KIDS KORNER
A Smorgasbord of Fall Fun by Deborah DOVE
School may be back in session, but there’s no shortage of fun things to do around town on the weekend. And if you still have younger kids at home, we’ve got you covered.
Happening This Month
Perot Museum of Nature and Science, 2201 N. Field Street, Dallas
Now, through the end of the year. general admission is $20/adults and $13/kids, plus an additional $10/adults and $8 for kids for the dinosaur exhibit. Cutting-edge technology, interactive exhibits and life-size dinosaur skeletons introduce visitors to rarely-seen dinosaurs from the other side of the world—from the tiny Eoraptor to T. Rex’s bigger, badder cousin, Giganotosaurus—in this special traveling exhibit. Be sure to visit the regular dinosaur exhibit on the fourth floor, where you’ll find the second most complete T. Rex skeleton ever found, plus more dinosaurs and interactive fun. On Labor Day weekend, the museum hosts Dino Fest! with paleothemed activities including trivia, Dino digs and more, plus an outdoor Beer Garden with local brews for mom and dad, music and lectures. For more information visit www.perotmuseum.org.
Sunday Fun Day at Trinity River, Panther Island Pavilion, 395 Purcy Street, Fort Worth
September 2 and it’s free (although tube rentals are $8 if you don’t bring your own). It’s the last day to enjoy music, food trucks, games such as corn hole and Giant Jenga and floating the Trinity River while listening to live music. Kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards are also available to rent, starting at $5.
Plano Balloon Festival, Oak Point Park, 2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano
September 21-23, $10 per day/$20 Weekend Ticket/$5 Kids 3-12 years old and Seniors 65 and over/free for kids 36” and under. Parking is an additional $5-$10. Experience the magnificence of forty colorful, hot air balloons lifting off in the morning and evening (8 am and 6 pm) and glowing after dark on Friday and Saturday nights. This year, there will also be twelve special shape balloons participating, including Rocket the Flying Squirrel, The New Tweetie, Claw’D, Bimbo Bear, High Kitty, Neptuno, American Rocket, TeAmo, Kermie, Simba, Shamrock and the always-popular High Jack. There’s plenty more entertainment, including a parachute team that will jump from their plane over the park and land in the launch field on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons at 5:30 pm. Local bands will play live music each night of the festival, with fireworks on Saturday night. A Kidzone filled with inflatable rides is available for $1-$4 per ride or unlimited rides for $20. There will also be free craft stations and face painting for kids.
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State Fair of Texas, Fair Park, Dallas
September 28-October 21, general admission is $16.50/adults and $12.50 for kids, but look for discounts online and at area grocery stores. You know it’s officially fall when the State Fair arrives. Opening day is September 28 with an opening day ceremony at 7 pm on the Hall of State steps with special appearances, a presentation of awards and performances by the U. S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and the Killgore Rangerettes. This year, there are several new acts including the All-Start Stunt Dog Show and a professional archery show, plus all the usual fair favorites—pig races, family-friendly shows, the Texas Auto Show, the chainsaw carver, acrobats, a petting zoo and fried food galore. Live music from local bands and national acts—Casting Crowns, Ludacris and Hunter Hayes—the Texas Star ferris wheel, midway games and rides, and a nightly parade and light show will be there as well
Fall Plano Train Show, Plano Event Center, 2000 East Spring Creek Parkway, Plano
Saturday, September 29, 10 am-5 pm and Sunday, September 30, 10 am-4 pm, cost is $10/person (ages 12 & under are free) cash only! Experience the largest model train show in the North Dallas Area, with club layouts, how-to clinics and vendors with trains.
For The Littles
Playstreet Museum, 950 W. Stacy Road, Ste. 100, Allen A hands-on play museum with interactive exhibits featuring the theme “On the Go.” $11.50/child.
Kid Mania, 7252 Chase Oaks Blvd, Plano
An indoor playground consisting of five levels of energy-sapping fun, including ziplines, slides, tunnels and more. $6.99, ages 3-18.
The Coop, 8802 Coleman Blvd, Frisco
An indoor play space with a giant ball pit, tall curly slide, a rope climbing tunnel, the bouncer equipped with a basketball net for “kid-friendly” dunking, a play teepee and an interactive gaming floor! $10/child ($2 off on Tuesdays)
EQ Kids Club, 3245 Main Street, Frisco
Unique, themed, indoor playhouses for role-play, plus lots of musical instruments and arts and crafts. $12/child for two hours of play. v