By: Fiona Moriarty, HipmunkWhen looking for a city to explore with kids, look no further than Dallas, Texas. With an amazing array of indoor and outdoor activities, Dallas offers families a great mix of things to do that are perfect for kids--all without leaving parents bored or frustrated out of their minds. Check out our list below to discover why Dallas is the perfect place for a kid-friendly adventure!1.) Dallas Arboretum and Botanical GardenSituated on White Rock Lake just outside of the Dallas city center, The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a great place to spend a day with kids. With large picnic areas, a kid-sized pioneer village and awe-inspiring gardens, the Arboretum has things that even the pickiest kid will love. Plus, at just over 66 acres, there opportunities for exploration are nearly endless.2.) Adventure Landing Kids who love a thrill will love Adventure Landing, a theme park located outside of Dallas. They've got everything to get the adrenaline pumping: go-karts, adventure golf, laser tag, bumper boats, and a huge video arcade. Visitors can buy an all access pass to the park or can pay per attraction.3.) Dallas Summer Musicals Every summer, Dallas gets a taste of Broadway during its Dallas Summer Musicals series. A great program of diverse shows goes up at the music hall at Fair Park ,with offerings that a kid with a taste for musical theatre would most certainly enjoy. Ticket prices vary, but affordable options can be found in mezzanine seating and for matinee tickets.4.) Jumpstreet Indoor Trampoline Park Designed and built in 2007 as a place for kids to literally bounce off the walls without driving their parents crazy, Jumpstreet Indoor Trampoline Park is the perfect spot to release pent-up energy. With wall to wall trampolines, that include basketball courts and obstacle courses, this is a great place for families to get moving and play together.5.) Six Flags Over TexasWhat would a vacation with kids be without a visit to a classic theme park' And Dallas has a great one in Six Flags Over Texas. Located in Arlington outside of Dallas, Six Flags offers a bevy of thrilling roller coasters, shows, carnival games, restaurants and more. Buy an all-access fast pass or a day pass and enjoy all Six Flags has to offer.6.) Dallas Zoo For the kid with a penchant for animals, The Dallas Zoo is a wonderful place to spend a day. Located on 106 acres of land three miles south of Downtown Dallas, The Dallas Zoo offers a dizzying amount of exhibitions and kid-specific programs, such as Safari Nights, a nightly concert that starts before the kids have to go to bed, and offers wine and cold beer for parents who've been chasing their little ones around the zoo all day.7.) Dallas World AquariumLocated in the historic West End district of Dallas, the Dallas World Aquarium offers a plethora of engaging activities for kids. As the name suggests, the aquarium houses exhibits that feature animals from around the world: Borneo, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, South Africa and many more. Make sure to check out the Flooded Forest and Ancient Mayan exhibits, which are two of the most popular amongst visitors to the aquarium.8.) Ranger's Game For the sporty kid, nothing beats taking in an afternoon Rangers baseball game at the Globe Life Park in Arlington. Though it can definitely get hot during the game, the park offers a lot of ways to beat the heat with water misters, lemon slushies, ice cream, and cold adult beverages for parents. Come early before the game starts and kids can watch the Rangers warm up and maybe even catch a practice fly ball!9.) Hurricane HarborWhen the Dallas heat gets truly sweltering, pack the kids up and head to Hurricane Harbor, the largest and most popular water theme park in Dallas. Come for the intense and scary Twister and Black Hole rides or come simply to float with family along the Lazy River that circles the entire park; either way, patrons are guaranteed to beat the heat!10.) IMAX Sometimes, the best thing to do with kids is to catch a movie. They'll be quiet and parents can take the time to relax or even grab a quick nap. To kick this activity up a notch, check out one of Dallas's IMAX theaters where kids can take in the latest blockbusters on a scale that is impressive and grand.11.) Sandy Lake Park Located in Carrollton, Texas just outside of Dallas, Sandy Lake Park is a tried and true favorite amongst locals. Full with all the trappings of a great carnival, Sandy Lake boasts an amazing array of activities: paddleboats, petting zoos, mini-golf, swimming pools, rides and arcade games. Kids will think they've stumbled upon paradise and parents will be grateful for the budget-friendly ticket price!12.) Perot Museum of Nature and ScienceLocated in Victory Park near Downtown Dallas sits the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, a gorgeous new science facility open to the public since 2012. Kids can experience dozens of interesting and compelling educational programs such as Story Time Under the Stars, Scribbles and Dribbles or Budding Scientists, which offers kids the chance to do hands-on experiments with scientists who work in the museum.13.) Dallas Heritage Village For the young historian, nothing could be better than a visit to the Dallas Heritage Village, which is home to the finest and largest collection of 19th century Victorian homes and commercial businesses. Set along a charming red-brick Main Street, kids and parents alike are encouraged to explore the various homes and storefronts and learn about what life was like in Texas at the turn of the century.14.) Dallas Children's TheaterConsistently ranked as one of the top youth theaters in the United States, the Dallas Children's Theater is a wonderful place to see traditional children's stories come to life. Past productions include performances of Peter Pan, Charlotte's Web, The Wizard of Oz and the Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley. With a talented cast and crew, the Dallas Children's Theater offers great entertainment for young kids and their families. -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
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