Gabby Cullen

Gabby Cullen has over 15 years of media experience, starting in public relations before moving to the editorial side in 2009. With a decade of expertise in parenting and lifestyle, she balances her work as an editor and writer while navigating life as a mom of two. An avid reader and true crime podcast fan, Gabby lives in Dallas, TX with her family. Find her on Instagram and Threads @gabbycullen.

Latest posts by Gabby

79 Free Things to Do in Dallas and Fort Worth With Kids

Submitted by Gabby Cullen on Sun, 01/11/2026 - 12:25pm

Enjoy the courtyard with ducks and turtles at Northpark Center. Photo by the author

Free things to do in Dallas-Fort Worth—what? Yup, you heard that right!

When I moved to North Texas in 2013, I was blown away by the number of attractions, activities, tours, and events in DFW that cost absolutely nothing. Being a mom on a budget with two young kids meant I was constantly looking for ways to keep them engaged without putting stress on my wallet; I can say to this day, I haven't ever been disappointed when I look for affordable fun for my family in DFW. So save your cash for summer camps, theme parks, and Cowboys games, and take advantage of all the free things to do in Dallas-Fort Worth with kids.

The metroplex definitely lives up to that whole “everything is bigger in Texas” thing; even if you’ve lived here your entire life, we’re betting there are some boxes you haven’t checked when it comes to family fun in Dallas-Fort Worth. So scroll through this list, make your plans, and have a blast, ya’ll!

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Family Art Festivals, Monster Truck Wars, and More Things to Do in DFW This Weekend

Submitted by Gabby Cullen on Wed, 01/07/2026 - 10:01am

Family Festival at the Kimbell Museum is a day full of arts & crafts classes, story times, live shows, and more. Photo by Robert LaPrelle, Kimbell Art Museum

Looking for the best things to do in Dallas and Fort Worth this weekend? Here are our picks for the coolest family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

The good news about living in DFW is that there's always something interesting going on. This weekend, enjoy arts and crafts just for families at the Family Festival at the Kimbell Museum in Fort Worth or at the Bath House Cultural Center in East Dallas near White Rock Lake. If your kids love lots of noise and ginormous trucks, Monster Truck Wars at Fair Park is more up your alley.

If it's food and a chill vibe you're after, Chicken N Pickle in Grand Prairie is hosting a Frosty Fun Day just for kids, and Panther Island Brewing in Fort Worth brings a little bit of Dolly Parton to its free market event on Sunday.

Have a great weekend, North Texas!

New Year's Eve Weekend in Dallas-Fort Worth: Countdown to 2026

Submitted by Gabby Cullen on Tue, 12/30/2025 - 11:29am

The Fort Worth Museum of Science and Industry is dropping tons of confetti at their Noon Year's Eve Party. Photo courtesy of the museum.

Looking for the best things to do in Dallas on New Year's Eve weekend to ring in 2026? Here are some events and activities to add to your list for this holiday weekend.

New Year's Eve is here, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate with the kids. For a NoonYear's Eve Celebration, try the Dallas Arboretum, the Sci-Tech Discovery Center in Frisco, or the Fort Worth History and Science Museum. Looking for a party vibe? Hooky Entertainment in Addison and Southlake, The HUB in Allen, and Round Two in Bishop Arts are all hosting family-friendly experiences that end at a reasonable hour.

As far as the rest of the holiday weekend goes, you can check out Japanese culture and art at the Ikebana Art Showcase in Plano, take a Polar Plunge in Little Elm, or enjoy a Glow Swim in Irving. Not ready to see the holiday season end? The Dallas Zoo lights, ICE! at the Gaylord, and the Trains at NorthPark Center are running until Sunday, January 4, 2026.

Dallas-Fort Worth's New Year’s Eve Guide 2025 for Families: Kid-Friendly Events, Fireworks & More

Submitted by Gabby Cullen on Sun, 12/28/2025 - 12:00pm

Come to the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden at the Dallas Arboretum for a Noon Year's Eve ball drop, bubble dance party, and winter STEM activities. Photo courtesy of the arboretum

New Year's Eve is almost here, and Dallas-Fort Worth has plenty of fun New Year's Eve celebrations perfect for families. You can head to a Noon Year's Eve celebration at the Dallas Arboretum or the Sci-Tech Discovery Center, spend all day riding waterslides and enjoying activities at Epic Waters, or head to a Taylor Swift tribute band concert at The HUB in Allen. If you've got night owls at home, Reunion Tower is bringing back the Lone Star NYE fireworks show, which is always a blast.

If you're looking for other fun things to do in Dallas with kids during the winter break, check out our events calendar or our round-up of the best activities in Dallas each weekend.

That's a wrap on 2025! Happy Holidays from us at Mary Poppins, and we'll see you in 2026!

Christmas Weekend 2025 in Dallas-Fort Worth Top Things To Do: Cirque Musica, Beauty and the Beast, and More

Submitted by Gabby Cullen on Tue, 12/23/2025 - 10:22am

Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland returns to Frisco, Photo courtesy of TCG Entertainment

Looking for the best things to do in Dallas-Fort Worth this Christmas weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend!

The gifts are unwrapped, the holiday dinner is over, and the kids are starting to get a little antsy; it's time to find things to do for Christmas weekend in the metroplex. If you want to catch one last holiday light display, head to the Heritage Farmstead Museum in Plano or Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie. If you want to see a show, Beauty and the Beast is playing at Fair Park, or the Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland is in Frisco for just this weekend. Plus, there are Kwanzaa celebrations in Fort Worth at The Dock and the Lake Highlands neighborhood of Dallas!

Have an amazing Christmas holiday, ya'll!

Dallas-Fort Worth's Top Things to Do Between Christmas and New Year's with Kids

Submitted by Gabby Cullen on Sun, 12/14/2025 - 4:24pm

Mariposa is an exhibit at Balloon Museum Dallas. Photo courtesy Balloon Museum

Christmas vacation can be a wonderful thing, even if you aren't traveling anywhere while the kids are out of school. In fact, I find it almost more relaxing to stay home, let the kids enjoy their new gifts, and plan day trips out and about in the metroplex. Especially because finding things to do with kids in Dallas-Fort Worth during winter break isn't much of a challenge. The weather (most years) tends to be agreeable to outdoor adventures; if you aren't totally Christmased out, lots of holiday lights and Christmas light displays are still going strong, and indoor playgrounds and play spaces are bountiful.

This list of winter break fun includes some of the best events going on in DFW right now, so take a look and make the most of those days before the kids head back to school.

A Beloved Holiday Event Returns to the Dallas Design District

Submitted by Gabby Cullen on Wed, 12/03/2025 - 8:29am

Christmas at the Anatole is a fun DFW holiday tradition! Photo by Seth Cullen

Ice skating, train rides, twinkle lights, oh my! ‘Tis the season for holiday fun, and one of Dallas’ most beloved hotels knows how to celebrate. Christmas at the Anatole has returned for 2025, and whether you’re a guest or want to enjoy the holiday activities, there’s room for you and your whole crew. I took my kids to the opening weekend, and we had a blast. Here's how to make the most of your visit to this holiday tradition in the Design District.

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Dallas-Fort Worth

Submitted by Gabby Cullen on Sun, 11/30/2025 - 12:47pm

The night glows at Tianyu Lights Festival. Photo courtesy Tianyu Lights Festival

Holiday lights are a thing of beauty, and one thing North Texans know is that Dallas-Fort Worth knows how to put on a show. The Dallas Zoo Lights beckon to kids of all ages to see the dinos decked out for the holiday season. The Tianyu Lights Festival illuminates the night in the most magical of ways, and the Dallas Arboretum blends a Victorian Christmas with a holiday light show that'll keep your whole crew entertained.

Whether you're seeking a drive-thru holiday lights extravaganza or a parade filled with dazzling Christmas lights by way of boat or car, we've got one of everything this holiday season. Keep reading to discover the best holiday lights in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Gabby Cullen

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