15 Unforgettable Things to Do in Grapevine TX with Kids

For many years before we moved to Dallas, I had heard about the unique things to do in Grapevine with kids. We’ve found plenty of attractions in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but Grapevine is also a ton of fun for families! Ready to learn more? Here’s my list of the 15 best things to do in Grapevine TX with kids.

The city of Grapevine is located in the heart of the greater DFW Metroplex, between Dallas and Fort Worth. Don’t overlook this charming destination. You’ll find a wide range of activities for the entire family, from historical landmarks and beautiful green spaces to top-notch eateries and kid-friendly game stops.

And don’t let its suburban locale fool you! The historic district at the heart of Grapevine, Texas has a small-town feel, while also offering easy access to amazing shopping and popular attractions. Plus, downtown Grapevine is a 10-minute drive from the DFW International Airport, with some top-notch hotels in the area that I’ll tell you about!

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Fun Things to Do in Grapevine TX with Kids

1. Grapevine Mills Mall

Grapevine Mills Mall sets records, being a full mile in length, with over 180 retail shops, and 6 of the top attractions for families! Younger kids will love stops like the LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Sea Life Grapevine Aquarium, and the Peppa Pig World of Play.

If you have older kids, plan a visit to Round 1 for an afternoon of arcade games, bowling, and pizza! There are also outlet stores, escape rooms, and more.

Or take the whole family to see a movie at the AMC Grapevine Mills 24. Plus, it’s easy to get to Grapevine Mills, with complimentary shuttles connecting visitors with many of the top attractions and hotels in the area.

2. Escape Rooms

Everywhere we go, one thing one of our favorite things to do in Grapevine TX as a family is to take on an escape room! Each game runs 30- to 60 minutes long and is perfect for groups of 1-8 people.

You’ll find a few in Grapevine, and they’re excellent. If you’re visiting Grapevine Mills Mall, there’s The Escape Game Grapevine. Just north of historic downtown Grapevine is The Grapevine Escape.

We’ve done The Escape Game in other cities, and it’s always memorable! The Grapevine location features four of the company’s show-stopping escape rooms, with fun themes like Prison Break and Playground.

The Grapevine Escape on N Main Street is an award-winning, locally-owned escape room. Here, you can enjoy 3 unique rooms, like The Wine Vault and Rudolph’s Gift.

3. Corky’s Gaming Bistro

For a bit more variety, head to Corky’s Gaming Bistro near the mall. This stop is perfect for the family that can’t agree on what to do!

There’s axe throwing (for ages 11 and up), arcade games, and 4 different escape rooms as well.

When you get hungry, head to the dining area for burgers, street-style tacos, pizza, and more. They even have a full bar for the grown-ups!

The bistro is open Wednesday through Sunday at 11 AM with extended hours on the weekends. Some things, like axe throwing and escape rooms, have a fee per session and we recommend making a reservation in advance. For the arcade, you pay for a bottomless card per hour. Dining is open to all guests.

4. Crush It! Sports Lounge

Another excellent spot for adults and kids alike is Crush It! Sports Lounge. Even teens who would roll their eyes at anything remotely kid-oriented will love this place. The concept is an adult sports bar but with VR games geared towards all ages!

Walk in and you’ll see TV screens and games everywhere, as well as a fully loaded bar where adults can watch the big game on multiple screens.

Thankfully the food at this local joint is bar food, but elevated! Enjoy handcrafted flatbread pizzas, gourmet wings, deconstructed salads, and a full list of drinks, including non-alcoholic cocktails. There’s also a reasonably-sized menu just for kids.

You can just grab a table or book a private bay with seating and a table. At each bay, you’ll pick from a variety of VR games, including a ton of sports and arcade games.

Or have fun with a round of themed duckpin bowling. Just keep in mind that Crush It! Sports Lounge is a popular stop in Grapevine, so book your bay in advance of your visit. They’re open every day but Monday from 11 AM to 2 PM, depending on the day.

5. Main Event

Does your family love having options? Go to Main Event Grapevine, which feels like a theme park for gaming experiences. Here, you can choose from traditional arcade games, bowling, escape rooms, and VR games, but that’s just the beginning! This massive space also includes an indoor rope course, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, laser tag rooms, and more.

The massive space leaves everything at your fingertips, with cozy dining booths and tables set throughout the space. Enjoy all your favorite comfort foods, like chips and queso, mac & cheese, burgers, and milkshakes.

Plus, Main Event is super affordable, offering Food and Fun combos and free days for kids under 12! You can visit any day of the week between 11 AM and midnight, with extended hours on Saturdays from 9 AM.

6. Meow Wolf

Immersive art installations have become very popular in recent years, as they offer a wonderful opportunity for everyone to experience art and storytelling in a whole new way.

The refreshing concepts of Meow Wolf have kept them at the front of the game, and you can check out the Grapevine installation inside Grapevine Mills Mall. It’s a blast and a great way to grab some memorable selfies for social media with your tween or teen!

At Meow Wolf Grapevine, you’ll explore “The Real Unreal” exhibition, which plays with settings from everyday life, but with whimsical elements. You enter a house where the families that live there have gone missing, and before you know it, you find yourself in alternate dimensions.

Plan on spending at least an hour here! Around every corner, there’s something to see. Even the tiniest details are thought of, and when you think you’ve seen it all, something else will catch your eye.

From funhouse mirror mazes to dreamscapes set in a suburban household to tunnel slides inside a dryer, it’s impressive to see what the artists with Meow Wolf have created.

7. Historic Main Street

For fans of the Fort Worth Stockyards, Historic downtown Grapevine is right up your alley. At the heart of Grapevine, you’ll find half a dozen blocks known as Historic Main Street. It’s a bustling thoroughfare lined with quirky boutiques, art galleries, winery tasting rooms, and fun shops to delight all ages.

Both history lovers and kids alike will have a blast checking out the Grapevine Glockenspiel Clock Tower with animatronic robbers (they come out every 2 hours between 10 AM and 8 PM daily!).

Also, be sure to stop by the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau Headquarters. They have rotating exhibits with family-friendly themes. And the building is absolutely beautiful! 

You can visit historic sites like the Torian Log Cabin that dates back to 1845 or see a show at the circa-1940s Palace Theatre.

When you get hungry, there are so many great places to enjoy a meal or indulge in some sweet treats! Take the kids to AJ’s on Main for their signature pulled pork or cool off with some gelatos at Napoli’s Italian Cafe.

8. Harvest Hall

Adjacent to the grand and glorious railroad station that was once the life’s blood of Grapevine, Harvest Hall is a European-style food hall and a work of art!

The expansive space is filled with vendors and award-winning chefs offering everything from Texas BBQ and Mexican street food to Asian fusion and trendy desserts.

Enjoy the stunning interiors created to replicate a historic train station. The area is separated into two separate dining spaces. One is more casual with cafeteria-style tables, and one is a more decadent dining space with leather chairs.

The food hall offers complimentary parking in the garage next to Hotel Vin with a small fee after the first 90 minutes. Or enjoy one of the free shuttles from your Grapevine hotel.

9. Grapevine Vintage Railroad

A fun way to learn about the history of Grapevine is to hop aboard the steam-powered Grapevine Vintage Railroad, located at the south end of the historic downtown area.

Experience travel in the days of the Wild West aboard a vintage train, complete with cushioned seats in First Class and wooden seats in Touring Class.

Throughout the year, the Grapevine Vintage Railroad offers fun, themed rides that run approximately 90 minutes each way.

In the summer, enjoy the views from your air-conditioned car as you ride all the way to the Fort Worth Stockyards to meet real cowboys and have your photo taken on a Texas Longhorn. And on the weekends, be prepared for train robbers to stop the train!

You can also try one of the Special Events trains – including a Day out with Thomas or the Trick R Treat trains! Or if you’re visiting the Christmas Capital of Texas in December, you’ll want to book your tickets for the ever-popular North Pole Express at least 3 months in advance.

10. Nash Farm

Throughout the historic district of Grapevine, you’ll find remnants of the past, but there’s nowhere quite like Nash Farm.

This historic farmhouse is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Grapevine for families, and it’s worth the short walk from Historic Main Street. The farm is free to visit every day between 9 AM and 5 PM, and there’s always something going on here!

​You can walk through the historic structures on the farm, including the farmhouse that dates back to 1869. There are sheep, chickens, and other farm animals to visit, and you can purchase eggs as well. The kids will love seeing how people used to live on the Grape Vine Prairie, with live demonstrations by period actors! There are also themed events that take place at Nash Farm throughout the year.

11. Vetro Glassblowing Studio

When you’re looking for things to do in Grapevine, TX with kids, a must-visit is Vetro Glassblowing Studio. This is a local favorite for families because they’re so welcoming to kids! You can visit the shop and see the gorgeous glass creations they make.

However, the big draw is the glassblowing demos and classes. It’s fun for all ages (though I don’t suggest this stop for kids younger than 5 years). How fun would it be to make your own glass ornament to take home?

12. WhoaZone at Grapevine

If you’re visiting Grapevine during the summer, you’ll want to add WhoaZone to your itinerary! You’ll find the waterpark on the banks of Grapevine Lake, in Meadowmere Park.

The expansive outdoor waterpark centers around the lakefront beach and the giant floating obstacle course! Perfect for anyone ages 4 and up, WhoaZone offers hours of fun with a kids-only obstacle course, water play, kayaking, and a sandy beach that’s perfect for building castles.

​You can bring your own beach gear and coolers of food. The park also sells bottled water and other beverages, and you can rent shaded seating and covered picnic areas for a fee.

Admission is priced per person, with options for all-day access or hour sessions. It’s open every day of the week from 12 to 7 PM (and from 11 AM on Saturdays and Sundays) between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend.

13. Lake Grapevine

Grapevine Lake is a top attraction in the Mid-Cities region of the DFW Metroplex, offering all kinds of outdoor activities for the whole family. No matter the time of year, it’s a great place to look for things to do in Grapevine, TX with kids.

First of all, you can’t miss the water activities available to you on the shores of Lake Grapevine! In Rockledge Park, Lonestar Adventure Sports provides a variety of rentals between March and November.

Go kayaking or sailing or try out stand-up paddle boarding on the calm waters of this beautiful reservoir. You can also go fishing, and boat ramps for both motorized and non-motorized boats are available on every side of the lake.

For dry land activities, check out Lake Grapevine’s many hiking and biking trails. The North Shore Trail from Murrell Park is a popular choice for all skill levels with the option to modify the 18-mile hike at different points. The shorter Horseshoe Trail is a great family-friendly option with views of the lake.

There are campgrounds scattered around the lake offering tent and RV camping, as well as yurts and cabins for rent. Two popular campsites include Twin Coves Park and The Vineyards Campground & Cabins.

14. Grapevine Botanical Gardens at Heritage Park

A great place to enjoy a beautiful day is at the botanical gardens inside Heritage Park. This botanical garden is on the smaller side, but it’s free and features a variety of things to see in every season.

There’s a serene Koi Pond, grassy lands with shade trees, and beds of pretty flowers in the spring. You can walk paved paths to see bronze statues and art installments and then let kids play at the playground nearby.

There are also pretty ivy-covered awnings where you can sit and enjoy a picnic, and they make great photo opportunities!

15. Things to Do in Grapevine TX: Local Parks

Grapevine boasts some fantastic parks scattered around the lake and throughout the city that are perfect for outdoor recreation or a family picnic. Here are a handful that I think offer some of the best things to do in Grapevine, TX with kids.

Dove Park

This park is great for a family with young children. It’s known for its outstanding playground that’s perfect for all ages, and it’s accessible!

There are also covered pavilions with picnic tables and barbecue pits, as well as a splash pad and grassy lawns for running around. For older kids, there’s a skate park and ball courts.

Heritage Park

Another excellent park in Grapevine with a central location is Heritage Park. Not only can you walk through the lovely Grapevine Botanical Gardens, but the playground is perfect for kids between 2 and 12 years old. Watch the kids play from a covered pavilion or just relax under the shade trees on a park bench.

Meadowmere Park

Set on the shores of Grapevine Lake, this massive park is a gem with its playgrounds, shaded picnic areas with grills, and sandy beaches. You can rent kayaks and paddle boards during the summer or use the boat ramp at the park. There are also campgrounds with fire pits for overnight stays.

Oak Grove Park

Another lakefront park to visit is Oak Grove Park. It boasts not only playgrounds, but also hiking and biking trails, ball courts, beaches, and boat launches.

This park offers a great time for a multigenerational group of a family with kids of different ages and interests.

Parr Park

Parr Park is a hit with its massive play structures and splash pad for all ages, but there’s so much more here! Kids and adults can enjoy ball courts or explore hiking and cycling paths. It’s also home to a stunning wildflower butterfly habitat that you can visit via the Bear Creek Trail.

Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Grapevine Texas

While the Bright Lights and Big City feel of Dallas and Fort Worth can be fun, sometimes you seek something a little more down to earth when visiting North Texas.

Historic Grapevine will do the trick! Not only is it the perfect base for touring these sister cities, but it also offers plenty of fun for your family! Plus, DFW Airport is just minutes from Grapevine, so lodging options are plentiful.

I’ve yet to meet a kid who doesn’t love a pool, and Great Wolf Lodge has two amazing water parks- as well as other fun activities- on site! The themed suites add to the fun, giving kids their own space in tents, cabins, or even wolf dens.

Hotel Vin has an amazing location on Historic Main Street in Grapevine that’s within walking distance of everything. It’s attached to the upscale Harvest Hall food court, and there’s live music every weekend. If you want to know more, you can read my Hotel Vin review.

And of course, there’s the Gaylord Texan Resort, another kid-friendly hotel in Grapevine. This massive resort has a water park, multiple pools, restaurants, an escape room, and more. Kids love this property, and adults will too!

Conclusion: There Are Endless Things to Do in Grapevine TX with Kids

Hopefully, you can agree there are so many fun things for families to experience in Grapevine. Not only is it the Christmas Capital of Texas, but it also has amazing festivals year-round, including Main Street Fest and GrapeFest. If you are visiting Dallas with kids, be sure Grapevine is on your itinerary!