The Best Kid-Friendly Things to Do at the State Fair of Texas

Plan Your Family's Fair Day

The State Fair of Texas runs Sept. 25 through Oct. 18, 2026, and this year's theme, Stars, Stripes, and Howdies, celebrates both America's 250th birthday and the fair's own 140th year. Whether you have toddlers or teenagers in tow, there's something here for every age. Here's how to make the most of a day at Fair Park with kids.

Take a Ride at the Kidway

The Kidway is built for the fair's youngest riders, with scaled-down rides and games made for kids two and up. The 1914 Dentzel Carousel is a perennial favorite and a lovely first ride for little ones. Have older kids who want a bigger thrill? Send them up the 212-foot Texas Star Ferris wheel or the Top o' Texas Tower, which climbs 500 feet for the best view on the fairgrounds.

A money-saving tip for families: most Midway rides drop to four coupons on Tuesdays, and kiddie rides go down to three.

Enjoy a Show at the Oak Farms Theater

The World of Magic Show brings sleight of hand, big illusions, and a floating robot to the Oak Farms Theatre inside the Creative Arts Building, with several performances daily. It's an easy, air-conditioned break in the middle of a long fair day. Check the daily schedule at bigtex.com to catch a showtime that works for your crew.

Fun on the Farm

Big Tex's Discovery Farm gives kids a hands-on look at where their food comes from, and the Oncor Petting Zoo lets them get up close with the animals. Keep going and you'll find even more: the Livestock Birthing Barn, where families can watch calves, piglets, and lambs arrive; pig races that draw a crowd several times a day; and the All-Star Stunt Dog Show. Most of it is included with your admission, so it's an easy way to fill an afternoon without spending another coupon.

Feed a Stingray at the Children's Aquarium

The Children's Aquarium at Fair Park is home to roughly 400 species and more than 5,000 aquatic animals. Kids can reach into the coastal touch pool and hand-feed the cownose rays at Stingray Bay, which tends to be the highlight of the visit for the under-10 set. Admission is separate from your fair ticket.

Meet the Butterflies at Texas Discovery Gardens

Just steps from the fairgrounds, Texas Discovery Gardens is one of the best places at Fair Park to slow down for an hour. The two-story Rosine Smith Sammons Butterfly House and Insectarium is the main draw, a warm, tropical space filled with hundreds of free-flying butterflies. They'll land on shoulders and shoes if you stand still long enough, which is usually all it takes to win over a restless kid. Try to time your visit around midday, when staff release newly emerged butterflies into the conservatory.

There's plenty more beyond the butterflies across the 7.5 acres of organic gardens: the Snakes of Texas exhibit, an indoor axolotl tank, koi ponds, garden trains, and a natural playscape where little ones can burn off some energy. It's also a welcome escape from the noise and crowds of the Midway.

Texas Discovery Gardens is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is separate from your fair ticket. Two things worth knowing: admission is discounted during the run of the State Fair, and if you bought the Commemorative Hard Card season pass, your visit is included.

Come Prepared with Little Ones

A few things make a fair day with kids go smoother. Stop by any Hospitality Center when you arrive and pick up a free Safe Kids wristband, where you can write your phone number in case anyone gets separated. Three Baby Care Centers are spread across the grounds, with changing stations, outlets, and a quiet spot to feed a baby, and family restrooms are available in several buildings including the Hall of State.

Good news on the bag front: while the fair uses a clear bag policy, diaper and childcare bags are exempt. They don't have to be clear or size-limited, they'll just be searched at the gate. If you'd rather not push your own stroller through the crowds, strollers, wagons, and wheelchairs can be rented by the day through HomeTown Mobility, and reservations should be made at least 24 hours ahead.

One more thing to know: starting at 5 p.m. daily, everyone 17 and under needs to be with a parent, guardian, or chaperone who's 21 or older.

Take a Food Break

Even picky eaters find something here. A Fletcher's Corny Dog is the classic first stop, and there's no shortage of pizza, funnel cakes, and mini corn dogs for kids who'd rather skip the fried adventures. Remember that food and rides run on coupons rather than cash, so pick some up when you arrive. If your family has dietary needs, you're welcome to bring your own snacks in a soft-sided cooler that meets the bag policy.

End the Night with Lights

The Kroger Starlight Parade winds through the fairgrounds every night of the fair beginning at 7:15 p.m., with lights, music, and floats that make an easy finale for tired kids. Stick around a little longer for the Illumination Sensation show on the Esplanade, a mix of fireworks, water, and light that's worth staying up for. Confirm showtimes on the daily schedule at bigtex.com.

Beat the Heat and the Crowds

Late September and early October in Dallas can still be warm, so plan around it. Arrive right at the 10 a.m. gate opening while it's cooler and lines are short, then duck into an air-conditioned building when the afternoon heats up. The Texas Auto Show, the Creative Arts Building, and the Hall of State are all good places to reset. Weekday mornings are quieter than weekends across the board, and the Saturday of the Red River Rivalry is the single busiest day of the run.

Sensory-Friendly Mornings

Every Wednesday during the fair, the Midway runs without its usual flashing lights and blaring sounds from late morning into the early afternoon, and quiet spaces are set aside around the grounds. It's a gentler way to experience the fair for kids with sensory sensitivities, or for any little one who gets overwhelmed by the full-volume version. The puppet show is interpreted in ASL that morning, too. Check bigtex.com closer to opening day for exact times.

The family fun doesn't stop here! There is much more to do. For help finding these fun attractions and activities at the fair, visit the State Fair of Texas website.