Where to Find “Kids Free Admission” in Dallas

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When you become a parent, everything almost instantly becomes more expensive overnight! In the earlier years, it’s most the diapers, toys, clothes, and baby gear that slowly drains our bank accounts. But somewhere around the ages of 2-4, you notice every outing seems to become more expensive too! Restaurant bills double because children are now eating your whole plate of food and you’re forced to get them their own. Even admission into your favorite Dallas destinations cause your wallet to explode — whether the kids appreciate what they’re seeing or not!

We feel your pain parents! That’s why we’ve scoured the web for all things Dallas and have come up FREE ways you can enjoy yourself with children without being confined to the house. 

Completely Free Admission for ALL AGES

The following is a list of museums, events, and venues around Dallas that offer Kids Free Admission. While many of these locations offer year-round free deals for children’s tickets, we’ve highlighted a few special events around town that also offer FREE admission for the whole family! 

Dallas Museum of Art :: Keep in mind the museum is closed on Mondays, but the DMA has changed their admission policies within the last few years and is now FREE to anyone (with the exception of special exhibitions when children 11 and under are FREE)

Some of the FREE events and activities at the DMA include: 

  • Late Nights at the Museum – the 3rd Friday of every month (6pm-12am)
  • Arturo’s Library Totes – Various Saturdays throughout the Summer
  • Art to Go Family Tote Bags – Every Saturday
  • Story Time – Tuesdays & Wednesdays in July (12-12:30pm)
  • Family Tours – Tuesdays & Thursdays in July (2pm)

Nasher Sculpture Center “Target First Saturdays” :: Families are invited to join the Nasher during the First Saturday of each month for FREE admission for the whole family from 10am-5pm & family activities from 10am-2pm. Target First Saturdays are designed especially for children in preschool to elementary school and feature a line-up of activities that encourage creative thought through a monthly “Big Idea.” Make sure to check the Nasher Calendar for updates or changes to this schedule. During regular hours, children ages 11 and under are free. 

Crow Collection of Asian Art’s Adventure Asia :: Enjoy FREE admission all the time, but especially during Family Days at the Crow on the First Saturday of each month from 10am-2pm. Themes each month will vary, but in general you can expect a storytime, crafts and activities, plus museum exploration! 

Galleria Dallas’s Showtime Saturdays :: Every Saturday starting at 11:30am, children and families are invited to enjoy the amazing FREE entertainment provided by Slappy’s Playhouse. Performances vary from puppet shows to prince/princess shows, and even the occasional appearance by the Dallas Zoo. Not only does this cost you nothing to attend, but you can expect more free entertainment just by staying to play on the 3rd floor indoor play ground! 

Home Depot’s Kids’ Workshops :: The First Saturday of each month, your local home improvement store hosts a FREE workshop just for kids ages 5-12 (though this is just a guideline!). From 9am-12pm, kids will learn handy skills by making their own projects such as a chalkboard door hanger, birdhouse, or race car. Each child who participates the entire class will receive a certificate of completion, an official Home Depot Workshop apron, and Pin, plus craft to take home! Registration is appreciated to help them ensure enough supplies, and parents are expected to stay and participate! 

Lakeshore Learning :: If you are looking for an educational experience, join Lakeshore Learning (Dallas North Tollway & Alpha) for “Free Crafts for Kids” each Saturday from 11am-3pm. These FREE crafty classes are designed for children ages 3+, and no reservation is required! 

Trinity River Audubon Center :: Explore for FREE the 3rd Thursday of every month. No strings attached. {Read more about what the Trinity River Audubon Center offers in our review here!}

Watermark Church Tree Fort :: Okay, so this isn’t a formal event or activity, but it’s still 100% FREE! As seen in our 7 Days of Indoor Play post, the play area inside Watermark Church (LBJ & Park Central) is open to the public. Since it revolves around their service and class schedule, be sure to check the “open” hours at the bottom of their Common Questions

Somewhat Free Admission for ALL AGES

Legoland Discovery Center & SEA LIFE Grapevine :: Check out your local Chicken Express and various other restaurants / stores for a Buy an Adult ticket, Get a Child’s Ticket Free. These coupons floating around and will be good all summer! (Note: These have to be used “at the door”.)

 

Free for AGES 2 AND UNDER

Have a child who’s under the age of 2? Here’s where you can go around town and not pay a dime for their admission! 

  • Dallas Zoo (Ages 2 & Under FREE, Ages 3-11, $12)
  • Texas Discovery Gardens (Ages 2 & Under FREE, Ages 3-11, $4)
  • Six Flags Over Texas (Ages 2 & Under FREE, Children under 48″, $53.99)
  • Heard Museum (Ages 2 & Under FREE, Ages 3-12,  $8)
  • Dallas World Aquarium (Ages 2 & Under FREE, Ages 3-12, $14.95)
  • Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park (Ages 2 & Under FREE, Ages 3-11, $6)
  • Legoland Discovery Center Grapevine (Ages 2 & Under FREE, Ages 3+, $21)
  • SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium  (Ages 2 & Under FREE, Ages 3-12, $16)
  • Dallas Arboretum (Ages 2 & Under FREE, Ages 3-12, $10)
  • Frontiers of Flight Museum (Ages 2 & Under FREE, Ages 3-17, $8)
  • **Perot Museum (under 2 FREE, Ages 2-17, $11)
  • **Play Street Museum (under 1 FREE, Ages 1-8, $11)
  • **The Gentle Zoo (under 1 FREE, General Admission, $5)
  • **The Coop Frisco (Ages 9 months & under FREE, otherwise $10/child)

Free for AGES 3-5 AND UNDER

Have a child who’s pushing that age limit of free admission? In addition to the above, here’s where you can go around town for your young ones to receive regularly FREE admission at various ages. 

  • Dallas Heritage Village (Ages 3 & under FREE, Ages 4-12, $5)
  • Reunion Tower (Ages 3 & under FREE, Ages 4-12, $8)
  • Cavanaugh Flight Museum (Ages 3 & under FREE, Ages 4-12, $5)
  • Ripley’s Believe It or Not (Ages 3 & under FREE, Ages 4-12, $8.99)
  • Frisco Heritage Museum (Ages 4 & under FREE, Ages 5-11, $2)
  • Museum of Biblical Art (Ages 5 & under FREE, $12 regular admission)

What about tickets to Sporting Events? 

Texas Rangers (and Globe Life Park in Arlington) :: Children 13 years of age or younger are eligible for reduced-price tickets in Upper Reserved and Grandstand Reserved seating areas, and children under 36 inches tall may be admitted free of charge but must occupy a ticket holder’s lap.

Dallas Cowboys (and AT&T Stadium) :: For Cowboys games and most events, children under the age of one do not need a ticket to enter AT&T Stadium. They must be seated on an adult’s lap and not interfere with the sightlines of other guests. Other events may require all children, regardless of age, to have a ticket to enter the stadium. For specific information regarding the children’s ticket policy for a particular event, please call the AT&T Stadium Ticket Office at (817) 892-5000 or the Guest Services Hotline at (817) 892-4161.

Dallas Stars & Dallas Mavericks (and American Airlines Center) :: For all sporting events and most concerts, children one year of age and younger do not require a ticket to be admitted into American Airlines Center; however, they must sit on an adult’s lap and may not occupy a seat. Any child two years of age and older will require a ticket to enter the arena and must occupy their ticketed seat. Please note that some shows (especially those intended for children) may have a different age policy. Contact Guest Services at 214-665-4299 for further information.

Frisco Rough Riders (and Dr. Pepper Ballpark) :: Any fan two years or younger and sitting on a lap does not need a ticket.

Dallas Sidekicks (and Allen Event Center) :: For most events, children two years of age and older are required to have a ticket to gain entrance to the Allen Event Center. PLEASE NOTE: Occasionally an event will require that all attendees regardless of age possess a ticket. Please check the event’s ticket policies at the time and point of purchase.

FC Dallas (and Toyota Stadium) ::  Children that are 3 feet or shorter are not required to have a ticket into Toyota Stadium for sporting events. Children that are three feet or shorter may sit in a ticket holder’s lap, so long as the child does not obstruct the view of others nearby. There will be a height check station at all gates. If a child is taller than three feet, they must provide a ticket for entry. Policies may vary for concerts and special events. Please contact Customer Service at 469-365-0000 for information pertaining to specific events.

Want to know where you can eat free with your kids?

Check out our Kids Eat Free Guide

**As with all events, the dates, policies, and ticket information could change overnight. Please always check business/organization websites to ensure accuracy. 

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Krystal Hurst
Krystal is a Dallas-native who began her career as a fourth grade teacher in Richardson RISD, but quickly changed paths to became a stay-at-home mom in 2011. Through a happy coincidence, she stumbled upon (what was then known as) Dallas Moms Blog in 2012 and found a community she’d been looking for since coming a mom. Shortly after joining the team, she gratefully accepted the “baton” passed to her as new owner of the site, and took off with it running full speed! Krystal not only helped to grow Dallas Moms into a large parenting resource, but also launched Collin County Moms in 2016; providing those in the north Dallas suburbs their community resource platform. While building a community, uniting the moms, and growing a business around this passion was a dream come true, after almost 10 years, Krystal officially stepped down as owner, and is now focusing on raising her 4 boys with her husband, Tim, and rediscovering old hobbies.

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