Best DFW Summer Family Memberships

Frisco Water Park at Frisco Athletic Center :: Frisco :: $200 – $260 :: For a family of five, the splash pass pays for itself in four visits. Splash Passes give you unlimited access to the water park from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. They do not include any other facilities, including the indoor water ones.

Stephen G Terrell Rec Center :: Allen :: $85 – $115 with $75 registration fee ::  Family monthly passes pay for themselves in two or three visits. This rec center has an indoor playground and includes access to the Ford pool which has a pool, slide, and splash pad. For an additional $10, you get access to the indoor Don Rodenbaugh Aquatics Center.

>> LISTEN :: The Pros and Cons of Summer Camp :: Momfessions Podcast :: Episode 96 <<

The Apex Center :: McKinney :: $93 – $116 with $75 registration fee :: Family monthly passes pay for themselves in two visits. Membership includes access to the gym, indoor track, and aquatic facilities. The outdoor aquatic area has slides for little ones and adults, a splash area, and a large pool. Seasonal passes just for the summer are also available.

The Cove at the Lakefront :: Little Elm :: $50 – $75 :: For a family of six, The Cove monthly membership pays for itself in two visits. The Cove at the Lakefront in Little Elm has a retractable roof and is open year-round, so you can enjoy it in any weather. It includes fun for the whole family, featuring a spray ground for littles, waterslides for all ages, and a lazy river.

Dallas Arboretum :: Dallas :: $165 :: A family membership pays for itself in two visits. Even if you only make two trips, the pictures and experience of the spring blooms and autumn pumpkins are worth it. With the family membership, the primary member can bring five guests per visit, and parking is free for two vehicles. Membership also includes six passes to the Children’s Adventure Garden. The Dallas Arboretum is a part of the reciprocal garden program, so you also have access to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.

Fort Worth Botanic Garden :: Fort Worth :: $95 – $115 :: Family membership includes two to three adults and all children in your family. Members also enjoy discounted and early registration for camps. Membership here means year-round visits and programming such as sound baths, art classes, toddler story time, gentle yoga, and special events.

>> RELATED READ :: Spring Is in the Air :: 7 Places to Enjoy Nature in and Around Collin County <<

Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary :: McKinney :: $95 – $160 :: A membership for four pays for itself in three visits. The goal of The Heard is to connect visitors with nature and foster a deeper appreciation for the environment. Our two favorite seasonal exhibits are the butterfly house and dinosaur trail. The roadrunner family membership includes the benefits of the basic white-tailed deer membership plus reciprocal admission to the Perot and five free guest passes.

Heritage Farmstead Museum :: Plano :: $60 – $120 :: A membership helps keep this historic, working farm running. It pays for itself in six visits. Family memberships have the added benefit of getting a picture with a farm animal on picture days and free tractor rides every visit. You can feed the chickens for an additional dollar. You are allowed to bring in strollers, wagons, and food.

Texas Discovery Gardens :: Dallas :: $100 :: A membership pass for a family of four pays for itself in three visits. Say hello to the butterflies in the butterfly house, stroll through the gardens, play in the tree house, and check out the snake shack. It also has a reciprocal gardens program. One benefit of membership is a free state fair ticket for all members.

Dallas Museum of Art :: Dallas :: $120 – $275 :: A membership pays for itself in four visits. The DMA has a large permanent exhibit and multiple special exhibits that change and require paid tickets. Membership includes passes to all special exhibits, free parking, discounts at the gift shop and cafe, and special exhibit previews.

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History :: Fort Worth :: $130 – $210 :: With a planetarium and a dino dig all under one roof, this museum appeals to multiple age groups. A membership for five pays for itself in just two visits and grants you discounted parking, general admission, and access to the stock show, cattle raisers, and cowgirl museums as well. Additionally, the wonder membership adds on reciprocal admission to the Perot and Heard museums.

National Video Game Museum :: Frisco :: $99.99 :: Membership pays for itself in only two visits! A family membership includes admission for up to four family members, discounted shopping and events, extra tokens, and discounted guest passes. The National Video Game Museum documents the creation and evolution of the video game industry and preserves as many physical artifacts as possible for generations to come. It has a fun arcade room, too. Additional members are $29.99 each.

>> RECOMMENDED RESOURCE :: Mom’s List of Cheap and Free Kids Activities in Collin County — and Where to Find Them <<

Perot Museum of Nature and Science :: Dallas :: $165 :: A core membership for five people pays for itself in two visits. The Perot is my favorite membership for preschoolers because of its indoor play space. From earthquakes and dancing dinosaurs to how much weight you could lift in space, there’s a hands-on exhibit for all ages and interests. Membership includes free admission, $5 parking, members-only hours, shopping discounts, and reciprocal admission to the Heard and many other science museums.

Sci-Tech Discovery Center :: Frisco :: $120 :: A family membership pays for itself in three visits. The Sci-tech Discovery Center is a hands-on science experience ideal for both preschool and elementary students with bubble exhibits, building challenges, and a giant nose. Membership includes admission for five, discounts at the store and programs, early access to camp registration, and member-only events.

Dallas World Aquarium :: Dallas :: $250 – $400 :: Membership for a family of five pays for itself in four visits. The membership cards are personalized and cannot be transferred, but you can opt for packages with discounts for grandparents and/or caregivers. The aquarium features aquatic tanks, but also a large area with birds, reptiles, and a sloth!

Dallas Zoo :: Dallas :: $149 – $199 :: The family membership pays for itself in two visits. With a pass for six people, as long as one cardholder is present, you can bring any five people you want. And it appeals to a wide variety of ages. The passes include free admission, one parking pass, discounts at the store, and access to special events, such as live music after hours and its holiday light display. The passport level includes unlimited carousel and train rides as well as some animal feedings.

>> RECOMMENDED RESOURCE :: Guide to Swim Lessons in Collin County <<

Fort Worth Zoo :: Fort Worth :: $35 – $70 :: Membership at the Fort Worth Zoo is individual for children and adults and not transferable. The membership pays for itself in three visits. It includes food discounts and free parking as well as a magazine subscription. For $4 additional, you can enjoy the large splash pad attraction.

These passes are per person, not family passes, but they pay for themselves in no time. The benefit of combo passes is you can visit to several different places for the price of just one or two tickets.

Dallas CityPASS :: Dallas :: $39 – $57 :: Get a steep discount at four Dallas attractions: The Perot, Reunion Tower GeO-Deck, and then you pick two more locations out of three. The options are the Dallas Zoo, the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, or the George W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum.

>> RELATED READ :: All Things Presidential :: 5 Presidential Museums in Texas to Inspire Young Leaders <<

Frisco Museum Pass :: Frisco :: $25 :: This pass offers one visit to ALL of Frisco’s museums: The National Video Game Museum, Sci-Tech Discovery Center, Frisco Heritage Museum, and the Museum of the American Railroad.

Not able to visit all the venues in one day? Not to worry. The Frisco Museum Pass is valid for one year after the purchase date. One pass per person.

Kids Bowl Free :: multiple locations :: $39.95 :: Every spring and summer, bowling centers that participate in the Kids Bowl Free program provide two free bowling games each day for registered kids. Some bowling centers, such as the Plano Super Bowl, offer family pass options where you pay once to include adults, or older teens, in the bowling games as well. The pass does not include shoe rentals.

LEGOLAND and SEA LIFE :: Grapevine :: $97.99 – $195.99 :: The combination pass pays for itself in three to four visits. SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium is a small, interactive aquarium with Texas’s only 360-degree ocean tunnel. LEGOLAND has a variety of attractions including rides, movies, a summer splash area, and build areas. Pass prices vary significantly based on when you want to visit.

Movie Camps :: multiple locations :: $1 – $6 :: Every summer, movie theaters hold “Summer Movie Camps.” You can buy a pass to see all of the movies, or pick and choose which ones you want to see or will work with your schedule. Most of the movies play in the morning on weekdays. My favorite is Studio Movie Grill’s Children’s Summer Series. The tickets are $6 and include a small popcorn and small drink. Passes do not discount the already steeply discounted tickets and range from $8 – $48.

>> RELATED READ :: FREE (or Almost Free) Summer Fun for Families in the Fort Worth Area <<

Pogo Pass :: multiple locations :: $99.98 :: Pogo Pass is a great way to gain access to a number of attractions in Dallas-Fort Worth. The pass easily pays for itself in two or three trips! You can even visit multiple locations in one day.

For one price, you get a ticket to places such as the Fort Worth Zoo, Pump It Up, and Hawaiian Falls Water Park. The pass also includes sporting events to the Frisco Roughriders and Dallas Wings games. Main Event offers one bowling game per month with the pass.

Let us know what your favorite family pass is and why you love it in the comments!