5 Family-Friendly Activities That Have Us Excited For Fall

Temperatures have been in the triple digits for way too long. The heat is stifling, but it seems you can’t walk into a single store without seeing Halloween and Fall decorations on the shelves. This seasonal whiplash has me looking forward to cooler weather and some of my favorite Fall attractions in Dallas.

Autumn at the Arboretum

My personal favorite thing to do in the Fall is visit the Arboretum’s pumpkin village. Each year, the garden transforms with more than 100,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash, including elaborate pumpkin houses and plenty of adorable photo opportunities. Kids can wander through the village, explore the displays, and enjoy seasonal activities while parents soak up one of the prettiest Fall settings in Dallas. It starts September 19, and you can bet it’s already on my calendar! 

State Fair of Texas 

From saying hello to Big Tex and riding the Texas Star to trying whatever outrageous fried food has made the menu this year, there’s something nostalgic about coming back year after year. My Mom-anxiety kept me from attending last year, but I can’t wait for our son to experience the rides, games, animals, and endless treats on September 25. 

Hall’s Pumpkin Farm & Corn Maze

For a classic Fall-on-the-farm experience, we can’t wait to head to Hall’s Pumpkin Farm & Corn Maze in Grapevine. Wander through the pumpkin patch, get lost in the two-acre corn maze, visit the farm animals, or hop aboard a tractor-pulled hayride. It’s a little bit of a drive from Dallas, but it’s exactly the kind of Fall outing that makes you feel like you’ve escaped the city for an afternoon.

Boo At The Zoo

If you’re up for a drive, Boo at the Zoo at the Fort Worth Zoo is one of the best kid-friendly Halloween events in DFW. Kids can come dressed in costume and enjoy trick-or-treat stations, Halloween-themed entertainment, activities, and, of course, all of their favorite zoo animals. We find it festive without being too scary, making it an especially fun option for younger kids. Boo at the Zoo takes place October 23–25 this year, so it’s a great way to kick off Halloween week.

Friday Night Football 

Few things feel more like Fall in Texas than Friday night football. Show up to your local high school (or maybe your alma mater), throw on some school colors, and spend the evening under the stadium lights cheering alongside the community. Between the marching band, cheerleaders, concession-stand snacks, and excitement on the field, it’s a fun way to introduce kids to a quintessential Texas tradition. 

Fall in Dallas may not always come with crisp air and changing leaves, but we certainly know how to make the most of the season. There are plenty of ways to embrace the season and create those quintessential Fall memories — even if you’re doing it in shorts. So grab the kids, embrace the unpredictable Texas weather, and start checking a few of these favorites off your family’s bucket list.

Sincerely, 

Your Dallas Mom Friend