And just like that, it’s February! February is known to be a bit seasonally in-between here in Dallas; the branches are bare but temps are in the 70s on the regular. With that in mind, we’ve got some outside ideas on the menu, but still plenty of inside fun in case it’s chilly. Valentine’s candy, Mardi Gras beads, Monster Trucks, free frozen yogurt – there’s a lot to look forward to this month for kids of all ages. Have a look!
All Month :: Last call for Penguin Days at the Dallas Zoo! $7 admission (ages 3 and under are free). Remember, winter zoo hours are 9 am to 4 pm daily, and there are lots of indoor areas if it’s a chilly day.
All Month :: The LEGO® Batman™ Movie comes out February 10th, and LEGOLAND Discovery Center is doing it up all month with special build activities, character meet & greets, scavenger hunts and more.
Through February 24 :: Daffodil Days at the Arboretum means you get in for just $5. This a pretty great deal, especially since it’s been known to be literally hot outside in February at times. Take a picnic when you go!
February 3 :: Let your little ones tear up the dance floor at It’ll Do for Disco Kids night. $5 cover for kids, free for parents. 6-9:30 pm. Food trucks make dinner easy. Bring some glow sticks and show ‘em how it’s done.
February 4 :: Get the gang together for the Perot Museum’s Family Experiments at Klyde Warren Park from 11 am to 2 pm. Explore the field of paleontology as you dig up and excavate dinosaur bones, then play some board games and hit the food trucks after for a sweet treat. Nice little downtown afternoon, isn’t it?
February 4 :: If you’re a toy-collecting family, the North Dallas Toy Show merchants feature all kinds of toys and action figures, comic books, and sci-fi memorabilia. They’ve recently moved to larger digs, so note the new location before you go. 9 am to 3 pm. $2 admission, kids under 12 are free.
February 4 :: Tommy Terrific will be performing a magic show for kids at Bookmarks in Northpark Center. Comedy and magic with an educational theme. Show me a kid who doesn’t love a good magic trick. Show me an adult who doesn’t. 2 pm. Free!
February 4 :: Ooooh, this could be fun. Vicariously blow off some steam by watching monster trucks race around and destroy everything! Monster Jam at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Showtime is 7 pm and tickets start at $15.
February 6 :: If you want to celebrate International Frozen Yogurt Day (and why wouldn’t you) head to your nearest Yougurtland for a freebie froyo today! 4-7 pm, while supplies last.
February 7, 14, 21, 28 :: SEA LIFE Grapevine has a pretty sweet deal going with Toddler Tuesdays. Once you get past the idea of an aquarium being in a mall, $15 will get you admission for 1 adult and 2 kids under 4. Kids love this place. Time it so you can watch the stingray feeding at 11 am!
February 9-10 :: Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live! is a theatrical production from Australia that’ll wow your kids with a unique and educational tour through pre-historic Australia using amazing life-like dinosaur puppets. Three different showtimes at the Irving Arts Center. Tickets starting at $13.50.
February 11 :: This month’s Perot Museum Discovery Days theme is Gadgets & Gizmos (cannot hear that without adding “aplenty”). From 10 am to 4 pm with the cost of admission, you get access to special activities focused on inventing, making, and engineering. Here’s one of the offerings: “Drawdios – create a watercolor picture with these special paintbrushes that create music.” We’re intrigued!
February 11 :: The Richardson Public Library is having a Heart-y Arty Valentine Party for kids Pre-K through 4th grade from 2-4 pm in the Basement Program Room. Make Valentine crafts and see a puppet show!
February 17-19 :: Here’s another biggie – Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music at the Verizon Theater. Can’t really go wrong with that. Six different showtimes throughout the weekend with tickets starting at $17.
February 18 :: Keep your fitness-based resolutions and Run for Rover at McInnish Dog Park in Carrollton. There’s a full 5k route that you can run with your dog and a shorter route for older dogs or those ones whose bellies reach the ground. No dog? No problem! Humans $15/dogs $5, benefitting the Carrollton Animal Services and Adoption Center. Click here for registration info.
February 18 :: Addison’s Cavanaugh Flight Museum is hosting Drone Wars IV, an indoor drone race in their 11,000 square foot hangar. Racing starts at 1 pm, AND if someone in your family has a drone and wants to participate in the race, they totally can. Cash prizes! Check out the details/registration info here.
February 20 :: No school today! Avoid stir crazy kids at home by spending President’s Day at Spark!, open 10 am to 5 pm. Indoor fun and a nice way to for the kids to burn some energy. Tickets are $8 in advance/$10 at the door. P.S. Spark! is open for public play like this every Saturday, too.
February 22 :: Celebrate African American history and culture at the Black History Month Festival at the Southeast Branch Arlington Library from 2-6 pm. Jazz, gospel choir, step and dance performances, exhibits, and a children’s area with special activities. Check the link for a schedule of events and extra info. Free!
February 23 :: On the last Thursday of the month, Reunion Tower hosts Tall Tales Story Time on the Geo-Deck. Librarians from the Dallas Public Library read and sing from 11-11:30 am. Click here for info on reserving your spot – it fills up! Standard Geo-Deck ticket pricing applies because you are definitely going to want to hang for a while and take in that view. $16 adults/ $7 kids (4-12)/ 3 and under free.
February 25 :: The biggest flower festival in the Southwest is back. Put some “spring” in your step with Dallas Blooms: Peace, Love, and Flower Power at the Arboretum, which runs through April. Sorry about that spring pun, guys. It was unavoidable.
February 25 :: Feeling stressed about summer camps yet? Get face time with local and national camps at DFWChild’s 2017 Camp Fair from 10 am to 3 pm. This is a free event with stuff going on all day for the kiddos – Mavs mascots, spin art, photo booths and more. Click for info including a camp list.
February 26 :: The Three Little Pigs is the latest production from The Dallas Opera’s Family Season program. This one is sung in English and needs no intermission, so it’s very doable. Crafts and activities in the lobby starting at 12:30 and showtime at 2 pm. Tickets are $5, and if you bring donations for the North Texas Food Bank or SPCA you get a free ticket. Click here for details on donations.
February 26 :: Time to party at the Mardi Gras Oak Cliff parade! This bead-filled event is fully family friendly and begins at 4 pm on West Davis Street. Come out for the biggest and most diverse event in Oak Cliff!
February 26 :: Celebrate the upcoming birthday of Dr. Seuss with a performance of The Cat in the Hat at the Eisemann Center as part of the Methodist Richardson Family Theater Series. Showtime is 2:30 pm and tickets start at $13. “Lots of good fun that is funny!” say top critics! (*wink*)
February 27, 28 :: One more for the Arboretum because spring is in the air! Mommy and Me Mondays and Tiny Tot Tuesdays start this week, 10 am to 2 pm. Face painting, petting zoo, story time… YES. Free with admission.
Anything cool that we missed? Let us know in the comments!
