Beat the Heat 8 Indoor Activities

If you've lived in Dallas/Fort Worth, for a while, you must know the hot spells we get in summer. And while outdoor activities are fun, some days you want to escape the heat but also keep the kids occupied. Thankfully we know eight kid-friendly indoor attractions just for you. 

SEA LIFE Aquarium 

Located inside Grapevine Mills Mall, SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium has all forms of sea life, from seahorses to sharks, with over 10+ exhibits. The Sea Turtle Rescue Center is home to Eddie and other sea turtle rescues. Watch them eat their veggies and learn about the rehabilitation process and the sea turtles recovering in the only inland Sea Turtle Hospital in Texas. 

Meet the world's famous underwater predators in the state's only 360-degree tunnel. Learn about the nine shark species, including the nurse and bullhead sharks. Visit the Stingray Bay Exhibit for a peek at the four ray species in our aquarium and learn about their habitats and unique features. 

The Jellyfish Exhibit is amazing, with ever-changing lights highlighting these creatures' translucent bodies. Did you know that jellies are one of the deadliest sea creatures? Experience more magic at the Flashlight Fish display, where these fish flash up to fifty times a minute. The Rainforest Adventure Exhibit is home to the piranha and dwarf caiman. 

Explore the Interactive Rockpools to touch anemones and other harmless sea creatures. The Pollinator Garden is the aquarium's conservation program that teaches visitors the importance of conserving our environment and protecting pollinators. Check out the VR exhibit for an immersive experience with divers to learn about sharks' behavioral patterns and other interesting facts. 

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas 

Make the most of your visit to Grapevine by visiting LEGOLAND Discovery Center Dallas/Fort Worth. The gift shop is right outside, so if you arrive early before your ticket time, consider passing by before you begin touring the attraction. LEGOLAND does not offer guided tours as the establishment encourages families to participate in the discovery independently. That said, you may encounter the mad LEGO scientist who'll give an 'introductory' tour. 

Next, you'll visit Kingdom Quest, where you'll get into a motorized car with attached guns to take down the trolls and skeletons holding the kingdom's princess captive. The Ninjago City Adventure includes obstacle challenges, mazes, and tight ropes. You will also join Sensei Wu for training on Spinjitzu inside the Airjitzu temple. Walk to Merlin's Apprentice Ride to master the art of conjuring spells. Then pedal an enchanted cart to get to Merlin the sorcerer's chamber. Explore the interactive city of MINILAND and watch airships swoop and buildings glisten as the city moves day to night.  

Your kids will love the 4D Cinema, which includes supercharged effects like snow and wind as action-packed films play on screen. Pass by the meet and greet area to interact with various LEGO characters, including Bertie and Emmet. Can you build the fastest LEGO car? Visit the Build & Test Zone to assemble LEGO-built cars and race them down the ramps. 

Add your original LEGO creations in Heart Lake City and grab a selfie with the five best friends. Feel free to let your imaginations run wild in the animal-themed Duplo Village. 

Travel to outer space and explore LEGO-built alien planets in the Space Mission exhibit. And if you still want more of this otherworldly experience, visit the Great LEGO Race VR Experience before getting into your bathing suit to visit Pirate Beach, the water playground. 

Peppa Pig World of Play Dallas 

Grapevine Mills Mall is the gift that keeps on giving. Peppa Pig World of Play is another indoor attraction on our list in this venue. You are likely no stranger to the playful piggy from the well-loved British TV show Peppa Pig. 

Upon entry, Miss Rabbit will take you inside the attraction in her red bus. You'll quickly notice the similarities between the play areas and the locations in the TV show. Granddad Dog's Garage has bikes that your kids can cruise. There's also a gas station and a crane for them to 'drive.' Children can stop by Ms. Zebra's Post Van to post letters and drive the van. Stop by Grandpa Pig's Train for a trip to the Sensory Garden, where Grandma Pig will encourage you to water the flowers. 

Do you need a sandwich? Visit Peppa Pig's House, whip up a quick one, and see what's on TV. Remember to sort out the trash and turn on the washing machine to spin Peppa's clothes. More 'oinktastic' fun awaits at George's Dinosaur Discovery, where the kids can play with the dinosaur jigsaws. Older children can test their climbing skills inside Rebecca Rabbit's bedroom before walking to the muddy puddles to join Peppa and his family as they splash and jump. Take a short break inside the theater and catch an episode of Peppa Pig. You could also stop by the campervan and grab something to eat before taking the School Bus Trip, visiting Peppa's Treehouse, and passing by the gift shop. 

Dallas Children's Theater 

The Dallas Children's Theater is a family destination that aims to make plays accessible and nurture young children's talent. Catch interesting plays with the children in person and virtually. Last Stop on Market Street is for ages four and up and is about CJ, a young boy who learns about cultural diversity and discovers that every person has a unique purpose. 

You can also catch Charlotte's Web, a play about Wilbur, the humble pig's story of friendship that focuses on themes like courage and the dynamic nature of the cycle of life. Andi Boi is a virtual play for ages thirteen and up and centers around teen issues around gender identity. The Raven Society is for ages nine and up and is about nine ravens who regularly meet at midnight to recite the popular poem "The Raven." [I would check the current calendar of upcoming plays.] 

Dallas Children's Theater also offers spring, summer, and fall classes. Children in grade Pre-K participate in the creation station, where they'll discover, move, sing, and act. Some stories they'll act out include The Three Little Pigs and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. 

If your child is in Kinder-1st, they qualify for the ten-week page-to-stage classes that inspire them to choose their favorite on-screen, book, or comic character. The instructor will create scenes, and each child will have a part to rehearse. Popular shows included in this session include: 

• Mermaids and Pirates 
• Castles, Kings, and Queens 

• Wondergirls and Superheroes 
• Enchanted Tales 

Drama level 2 is for children in grades 2nd-3rd  and teaches your child how to create an original piece and focus on one character. Scenes are continually added and rehearsed weekly, and students learn to improve their movement and voice technique. The primary themes in this theater class are  

• Be a star 
• Detective Dramas 

• Acting: Centerstage 

Intermediate drama classes are for kids in grades 4th-6th, focusing on improvisations, creating advanced plays, memorizing lines, and starring in an original movie. The main sessions are: 

• Musical theater- Hour-long acting and singing sessions that help students become well-rounded artists 
• Makin' Movies- a ten-week session teaching kids how to create original movies, learn lines and operate equipment 
• DCT Glee- These sixty-minute vocal performance classes help students improve their vocal performances by reading music and singing harmony 

• Acting for the Stage- Kids create their original masterpieces and act in the final screenplay in front of their loved ones 

Teen Conservatory classes are for kids in grades 7th and up and include improvisation classes with the legendary improv actor Jeff Swearingen. Students also participate in acting and scene work classes where they learn monologues, the art of auditioning, and work on their classical scenes. Musical theater classes focus on group singing, movement, and theater auditioning skills. 

Dallas Children's Theater also offers sensory-friendly classes for children with autism or other sensory-friendly needs. Besides the classes, the program includes sensory-friendly shows like Charlotte's Web. During the performance, you'll notice the house lights a few levels higher and the sound system lowered. The theater also offers a "quiet room" for children needing a break. 

Movement Grapevine – name has been changed from Summit. I would recheck about the details here since they’ve had a rebrand.   

Movement Grapevine is a popular indoor rock climbing venue with various programs throughout the Dallas, Fort Worth area. Their Climbing 101 is a monthly class offering basics, including body positioning and beginner footwork. Their children's programs are perfect for parents looking to get their kids out of the house and break a sweat. 

Team Texas is for ages eight to eighteen and is the most formidable as it focuses on training kids who will take part in national and global climbing competitions. The program splits members into three groups. Pre-team consists of children between six and ten years and offers core climbing lessons and builds their foundation before moving up to the intermediate level. The core team is a level higher and offers more intense training. Kids who successfully appear in the top ten nationally join the elite team. 

The Kids Club program targets kids ages six to eleven, offering rock climbing FUNdamentals. It's an after-school program offering 1.5 hours of structured learning focusing on problem-solving and repetition through climbing drills. The goal is to create a lifelong interest in indoor rock climbing. 

Team Summit is for ages seven to eighteen and is a more rigorous training to prepare kids for local youth competitions. This program is perfect for your kid if they have shown interest in climbing and love adventure. 

The Climbing Club is for kids between eleven and eighteen and aims to strengthen their foundational climbing skills. Like the team summit, the climbing club is perfect for kids who enjoy rock climbing and are keen to become long-term members of the climbing community. 

Little Rockers is for kids in kindergarten and offers one-hour introductory lessons on climbing. The goal is to guide the natural development of young climbers by working on skills appropriate to their age. Activities include rope climbing, bouldering and problem solving. 

Indoor rock climbing camps are for kids ages six to fourteen. These holiday programs include fun-filled activities such as obstacle courses, top-rope climbing, and climbing games. 

Your kids can also participate in the homeschool program, offering a unique PE experience for children between six and seventeen years old. The flexible program allows you to choose a slot that works for you and your child. 

Play Street Museum 

Play Street Museum is a must-visit 2,365-square-foot indoor attraction in Fort Worth where kids can combine play with learning. It targets kids under eight years and focuses on their interests. You can expect to find playhouses with different themes, such as a market and a pet shop. The attraction also has a discovery rug with rotating puzzles, themed toys, and books, 

You'll also spot activity tables where kids can color, craft, and participate in sensory activities. Other play areas include the wooden block area, an eight-by-eight train table, and a retail area with toys and gifts. 

The museum encourages independence, allowing kids to navigate each play area independently. Besides the play areas, Play Street Museum offers an art program that includes activities such as Paint & Play, where kids learn about famous artists and then let out their creativity by painting. Clay Date Events offers a great bonding experience between parents and children by letting them mold clay. Slime Lab teaches kids to build creative slime creations. And, Pottery-To-Go is a take-home play project for the kids and parents to create a pottery piece. Once you complete the design, leave it with the staff to undergo the firing process; you can pick it up when it's ready. 

KidZania 

If you have ever wondered what a city run by kids would look like, KidZania in Frisco, Texas, offers first-hand experience. This kids' attraction aims to build their life skills through roleplay, making it a uniquely immersive experience. Kids ages eight and below must have a caretaker in their company. The older ones can roam freely. However, they all receive RFID security bracelets assigned to the adult that dropped them off. And must have the adult present to leave the premises. 

The Airport Check-in is the first exhibit where staff will provide you with an RFID security bracelet with GPS. Your kids can then choose from over 100 occupations. And each location offers kids the Kidzania currency – KidZos, which they can spend, invest or save. Some professions your children could roleplay include Police Officer, Podcaster, News Anchor, and Actor. Each job has a model workspace, so you'll notice a podcast studio, bank, TV station, and theater. 

The whole idea behind KidZania is to let the young ones run the show. Therefore, parents sit outside to watch; if the kids are above eight, they may explore the rest of the mall. There's a viewing glass outside each play area where you can snap pictures of your kiddo. 

The attraction has a parents' lounge on the second floor with lots of seating space and dining areas where you can grab a meal and a drink. When you need to locate your child, the bracelet is handy for checking on them or leaving the attraction. 

Crayola Experience 

Based off the Dallas North Tollway in Plano, the Crayola Experience is a fantastic kids' play center at 60,000 ft with 22 colorful attractions. Kids under six will have a blast at Be A Star, a selfie booth that converts your picture into a colorful sheet. All you need to do is choose a background for the sheet and press the conversion button. You can then walk to the coloring table to paint the sheet once the printing completes. 

Another appropriate exhibit for this age group is the Color Playground, a two-story play area ideal for children hopping to let out their wiggles. Adjacent is Toddler Town,  a fan-favorite where kids can explore different colors on a maze and board. Young kids will also have fun exploring Scribble Square, a sidewalk area with fun features where the kids can color. 

Older kids aged five and up will enjoy the Adventure Lab, a magic tablet containing various puzzles that involve matching objects, removing the odd one-out items, and identifying the right color mix. These age groups will also enjoy Color Magic, an exhibit that uses virtual control to color and bring art to life. A similar but larger exhibit is the You Design which lets you color bigger items like cars and clothes which then appear on a projector screen. The kids will love the Melt & Mold exhibit, where you place your favorite crayon, and a machine converts it into a keepsake, typically an animal toy. 

It takes about three hours to explore all the attractions at Crayola Experience. It could take longer during peak season. Also, be prepared to help your munchkin explore the exhibits, as most use technology that may be challenging for kids to operate. The attraction permits re-entry. All you need is a hand stamp, and you can visit the attraction later in the day. 

Take the Fun Indoors by Visiting SEA LIFE Aquarium 

Sometimes, the Dallas heat can get too hot for outdoor activities. But that doesn't mean getting stuck indoors. Visit Sea Life Aquarium for 'fin-tastic' indoor fun and a chance to interact with sea creatures. Are you ready to plan your visit? Click here to buy your tickets.