It’s officially one of the most wonderful times of the year: fair season!
As a Texan, I’ve been to the State Fair of Texas many times throughout my life, even bringing my eldest son a month after he was born. Things at the fair change every year—in 2026, it’s even more affordable for families—but there are a few things you can always count on at the Dallas festival. Big Tex will smile and wave, the Fletcher’s corn dogs hit the spot, and you will make new, unforgettable memories with every visit. It’s a great place to bring your kids!
Like many things in Texas, however, the State Fair is big—like, it-takes-multiple-visits-just-to-see-everything big. Families visiting with kiddos in tow don’t have the time (or the patience) to trek through 277 acres of fairgrounds to find the most kid-friendly areas (especially in the unrelenting Texas heat!). Don’t worry, I can help.
I’m by no means a fair expert, but I am a busy mom of four on a budget who has lived in Texas all my life. Over the years, I’ve fine-tuned my fair strategy to hit the hot spots, creating a plan for my husband and I to have fun with our kids without overspending. In my experience, there are a few things you can skip and several others you won’t want to miss during your visit to the State Fair of Texas with kids.
First stop: the brand-new Little Lone Stars Land
For the first time ever, the State Fair of Texas has introduced Little Lone Stars Land in 2026, a cool space just for kids and families. The attractions, rides, games, and food here were all designed for school-aged and younger children to get the most out of their visit. It’s a unique, child-sized slice of the State Fair that’s much less overwhelming—because nothing ends a fun outing sooner than cranky kids!
Babies and toddlers aren’t ignored at Little Lone Stars Land either. They will have fun inside the Coop, a dedicated space to roam and play that’s safely insulated from older kids who might be too rough. (But just in case your kiddo does get a little rough-and-tumbly, there are several first aid stations throughout the State Fair.)
There are tons more for kids to do in Little Lone Stars Land, but more on that later.
Avoid Midway unless you have money to spend
Who needs Midway when you’ve got Kidway? The loud noises, flashing lights, and carnival rides at Midway are OK if your children don’t get overstimulated easily or you have lots of money to spare. But if you don’t want to watch your kid cry if they don’t win a prize or if they are sensitive to their environment, then stick with the Kidway instead.
Reimagined this year, Kidway is like Midway-lite, with fun strategically built for kids in a slightly dialed-down environment. It’s located inside the new Lone Stars Land, making it super convenient for kids who want to see and do everything, and parents who are already exhausted (aka, all parents).
Kidway has many child-friendly rides for just 5 coupons (or 3 on Tuesdays). Several kiddie rides, including fun houses, cost just 4 coupons, and kids’ games are 10 coupons each. Compared to Midway prices, where most rides will have you dishing out up to 10 coupons each and most games cost up to 15 coupons, this is a steal. Multiply those ticket discounts per kid, per ride, and that’s a heck of a lot of savings!
This is a much more manageable and affordable way to enjoy the fun and games of the State Fair.
Visit the Oak Farms Dairy Petting Zoo
If you have kids, you may want to skip the Livestock Birthing Barn. It’s hot, crowded, and smelly—plus, it can be very disappointing for little ones who don’t understand the unpredictable nature of birth and actually seeing baby animals.
Instead, take your kids to the Oak Farms Dairy Petting Zoo, located inside Little Lone Stars Land. You can feed and pet animals including emus, zebras, pigs, goats, and more. You can also go to the nearby nursery to see baby animals!
My kids love seeing animals up close that they don’t usually get to see at other petting zoos, and they always get a kick out of watching the creatures stick out their big tongues to swallow the food. This is definitely worth it for animal lovers.
Don’t miss Dinosaurs at the Lagoon
We didn’t know about the Dinosaurs at the Lagoon until my toddler excitedly pointed them out while walking around the fair one year. This surprisingly awesome area includes 10 life-sized dinosaurs to see, take pictures with, and admire.
There’s also a cool dinosaur play area kids can run around in while parents sit and rest—or, if you have dino-loving toddlers, chase after them and give them a boost whenever they need it.
Be strategic about the live shows
No need to see the live music, which is mostly for adults with its tribute bands, local artists, and a few big names, such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, RaeLynn, and 3OH3! My kids tend to find the music too loud and intimidating, so we never stay for the shows.
Instead, we usually take them to ¡Fiestas de Marionetas!, an energetic show with over 85 beautifully handmade marionettes who dance and play around the stage. They even host a craft activity after the show so kids can have even more fun.
You can also take your kids to the Dr Pepper Kidway Stage at Little Lone Stars Land to see performances by the Showstoppers. Kids will have a blast watching these giant inflatable characters and their silly antics on stage.
Live shows also take place at the Fringe Stage, now at Little Lone Stars Land. Street performers (including strongman Mighty Mike) put on exciting, daring shows and are sure to entertain even the littlest audience members. Of course, it’s worth a trek to other parts of the fair if your kids want to see a specific acrobat, magic show, or other planned street performance.
Skip the new foods
The State Fair is known for its amazing fried foods, so this might be a hot take: As a mom, I stay far away from most of the award-winning state fair food. If your kids are as picky as mine are, they won’t even want to try the deep-fried ranch or fried green tomato lobster bruschetta. Even the new candy watermelon is drenched in sour Chamoy and sprinkled with Tajín, making it much too spicy for little taste buds.
Instead, stick with the classics: corny dogs, cotton candy, and funnel cake. Of course, if you’re dying to choose one of the new foods, order one for yourself and let your kids try it. Otherwise, skip the hassle and price of food they won’t want to eat anyway. (And, by the way, you can also bring your own snacks and food in—perfect for extra picky kids or parents who want to save even more money.)
Again, Little Lone Star Land is another great option for food, as they offer value-priced food and beverage options as well as a special cup with refills available for half price.
Check out the Creative Arts Contest winners
One of the best and most underrated parts of the State Fair is inside the Creative Arts Building. This is a treasure trove of antique toys, cross-stitched creations, and unique artwork that has won ribbons at the State Fair’s Creative Arts contests. You’ll want to take your time wandering around the glass displays.
Don’t forget to check out the photography contest winners hanging on the walls. Some of the impressive pictures were even taken by kids!
Kids always love the Texas Auto Show
At home, kids are taught not to play inside a vehicle as it could be dangerous. But at the Texas Auto Show, it’s no big deal! They can sit in the driver’s seat and turn the steering wheel, pretending to drive some of the brand-new cars on the market.
The cars and trucks are fun, but one of the real draws for families is that this area is air-conditioned (and has nice bathrooms). It’s one of the best parts of the State Fair for my family.
Watch the parade instead of the fireworks
Parent to parent, I’m officially giving you permission to leave before fireworks if you want to. Sure, the nightly fireworks show is a dazzling display of color synchronized to pop music that gives the Fourth of July a run for its money, but if loud noises frighten your kids, it’s not worth the anxiety at the end of a long day.
Instead, take your kids to a quieter kind of light show: the Starlight Parade. Taking place just before the fireworks every evening, this fun, family-friendly parade features bright, lit-up floats, huge puppets, and costumed characters that create a fun lineup. Afterward, sneak out before the fireworks to escape the crowds and inevitable traffic jams that always accompany closing time.
Whether it’s your first or fiftieth time, your family will have a great time at the State Fair of Texas. And by prioritizing your trip, visiting the kid-centric sections first, and saving money where you can, it’ll be even more fun. It’s Fair Day, after all!
Tickets are available online for the State Fair of Texas, from now through Oct. 18.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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