WHAT SUMMER EVENTS FOR KIDS ARE HAPPENING IN FORT WORTH, TX?

When school lets out for the year, summer officially begins in Fort Worth, Texas. Luckily for parents, there are plenty of events and activities in the area to keep kids entertained during the dog days of summer. If you’re planning your summer calendar, you may want to know about some family-friendly events in Fort Worth this year. Here are six summer events for kids happening in Fort Worth and the surrounding area.

Image via Flickr by Alex Butterfield | CC BY 2.0

Fort Worth Herd Twice Daily Cattle Drive

If you’ve never made time for the longhorn cattle drive, which occurs twice a day, every day at the Fort Worth Stockyards, make plans to change that this summer. The Fort Worth Herd Twice Daily Cattle Drive celebrates the Old West as a team of genuine cowhands wrangles some Texas longhorns and brings them down East Exchange Avenue. After the show, kids can meet the drovers, ask questions, and take photos. Kids can even get an up-close look at the cattle before and after the show by visiting the Livestock Exchange Building or the observation area near the building.

The twice-daily cattle drive event occurs at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day, though inclement weather can affect show times. It’s free to attend, and you can watch the drive from the sidewalks along the street. Stockyards Station restaurants with outdoor seating also offer good views of the procession. Fort Worth Stockyards is located at 131 E. Exchange Ave., Fort Worth.

Coyote Drive-In Theater

On a warm summer night in Fort Worth, there’s nothing better than watching a movie under the stars while munching popcorn and sipping a cool beverage. The Coyote Drive-In Theater is a great place to bring the kids and watch one of the summer blockbusters together as a family. Take the night off from making dinner and eat at the drive-in, which has a canteen with a variety of menu options, including hot dogs, pizza, chicken tenders, and french fries. Of course, movie must-haves, such as popcorn, candy, and soda, are also available for purchase.

The Coyote Drive-In Theater opens at 6 p.m. nightly. Lines can be long for new releases and on holidays or weekends, so come early during those times. Admission is $8 for ages 12 and up, $5 for children 5 to 11, and free for children 4 and under. The drive-in is located at 223 Northeast Fourth St., Fort Worth.

Toy Story – Live in Concert

If you have a little one who loves Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the Toy Story gang, make plans to see the Dallas Symphony present Toy Story – Live in Concert this summer. The musicians will perform Randy Newman’s iconic score while the original film plays on screen. Hearing the symphony perform the music live will give you and your children a new appreciation for the beloved film. The show is produced by Disney Concerts, which provides concerts and tours for symphony orchestras across the world, and is a true one-of-a-kind experience the whole family will enjoy.

Toy Story – Live in Concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. on June 24 and June 25 and at 3 p.m. on June 26. You can purchase tickets online. The symphony performs at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, located at 2301 Flora St., Dallas.

Summer Zoo Camp

For a unique summer camp experience, enroll your child in the Fort Worth Zoo’s Summer Zoo Camp program. The zoo offers various camp programs in June, July, and August. Day camps for children between ages 3 and 10 offer age-appropriate activities, such as arts and crafts, story time, outdoor activities, zoo hikes, and more. Middle and high schoolers can attend themed camps, such as a two-day veterinarian camp, where campers learn how these professionals provide medical care for exotic animals. The zoo even offers overnight camps for children between the ages of 8 and 10, which include three meals.

You can register your child for any of the Summer Zoo Camp programs online. Prices vary based on the camp you choose, and discounts are available for zoo members. Every camper receives a T-shirt. The Fort Worth Zoo is located at 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth.

Kids Bowl Free

When the kids complain about the stifling Texas heat, escape to a Kids Bowl Free bowling alley for no-cost, air-conditioned fun. Select bowling alleys in the Fort Worth area open their doors to children for two free games each day during the summer program. It’s part of a partnership between the bowling centers and schools and organizations in the community to provide safe, fun entertainment for kids in the summer. If you want to bowl with your children, you can purchase an optional family pass to join the fun.

In the Fort Worth area, some of the participating bowling alleys are located in Arlington, Euless, Weatherford, Hurst, and Duncanville. You can find a full list of participating bowling centers online. Check with individual bowling alleys for Kids Bowl Free program hours and information about shoe rentals.

Stockyards Championship Rodeo

Giddyup, y’all, it’s time to take the family to the Stockyards Championship Rodeo. This classic Texas event takes place weekly and features both timed and rough stock events, such as breakaway roping, barrel racing, bull riding, bronc riding, and bareback riding. It’s a kid-friendly event, and children can even participate in calf and mutton scrambles during the rodeo each night. During this event, a calf or sheep wearing a ribbon gets turned loose in the arena, and the first kid to get the ribbon off the animal wins a prize.

Rodeos take place every Friday and Saturday night at the Cowtown Coliseum, 121 E. Exchange Ave., Fort Worth. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m., and doors open at 6 p.m. You can purchase tickets ahead of time to reserve your seats. The arena serves a variety of food and drinks for purchase, such as hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, candy, soda, and bottled water.

Now you know all about six family-friendly events happening in the Fort Worth area this summer. Where do you plan to take the kids this summer? If you’re a local parent or caregiver, did we miss one of your favorite summer events for kids? Send a message to Hiley Buick GMC of Fort Worth and let us know. We believe in highlighting events happening in our area and enjoy helping families find ways to spend time together