Gardens and botanic gardens to visit with kids around Dallas

These gardens are chosen by how long a kid can play in them: the Dallas Arboretum has a dedicated children's adventure garden, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden has a Japanese garden where you feed the koi, and butterflies land on kids' hands at the butterfly house. None of them are look-but-don't-touch.

The Dallas Arboretum is the best membership on the whole site: picnics on the lawn above White Rock Lake, 150 interactive exhibits and a summer water play area in the children's garden, plus Dallas Blooms in spring, the Pumpkin Village in fall and the lights in winter. Texas Discovery Gardens in Fair Park releases butterflies at noon every day and is loveliest in winter when the conservatory is warm. The Fort Worth Botanic Garden covers 120 shaded acres, and the koi pond in its Japanese Garden can fill an afternoon. The small garden beside old Grapevine is free, with koi and little bridges, and pairs with Nash Farm next door.

• 4 places
• 1 free
• 4 stroller-friendly
• closest is 30 min away