Where To Bring Your Kids This Summer in Fort Worth, Texas

As summer approaches, you may be planning fun activities to enjoy with your family. While a vacation might be part of your plans, there are also plenty of things to do right here in your community. Our team at Hiley Mazda of Fort Worth has created this local guide to help you learn about some fun things to do with your kids this summer in the Fort Worth, Texas, area.

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Fort Worth Zoo

You and your family can spend the day exploring at the Fort Worth Zoo. The zoo is home to more than 540 species in nearly a dozen exhibits, including the award-winning Museum of Living Art (MOLA). MOLA is a herpetarium with more than 5,000 reptiles and amphibians housed in an indoor-outdoor facility decorated with hand-painted murals. Be sure to stop by the Elephant Springs exhibit to see Brazos, a baby elephant and one of the newest members of the Fort Worth Zoo animal family.

The Fort Worth Zoo is located at 1989 Colonial Parkway, and you can visit it 365 days a year. It’s open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but hours may change seasonally. If you think you may explore the zoo often during the summer, it may be worthwhile to invest in a membership. It includes unlimited admission, free parking, discounts on experiences at the zoo, and discounts at over 100 other aquariums and zoos throughout the United States.

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

Enjoy a day of learning and play at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. It has a variety of permanent exhibits on topics like space, energy, and heritage. Be sure to visit the recently updated DinoLabs and DinoDig exhibits to review the latest paleontology information, or stop by the overhauled Children’s Museum area, which now features a new play area.

Your museum admission also includes admission to additional facilities. For example, it allows you to visit the Noble Planetarium and the recently renovated Noble Space Gallery. You can also go to the Cattle Raisers Museum, which celebrates the history of ranch life and addresses the future of the livestock industry.

Visit the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History at 1600 Gendy St. It’s open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The museum also offers membership programs, which provide you with perks like free general admission to permanent exhibits and discounts on special exhibits. Your membership also includes free or discounted admission to more than 50 Smithsonian Museum Affiliates and over 250 science and natural history museums throughout North America.

Burger’s Lake

Immerse yourself in the great outdoors at Burger’s Lake. This 30-acre park has a 1-acre lake surrounded by two sandy beaches, and it offers inner tubes for rent to float and relax in the water. For more adventurous visitors, it has six diving boards, a 25-foot trapeze, and a 20-foot slide into the spring-fed lake. As you and your family swim, enjoy peace of mind knowing the facility filters, chlorinates, and chemically maintains the lake. Other features at the facility include hundreds of picnic tables, dozens of charcoal grills, and sand and grass volleyball courts.

Burger’s Lake is located at 1200 Meandering Road. It’s open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the summer, typically from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend.

Fort Worth Stockyards

Step back in time with a visit to the Fort Worth Stockyards. This historic district celebrates Western heritage, especially the history of the Texas livestock industry. In fact, it offers the world’s only twice-per-day cattle drive. The Fort Worth Herd steers travel down East Exchange Avenue each morning and afternoon, and they’re available for viewing and photo opportunities.

The Fort Worth Stockyards are home to plenty of other activities to enjoy. The district includes a selection of shops, dining locations, and entertainment offerings, such as live music and walking tours. It also hosts special events, such as concerts, movie screenings, theater productions, and seasonal events.

Visit the Fort Worth Stockyards at 131 E. Exchange Ave. The walkable space throughout the Stockyards is open daily, 24 hours per day. The exact hours of saloons, stores, and restaurants vary. However, the cattle drive happens every day at 11:30 a.m. and at 4 p.m.

Hawaiian Falls Waterpark

Cool off with a day at Hawaiian Falls Waterpark. The Mansfield location offers 14 acres of pools and aquatic fun. It includes attractions and activities for guests of all ages, but it’s important to know that many attractions have strict requirements. Hawaiian Falls rates the thrill levels of its attractions with its signature Shaka Meter, and attraction options include waterslides, wave pools, a lazy river, and raft rides. If you’re planning on spending the entire day at the water park, consider renting a private cabana, which includes wait service, lounge chairs, and a locker.

Hawaiian Falls Waterpark is a chain of water parks throughout Texas, and the closest location to the Dallas-Fort Worth area is in Mansfield. It’s located at 490 Heritage Parkway South. This location opens for the season on Saturday, May 7, and hours vary each day. Be sure to review its daily schedule before planning your visit. While the park offers single-day tickets, it also has season passes. There are multiple tiers of season passes, and benefits may include discounts on food, passes to bring friends for free, and unlimited entry to the Mansfield, Roanoke, and Waco Hawaiian Falls locations.

That brings us to the end of our list featuring places to take your kids this summer in the Fort Worth, Texas, area. If you have some suggestions for other family-friendly attractions to visit in the summer, let us know. We may even update our guide to include your recommendations. At Hiley Mazda of Fort Worth, we’re proud to be a part of the local community and hope that this list has helped you find something new to enjoy this summer.