Last updated on March 31st, 2024 at 05:45 pm
Looking for Fort Worth Stockyards kid friendly activities? We’ve rounded them all up here!
Located in Fort Worth’s National Historic District and loaded with fun activities, the Fort Worth Stockyards offers the entire family an exciting Old West American experience. So grab your cowboy hat and head to the Stockyards!
Here are 10 of the best Fort Worth Stockyards kid friendly activities!
Things to Do at the Fort Worth Stockyards with Kids
Located just a short drive from Dallas is the Fort Worth Stockyards, a family-friendly attraction built on the site of the original Cowtown stockyards.
Are the Fort Worth Stockyards kid friendly? Yes!
Because we have family and friends who live in Texas, we spend a lot of time in the Dallas Fort Worth area, and one of our favorite things is visiting the Fort Worth Stockyards with kids and their friends.
Between 1866 and 1890, more than four million cattle came through Fort Worth. When the railroad arrived in 1876, Fort Worth and the Stockyards station became a major shipping point for livestock throughout the Western United States.
Today, the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District is one of the most popular attractions in Texas. It’s where visitors go to enjoy uniquely western dining, shopping, and entertainment and to learn about the region’s rich history.
Keep reading for the top Fort Worth Stockyards kid-friendly activities to make this an amazing experience for the whole family!
Fort Worth Stockyards Kid Friendly Activities
1. Fort Worth Stockyards Cattle Drive
The cattle drive is the Stockyards’ main attraction, and it is totally free! Twice a day visitors line the streets to watch real cowboys on horseback drive a herd of longhorn cattle down the middle of East Exchange Avenue. You can catch the drive daily at 11:30 am and 4:00 pm.
We thought this was really fun, and if you are visiting from out of state looking for an activity that screams “Texas” this is probably the one!
2. Find Your Way Out of the Cowtown Cattlepen Maze
The Cowtown Cattlepen Maze is a 5,400 square foot labyrinth of wooden walls. We visited the Fort Worth Stockyards with three boys, and this was their favorite activity! It took them each about 15 minutes to work their way through the maze. There is a great observation deck where parents can watch.
Cost is $8, but if you visit on a Tuesday it is half price.
3. Explore Shops & Sights at the Stockyards
Just walking up and down the Old West streets of the Stockyards is a fun time. Check out the stars that make up the Texas Trail of Fame and see where the historic Chisholm Trail began. Even kids will enjoy checking out the sights and feeling the vibes of the Old West atmosphere!
There are numerous shops in town where you can buy everything from cowboy boots to beef jerky.
4. Visit the Livestock Exchange Building and Stockyards Museum
Housed in the historic Livestock Exchange Building, the Stockyards Museum documents the history of the cattle trade in Fort Worth from a mere stop along the Chisholm Trail to the center of the ranching and meatpacking industry in Texas.
Built in 1902 and once known as “The Wall Street of the West,” the Livestock Exchange Building was the hub for cattle traders and all the business that occurred in the Stockyards.
The building is still in use as offices; but you can find the Stockyards Museum inside on the first floor. There are some truly interesting exhibits and artifacts. At only a few dollars to get in, this is a great place to learn a bit of history about Fort Worth.
5. Take a Walking Tour
Take a guided walking tour through the Stockyards to visit and learn about the locations in the area. A knowledgeable guide offers interesting facts, stories and the history of Cowtown, including the significance of the 900+ mile Chisholm Trail. Be sure to stop by the Visitors Center to ask about tours.
6. Go to the Rodeo
The Fort Worth Stockyards is home to the world’s only year round indoor rodeo, taking place every Friday and Saturday night at 8:00pm in the historic Cowtown Coliseum. Every Friday and Saturday night at 8pm, see the Stockyards Championship Rodeo at the Cowtown Coliseum.
If the rodeo is too late or if you have young children, check out Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show on Saturday afternoons, also at the Coliseum.
The two hour Championship Rodeo features bull riding, tie down roping, team roping, barrel racing, bronc riding and break away roping, as well as a calf and mutton scramble with prizes for the kids! This is a must if you are looking for things to do in Fort Worth with kids with an authentic Texas experience!
7. Ride a Mechanical Bull
Want to give bull riding a shot yourself? Test your skills on a mechanical bull! There is a bull set up right next to the Cowtown Cattlepen Maze and it is only a few dollars to try. My nephew had a great time riding the mechanical bull, and said it was more challenging than it looks.
8. Spend Time with Animals
The Fort Worth Herd of 16 Texas Longhorns – one for each decade of Fort Worth’s 160-year history – reside at the Stockyards. These are the guys who take part in the daily cattle drive up East Exchange Avenue. In between the 11:30am and 4pm cattle drives, the herd can be viewed and photographed in their pens behind the Livestock Exchange building.
If you’re Old West experience won’t feel complete without riding off into the sunset, the Fort Worth Stockyards Stables offers trail rides daily. There is also a great petting zoo for kids.
9. Pose with a Texas Longhorn
If just viewing the cattle from a distance is not enough, here’s your chance to get up close and personal with a longhorn steer. There is always one or two on the street available for pictures, petting, and sitting on for photos. A small fee is charged for interacting with the steer.
10. Eat Some BBQ at the Fort Worth Stockyards
Don’t leave the Stockyards without grabbing a meal! There are numerous bars, restaurants, hotels and saloons along the streets.
We had some amazing steaks at Riscky’s Steakhouse – with surprisingly inexpensive lunch specials! Nearby, Riscky’s BBQ is a Fort Worth staple, serving up authentic Texas barbecue for over 75 years! Be sure to come hungry because, the beef ribs are all you can eat and hand rubbed with “Riscky dust.” There is a live band every Friday and Saturday, playing country music of course.
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Need some more information? The Stockyards Visitor Center is located inside the Shoppes on Rodeo Plaza, next to the Cowtown Coliseum at 2501 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth.
► Looking for more great places to visit in Texas with kids? Be sure to check out the beautiful Caverns of Sonora.
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Bea Adventurous says
Wow that car photo!!
I had a brilliant time on my visit recently! There’s lots do do which will keep everyone entertained!
Thanks for your ideas!
admin says
So glad you enjoyed it!