Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Fort Worth
Every summer, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. This is our list of 2024 winners as chosen by readers in the Fort Worth area. (Click here for our full list of nominees.)
Of course, there are literally hundreds of wonderful places to take your kids in our area, not just this year's winners! Get great ideas here on KidsOutAndAbout.com: Browse our lists, check out our calendar, check out our Everything That's Free list, sign up for our fabulous free weekly e-newsletter, and get ready to find out all of the area's hidden gems for kids, teens, and families!
2024's Top 20 ranking + category winners! Scroll down for more about each venue, with links!
| 1. Fort Worth Zoo 2. Fort Worth Botanic Garden 3. Fort Worth Museum of Science and History 4. Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge 5. Six Flags Over Texas 6. Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park 7. Bass Performance Hall 8. Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark 9. Play Street Museum 10. Log Cabin Village 11. My Local Library 12. Hawaiian Waters 13. Amon Carter Museum of American Art 14. Altitude Trampoline Park Fort Worth 15. Burger's Lake 16. YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth 17. Acton Nature Center 18. Artisan Center Theater 19. Kimbell Art Museum 20. Splash Kingdom |
Arts Education: Casa Mañana Sports Education: YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth STEM Education: Fort Worth Botanic Garden |
© 2024, KidsOutAndAbout.com. This information may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of KidsOutAndAbout.com.
1. Fort Worth Zoo
Home to more than 500 animal species and a world-famous reptile collection, the Zoo supports wildlife conservation projects in more than 30 countries around the world. The institution’s focus on education and conservation is second to none, enhancing the lives of more than 1 million visitors a year.
2. Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Exploration, Discovery, and Engagement drives the creation of environmental STEM and Nature Play programs for the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Dedicated to supporting innovative programs to meet the learning needs of area districts, but also engaging children and families in inspiring a love for nature. FWBG|BRIT offers early childhood onsite and outreach programs, STEM Challenges for area districts and homeschool cohorts, not to mention spring break/summer camps for ages 4-13.
3. Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
Dedicated to lifelong learning and anchored by rich collections, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History engages the community through creative, vibrant programs and interactive exhibits. The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History houses a variety of traveling and permanent exhibitions. Permanent exhibits include DinoLabs & DinoDig, Energy Blast, the Fort Worth Children’s Museum and the Cattle Raisers Museum. Innovation Studios— a five glass-walled studio that houses Inventor, Doodler, Designer, Imaginer and Explorer—is where imagination, curiosity and creativity are encouraged and nurtured. The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is also home to the Noble Planetarium and the Omni Theater, which is currently under renovation.
4. Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge
The Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge (FWNC&R) is a 3,621 acre Refuge comprised of forests, prairies, and wetlands. Over 20 miles of trails guide you through these habitats and allow you to see native wildlife and plants. The West Fork of the Trinity River winds through the Refuge offering scenic paddling opportunities. Outdoor recreation and education programs are offered year round. Best practices in land management are performed in order to maintain and improve the health of the land. The FWNC&R is a registered National Landmark through the Department of the Interior and a recipient of the Outstanding Lone Star Land Steward Award from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
6. Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park
Urban Air Adventure Park is more than just a trampoline park- it's an adventure park with attractions for kids of all ages! We’re known for fantastic birthday parties, corporate outings and community fundraisers!
7. Bass Performance Hall
Bass Performance Hall offers a vast array of entertainment, from Broadway productions to live concerts. The Hall is also the permanent home to the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Texas Ballet Theater, Fort Worth Opera, and the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and Cliburn Concerts. Whether you take a tour of the breathtaking building or come to see a performance, you are bound to enjoy your time at Bass Performance Hall.
8. Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark
Epic Waters is TX's Largest Indoor Waterpark! Located in Grand Prairie, TX, the park showcases 80,000 sq. ft. of year-round weatherproof family fun. Epic Waters is home to thrills from mild to wild, including 12 waterslides, the longest indoor action river in Texas, an outdoor wavepool, a children’s play area that’s equipped with an aquatic fort, a double FlowRider® surfing simulator, an arcade, a café, a full-service bar, private cabanas, and much more!
11. My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the Ft. Worth area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication.
12. Hawaiian Waters
New Name, New Events, More Fun!
Your favorite North Texas waterpark has a new name, Hawaiian Waters (formerly Hawaiian Falls). Hawaiian Waters is your oasis of fun, where adventure begins and family memories are created!
13. Amon Carter Museum of American Art
A renowned collection of American art housed in Philip Johnson’s masterpiece at the heart of Fort Worth’s Cultural District. Free admission.
14. Altitude Trampoline Park Fort Worth
Altitude Trampoline Park is a 35,000 square foot, indoor trampoline park with jumping activities including sports and fitness programs, competitive jumping, and just plain, old-fashioned jumping fun. We're located in the North Ft Worth & Keller area and easily accessible to Southlake, Colleyville, Watauga, North Richland Hills, Saginaw and more!
17. Acton Nature Center
The Acton Nature Center of Hood County is open to anyone who enjoys the peace and quiet of nature at its finest. Trails will lead you around the center to view the “seasonal” natural pond, a heavily shaded ravine where you will find the "labeled" tree trail. Bird lovers are flocking to the Bird Blind and habitat area to photograph and watch our feathered friends without interruption.
Please check out our the website to see all that is going on at the Acton Nature Center.
18. Artisan Center Theater
Celebrating 20 years, Artisan Center Theater strives to provide hope, joy and optimism in the performing arts in a safe space for actors and patrons to know they can bring grandchildren or grandparents without having to apologize for content or appearance. Our intimate 200-seat theater-in-the-round Main Stage and 150 seat Second Stage welcome visitors and actors alike as children perform for children in Artisan Children’s Theater and the perfect venue for children learning the performing arts in The Artisan Academy. The Artisan Film Productions and Media department opened in 2021 and is now training youth of all ages to perform on stage and on camera.
19. Kimbell Art Museum
Internationally renowned for both its collections and its architecture, the Kimbell Art Museum is home to approximately 350 works of art, and is distinguished by an extraordinary level of artistic quality and importance. Visitors can also enjoy special exhibitions, education programs for kids and families, dining, shopping, and more. Admission to the permanent collection is always free.
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in three categories. Here were their choices.Top STEM Educator: Fort Worth Botanic Garden
FWBG | BRIT knows that education is lifelong. We are dedicated to inspiring nature-lovers of all ages to explore the world around them, discover new interests, and engage their communities in positive change. Education at the Botanic Garden features programs for adults, children and families, and schools. We strive to introduce community members to the wonders of plants and ecology, the importance of conservation and sustainability, and social-emotional learning.
