My family recently moved to Mansfield and my husband only gets one day a week off work. We are always looking for something fun and inexpensive too do as a family on his day off. We're tired of the typical playground visits and movies. Can anyone suggest a good family activity for 2 adults, a 3 year old and an 8 month old? We'd like to keep or activities in the Mansfield / Arlington / Grand Prairie area if possible.
Thanks
S.
Have you looked into the "MAC"... Mansfield Activities Center? They are located on Magnolia, just off Broad St (near the new Kohl's).
I empathize with you! We moved here from CA 3 1/2 yrs ago. Here's what I tried: Barnes and Noble has some great books on family things to do in DFW & Ft. Worth areas, which also include the areas you mentioned. If you could get some time away from the kids, you could look & get some ideas. They include the cost, what age range it is best for, etc. Once the weather warms a bit, consider bike riding, if you have bikes. There are quite a few free trails to ride around here, and those are some of my favorite memories as a kid. Also, look on the web under DFW/Ft. Worth "things to do with kids" & you'll find a lot of things. My friends & I do this before school lets out in summer so we have ideas for the kids when they "are bored". There is the park in Glen Rose that has life size dinosaurs, and a play area. I know its a park, but its different. Good luck!
Hi S.,
My name is A. and I live in Mansfield too. We moved here in April. Our home is Atlanta. My husband's job placed us out here....but I'm starting to become a little familar with the area. I too, have a 3 year old little girl and know how the park and movies tend to get tiresome. I heard about a fun activity for the family from a co-worker. The place is called Pump It Up. It's between Mansfield and Arlington...closer to Mansfield. I've never been there, but I'm planning to book my daughter's birthday party there. They have all the air pumped up activities for adults and children. They're in the phone book and I believe they have a web site. Let me know if you have a chance to get by there.
A.
There is the big library in down town Arlington. If you are willing to drive to Ft.Worth (it's a short drive if you cut up 287) then there are lots of things to do. There is the Zoo, the Musem of Science and History (children focused - they offer clsses, tours, exhibits, planetarium, omni), the Cowgirl musem, Casa Manana (they produce famous plays for children), and the botanical gardens (butterfly exhibit, japenese gardens). It's all in the cultural district and only takes about 20 minutes to get to.
this won't be much fun on a day like today but my 3 year old daughter loves to go to the stockyards at 11:30 and watch them move the cows down the street. it doesn't last long but she gets a kick out of it and then you can head over to the library downtown. there's always something free for kids to do over there. hope that helps a little.
Hey! I am in the same area as you and have been looking for things to do as well. I dedicated myself to having adventures so that me and my 13 yr old can embrace the new home and new city with little issues.
The drive to the Ft Worth Zoo wasn't bad - and it is a beautiful zoo. We are near Joe Pool Lake which has a great park - yes you have a fee to pay to get in - but the park is nice and you can have a great picnic there.
Arlington has loads of activities for kids (I just picked up the new catalog) which are low cost and held at rec centers. Since you are into art - there might be a Children's Art Class that you all can do together. There are also Kid Reading Times at Barnes & Nobles over at the Arlington Parks Mall.
You might want to pick up the Dallas Observer and the Ft Worth Weekly at your grocery store (they are free) and it lists loads of things that are available.
I am near Webb Community Park - which has a small playground - but there are other parks with larger playscapes that you might find better suit your kiddo.
Cheers!
M.
I was an activities coordinator in Arlington a few years ago, and now have to look stuff up in Dallas. Try the rec. centers- they are always offering some fun classes, etc.. Also, do an online search for Arlington CVB (convention and visitor's bureau) and the other towns you are interested in. They update these frequently and you can look at things to do on a monthyly basis, how much they cost, age ranges, etc... I am also a big fan of the UTA planetarium, and the Fort Worth Science Museum- young children love the museum and they have fun stuff for the parents to do as well (if you are in to playing with your kids).
The Fort Worth Zoo is amazing at all times and worth a season pass if you will go regularly. Just going for an hour, or for a picnic lunch on the spur pays for the season pass and it's just an amazing zoo.
Keep your eye out for the re-opening of the Museum of Science and History in Fort Worth. They have parts of it in the Cowgirl Hall of Fame Museum right next door while they are renovating. The websites are www.fortworthzoo.com;www.fwmuseum.org.
The Fort Worth Stock Show is free and a blast for kids - it's in the same complex and is going on now.
All of these are just up 287 to I-30 for about a mile, exit University. Easy and close. Hope this helps and happy fun! J.
