Free Dallas toddler activities are essential for young families living in the DFW metroplex.
When you’re parenting toddlers, life is full of excitement and wonder. Every day holds the opportunity for adventure and learning!
Fall is almost here, and while the pools may be closing, the heat is leaving, making way for more outdoor activities. For those with little ones, Dallas will not disappoint with storytimes, playgrounds, festivals, and more.
With these free Dallas toddler activities, the fun won’t stop this fall:
Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes
The DFW Fall Fest is a yearly highlight, as Autumn fills the city with beauty and families enjoy all the fun that the season brings. With hayrides, crafts, apple picking, corn mazes, and a traditional pumpkin patch, the DFW Fall Fest is a must among our list of free Dallas toddler activities.
If your family wants those perfect pumpkin photos and crazy corn mazes, check out some of these Dallas pumpkin patches:
Mainstay Farm Park
It may be a bit outside of Dallas city limits, but Mainstay Farm is worth the trip. This pumpkin patch has everything you want in a family fun day: pumpkins, rides, food, and live entertainment. Kids can pick their own pumpkins while the parents enjoy the band.
When: September 21- November 3, from 10 am- 9 pm
Where: 1004 W. Bethesda Rd. Cleburne, TX 76031
Blase Family Farm
Located on the East side of Dallas, Rockwall’s Blase Family Farm offers a more personal family experience with their smaller pumpkin patch. Blase Family Farm is a great option for those families with toddlers who find crowds and large events overwhelming.
When: September 28- October 31
Where: 1232 E. Fork Drive Rockwall, TX 75087
Hall’s Pumpkin Farm and Corn Maze
Grapevine, TX
Hall’s Pumpkin Farm and Corn Maze is a hit for the whole family. The corn maze is known to be a challenge, so be sure to bring your best maze runners. When you’re done with the maze, be sure to check out the traditional gourds, pumpkins, hay bales, and corn stalks. Before leaving, take your toddlers to the petting zoo, where you are sure to get some adorable pictures.
When: This fall
Where: 3420 Hall Johnson Rd Grapevine, TX 76051
Autumn At The Arboretum
The Dallas Arboretum is a well-known and well-loved city staple, and its Autumn events are truly among the best. From the moment you walk into the Arboretum during fall, you are immersed in fall foliage. As you walk through the gardens, you’ll find the children’s adventure garden, storybook houses, arts and crafts, and, best of all, the pumpkin village.
When: September 21- November 3
Where: 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, TX 75218
DFW Fall Fest
DFW Fall Fest is a great option for those looking for free Dallas toddler activities. Tickets are required for admission but are free, along with parking!
The Festival will feature live entertainment from your kid’s favorite characters, as well as crafts, DIY stations, and delicious food from Frisco Fresh Market.
If you’re looking for more after that, you can visit any of the family-related vendors around the festival grounds!
When: October 19, 2024, from 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Frisco Fresh Market, 9215 John W. Elliot Dr., Frisco, TX
Get your free tickets to the DFW Fall Fest 2024!
Outdoor Story Times Across DFW
Another great option for Dallas toddler activities is outdoor storytimes. Toddlers love the combination of nature, stories, and friends, and you will love watching your little ones learn and grow through the stories they experience.
We recommend these outdoor storytimes:
La Fiesta de las Seis
Focusing on early reading and language skills, La Fiesta de las Seis Banderas is sponsoring a toddler story time in the park. Take your toddlers to enjoy silly songs, toddler activities, and stories with friends in nature.
When: October 6, 2022, from 10:30 am- 11:00 am
Where: 3419 Westminster Ave, Dallas, TX 75205
Texas Discovery Gardens Storytime
You absolutely do not want your toddler to miss this free Dallas toddler activity. Spanning 7.5 acres filled with butterflies, nature, and animals, Texas Discovery Gardens is sure to captivate the growing minds of your toddler!
Texas Discovery Gardens hosts a recurring monthly toddler storytime, complete with snacks and a butterfly release for the kids to watch and enjoy!
When: Recurring the First Friday and Saturday of Each Month from 11 am- 12 pm
Where: 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Dallas, TX
Fall Nature Walks and Scavenger Hunts
Staying in motion is an essential element for toddler development. Kids learn more than we think as they explore their world by testing their physical limits.
So, instead of avoiding their need for movement, come embrace these free Dallas toddler activities at the local parks:
Texas Buckeye Trail
Pop your toddler in a stroller and come enjoy the 1.6-mile nature trail at Texas Buckeye Trail. The Buckeye trail is built inside the Trinity forest, making it beautiful and awe-inspiring for both you and your family.
Where: 7000 Bexar Street, Dallas, TX
Downtown Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are a fun way to stay engaged with your child as you roam the city and practice observational skills as they look for the items on the list. Check out this free Dallas Scavenger Hunt.
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Fall Festivals and Community Events
Check out these other Dallas festivals with free Dallas toddler activities:
State Fair of Texas
Everyone loves Big Tex! The State Fair of Texas is one of the most attended fairs in the country. Come bring your family to enjoy pig races, amusement rides, and, most importantly, delicious food and crafts.
When: September 27, 2024- October 20, 2024
Where: 925 S. Haskell, Dallas, TX 75223
Festival at the Switchyard
Carrollton’s Festival at the Switchyard hosts an epic fall event, complete with dancing, martial arts, rides, games and art.
If your child loves art, be sure to stop by and see Dance E Motion or the Class Act Tap Company.
For those kids craving the wild side, the Festival highlights Sidekick Martial Arts, where your youngster can see Jiu-Jitsu and Karate. If all those fail to somehow bore your child, you can’t go wrong with the classic carnival rides and sweet treats!
Adults looking for childless entertainment can enjoy the free concerts featuring Collective Soul, Fuel, and JPGR: Beatles Tribute.
When: November 2, 2024
Where: 1100 Elm St, Carrollton, TX 75006
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Farmer’s Markets and Petting Zoos
Farmer’s markets and petting zoos are two necessary ingredients for fall family fun:
Farmers Market @ The Shed
Come stroll the aisles of this Farmers Market @ The Shed. Wagons are available for use so your kiddo can sit and enjoy the ride. While there, be sure to stop by the arts and crafts section to find the perfect item you didn’t know your home needed.
While there, be sure to stop by the arts and crafts section to find the perfect item you didn’t know you needed. Check out Nikki Smith Designs for your next jewelry accessory for a night out on the town or Whiski Designs for hand-lettered designs that embrace the beauty of the desert.
When: Saturdays 9am-5 pm; Sundays 10 am- 5 pm
Where: 920 S. Harwood Dallas, TX 75201
Country Critters Farm
Country Critters Farm is at the top of the list of free Dallas toddler activities.
Visiting the farm means your family will enjoy numerous animals, pony rides, mazes, and more. You can make the trip a family day out or even host your child’s next birthday there.
When: Daily from 8:30 am- 5:30 pm
Where: 3709 County Rd 617, Alvarado, TX 76009
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Playgrounds
We’ve talked a lot about festivals and special events, but let’s get back to basics. Playgrounds. Toddlers love playgrounds. The thrill of swinging as high as you can push and sliding down a tube faster than they can imagine.
Check these out:
Alta Mesa Park
Alta Mesa Park is nestled in the heart of Dallas and a popular choice among Dallasites. The park includes 22 acres of land, which includes a basketball court, nature exploration, and a playground. Your toddler will love the playground, where they can swing and slide as you enjoy the cool Autumn air.
Where: 2905 Alta Mesa, Dallas, TX
Arbor Park
Arbor Park is another great addition to the Dallas Parks and Recreation Department. The playground is shaded, offering a lovely respite for the weary toddler parent. The playground has all the toddler essentials, plus a train on which they can make belief all the way until naptime.
Tip: Be sure to enjoy the parks during the cooler weather before winter arrives later in the fall.
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A Note About Free Dallas Toddler Activities This Fall
Having fun with your toddler doesn’t need to be lavish or pricey. What your kiddo wants most is you, playing with you, and spending time with you. All the other stuff is an added bonus to their love of quality time.
Please share any experiences or suggestions in the comments!
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