Spring Break Guide 2023: Adventure On, DFW!

There's no doubt about it- Dallas/Fort Worth is the place to be. Especially during Spring Break! From indoor waterparks to adventure playlands and more, DFW has something for everyone this March. 

I'm rolling out my annual Spring Break Guide today, so I've gone back through my old posts about places to go and things to do. Y'all- I'm constantly amazed at all the awesome offerings for families and kids of all ages all over the Metroplex. But this year... Guys. There are SO many new businesses (or awesome new offerings at some tried and true favorite businesses!) that have cropped up to keep your kids active and engaged this Spring Break (and beyond!). So, if travel isn't in the plan or budget this year, don't worry. Check out all these fantastic new spots in the greater DFW area and your kids won't have a chance to say "I'm bored!" 

New spots in DFW to check out for Spring Break 2023

Dallas Area

The Fowling Warehouse (Plano)- Nope, that's not a typo, that's a new thing you can check out in Plano! Fowling is a combination of two American favorites- football and bowling! So grab a bite (and maybe a beverage, if that's your thing!) and get fowling. Perfect for groups and all ages, this game will get you active and having fun. I can't wait to check it out! 

Two Bit Circus (Dallas- Northpark Mall area)- I featured this spot on my social channels over the holidays and we loved it so much! Two Bit Circus is brought to you by the son of the founder of Chuck E Cheese- so you know this family knows fun! Indulge in so many VR games or go a bit old school with the arcade games. There are light bites as well as drinks available. Trust me- this spot is a blast for kids of all ages!

Enjoying family time at the new Two Bit Circus in Dallas.

Game Show Battles (Dallas- Galleria area)- Grab your besties and duke it out, game show style! Choose between two different showdowns and then challenge your opponents to some crazy-fun competitions. Perfect if you have a big family and want to claim bragging rights or for going head-to-head with another family. Everyone will have a blast! 

Fort Worth Area

Sandbox VR (Fort Worth- Arts District)- Have a gamer at home? Actually, the answer is irrelevant... Sandbox VR is a seriously fun gaming and VR experience for the whole family or set of friends or whomever! We went a few months ago and haven't stopped talking about it. You put on VR headsets and embark on a journey based on which scene you select. We were pirates! Gaming really isn't even my jam and I would go back and do this many more times! Perfect for spring break fun. 

Family time at Sandbox VR in Fort Worth.

Bolder Adventure Park (Grand Prairie)- Adventure on, friends! This brand new spot at Epic Central in Grand Prairie is for the adventure seekers and the adventurous at heart. Rope courses, zip lines, ice skating, bumper cars, archery, adventure nets... You name it, this indoor facility has it. Your kids will be able to climb and play all day- when I take mine I plan to see them for little else than water breaks! 

Go Ape (Arlington)- I'm so excited that Arlington officially has its own outdoor adventure course! Located at River Legacy, this course is for thrill seekers. I visited the Plano location last year and conquered my fear of being high off the ground being help up by a single rope. It was actually a blast! There are minimum age requirements, though, so check that before you go. 

Favorite haunts with new attractions you won't want to miss

In addition to all of these exciting new attractions that have opened in the past year in DFW, let's not forget all the awesome spots that have made DFW the place to be for years now! Although you have probably visited several of these spots before, they each have recently opened new attractions that may make them feel fresh and fun again for you and your kids this Spring Break!

Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington)- Aquaman launches March 11! This ride is supposed to be one-of-a-kind, launching riders backward and forward and ending with a massive splashdown. While I could maybe give this one a miss (fine, I'll ride it once. Once! Simply to say I've ridden it), my kids would lose their minds for something this fun-sounding. 

Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark (Grand Prairie)- Our favorite indoor waterpark has a brand new slide to get excited about- Locura! With a 40-foot drop and a 360 degree horizontal loop, this ride sounds terrifying- I mean awesome! Seriously, we love Epic because there is so much for the kids and see and do. Perfect for the whole family, Epic is a great way to get excited about pool time this summer. 

Trader's Village (Grand Prairie)- If you are looking for affordable fun for the whole family, this is it! Trader's Village is open during the week for Spring Break and the rides area features a brand new coaster for kids to get excited about, the Prairie Screamer! The low height requirement means it will be fun for (almost) everyone in your party, and an all-day wristband for unlimited rides starts at $15. 

I could type another 2,000 words on all the fun things to do in area with kids. If you have little little ones, don't forget Play Street Museum in Mansfield or Project Play in Hurst. The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is great for younger kids and the Perot Museum is wonderful for all ages. Jade Waters at the Hilton Anatole opens March 3 if you are willing to brave the cooler temps for outdoor water fun or you can check out Cove at the Lakefront in Little Elm for a less-expensive indoor waterpark option.  There is iFly and Alley Cats and Main Event and Urban Air and seriously guys I could ramble and ramble. If you're looking for fun for your kids in DFW this Spring Break and can't find it on this list, send me a message or shoot me an email. I'd love to help you navigate all the awesome offerings in the area. And if you own or offer one of the awesome offerings in this area, message me about coming and featuring your spot, too! 

DFW Spring Break 2022: Your Spring Break Bucket List

We are less than two weeks away from Spring Break 2022! Yippee!

Where are you headed?

We are headed back to my roots to spend sometime in the Midwest, although I know my kids would rather be hitting a sunny Florida Beach. We are almost halfway done with our 50-state challenge (we are trying to visit all 50 states before my oldest heads off to college!), and this Spring Break, we intend to check two (maybe three, if I'm ambitious enough!) off of our list.

But if travel isn't on your agenda this Spring Break, don't worry! We live in such an awesome area that has so many incredible offerings for kids of all ages, you can keep the kids busy all Spring Break. Whether you have a video game enthusiast, an adventure-seeker, a homebody, an artist or a sports-lover at home, the EA Spring Break list has something that will blow you away.

So get planning, get excited and get ready for Spring Break 2022! (and read to the very end for a challenge with big prizes!)

The EA Crew is ready for Spring Break 2022!

Spring Break 2022: Let's Do Dallas/Fort Worth!

For the thrill-seeker:

GoApe Plano: Zip lines, a ropes course, Tarzan swings and more! Ages 10 and older. 

Six Flags Over Texas: Heart-stopping fun right here in Arlington. Rollercoasters and more.

PrairieLand: Let your kids get their kicks for a low price close to home! Wristbands are $13.99 and include the Vortex, Flea Fall, Wipeout and lots of other crazy rides. 

iFly: Indoor skydiving. Need I say more? 

For the animal lover:

Children's Aquarium at Fair Park: Two words: Doctor. Fish. Seriously, if your kids are like mine, they will love sticking their hands in the tank while the "doctor fish" peck at them! Feed the stingrays, see sharks and so much more. 

SeaLife: This Grapevine Mills spot is home to Texas' only 360-degree ocean tunnel. See sharks, sting rays and more up close! 

SeaQuest: Hang out with sloths, birds, sea creatures and more at this awesome aquarium located inside Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth. 

Dinosaur Safari at the Dallas Zoo: Hop on a shuttle-guided Dino Safari with your "research assistant" at this fun, prehistoric party. Then stay and play at the zoo's children's area. Oh what fun! 

Dallas World Aquarium: You'll feel as if you've stepped into the rainforest when you set foot in the Dallas World Aquarium. Make your way through a number of exciting exhibits, including Mundo Maya, Ornico, Borneo and more. 

Fossil Rim Drive-Thru Safari: Located in Glen Rose, Texas, about an hour from Arlington, Fossil Rim is a fun experience for guests of all ages. Drive through the wide-spaces where animals roam- and feed the animals from your car! Stop halfway through for snacks and to visit the kid's area. 

For the video-game lover:

National Video Game Museum: Get ready for the ultimate throwback with a visit to this Frisco museum. Show your kids the computers and video game systems you grew up with and then have fun in the retro arcade at the end. 

Main Event: Get your game on! Spend the day playing video games, bowling, eating good food, doing the ropes course and more. 

Alley Cats: Play mini golf, go bowling, play video games and laser tag and more. This local spot is lots of fun. Or head up to the Hurst location because it has outdoor rides, too!

Dreamscape Immersive Dallas: Embark on a virtual adventure at Northpark Mall. Ages 10 and over. 

For the indoor playground lover:

PlayStudio Fort Worth: This Montessori-based play space in Fort Worth offers tons of fun for the younger set. Kids ages 8 and younger will enjoy playing both inside and outside, exploring, creating and more. 

Peppa Pig World: Immerse yourself in the world of this adorable British cartoon pig and her fun family. Lots of creative play is available at this Grapevine Mills space, which is great for kids ages 7 and younger. 

Legoland: Your little engineer will love this indoor play area that has Legos galore. There are rides and building areas and an indoor play space. In warmer weather, there is also an outdoor splash pad! Fun for kids of all ages. 

KidZania: Let your kids imagine what the world would be like if they ran it! Kids can create a news show, learning about dentistry, try their hand at fire-fighting and lots more. Kids ages 8 and older can be dropped off and play while you shop at Stonebriar Centre. This spot is fun for kids ages 4 and up. 

KidMania: If your kids have energy for days (mine do!), this is the spot for all of you! You can sit on the second level in the parents room and work, read or simply scroll on your phone while your kids climb and play for hours. 

For the museum lover:

Perot Museum: This Dallas Museum has a fun kid's area on the lower level that will enable your kids to learn and explore. Spring Break Week offers lots of unique programs that deal with STEM activities so your kids can learn while they play. 

International Bowling Museum: Learn about the fascinating history of bowling at this Arlington museum. Your kids will love playing all the interactive games as well as bowling with mini balls and pins before exiting to the gift shop. 

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History: I don't even know if I could possibly count the number of hours I spent at this museum when my kids were little, watching them stuff their grocery carts in the mini grocery store. The children's museum is geared toward kids in second grade and younger but there are lots of other awesome exhibits older kids will find exciting, too. 

Ripley's Believe It Or Not: Get ready to get weird! Check out all the celebrities in the wax museum, try your hand at the mirror maze and learn cool and yes, weird, facts inside the Ripley's Museum. 

Reunion Tower: Spend Spring Break at the top of this observation tower! There is tons of fun programming for the week, including story time, local sports teams' mascots and more. All of that is included with your admission ticket!

For the water-lover:

Epic Waters: Rain or shine, you and the kids can have a splashing good time! Try out the crazy water slides, relax in the lazy river, try your hand at the Flow Rider and more. 

The Cove at the Lakefront: This indoor waterpark in Little Elm is fun for all ages. With fun slides, a rope challenge, lazy river and more, everyone will have fun here. Plus, there is a seating area with TVs for you- and you can bring your own food in. Score!

Other fun spots to consider... Crayola (Plano), Play Street Museum (multiple locations), Cheeky Monkeys (multiple locations), the Fort Worth Zoo, Kiddleton (Fort Worth), Medieval Times (Dallas), Pump It Up (multiple locations), Urban Air (multiple locations), Sky Zone (Irving) and Great Wolf Lodge (Grapevine). 

Happy (almost) Spring Break, friends! 

Here's a fun challenge for anyone who read this far... Save this Bingo card to your phone. Cross out activities you do. It doesn't matter how many activities you do- whether you do one or all- just cross them out as you go. During Spring Break Week, share this card and tag my EA page (on FB or IG) with the number of cross outs on your card. One lucky winner will receive two tickets to GoApe Plano for some high-flying fun! 

Spring Break 2021: The Ultimate Guide to Spring Break in DFW!

It's been a year. 

Spring Break 2021 is less than a week away, and my kids are ready for FUN!

While this Spring Break might not look like Spring Breaks in years past, there is still lots of fun to be found all over the Metroplex for adventure seekers! Whether you want to stay in Tarrant County or venture to Dallas and Collin Counties, I've got a list of activities for you that will keep your kids happy and entertained (and out from under foot!). 

If you are traveling for Spring Break, head over to Zulily to check out my article on packing tips! 

Spring Break 2021 in DFW- Must Visit Spots

Play Street Museum (multiple locations: try Fort Worth, Keller or Irving for close options!):

This spot is great indoor fun for littles. Let them learn, explore and play in a safe environment. Be sure to check the website for operational hours at each location. EA recommends this spot for ages 6 and younger.

Sweet & Sassy Southlake: 

Your girly girls (and tomboys!) will thank you for making a trip to this sweet spot. Girls can get manicures, pedicures, haircuts and more at this hot makeover spot. Check out their camp offerings. My girls can't get enough of this place! EA recommends this spot for ages 12 and younger. (Bonus: it's across the street from Central Market and Yogurtland!)

Epic Waters: 

Get your swim on at this indoor waterpark. Littles can play in the splash area and older kids can try out the awesome (and slightly terrifying!) slides that will leave them breathless. Enjoy the lazy river and try out the indoor surf challenge. EA recommends this spot for all ages, but book online before you go to guarantee your spot!

Main Event Grand Prairie: 

Your one-shop stop for fun, this place has something for everyone. Grab lunch or dinner, go bowling, play arcade games, play on the sky course, try out the virtual reality gear. Main Event will entertain your kids for ages. Although this spot is fun for all ages, some activities have height restrictions. EA recommends if for all ages but especially for ages 6 and up.

Ripley's Believe It or Not!: 

If you've never been to Ripley's, be prepared to be weirded out. Tons of unusual artifacts and interesting exhibits will enchant (and possibly nauseate) guests. I loved this place as a kid! As an adult, well, the jury is still out. EA recommends this spot for ages 7 and older. 

Crayola Experience Plano

Kids will love this colorful place to play and create. Mold melted wax into fun shapes, make a crayon with your name on it, create colorful works of art and so much more. EA recommends this spot for ages 10 and younger. 

Peppa Pig World of Play Grapevine 

Y'all, this is truly the spot I wish had opened so many years before it did. I love Peppa Pig. I love everything about Peppa Pig. And the World of Play at Grapevine Mills is absolutely charming and so fun for little kids. It's a safe, bright area for young ones to explore and learn. I can't say enough good things about this spot, even if you don't have Peppa fans at home (although try to not fall in love with Peppa after you visit here- I dare you!). EA recommends this spot for ages 6 and younger.

Dallas Zoo & Fort Worth Zoo: 

I often see people post online and ask which zoo they should visit or buy a membership to, Dallas or Fort Worth. I think both zoos offer so much to visitors and you can't go wrong either way. Cost is similar between the zoos and the drive time is about the same, as well. Here are pros and cons of both, from the EA mama:

Dallas: 

Pros: childrens' play area features a water play zone my kids can spend hours at, large open area in the middle of the zoo allows kids to run and play, plenty of space for a picnic.

Cons: on busy days, parking can be a nightmare.

Fort Worth:

Pros: lots of parking spaces/easy parking, indoor climbing structure for kids (although this is currently closed for construction, keep watching the website for details), fun swamp bridge for kids to run across.

Cons: Safari Splash is a fun splash park located in the zoo but it costs extra, even for members. Currently no real area for kids to roam and play.

EA's thoughts: Dallas if you want to kick back while the kids play, Fort Worth if you really want to engage with the animals. Make sure to buy tickets in advance online! 

Scheels The Colony:

Guys. It is killing me that we haven't visited this sporting goods store yet because I like to be first for everything- so someone go and tell me how it is! Ride the indoor Ferris Wheel for $1 per person, play a few arcade games, grab some coffee or candy, check out the aquarium and more! The Ferris Wheel alone would make it worth the drive for the EA crew!

Other ah-mazing spots to check out (there are just SO many here in DFW!): KidMania Fort Worth, KidZania Frisco, SeaLife Grapevine, SeaQuest Fort Worth, Legoland Grapevine, The Happy Lark Fort Worth, Celebrations Fort Worth, All Star Ninjas Mansfield, PlayStudio Fort Worth. 

Free Spring Break Fun (The BEST Parks in the Metroplex)

Looking for somewhere to take the kids to keep them entertained during Spring Break but want to go easy on your wallet? Try these fun spots to burn off some steam without breaking the bank!

PlayGrand Adventures Grand Prairie: 

This all-abilities playground will keep your little happy and occupied for hours! It just reopened March 1, so get head outside and enjoy this park!

Dream Park Fort Worth: 

This park is located right along the Trinity in Fort Worth and is sure to entertain kids of all ages. Plus, it has a fence around it so kids can't escape! This spot has so many fun features kids will beg to stay as long as you'll let them!

Bicentennial Park Southlake: 

This park has a zipline, large climbing structure and plenty of seating for parents. When the weather warms up, there is a splash pad in the center of the park that allows kids to cool off while playing. This spot is so fun your kids will want to stay for hours. 

What did I miss? Happy Spring Break, guys!