What to gift loved ones when they have everything they could want or need? What to gift a child whose parents say has too many toys? Find the answer in our guide to experience gifts in Dallas.
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Do-It-Yourself Experiences
These experiences are the perfect gift for loved ones who likes to work with their hands and immerse themselves in the creative process.
Dallas Glass Art :: This glass-blowing experience in West Dallas has various gift options to choose from: Sign up for a two-hour private class, public class, or personal event. Children as young as six years old can participate, and the price ranges from $70 – $90.
Jade and Clover :: The process of picking and planting your own plant at this cute plant bar in the heart of Deep Ellum is a gift everyone will love. The cost of the experience depends on the planter, terrarium, and plant you choose, however, most customers spend $30 – $40.
Malibu Apothecary :: Pour your own candle with natural ingredients and perfumes at Malibu Apothecary in Dallas. The two-hour candle-making experience is $63.86 and is offered multiple times throughout the week. It also offers perfume-making classes.
Myx Blend Bar :: Located in West Village, Myx Blend Bar customers create their own foundation and lipstick blends. Prices vary depending on the product. For lip products, the price starts at $35, and for foundation and concealer experiences, $70.
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Museums
Dallas is home to museums that run the gamut of topics — aviation, firefighters, dinosaurs, magic, and more!
Dallas Firefighter Museum :: For the fire engine lover in your life, big or small, take him or her to Dallas Firefighter Museum to experience the legacy of firefighting in Dallas. See authentic firefighter gear from the past and present and learn about fire prevention. Tickets are $4 for children and $6 for adults.
Frontiers of Flight Museum :: Located at Love Field in Dallas, this aerospace museum offers exhibits from hot air balloons to spaceships. The aviation buff will nerd out on the 35,000 aviation artifacts and vehicles. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 3 – 17.
ICR Discovery Center :: Explore how the world was created from a creationist perspective with the help of animatronic creatures, a chilly Ice Age theater, planetarium shows, and live presentations. Tickets range from $5 – $21 depending on the experience you prefer.
Museum of Illusions :: Challenge your perception of reality at the Museum of Illusions in downtown Dallas. It has more than 40 visual exhibits, including holograms and immersive rooms. Children ages four and younger are free to visit, and general admission starts at $19.
Classes & Memberships
Memberships really are the experience gift that keeps on giving.
Creative Arts Center of Dallas :: Artists or people looking to express their creative side can sign up for classes, workshops, and labs. Some of its offerings include metal work, printmaking, ceramic pottery, mosaics, and more. Cost varies, but scholarships and discounts are available.
Dallas World Aquarium :: The Dallas World Aquarium offers a variety of underwater experiences for the family, plus habitats with exotic animals from around the world. Memberships range from $145 – $300.
Dallas Zoo :: Lions, tigers, and . . . otters, oh my! Claiming the title of the oldest and largest zoo in all of Texas, Dallas Zoo offers many affordable membership options. There are several seasonal events year round, too.
Mini Makers :: Mini Makers is a craft studio in north Dallas where children ages three and up create art in teacher-led classes. During instruction, kids have open access to the art supplies for free-form experimentation and exploration. Sign up for a painting, drawing, collage-making, sculpture, up-cycled art, or pottery class. Prices vary from $60 – $75.
Dallas Magic Academy :: The magician in your life can hone his or her craft at Dallas Magic Academy. Budding diviners join classes tailored to skill and age at one of its multiple locations.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science :: At The Perot, you can find something for everyone! From exhibits, films, and events, there is always something new and breathtaking to experience. Tickets range from $8 – $33. Memberships start at $130.
SPARK! :: With one of the largest open play spaces in the city, SPARK! Dallas ignites a love for movement and creativity. Children in grades two and higher spend hours exploring the Climb, Crawl, Slide Space and hands-on learning workshops. SPARK! offers a dual membership for $85 and a family membership for $135 for a year. It is located in the historic South Side building in the Cedars.
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Punch Cards & Passes
These single-day experiences make for an epic day in the Big D.
Dallas CityPass :: CityPass bundles four must-see Dallas attractions. You get admission to Reunion Tower GeO Deck and the Perot, plus two more attractions of your choice: Dallas Zoo, Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, or George W. Bush Presidential Center. CityPass costs $55 per adult and $37 per child ages 3 – 12.
GetOutPass :: With a DFW GetOutPass, you get free admission (once annually or once a quarter) to 57 attractions around the metroplex for $64.95 per person. Attractions include The Cove at the Lakefront, SeaQuest, Sharkarosa Zoo, and Code Ninjas, just to name a few.
Kids Empire :: Kids Empire offers 70 different playground options for kids of all ages. You can purchase a 10-visit punch card for $159 or individual tickets which vary from $17.90 – $24.90.
Pogo Pass Dallas :: Much like the GetOutPass, with the Pogo Pass, you get free admission for one year to more than 20 attractions in the metroplex. But the attractions are different — Hawaiian Falls, National Video Game Museum, Obstacle Warriors, Main Event, Texas Discovery Gardens, and more. A pass costs $50.
Reunion Tower GeO-Deck :: The most famous ball in the Dallas Skyline, the Reunion Tower GeO-Deck is a gift experience everyone will remember and appreciate. At 470 feet high in the air, you can have dinner, visit the gift shop, attend an event, or just hang out on the observation deck. Children ages three and under get in free. Tickets range from $10 – $40.
How lucky are we to live in a city that has so much to offer when it comes to experience gifts? There’s something for everyone and every family!
