Fall break is here! Keep your kids entertained with these cool, spooky, and educational things to do in DFW.
The scariest thing about October isn’t Halloween—it’s keeping your school-aged kids entertained on fall break! Sure, you can take them to a cool pumpkin patch or corn maze one day, but how do you fill the rest of the time in a meaningful, fun way? You’ll go mad just thinking about it!
As a mom of four kids, ages 2 months through 9 years, I understand how intimidating fall break can be. That’s why I’ve gathered the spookiest, coolest, and most entertaining family-friendly activities in Dallas-Fort Worth to do together. Amusement parks, mysterious hotels, Halloween fun—and even some learning opportunities—will make the week fly by.
Dallas ISD and Fort Worth ISD have fall break Oct. 8-12, while other school districts in DFW are out Oct. 12-16. These events and activities run through most of October, and some are weekend-only, so you can do them no matter when your kids have fall break.
1. Fort Worth Zoo’s new tiger cubs
Location: 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth
When: Daily
Even if you’ve been to the Fort Worth Zoo before, you’ll definitely want to go again to see the brand-new tiger cubs, Barani and Malu.
These critically endangered tigers made their public debut in the Predators of Asia and Africa tiger habitat in October. The fiercely adorable cubs made their mark as the first Sumatran tiger cubs ever born at this zoo. Since there are fewer than 650 wild Sumatran tigers in the world, it’s a special treat to see a pair in real life!
And if you go Oct. 23-25, you can see Boo at the Zoo, a fun trick-or-treating event for kids with magical shows, painted pumpkins, and characters strolling around, ready for selfies.
The Fort Worth Zoo is open every day of the year (even Christmas!). On fall break, the best time to go is on Half-Price Wednesdays, when admission is half-price and can save you up to $11 on each ticket. (Kids 2 and under are always free.)
2. State Fair of Texas Value Days
Location: Fair Park, 3809 Grand Avenue, Dallas
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays through Oct. 18
You can—and should!—go to the State Fair of Texas any day during fall break, but if you want to save money, choose one of their Value Days on Tuesday or Thursday. With a Big Tex Insiders promo code, you can purchase your admission ticket online for $12 instead of the normal gate price of $15-25 (tickets are $10 daily for kids).
If your children like rides, take them to the Midway for discounted games and attractions—most rides are just 4 coupons on Tuesdays (3 coupons for kiddie rides), which is about 4 coupons less than regular fair days. If they prefer trying all the delicious fair food, go on Thursdays, when many vendors offer their delicious items at a reduced rate.
The whole family will enjoy visiting the animals in the petting zoo, watching incredible live shows, seeing the award-winning arts and crafts, and even exploring the auto show. There is so much to see at the State Fair with kids, and this is the perfect chance to go during the week.
3. Spooky Movies in the Park
Location: Griggs Park, 2200 Hugo Street, Dallas
When: Tuesdays in October
Fall break is the perfect time to let your kids stay up past their bedtime. Take them to a spooky, family-friendly Movie in the Park at Griggs Park, where the free outdoor movies begin at sunset.
Bring a blanket and some bug spray (this is Texas after all) and relax on the lawn overlooking the Dallas skyline. It’s such a fun way to watch an iconic Halloween movie while snacking on Kick-A-Pop gourmet popcorn and drinking a soda or a drink from Aguas Chicas.
“Practical Magic” is showing on Oct. 13, followed by “Hocus Pocus” on Oct. 20, and “The Haunted Mansion” on Oct. 27. And because your little ones don’t have to wake up early for school the next day, you’ll be able to enjoy the film even more!
4. Tricks and Treats at Six Flags Over Texas
Location: 2201 Road to Six Flags, Arlington
When: Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 1
Bring your costumes and leave your fear at home during Six Flags Over Texas’ Tricks and Treats event this month. This spooky-but-not-scary event has a cool Trick-or-Treat Trail, where kids 12 and under can knock on little houses to get candy from the cool characters inside.
Other activities include a costume contest, hay bale maze, pumpkin painting, magic shows, and a Day of the Dead party, all located throughout the park. If your kids love the thrill of the season without the horror, this is a must-do event.
If you have any brave teens, you can let them stay until after dark when Fright Fest takes over Six Flags. This frightening experience is recommended for teens 13 and up, with truly bone-chilling moments.
This year has the biggest lineup of chills so far, with five haunted mazes to explore inspired by your favorite horror films and games, including the “Jason Universe,” “Saw,” “The Conjuring Universe,” and “The Blair Witch Project,” among others. Expect jump scares, claustrophobia, and real-life scares that are designed to truly terrify you. In case it wasn’t clear, this is definitely not for little ones. Tickets start at $30 (plus admission).
5. Peppa’s Halloween Party
Location: Peppa Pig Theme Park, 8851 Boulevard 26, North Richland Hills
When: Daily through Nov. 1 (closed Wednesdays)
Peppa Pig-loving kids will have a blast at the first Peppa’s Halloween Party at the Peppa Pig Theme Park this month, with admission starting at $24 per person.
Peppa and George will wear their Halloween costumes, and kids can dress up too and join the characters for photo ops, a costume parade, and the Halloween show.
Kids will love exploring the hay maze, trick-or-treating (weekends only), and watching Halloween-themed “Peppa Pig” episodes in the cinema. Of course, all the regular attractions are also available, including kid-friendly roller coasters, themed rides, and interactive play areas.
6. The BooMont Hotel
Location: Galleria Dallas, 13350 Dallas Parkway, Dallas
When: Daily through Nov. 1
Calling all sleuths, puzzle-lovers, and everyone who enjoys solving a mystery: The BooMont Hotel is now open! The once-beautiful hotel closed more than 100 years ago, and now it’s opening once again, but with a dark secret hidden inside.
Designed for families, the BooMont Hotel is part of Boo! by BAYMO (creators of Snowday and Santaland at Galleria Dallas). This immersive, eerie experience features hundreds of surprises along the twisting corridors, spooky elevators, and mysterious rooms. There’s no gore, but you’ll find a haunted mirror maze, a ghoul pool, and a master key scavenger hunt with 13 stops throughout the hotel.
Come photo-ready to investigate, as there are tons of photo opportunities throughout the BooMont, including unique spots with studio lighting and professional cameras. Tickets start at $26.45 per person, or you can get a family four-pack with two adults and two kids starting at $21.18 per person.
7. Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden
Location: Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas
When: Daily
Learning doesn’t have to stop just because it’s fall break. Kids can participate in hands-on experiments and STEM activities in the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden at the Dallas Arboretum.
Kids ages 6 and up can visit the Walne Family Discovery Lab at various times every day for science and nature experiments using real tools. Scientists-in-the-making will follow a scientific question to learn about life in the garden in a fun way.
Younger learners can join in the fun too, with Little Adventurers activities located at First Adventure, the Glade, and the Exploration Center. These include puppet shows, story times, KinderLab, and Mini Movement to teach them about nature through play. The best way to learn about anything, of course!
Afterward, wander through the children’s garden to explore the cool play structures and check out the Autumn at the Arboretum located throughout the main garden, featuring more than 100,000 beautiful pumpkins on display.
Tickets start at $21.95 and include access to the main garden and children’s activities. Kids 2 and under are free.
8. Super Llama Inflatable Park
Location: 6505 West Park Boulevard, Plano
When: Daily
If your little ones are bouncing off the walls now that they’re out of school, take them somewhere they can literally do so: the Super Llama Inflatable Park! Here, they can jump on a big air bag, go on a moon walk, play with a wrecking ball, go down huge slides, and more.
Toddlers can even have their own fun in the special area just for little ones, with more climbing, bouncing, and fun than they could ever imagine. It’s a great place to burn off that never-ending kid energy without sacrificing your furniture (or sanity).
Entry starts at $19.95 for ages 4 and over and $15.95 for ages 3 and under.
