A Few of Our Favorite Things...

I recommend a lot of great products, places and brands on this page. And, if I'm being honest with you guys, I don't make money on 99% of the things that I do. 

I don't even have ads on my website... So each click, while amazing, does nothing for me financially!

So, I've rounded up a few of my favorite things. These are all referral links or affiliate links. I genuinely love the products... But if you click and purchase, I *may* get a kickback.

Thanks for supporting our adventures!

Pogo Pass

Do ALL the fun things with the kids- in DFW and Beyond! 

Code: EVERYTHING

www.pogopass.com 

Rothy's

The BEST sustainable shoes. Ever.

Rothy's shoes

Ibotta

My favorite cashback app for earning on my everyday purchases. They offer so many bonuses... I usually save all year long and then use my cash to pay for holiday gifts!

Ibotta

Book of the Month Club

I love to read... And I love getting a new book delivered to my front door each month. If you join, let's start a book club. Coffee and book talk? Yes please!

Book of the Month Club

Just Right Reader

Get your kids to love reading as much as you do! These lessons have helped my little one gain the confidence she needs to tackle longer, more challenging books.

Use code Arlington for 50% the first month of any subscription service

www.justrightreader.com

Everything Arlington's Fall Festival Guide for Arlington, Mansfield, Kennedale & GP 2021

Eep!

Not only is this weekend a four-day weekend if your kids attend AISD, but it's the start of all the amazing Fall Festivals in the area!

This is the most comprehensive list I can come up with. This includes all events that I have been sent, told about or found on the interwebs. If I miss any, please send them my way and I will do my best to get them added.

Happy Fall Festival Season y'all!

Fun Fall Festivals in Arlington Area for October 2021

Fall Festival Guide 2021.

Weekend of October 9

River Legacy Fall Festival- Saturday, October 9, 11am- 9pm. Arlington. $8/person, some activities extra.

Animal encounters, live music, climbing wall, food trucks and much more!

Weekend of October 23

Arlington FFA Booster Club Fall Festival- Saturday, October 23. 9am-12pm.

Crafts and more. 

Advent Lutheran Church Drive-Thru Trunk or Treat- Saturday, October 23, 4-6pm. Arlington. Free.

Candy, toys, hot dogs and more. First come, first served. 

Trinity United Methodist Church Trunk or Treat- Saturday, October 23. 5:30-7:30pm. Arlington. Free.

Candy, pizza, bounce houses and more! 

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North Davis Church Fall Festival- Sunday, October 24. 4-6pm. Arlington. Free.

Food trucks, trunk-or-treat, inflatables and much more. 

Trunk or Treat & Fall Festival with Mansfield Church of Christ- Sunday, October 24. 5:30-7:30 pm. Free. 

Candy, games, activities and food trucks. Feel free to wear your costume!

Halloween Tot Party at Dottie Lynn- Wednesday, October 27, 10-11 am. Arlington. $6 per child.

Fun indoor party for little ones. You must pre-register. 

 Weekend of October 30

Trunk or Treat- Friday, October 29, 4-6pm. Arlington. Free.

Drive through trunk or treat with a local senior center. 

Trunk or Treat at Revive Church- Friday, October 29, 6:30-9pm, Arlington. Free.

Bounce houses, games, food for purchase and more. 

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Trunk or Treat with First Presbyterian Church Arlington- Saturday, October 30. 3pm. Free.

Games, prizes, bubbles, sidewalk chalk and more. 

Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat with City Chapel- Saturday, October 30. 4-6pm. Arlington. Free.

Petting zoo, bounce houses, candy and more. Some events may cost money. 

Drive-Thru Trunk or Treat at UTA- Saturday, October 30, 4-7pm. Arlington. Free.

Free food giveaway open to everyone. You must pre-register. 

TownCenter Trunk or Treat- Saturday, October 30, 5-7pm. Kennedale. Free.

Candy and trunk or treating. 

Fall Family Extravaganza with First Methodist Mansfield- Saturday, October 30. 5-7pm. Free.

Games, hayrides, burgers and more. 

Inspired to Live Church Fall Festival- Saturday, October 30. 5-7:30pm. Arlington. Free.

Games, prizes and much more. 

Pantego Trunk or Treat- Saturday, October 30, 6-8pm. Pantego. Free.

Costumes contests, trunk or treat and more.

St. Barnabas UMC- Saturday, October 30, 6-8pm. Arlington. Free.

Outdoor fun and games. (I can't find a link for this one!)

Trail or Treat- Friday, October 29, 6-8pm. Arlington. Free.

Register in advance and receive a free dinner! Bounces houses, games, candy and more. 

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Connect Church Arlington- Sunday, October 31, 4-6pm. Free.

Games, prizes, candy and much more. 

Fall Festival with Missionary Baptist Church- Sunday, October 31, 4-6:30 pm. Arlington. Free.

Candy and more. 

Trunk or Treat with Community of Hope Methodist Church- Sunday, October 31. 4-8pm. Mansfield. Free.

Trunk or treating plus a showing of Coco. 

Best Indoor Waterparks in DFW

Cooler months are coming (hopefully), which means, before too long, we will have to move all of our Texas-sized fun indoors. No worries, though! DFW has plenty of amazing indoor spots that cater to fun for guests of all ages.

Indoor water parks are one of my most favorite things. Seriously- where were all these great spots when I was a kid?! Growing up in northern Illinois I would have killed for a spot to swim and splash in November! 

All of the places on this list allow to you play around indoors without having to stay the night anywhere. You can simply buy a day pass, throw on your bathing suit and get to splashing!

Indoor surfing at the Cove at the Lakefront in Little Elm! Epic Waters in Grand Prairie also has one of these fun features. 

The COOLEST Indoor Water Play Areas in the Dallas Area 

💦Indoor Water Play Areas in DFW💦

Looking for someplace fun to let the kids swim and play now that most of the water parks have closed for the season? Save this post, which details 7 awesome indoor water play areas in or near Tarrant County for you and your kids!

💧 Epic Waters
📍 Grand Prairie
💵 $34 for over $ 48”, $29 under 48”

💧 The Cove at the Lakefront
📍 Little Elm
💵 $11 kids, $14 adult (under 2 free)

💧 NRH Center
📍 North Richland Hills
💵 $10 day pass

💧 The BRiCK
📍 Burleson
💵 $20 daily family pass (4 people)

💧 Great Wolf Lodge
📍 Grapevine
💵 $35 per person ($28 half day)

💧 Grapevine Rec Center
📍 Grapevine
💵 $12 day pass

💧 Arlington East Rec Center
📍 Arlington
💵 $8 per person

Which spot is your favorite? (My kids love Epic Waters- but we need something more affordable we hit up the NRH Centre. They love the rock climbing wall!)

The BEST Pumpkin Farms in DFW

These are not your average pumpkin farms.

It's fall in North Texas, and the EA Crew takes this time of year very seriously. We love all things spooky and pumpkin-y and basically just all of it.

So this list of Pumpkin Farms isn't just a list of fields full of pumpkins-for-purchase, although I have nothing against those spots! They are perfect for last-minute pictures and pumpkins for carving and just general inexpensive fun. 

But if you want a pumpkin farm that is a destination, a place where you can enjoy all that screams fall: hayrides, apple cider, pumpkins and more, well, this is the list for you!

It's pumpkin farm time!

Best pumpkin farms for fall in Dallas/Fort Worth

🎃 Shadow Creek Pumpkin Farm
📍 Midlothian
💰 $12/person

🎃 Mainstay Farm 
📍Cleburne
💰 $24/person

🎃 Hall's Pumpkin Farm 
📍Grapevine
💰$15/adults, $10/kids

🎃 Yesterland Farm 
📍Canton
💰 $22 in advance/ $28 at the gate

🎃 Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch 
📍Flower Mound
💰$5/weekdays, $10 weekends

🎃 Lonestar Family Farm
📍Stephenville
💰 $16.50/person

🎃 Country Critters Farm 
📍 Alvarado
💰 $12/person

🎃 The Patch at Crossover Farm
📍 Rhome
💰 Hayride + Smores- $20/4 people

Where is your favorite pumpkin farm in DFW?

Best Indoor Play Areas for Kids in the Fort Worth Area

When my kids were little, all I wanted was a fun indoor play area that wasn't attached to a fast food place and that require me to constantly open my wallet to buy more tokens or play time. I wanted some place for my little kids to play without being trampled by big kids. I wanted a spot where I could sit and drink coffee and chat with friends while my little roamed and explored.

Best indoor play areas in the Fort Worth area!

Sadly for me, all of these awesome play areas started popping up after my kids were of school age. These are the wonderful spots that offer Wi-Fi and a spot to sip coffee and toys and play areas that are safe for kiddos younger than seven or eight. While we still don't have any of these types of places in Arlington, I certainly hope that there is someone in the area working out what it would take to open a Play Street Museum or similar facility in Arlington. I'm just glad that these areas finally exist in the western half of DFW- because I spent a LOT of time trucking my trio to Dallas when they were little in search of play spaces for littles.

Having too much fun at KidMania in Fort Worth!

These are the very best indoor play areas for younger kids in the Arlington & Fort Worth area! 🎠 Kid Mania Fort Worth 💴 $9 for kids, infants are free 📍 Fort Worth (Alliance area) (This play area is pictured) 🎠 Play Studio 💴 $10 per kid 📍 Fort Worth (Riverside area) 🎠 Play Street Museum Ft. Worth 💴 $12 per child 📍 Fort Worth (Ridglea area) 🎠 Recess Time Indoor Playground 💴 $14.50 per kid, includes socks 📍 Burleson 🎠 Celebration Party and Event Center 💴 $7 per child 📍 Keller 🎠 FamilyTime Mansfield 💴 $14 per kid 📍 Mansfield 🎠 The Family Playhouse Tx 💴 $10 per kid 📍 Fort Worth (Ridgmar Mall)

🎠 Kiddleton 💴 $7.50 weekdays/ $10 weekend 📍 Fort Worth (Hulen Mall) 🎠 Cheeky Monkeys Fort Worth 💴 $12.99/2 hours (weekdays) 📍Fort Worth (Alliance area) 🎠 Luv 2 Play 💴 $14 📍 Grapevine

🎠 Peek N Play 💴 $13 📍 Grapevine

Many of these spots will require kids to play in socks- don't forget yours or you may have to buy some on-site!

Don't forget snacks! Some places have designated eating areas. Our favorite was always Pirate's Booty.

Bring a water bottle and coffee if that's your jam. If your kids are a little older, consider your laptop if you're a work-from-home parent. Log some hours while the kids play!

If you want to know my absolute faves on this list... I love PlayStudio for kids younger than six, and they have a great outdoor space, as well. KidMania would be the top pick for my girls- this spot is great up until about age 12. We haven't been to several newer spots on this list, but Kiddleton looks absolutely amazing!

What is your favorite kids' play area in the Fort Worth area?

EA Roundup: Our Favorite Kids' Activities in the Arlington Area!

Now that we are almost a full month into the school year, it might be time to start thinking about kids' activities. Do you have a soccer player at home? Or maybe a gymnast? Perhaps your child wants to pursue art or music or scouting. We are fortunate to live in area where the list of activities in which you can enroll your child is virtually endless!

While you're here, click over to my article for Zulily, about all the classic board games you should own to play with your kids on weekends or on family nights spent bonding over board games from yesteryear!

No matter what interests your child has, there is truly something for everyone available in the greater Arlington area. While I won't pretend that we have personally tried out every place on this list (although, to be honest, we've tried a great many of these spots!), I will tell you that these spots all come recommended by friends and family.

Best Sports, Clubs and Activities for Kids in the Arlington Area

If you have an aspiring gymnast or dancer...

United Performing Arts Center will encourage your tiny dancer to learn tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical and more as a fun way to express themselves. This Park Row spot is a favorite with local parents. 

There are lots of great dance studios in Arlington, Texas, for your tiny dancer!

Stars Gymnastics Arlington is a great spot for your dancer if they want to learn tumbling, as well. Stars will teach your child acro-dance, which will combine dancing and tumbling for your tiny dancer. 

Spirals Gymnastics in Kennedale and Mansfield will bring out the inner Simone Biles in your child. Your kiddo will get to learn bars, beam, vault and floor exercise at both of these area locations. 

Ice at the Parks will help your child get comfortable on ice! Whether your child wants to pursue ice hockey or figure skating, this is a great spot to start! 

If your child wants to pursue the arts...

Theatre Arlington can help your child gain confidence on stage and learn what it takes to become an actor.

KidCreate Mansfield will help your child hone their artistic skills with painting and craft classes.

Destiny Voice + Music Studio has a variety of musicians on hand who provide guitar lessons, piano lessons, voice coaching and more. My middle daughter loves lessons here (I take credit for exactly zero percent of her musical talent. Her guitar skills skipped a generation as they passed from my dad to my daughter). 

Learning the basics of playing the guitar- inspired by her days of listening to Dave Matthews Band with her dad!

If your child wants to pursue athletic endeavors...

MARSwim will have your child in the water year-round. You can start with lessons at UTA (or several other area locations) when your child is four, and then they can progress to swim team when they are ready. Swim meets are optional but oh-so-fun!

I love going to swim meets and cheering on my favorite middle girl. 

i9 Sports offers a variety of athletics for your high-energy kiddo. Whether your child wants to pursue baseball, soccer, football or other sports, i9 likely offers a great team-sport experience for your child.

The Arlington Tennis Center will help your child learn the coordination and skills it takes to be successful on the court. Don't forget to follow Arlington Tennis Association on Facebook to learn about all the fun, free lessons they host for kids at the ATC! 

Viridian Sailing Club will help your child learn to sail right here in Arlington! They don't appear to offer regular weekly lessons, just summer camps... But keep your eye out, just in case! 

How fun would sailing lessons be?

Action Skatepark in Grand Prairie is a great spot for your child to learn to skateboard. My youngest just started lessons here and loves every second- even when she falls (hard) and ends lessons dripping in sweat. She (almost) never complains! 

If your child wants to learn new skills...

Code Ninjas Mansfield offers a number of computer programming classes and courses to help your child learn to code and so much more. 

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts offers kids a variety of ways to get involved in the local community. Kids will earn badges and learn skills that will help them throughout their lives. 

Girl Scouts is so much more than just selling cookies... Although we love doing that, too!

4-H introduces kids to the world of livestock. Kids will learn ways to serve their community through this organization. 

La Puerta Spanish Center offers Spanish instruction for kids interesting in learning a new language.

Arlington Chess Club will have your child thinking critically and mastering a new, challenging game in no time! (I admit- I have no idea how to play chess. Maybe I should join the adult club?...)

What activities will you be signing your kids up for this fall? 

A New Reading Adventure: The Cities of Adventure Series by Rishi Piparaiya

I love to travel. And I love to read. 

So when I discovered the Cities of Adventure series by Rishi Piparaiya, I couldn't wait to get my hands on a few books! 

Books about travel have such a special place in my heart because I think they help you visualize places you maybe haven't personally experienced. I admit, one of my favorite things about Dan Brown's books (Angels & Demons, The Da Vinci Code) is reading about Robert Langdon racing through some of my favorite cities in Europe, uncovering secrets. I've been to the Vatican before, but Angels & Demons made me want to race back to Rome and rediscover some of the areas Dan Brown discusses in the novel with the information the book provided. I love when reading and real life intersect!

A new reading adventure: exciting stories for young readers

The Cities of Adventure Books by Rishi Piparaiya. 

These new adventure books, available on Amazon, are that intersection of travel and adventure for kids. My middle daughter, my most avid reader of my three, sped through these great chapter books, embarking on a city-wide adventure in three major metropolitan areas around the world. 

The Race to Phar Lap's Saddle follows kids Neil and Tara through this exciting Australian City as the kids find themselves on mission to recover a stolen artifact. The book includes a kid-friendly map of the city, as well as travel tips, some differences between American English and Australian English and lots of cool facts about the land down under.

Cities of Adventure: The Race to Phar Lap's Saddle.

Framed in Hollywood tells the tale of a famed and framed Hollywood actress. Sally Sinclair is a well-known actress who is accused of committing a crime on the set of her latest film. Is she guilty? Or innocent? The books incorporates some of my favorite spots in Los Angeles- Rodeo Drive, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Sunset Boulevard. You can also learn cool facts about the US and some of your favorite celebrities in the back of this fun book. 

Cities of Adventure: Framed in Hollywood

The Secret of the Snallygaster takes place in our nation's capitol, Washington D.C. Tara and Neil, the tale's star brother and sister duo, are on vacation in DC when a long-hidden family secret is revealed. The secret turns their vacation on its head, and the duo race to save a mysterious and magical creature, the snallygaster. We loved reading the tidbits about America in the back of the book and my middle daughter is mapping out all of the places she wants to go visit in Washington thanks to this book. 

There is already a fourth book out about New York City that we haven't read yet, called The Men from B.A.G.E.L. These books are all available on Amazon for $12.99. I am not an Amazon affiliate, so I don't stand to gain anything if you purchase through the links I've provided. There are more books coming in this series about cities all over the world. What a fun way to expose your kids to new cities and cultures and foster their love of reading!

Showing off a city map in a Cities of Adventure book from Amazon.

I did receive these books for free in exchange for my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.