New museum on the block

Perot Museum of Nature and Science opens big and proud

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, Ross Perot, Margot Birmingham and others cut theribbon to officially open the Perot Museum.

Photo by Spencer Jay
Perot Museum CEO Nicole Ginsburg Small speaks to the crowd while flanked (fromright) by museum namesake Ross Perot, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, Carolyn PerotRathjen and Margot Birmingham Perot, among others.

Photo by Spencer Jay
Ross Perot and Margot Birmingham Perot.

Photo by Spencer Jay
Anje Lockhart (left) and Rachael Lincoln of Bandaloop rappelled down thebuilding as part of the opening ceremonies.

Photo by Spencer Jay
Two children enjoying the leap frogs in front of the museum.

Photo by Spencer Jay
Children playing the xylophone in the music garden in front of the Perot Museum.

Photo by Spencer Jay
The balloon man was a popular pre-opening attraction.

Photo by Spencer Jay

It's been an extraordinarily busy year in Dallas, with no less than four major openings along the downtown/Woodall Rodgers corridor. The final month of 2012 kicked off with the Perot Museum of Nature and Science on Saturday, December 1.

More than 10,000 people packed the museum during opening weekend to check out the museum's 11 exhibit halls, 3D theater and multiple interactive exhibits. In fact, daytime slots to the museum sold out on Saturday, making their decision to stay open until midnight that day seem wise. The museum has already sold about 12,000 memberships.

Multiple dignitaries were on hand for ribbon cutting Saturday morning, including Margot and Ross Perot, the namesakes of the building, plus their five children and multiple grandchildren. Also in attendance were Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and other Dallas City Council members, as well as Perot Museum CEO Nicole Ginsburg Small and her family.

While the adults beamed at their accomplishment, kids banged on xylophones in the music garden and watched Bandaloop rappel down the side of the building — just a taste of the learning and excitement to come.

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Want to see our city's influencers playing in the museum? Then check out our coverage of the Perot Museum opening gala.

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Family Fun at the Fair

State Fair of Texas unveils fun new kid-friendly attractions for 2026

Kiddie bumper boat ride at the State Fair of Texas

Photo by Kevin Brown

The 2026 State Fair of Texas has added rides and reimagined the experience for young kids.

The State Fair of Texas is expanding the fun for its youngest visitors in 2026, adding a new dedicated area called Little Lone Stars Land, along with a redesigned Kidway and more kid-focused rides, food, and entertainment.

According to a release, the new Little Lone Stars Land will offer toddlers, young schoolchildren, and their families rides, food, entertainment, and attractions designed with the age group in mind.

The State Fair has also redesigned its Kidway, bringing an all-new layout, expanded footprint, and additional family-friendly rides and attractions to the State Fair Midway. The majority of rides will "cost" five coupons, dropping to three coupons on Tuesdays.

Located next to the Gurley Gate and Craft Pavilion, Little Lone Stars Land will bring multiple elements together in one location, including:

Four-coupon kiddie rides and fun houses, with three-coupon kiddie rides on Tuesdays
10-Coupon kid-friendly games
Little Lone Stars Refillable Drinkware for 10 coupons and refills for five coupons
Additional value-priced food and beverage items
The Coop, a dedicated kids’ play area specially designed for toddlers and preschoolers to roam, play, and explore
Oak Farms Dairy Petting Zoo, offering little animal lovers the opportunity to get up close with some furry and feathered friends
The Fringe Stage with daily shows from fan-favorite street performers, like strongman, Mighty Mike

The Oak Farms Dairy Petting Zoo was previously located in the Pan Am Arena, while The Fringe Stage was located along Nimitz next to Cotton Bowl Stadium.

The area will be enhanced by cartoon-style imagery of State Fair characters such as Little Big Tex, Amy Dillo, and Champ. Amy Dillo and Champ will also make their debut as roaming characters.

“We know that some of the most memorable State Fair experiences begin when our youngest Fairgoers see their first ride, meet a favorite character, or discover something that makes them smile,” said Mitchell Glieber, State Fair of Texas president, in a statement. “Little Lone Stars Land and the reimagined Kidway give families even more opportunities to create those memories together, while expanding the ways our youngest guests can experience the Fair.”

The 2026 State Fair will run September 25-18 at Fair Park in Dallas. The announcement of the kid-friendly attractions follows news that the Fair is lowering ticket and parking prices and adding new discounts on rides and food - all to increase attendance after a low year in 2025.

Daily tickets for the State Fair of Texas are now available at BigTex.com/Tickets.

kids families state fair of texas fairs-festivals