, and 1,000+ polish shades.
1300 E Belt Line Rd, Suite 600, Richardson
National Videogame Museum
A Frisco museum of videogame history that older kids and nostalgic parents love. Not one for toddlers.
8004 Dallas Pkwy, Frisco
Noodles & Dumplings
Fresh hand-made noodles and dumplings in Rockwall. A must try.
670 E Interstate 30, Rockwall
Northrich Park
A huge Richardson park with several play areas, including a forest-themed playground right next to the main one.
525 Malden Dr, Richardson
Oak Hills Splash Park
A great free splash pad for littles in Carrollton, with plenty of seating and an awesome park right next to it.
1225 Royal Palm Ln, Carrollton
Okaeri Cafe
A Japanese comfort-food cafe in Richardson that serves bento boxes with a panda rice ball. My kiddo's face when it hit the table? Priceless.
312 N Greenville Ave, Suite 100, Richardson
Oneal Berry Farm
A u-pick blackberry and blueberry farm just outside Royse City, with homemade jam, local honey, and farm fresh eggs on the way out.
7726 Co Rd 2580, Royse City
PEPPA PIG Theme Park Dallas-Fort Worth
A whole theme park built for toddlers who love Peppa Pig, with rides, shows, and a huge splash pad.
8851 Blvd 26, North Richland Hills
Peek N Play
A McKinney pretend-play spot with tons of cool toys and a great slide into a ball pit.
3700 McKinney Ranch Pkwy, Suite 100, McKinney
Phở Bắc
Our family pho spot in Richardson: the kids love the noodles and I love the beef pho.
153 N Plano Rd, Richardson
Pinkitzel
The cutest pink candy store in historic downtown McKinney.
101 W Louisiana St, McKinney
Pitchfork Pumpkin Patch
A fall must if you want unique activities: pumpkin smashing, mini cows, bounce houses, paintball, and tons of photo ops.
7126 S FM 548, Royse City
Play Street Museum
Indoor pretend play in Plano: a mini city where littles can shop, cook, build, and imagine.
5964 W Parker Rd, Suite 120, Plano
Prairie Creek Park
A great Richardson spot for a little hike with the kids, and one of the prettiest photo backdrops in the area.
2400 W Prairie Creek Dr, Richardson
Preston Trail Community Church Indoor Park
A free indoor park inside Preston Trail's Frisco campus, with seating for parents while the littles play.
8055 Independence Pkwy, Frisco
Puttshack
Upscale tech-powered mini golf in Addison, great for date night or a night out with friends.
5100 Beltline Rd, Suite 600, Addison
Robert Smith Family Park
A free woodland-creature splash pad with shaded seating, a covered playground next door, and pickleball, basketball, and a walking trail for the whole family.
1220 CD Boren Pkwy, Fate
Royal Roastery
A candy palace in Richardson: baklava, kunafa, Turkish coffee, a massive gummy wall, and it is open until midnight every day.
1055 S Sherman St, Suite 100, Richardson
Royse City Splash Pad
A great free splash pad in downtown Royse City with a small park right next to it.
40 W Main St, Royse City
SEA LIFE Aquarium Grapevine
An aquarium at Grapevine Mills with a 160,000-gallon ocean tank, a walk-through tunnel, and seasonal special events the kids lose their minds over.
3000 Grapevine Mills Pkwy, Grapevine
San Martín Bakery & Restaurant
A beautiful Guatemalan bakery and restaurant on McKinney Avenue for anyone with a sweet tooth.
3120 McKinney Ave, Dallas
Sci-Tech Discovery Center
A hands-on science center in Frisco with activities that toddlers, big kids, and honestly even adults enjoy.
8004 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 100, Frisco
Scoop N' Buns
Ice cream, desserts, and churros in downtown Garland with unique flavors like ube and horchata.
507 W Walnut St, Garland
Selda Bakery
A fairy-garden-pretty bakery in Richardson with pistachio croissants and Turkish ice cream, open until midnight on weekdays.
101 S Coit Rd, Suite 10, Richardson
Shenaniganz Entertainment Center
Bowling, go-karts, mini golf, laser tag, arcade, and a kid zone for the littles, all under one Rockwall roof.
1290 I-30, Rockwall
Super Llama Inflatable Park
A big indoor inflatable park in Plano with obstacle courses, zip lines, climbing walls, and a dedicated area for kids 5 and under.
6505 W Park Blvd, Suite 230, Plano
The Cove at the Lakefront
A fun Little Elm indoor play spot for toddlers and older kids, and it is on the GetOut Pass.
417 Lakefront Dr, Little Elm
The HUB
An Allen food-and-hangout spot with several options for all your people: spicy wings for you, pizza for the toddler. Win win.
1289 Johnson Rd, Allen
The Harbor Rockwall
Lakeside views, a play area, restaurants, and a beautiful wishing fountain, all in one Rockwall evening spot.
2059 Summer Lee Dr, Rockwall
Tiger Ramen
A McKinney ramen spot with the sweetest staff, who even helped my toddler with chopstick helpers and served her plate.
4041 S Custer Rd, Unit 2110, McKinney
Victoria Park
A castle-themed playground in Irving with a big pond nearby that the kids love exploring.
3051 W Northgate Dr, Irving
Watermark Community Church Play Area
A free fort-style play area in Dallas that big kids love. Not one for babies: there are a lot of stairs.
7540 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy, Dallas
Watson Park
A hidden gem on the Richardson and Garland border: free splash pad, inclusive playground, basketball court, and a shady gazebo for snack breaks.
1050 N Yale Dr, Garland
We Rock The Spectrum
An inclusive sensory gym in Plano, a great spot to let out energy even when it is too cold or too hot outside.
1941 Preston Rd, Suite 1022, Plano
We Rock The Spectrum Royse City
The Royse City sensory gym with very cool themed rooms and a great art room.
6717 I-30 Frontage Rd, Suite A, Royse City
West Garland Branch Library
A colorful branch library with a kids area we loved. Free, air conditioned, and easy.
3921 W Walnut St, Garland
YiFang Taiwan Fruit Tea
A hidden gem boba spot in Richardson made with fresh fruit and real tea leaves, with non-caffeinated options for the kids.
1386 E Belt Line Rd, Richardson
eKIDS Playzone
A great indoor play spot in Rockwall for little ones. Babies 12 months and under play free.
3017 I-30, Suite 700, Rockwall