Playtime

a great trail for walking, jogging or biking. Benches, fountains, clear signage and restaurants (on the trail or close by) make this an easy choice for your day out. Dallas, 214/303-1180; katytraildallas.org

Wind your way through NORTH SHORE TRAIL, which skims Grapevine Lake starting at Rockledge Park and ending at Twin Coves Park. Grapevine, 817/410-3450, and Flower Mound, 972/8746300; lake-grapevine.com

What began as a pandemic project to spread joy and hope during quarantine has expanded to a Guinness World Record for largest display of painted pebbles— nearly 25,000. Play I-Spy with your children at PARR

located between the trailhead of Wall-Farrar Nature Trail and the trail connection along Big Bear Creek. Grapevine, 817/410-3450; gograpevine.com

Great for those who prefer shorter routes, PIEDMONT RIDGE TRAIL (1.3 miles) is a bit off the beaten path but offers a scenic overlook of southeast Dallas. Dallas; alltrails.comnatureTRINITY SKYLINE TRAIL brings visitors close to the Trinity River and Dallas Floodway. This 5-mile concrete trail is perfect for city biking or hiking with views of Dallas’ skyline. Dallas, 214/670-4100; trinityrivercorridor.com Go for a hike on one of the many urban treks TRINITY TRAILS, comprised of more than 100 miles of scenic trails alongside the Trinity River and crisscrossing 31 neighborhoods and 21 parks. For extra fun for the little ones, take on the Trinity Trails Geocaching Adventure. Fort Worth, 817/926-0006; trinitytrailsfw.com The nearly 10-mile-long

LOOP TRAIL is an oasis for outdoor lovers. The Garland Road side of the water is popular for the serious walkers, runners and cyclists, whereas the West Lawther Drive side of the lake is more family-friendly. Dallas, 214/660-1100; whiterocklake.org

Where to engage all their senses in fun, fun, fun

ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE’s “Kids Camp” program offers kid-approved movies at a discount price ($5 for all ages, grown-ups included). Most Kids Camp screenings are for age 3 and up, but some locations welcome all ages. There’s also a full menu that includes pizza, chicken tenders and other faves. Have a baby or a child with special needs? Attend an Alamo for All screening Multiple locations; drafthouse.com/dfw

Get your ticket at AMC DINE-IN THEATERS for dinner (or lunch, or a snack) and a movie. There’s a kids menu plus adult entrees, and desserts. The dine-in theaters are part of AMC’s Sensory-Friendly Films program the lights are up, sound is down and guests are welcome to get up, sing, shout, etc. Multiple locations; amctheatres.com

Kids can feast on mini cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, mac and cheese or cheese pizza while taking in a film at LOOK DINE-IN CINEMAS. (There’s a menu for adults, too.) Go online to find out which showings are sensory-friendly. Multiple locations; lookcinemas.com

Purchase menu items right from your seat at STUDIO MOVIE GRILL while watching your new release of choice. There are also family favorites showing during the summer. Visit the website to find special needs screening options. Multiple locations; studiomoviegrill.com

Come visit the new-andimproved CHILDREN’S

SCIENCE AND HISTORY. The updated play space focuses on friendship, community and working together. Your little ones will still be able to play in Play the grocery store, medical office and other favorite spots. Fort Worth, 817/2559300; fwmuseum.org The MOODY FAMILY CHILDREN’S MUSEUM AT THE PEROT MUSEUM OF NATURE AND SCIENCE is designed for guests age 5 and under. Take an indoor nature hike, shop at a tiny farmers market, splash at the water table, explore the art lab and climb all over a miniature Dallas skyline. Step outside to enjoy a sandy fossil dig. Dallas, 214/4285555; perotmuseum.org Many museums have a “don’t touch” policy. At

STUDIO A, the policy is “please touch.” This sensory-friendly, drop-in space helps kids 5 and younger experience art and community. For example, your child can choose a colorful piece of felt to contribute to an art wall. Fort Worth, 817/3328451; kimbellart.org

Movies Watch a movie with the Cowtown skyline in the background at COYOTE DRIVE-IN. Buy your concessions at the Coyote Canteen—dine at tables PHOTO COURTESY OF CAMP DALLAS

Dolls, outfits and books are all available for purchase at American Girl Dallas—and that’s not all to love about the store at Galleria Dallas. Make a salon appointment for your American Girl doll, or participate in special activities such as the School’s Out Ice Cream Social, Doll Hairstyling & Manicure Day, Date with Dad, and After-Hours PJ Party. You can also enjoy teatime and dine at the in-store bistro (special seats for doll friends). Dallas, 877247-5223; americangirl.com/dallas CAMP Dallas sells a wide range of items parents and kids will love to have at home (building toys, fidget items, STEM and learning toys, books and much more), but you can also have fun right inside the store. Sign up for birdhouse making, Slime BootCAMP, tie dye slime art and other activities. Dallas, 214/612-0451; camp.com/locations/dallas

under the pavilion, or Play save your snacks for the movie. Sit in your car, or outside in lawn chairs or on a blanket. Fort Worth, 817/7177767; coyotedrive-in. com/fortworth The stars will be overhead as you take in a movie at GALAXY DRIVE-IN. Snack on pizza, funnel cake and popcorn while you watch from your car, a lawn chair or a blanket. Ennis, 972/8755505; galaxydrivein theatre.com

Take your little monkeys to CHEEKY MONKEYS for climate-controlled fun. They’ll climb the multi-story play structure (complete with features such as slides, trampolines and climbing areas). Toddlers will delight in the single-level play structure and ball pit. Multiple locations; cheekymonkeys.us

Games, prizes and (of course) pizza are all standard at CHUCK E. CHEESE. Certain locations participate in Sensory Sensitive Sundays—opening two hours early on the first Sunday of the month with reduced lighting and noise. Multiple locations, chuckecheese.com

KIDMANIA is a sure way to wear your kiddos out. Set them loose in ManiaMaze, a five-level play structure composed of slides, bungee walls, climbing nets, a cave and tunnels; there’s also a MiniMania for toddlers. Each location also features an arcade,

Challenger School offers uniquely fun and academic programs for preschool to eighth grade students. Our students learn to think for themselves and to value independence.

Legacy (PS–K) (469) 573-0077 6700 Communications Parkway, Plano Independence (PS–K) (469) 642-2000 10145 Independence Parkway, Plano

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An independent private school offering preschool through eighth grade