Fun and Free Family Activities in Dallas and Fort Worth

If you're looking for some fun and free family activities in Dallas and/or Fort Worth, TX, try these on for size:

Cedar Hill State Park at 1570 FM 1382, ten miles south of Dallas has the best bike trails. On the weekends you can't stir the bicycles with a stick. For information, call 972-291-3900.

The best free entertainment for a kid can be found at Founder's Plaza at DFW International Airport at 2829 30th Street (Carbon Road) in Dallas. Little kids who like airplanes, trucks, and other big stuff will truly be thrilled to spend an hour watching the jets come and go from this busy airport.

The best place to see pets run wild is at the Off-Leash Dog Park at Mockingbird Point near the intersection of Mockingbird and West Lawther. The city set aside some park land at the northeast corner of the lake. For information, call 214-670-4100.

The best playground is at Andrew Brown Community Park East at 260 E. Parkway Boulevard in Coppell. The town doesn't exactly come to mind when thinking about the Disneyland of outdoor play spaces but nestled within the 148 acres of the Park is a veritable imagination plantation that can soothe the hyperactive souls of children of all ages.

The best rainy-day activity with the kids can be found at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World at 2501 Bass Pro Drive in Carrollton. A giant aquarium, boats to climb on, tents to test, giant stuffed catfish pillows, fishing equipment no one even knew existed, a driving and putting range - what more do you need to keep the kids intrigued for a few hours, short of a Pokemon? If you're really lucky you might just catch an elk-calling contest or a seminar and there are always those fly-tying demos. For information, call 972-724-2018.

Another great playground is at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children at 2222 Welborn Street (214-559-5000). It's true you can't just waltz, a passel of pikers in tow, onto this specially designed park at the Dallas hospital for children with severe orthopedic problems. But if you call ahead and make a reservation, this place can provide all ages of childish folk hours of safe and athletic fun.