Want to keep you children entertained all summer without breaking the bank?
Curious about what you can do in Dallas during your time off?
The cities of Carrollton, Farmers Branch, and Dallas offer exciting, inexpensive things to do with your child this summer.
In this article, we give you a 2018 plan for a week-long summer “staycation” for you and your child using locations and events around the DFW Metrolpex.
WEEK-LONG SUMMER DFW STAYCATION SCHEDULE
SUNDAY
Farmers Branch Aquatic Center
This family water park is the newest edition to the City of Farmers Branch recreational department. The facility includes the Margaret Young Natatorium, which is a year round aquatics facility for swimmers of all ages and abilities. The natatorium features aquatic fitness classes, water therapy, swim lessons for all ages and abilities, and American Red Cross certification courses.
The aquatic center also features a brand new state of the art outdoor water park called the Frog Pond. It features an activity pool with over 60 water features including four water slides and dump buckets. There is also a lazy river that is over 500 feet long and a lagoon pool with a tanning ledge and pavilions to rent.
The Frog pond season follows the CFB-ISD school calendar. It is open to the public through Labor Day. Daily passes cost $5 for Farmers Branch residents and $8 for non-residents. It’s a great place to cool off this summer.
Find more information at www.fbh2o.com
[Farmers Branch Aquatic Center – 14032 Heartside Pl., Farmers Branch, TX]
MONDAY
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
The Perot Museum is your all-in-one destination for family fun with 11 permanent exhibit halls, exciting special exhibits, hands-on activities, amazing films, live science demonstrations, and more!
Click Here to Visit Their Website
The museum has programs that are designed for guests of all ages, from toddlers and school children to teens and adults — because they know that learning comes in all shapes and sizes. Explore our program selection today to enhance your Perot Museum experience.
At the Perot Museum, inspiring minds through nature and science is their mission and their passion.
[Perot Museum – 2201 N. Field Street, Dallas, Texas 75201-1704]
TUESDAY
Ice Skating at the Galleria
Once you step on the ice at the Galleria you’ll discover it’s truly the most unique ice-skating experience around. With hundreds of stores, shoppers and restaurants to surround you, we put you in the center of it all. So take a lesson, have a party, or just go for a spin.
- Tuesday: 10:00am—5:30pm & 8:00pm—10:00pm
Admission is $12 and skate rental is $3. All skaters using rental skates are required to wear socks. Once skaters have purchased the admission and skate rental tickets, they’re welcome to skate as long as you like during the public session. Find more information at www.galleriaiceskatingcenter.com
[Galleria Skating Center – 13350 Dallas Pkwy, Dallas, TX]
WEDNESDAY
Summer STEAM Rocks at the Carrollton Public Library
Join the Carrollton Public Library this summer for fun explorations into the world of STEAM. This fun, interactive program will explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Registration for each program is required. Space is limited
- Ages 6-10. Children under the age of 9 must be accompanied by an adult.
Themes for the summer include Lego, Survival, Fossils, Engineering and much, much more
Click Here for the List of Events
THURSDAY
Summer Fun Thursdays at Willow Bend Mall
Families get ready for a summer of heart-pounding, bubble-popping, mind-stretching, floor-stomping and clown-laughing fun during this summer’s performances at Summer Fun Thursdays.
Children and parents/caregivers are invited inside the cool, out-of-the-sun to The Shops at Willow Bend’s annual community program, Summer Fun Thursdays. Summer Fun Thursdays is a free event and hosted Thursdays* in June and July at 1:00 PM in Grand Court, located on the lower level between Neiman Marcus and the Food Court.
Click Here for a Sample Event Happening on June 14
FRIDAY
Alamo Drafthouse Movie Theater in Richardson
The Alamo Drafthouse is a great theater for film lovers and offers a full menu to enjoy while you watch your movie. During the summer months, the theater offers the Summer Kids Camp with a lineup of fun family favorites and a new choose-your-own-ticket price option with proceeds benefiting local charities!
The “choose-your-own-ticket price” model ranges from $1 to $3 per person with 100% of ticket sales being donated to local nonprofits helping families.
The Summer Camp has an exciting lineup, which includes classics like The Neverending Story and the 2017 hit Trolls, to book adaptations like How to Train Your Dragon and critically-acclaimed film Wonder.
The full lineup of movies can be found here: Summer Kids Camp
[Alamo Drafthouse – 100 South Central Expressway, Richardson, TX]
SATURDAY
Summer at the Dallas Zoo
Saturday nights will sizzle this summer at the Dallas Zoo, when the Safari Nights evening concert series returns featuring great music, extended hours and a chance to mingle with some of the stars of the Dallas Zoo.
The concerts are FREE with the price of Zoo admission and begin at 7 p.m. Food will be available for purchase, along with soft drinks. Admission to the park is $15 for adults and $12 per children. Children under the age of two are free.
This is a great way to view all the great animals while enjoying music and special events. The Dallas Zoo also recently expanded its park to include a dinosaur exhibit with model dinosaurs children can explore. Also be on the lookout for “Dollar Days” throughout the summer where admission to the zoo is only $1. More information can be found on their website at www.dallaszoo.com.
[Dallas Zoo – 650 S. R.L. Thornton, Dallas, TX]
OTHER OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM
Follow this plan for a weeklong vacation that is inexpensive and close to home. There are many other great options in the Dallas area you can choose from. Other options include the Nasher Sculpture Center, Klyde Warren Park, Rosemeade Rainforest Complex or Main Event.
What do you like to do over the summer with your children that are local and inexpensive?Leave your suggestions in the comment section below.
- Staycation – a vacation spent at home or nearby