Save the Date :: January Kid-Friendly Events in Dallas

8 Indoor Play Ideas for Bad Weather Days :: If you need to get out of the house, but the weather isn’t cooperating, try one of these indoor play ideas — includes pay-to-play and free options.

Bookmarks’ January Events :: Bookmarks Library, Dallas (inside Northpark Mall). Toddler story times, magic shows, music events for kids, and more. Click the link for details and dates.

Dallas Arboretum :: Yes, it’s winter, but temperatures fluctuate so much that $5 admission at the Arboretum could make for a great deal on the right day. Note: The Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden will be closed January 1 – February 24 for preventative maintenance. 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily.

Dallas Public Library :: Find free activities this month for children of all ages! The filter function is really great — select your desired age group, library branch, program type, and more.

Dalworthington Gardens Farmers Market :: 2800 West Arkansas Lane, Arlington 76016. From 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Sundays, weather permitting. Great mix of vendors serving the community with market staples, including produce, eggs, honey, breads, and jam. Free to attend.

Dinosaurs Live! :: The Heard, Dallas. Dinosaur geology, dino trail hike, fossil dig, and more. From 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Closed Mondays. General admission is $9 – $12 Kids two and under are free.

Enrichment Programs :: Select days at River Legacy Science Center, Arlington. For kids ages five – 15.

Free First Saturdays :: Nasher Sculpture Center. Free event, held every first Saturday of the month. From 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Family program from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Please register in advance.

Homeschool Club :: Select Thursdays, at River Legacy Science Center, Arlington. For students five – 11 years old.

Kid Art Dallas: Workshop :: Kid Art Studio, 6705 Hillcrest Avenue, Dallas 75205. Select Saturdays, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Cost is $70 per child (four – 12 years old), and includes all supplies.

Lego Challenge :: Timberglen Branch Library, Dallas. From 4:30 – 5:30 p.m., every second Thursday of the month. Free event for kids ages six – eleven.

JumpstART Stories and Art :: Irving Arts Center. Story time and art projects for kids ages two years and older. First Thursday of every month at 10:00 a.m. Free event.

Nature School :: River Legacy Science Center, Arlington. Hands-on exploration of nature, indoor and outdoor activities, meaningful opportunities to develop math and science process skills. For kids ages three – five (not yet enrolled in kindergarten, and must be fully toilet trained).

Rooftop Cinema Club :: Heritage Village. Bring your own food or buy at the event (no outside drinks allowed). See link for tickets and seating info. Cost: Tickets start at $12.

Second Saturday Funday :: Irving Arts Center. Free event for kids! All art supplies are provided. Drop in between 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. and enjoy a fun art time. Older siblings may enjoy the free Open Studio for Teens, held at the same time.

Snow Day :: The Galleria. The magical, multi-sensory event is back at the Galleria, and once again, it’s joining forces with Santaland. You can visit either experience separately or purchase a combo package for a 15 percent discount. Tickets from $19.99, ages three and under are free. Event runs through January 7.

Spanish Light Art Exhibit :: Meadows Museum, Dallas. Through January 7, 2024, the “Spanish Light: Sorolla in American Collections” collection will be on exhibit at the museum. Tickets are $12 per adult; children and teens (18 years and under) are free.

The Trains at Northpark :: The miniature trains will be at Northpark through January 5. See the link for varying hours of operation, including holiday hours. Proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House. $10/adults, $5/children & seniors, kids under age two are free.

Tinkergarten with Emmaline :: Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven Road, Dallas, TX 75230. Tinkergarten is a series of outdoor learning classes to help families make the most of their kids’ early learning years. This eight week series will run through February 25. The cost is $160 for JCC members, and $200 for non-members. Register here.

Winter Music Classes: Guitar :: Hampton-Illinois Branch Library, Dallas. From 3:00 – 3:45 p.m. FREE, winter music classes for students ages six – 12 years. Every Wednesday and Friday, January through March. Classes are packed with fun games, exercises, music theory, and hands-on performance techniques for beginning to advanced students.

January 1

Day 1 DFW :: Irving Convention Center. Lots of family fun, fireworks, and more. Proceeds benefit Vogel Alcove. See the link for specifics on the planned activities. $10 for adults; kids get in free.

DeSoto on Ice :: 211 East Pleasant Run Road, DeSoto 75115. Fun holiday event, through January 7. Skaters must be at least four years old to skate with rental skates sizes. Tickets are $15 per skater.

Snow Day :: Galleria, Dallas. A winter wonderland with tons of photo opportunities and magical interactive environments. Tickets are $15.99 for kids, $34.99 for adults; ages three and under free. Through January 7.

January 2

Read to Boomer the Dog :: Preston Royal Branch Branch Library, Dallas. From 3:30 – 4:30 a.m. Kids ages six – eleven can practice their reading skills with Boomer, a therapy dog.

Come-and-Go Family Art Activity :: University Park Public Library, 8383 Preston Center Plaza Suite 200, Dallas. From 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Come out each day during winter break for come-and-go art activities for the whole family! Today, make a snowman from the Land Down Under – a sunny sandman ready for the beach. FREE event.

January 4

Alphabet Animals :: Highland Hills Branch Library, Dallas. From 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Preschool age kids can explore the alphabet, enjoy a fun craft, practice motor skills, and learn about animals. Free event.

Baby Songs and Stories with J Nurture :: Dallas Public Library. From 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Free event for babies and toddlers and their caregivers.

Toddler Story Time :: Lakewood Branch Library, Dallas. From 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Learn songs, jump, play, and learn! For 18 months – three years.

January 5

Homeschool Hangout :: Lakewood Branch Library, Dallas. From 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Fun for the entire family! Free event, but registration is required.

January 6

Cursive Handwriting for Beginners :: Preston Royal Branch Library, Dallas. From 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Free class for kids ages six – eleven.

Kid Art Dallas: Workshop :: Kid Art Studio, 6705 Hillcrest Avenue, Dallas 75205. Select Saturdays, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Cost is $70 per child (four – 12 years old), and includes all supplies. This week’s theme is “Parrot Pizzaz.”

Monster Truck Wars :: Fair Park Coliseum, Dallas. Show times at 1:00 and 7:00 p.m. General admission: $20 per adult, $10 per child.

Parents Night Out :: Win Kids, Flower Mound. Every Saturday from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Cost is $25 per child/$20 per sibling.

Stories and Songs :: Lakewood Branch Library, Dallas. From 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Stories, songs, and plenty of dancing! This event is geared for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their caregivers.

January 7

Sea of Lights :: Sea Life Aquarium, Grapevine. Tickets start at $19.99 per person. Event is open 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. daily, through January 7. 

Tinkergarten with Emmaline :: Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven Road, Dallas, TX 75230. Tinkergarten is a series of outdoor learning classes to help families make the most of their kids’ early years.

January 8

After School Snacks :: Vickery Park Branch Library, Dallas. Refuel after school (from 3:30 – 4:15) with a free, nutritious meal provided by Education PV. Open to ages one – 18.

January 9

Bilingual Story Time :: North Oak Cliff Branch Library, Dallas. From 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Stories, songs and rhymes in Spanish. Suggested ages: six years old and under. ¡Cuentos, canciones y rímas en español para niños que quieren leer! Para edades de seis años y menor.

January 10

Reading Circle :: Prairie Creek Branch Library, Dallas. From 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Kids can improve readings skills by taking turns reading aloud and earning prizes along the way! Free event for students ages six – eleven.

January 11

Lego Challenge :: Timberglen Branch Library, Dallas. From 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Listen to a fun story, watch a Lego movie, and create! For kids ages six – eleven.

January 12

Toddler Art: Lines That Wiggle :: Dallas Museum of Art. Event begins at 11:00 a.m. Toddler Art is for two and three-year-olds and a favorite grown-up. Class size is limited to 12 children. Adults and younger siblings do not need a ticket.

Winter Music Classes: Guitar :: Hampton-Illinois Branch Library, Dallas. From 3:00 – 3:45 p.m. FREE, winter music classes for students ages six – 12 years. Classes are packed with fun games, exercises, music theory, and hands-on performance techniques for beginning to advanced students.

January 13

Martin Luther King Jr Observance :: Carpenter Hall, 3333 North MacArthur Boulevard, Irving 75062. Event begins at 6:00 p.m. This year’s celebration will feature dance, song, poetry, and art performed by the Dallas Black Dance Theatre and Kamica King. Admission is FREE.

Movies at Dallas West :: Dallas West Branch Library. From 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Free event for teens! This showing will be Young Frankenstein.

Parents Night Out :: Win Kids, Flower Mound. Every Saturday from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Cost is $25 per child/$20 per sibling.

January 16

KidsWorld :: Dallas Market Center, Dallas. January 16 – 19. Annual trade event, showcasing an extensive array of baby, children’s, and juvenile products. This includes a diverse range of apparel, fashion accessories, gifts, gadgets, décor, textiles, and more. Register here.

January 17

Tommy Terrific’s Wacky Magic Show :: Bookmarks in Northpark Center, Dallas. From 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Free magic show for kids and families!

January 18

Toddler Craft: Pinecone Owls :: Lochwood Branch Library, Dallas. From 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Free craft time for kids ages 18 months – six years old.

January 20

Kid Art Dallas: Workshop :: Kid Art Studio, 6705 Hillcrest Avenue, Dallas 75205. Select Saturdays, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Cost is $70 per child (four – 12 years old), and includes all supplies. This week’s theme is “Pokeman.”

Moana’s Luau :: Bookmarks in Northpark Center, Dallas. From 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Free event for kids and families!

Parents Night Out :: Win Kids, Flower Mound. Every Saturday from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Cost is $25 per child/$20 per sibling.

January 27

Parents Night Out :: Win Kids, Flower Mound. Every Saturday from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Cost is $25 per child/$20 per sibling.

January 30

Toddler Story Time :: Dallas West Branch Library, Dallas. From 10:30 – 11:30 p.m. Sing songs, jump, and learn! Fun and FREE activity for kids 18 months – three years.

Winter Animals Paper Bookmark :: White Rock Hills Branch Library, Dallas. From 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Fun and FREE after school activity, for kids ages six – eleven.

January 31

After School Chalk Art :: Dallas West Branch Library, Dallas. From 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Weather Permitting, kids will color outside; if the weather is inclement, kids will color inside using chalk and butcher paper. Geared for students ages six – eleven.