Spring Break is right around the corner. Fort Worth has endless opportunity for the whole family to have a relaxing and fun staycation. From creative endeavors to the great outdoors, we've compiled a list of some of the best Spring Break activities in Tarrant County.
Kimbell Art Museum
If you have a little Picasso at home, the Kimbell Art Museum will be hosting their Spring Break Art Extravaganza. There will be several art-related activities and other creatively stimulating exercises. This unique event will expose children to new creative outlets and opportunities at no cost to you.No reservations required. Drop in anytime throughout the week. Cost: FREE
Tuesday–Thursday, March 12-14, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Friday, March 15, Noon–5 p.m.
Amon Carter Museum of American Art
Get creative this Spring Break and stop by the Amon Carter Museum of American Art for Family Fun Week. The focus of this week will be Sensational Seasons, where each day will focus on a different season of the year. The series will not only lead an exploration of works related to the seasons, but will also feature related art-making activities. Cost: FREE
Tuesday–Thursday, March 12–14, 10:30 a.m.–Noon
Sid Richardson Museum
The Sid Richardson Museum will be hosting a two-day sculpture workshop for 12–15 year olds. Participants will experience sculpting with various types of materials and will have the opportunity to visit a rarely seen sculpture exhibit from Frederic Remington. Students get to take home sculpting supplies so they can continue creating at home. Cost: $10
Tuesday, March 12, and Wednesday, March 13, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Fort Worth Zoo 2013 Spring Break Camp
The Fort Worth Zoo offers an annual Spring Break day camp with fun activities including crafts, games and presentations, plus a trip into the zoo. There will be two sessions available. One session focuses on the animal families, and how they really do not differ too much from our own families. The other session will be a bit more specific, only focusing on the family of primates. This camp is for children from first through sixth grades, and provides an ideal combination of both education and natural exploration. Cost: $125 per session
March 11–12 and March 14–15, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Bedford Public Library
Enjoy a movie at the Bedford Public Library during Spring Break Movie Madness. Movies will be at 2 p.m. Monday–Friday, March 11–15. Featured films include Frankenweenie, Ice Age, Monsters Inc, Hotel Transylvania and Paranorman. Cost: Free
Onstage Acting Classes in Bedford
Onstage in Bedford offers acting classes throughout the year for several different age groups and experience levels. Young children from 6-8 years old can enjoy a beginners' acting class, "Magic in Me." Children from 8-12 years old have the opportunity to perform at local libraries in the beginners' production class, "Traveling Tales." Teens have the option of perfecting their onstage comedy technique. Mondays: Magic in Me – 4-4:45 p.m., Traveling Tales – 4:45-5:45 p.m., Teen Comedy – 4:30-5:30 p.m. Cost: $40/month
River Legacy Center
The River Legacy Center is a fantastic way to reconnect with nature in DFW. The park sits along the Trinity River, with a sprawling 1,300 acre site. The Legacy Center will be offering leisurely nature walks that would serve as a great active outing, while still being easy enough for the whole family to join along. You could also opt for a three hour nature hike for those who are up for more of a challenge. The Center also offers a variety of other activities including animal discoveries and story times. Admission to the park and all activities are completely free. Cost: Free
While you're in that neck of the woods, why not find out if the Texas Rangers have a home game? Nothing creates childhood memories like heading out to see America's pastime with the family. If there's not a home game, ballpark tours are available almost every day and take you to some of the behind-the-scenes areas such as the press box and dugouts.
Check website for times and ticket prices.
Benbrook Stables Spring Break Horse Camp
At this day camp, attendees will learn horsemanship skills from proper feeding and grooming to learning how to ride in Western, Bareback and English styles. Many other activities will be available, including arts and crafts, hikes and hayrides. Different activities will be available each day of the week, so you could sign up for one day or spend the whole week at the stables. Cost: $55 per dayMarch 11–15, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge
Many people consider the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge to be one of the area's best-kept secrets. This 3,600-acre site boasts 20 miles of hiking trails and many different types of landscape to explore. Events such as moonlight paddles and evening strolls take place every week, but special activities will be offered the week of Spring Break. Enjoy an old-fashioned hay ride to meet the local bison. Or hop in a canoe Wednesday morning and explore the West Fork of the Trinity River. Whatever you choose, this would be another way to enjoy the great outdoors while staying close to home. Cost: $1–$5 general admission, $3–$8 for each Spring Break event,March 12–14, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Funky Finds Spring Fling
Explore handmade crafts from more than 100 vendors, offering everything from clothing to pet goods, at the fifth-annualFunky Finds Spring Fling. After meandering through vendor booths, check out the pet adoptions that will be available on-site from the Humane Society. In the past four years, Funky Finds has been able to raise more than $10,000 for local agencies through raffle sales. This year, all proceeds from the raffle event will go to CASA of Tarrant County as well as the Humane Society of North Texas. Visit this family and pet-friendly event March 9–10 in the small exhibits building at Will Rogers Memorial Center. Cost: Free
Botanic Garden Green Thumb Club
At this exciting day camp, kids will get to learn all about the natural world within the beautiful Fort Worth Botanic Garden. During the first day, students compete in "Animal Olympics" where they will test out their own animal instincts. The following day, the lesson plan focuses on carnivorous plants. This day camp will surely make a lasting impression. Cost: $15
March 11 and March 13, 10 a.m.–noon
Camptivity
Camptivity Day Camp starts early––at 6:30 a.m.––and the fun doesn't stop until 6 p.m. When you see the list of activities, you'll understand. Campers will experience all kind of outdoor fun from archery to arts and crafts. Sessions are available for Kindergarten through eighth grade, and high school students can get involved as counselor assistants for the week. Cost: $45 per day/$170 per week,March 11–15, 6:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
Adventure Day Camps
On Lake Grapevine, Adventure Day Camp is available for 4-13 year olds. After being dropped off at 8:30 a.m., campers take part in different activities every day, including inflatable water slides, nature walks and obstacle courses, depending on weather.March 11-15 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Cost: $225
Murals and Mosaics
For the third year in a row, Historic Fort Worth, Inc. will be hosting a Murals and Mosaics Spring Break Tour that will cover 12 locations across the city. While there is an option to take a self-guided tour, there is also a scavenger hunt at each location designed for 6-13 year olds. This tour offers unique historical insight into Fort Worth's past with fun and entertaining components. Cost: $10-$15. Tickets go on sale March 4 and may be purchased at Miss Molly's Toy & Candy Shop, online at www.historicfortworth.org or at the McFarland House.
March 11–15, Check website or call 817-332-5875 for tour times.
The Modern
The Modern hosts Wonderful Wednesdays every week throughout the year. This program, which includes a gallery project designed by the education department, is specifically for families with small children. For the week of Spring Break, they will be hosting a special session. On Tuesday, session will be visiting the work of Bruce Nauman followed the next day by visiting the work of Mark Bradford. Cost: Free.
A Visit to Grapevine
The city of Grapevine has many great attractions available year round. With only a 30-minute drive, this would make for an ideal day trip for the family.
The Ohlook Performing Arts Center will be featuring the play The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley. A common childhood tradition, seeing Flat Stanley on stage would be a fun way to spend the afternoon. March 22-31, Fridays-Saturdays 7:30, Sundays 2:30. Tickets: $15.
Although Grapevine has many historical sightseeing activities to take part in, such as the Grapevine Vintage Railroad, there are also several new and exciting attractions including the Sea Life Aquarium and Legoland. If it's too difficult to choose between these two options, you could always choose the combo tickets, which allow you to visit both in the same day. Cost: $23-$29.
Fort Worth Opera
The Fort Worth Opera Children's Opera Theatre is offering four children's theater shows the week of Spring Break. A performance of The Bremen Town Musicians is scheduled for Monday, March 11, at 11 a.m. and Tuesday, March 12, at 2 p.m. This 45-minute opera features the characters Boom the Donkey and Dorabella the cat as they try to form a band, despite ill will from local pirates. The classic childhood tale, The Three Little Pigs, will be adapted for the opera genre and will have the entire family laughing. See The Three Little Pigs on March 11 at 2 p.m. and March 12 at 11 a.m. Cost: $5
Mineral Wells State Park
Less than an hour east of Fort Worth, you will find Lake Mineral Wells State Park, where boundless outdoor activities are available. From boating and fishing to geocaching and hiking, you may want to stay a couple of nights just to experience all this park has to offer. Entrance Fee: $7 (adults)
Daily Fort Worth Activities
Don't forget that Fort Worth has an overwhelming amount of affordable and exciting options available year round.
Take, for example, our world-class museums. While the activities listed above are great for Spring Break, the museums also have extensive permanent collections that are on view year round.How long has it been since you've visited the Stockyards? It's the only place in the world where you can find a twice daily cattle drive, plus this area of Fort Worth has a never ending list of great photo ops. While it may seem a bit touristy, a lot of history comes out of this area, and it would be a fantastic opportunity to see some of the city's past.
Speaking of Fort Worth history, a visit to Fort Worth's Log Cabin Village would be an educational and fun way to spend an afternoon. On March 16, you can enjoy both the mid 19th century cabins along with the sounds of Buttermilk Junction Old Time String Band. There will also be games and old-fashioned toys available on this afternoon. Cost: $4-$5.
While the weather is beautiful, head over to one of the food parks that Fort Worth has to offer. Even if you have a couple of picky eaters in your family, there are a variety of choices from German cuisine to pizza. Visit Fort Worth Food Park near West 7th, or ride bikes on the Trinity Trails to the Clearfork Food Park. Both are ideal locations with excellent dining options.
Spring Break may only be a week long, but with all the activities available in the Fort Worth area, you can jam pack each day with unique, exciting and even educational ventures. With so many options in our own backyard, why not opt for the staycation this year? What are your plans this Spring Break? Let us know in the comment section below.
