Family Friendly

 Family Fun on the Square explores the treasures you can find and the fun you can have in historic Downtown Garland. Bring the whole family for a day of shopping, dining, music, games and more! C B Luce & The Garland Opry will be performing county rock music on the Downtown Square, while the kids enjoy bounce houses, games, face painting and prizes. Several antique and furniture shops are within walking distance, as are a variety of great restaurants for lunch.

There will be a free showing of "Some Like It Hot," starring Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis, at 10:00 a.m. at the Plaza Theatre. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and refreshments will be sold. Everything is free and includes activities for all ages.

The City of Garland hosts the event from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on the downtown square, located at 150 Sixth Street between Main and State streets. Information: 972-205-2749 or visitgarlandtx.com.

Dollar Day at the Dallas Zoo is a day when the zoo shows its appreciation to the community for its support with $1 admission all day and dollar deals on food items at select locations. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The zoo is located at 650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway.

Information: 214-670-5656 ordallaszoo.com.

Get there via DART Rail Red Line to Dallas Zoo Station

The best chefs, restaurants, artists, sports teams, kids' activities and bands in North Texas are gearing up for the biggest Taste yet. This three-day culinary celebration includes plenty of taste bud-pleasing food prepared by area restaurants and chefs; wine tastings; live entertainment; games and children's activities; and a wide array of arts and crafts.

It's fun for the whole family in historic Fair Park, 1200 S. 2nd Ave. Friday 4 p.m.-12 Midnight; Saturday 11 a.m.-12 Midnight; Sunday 12 Noon-6 p.m. Information: tasteofdallas.org.

METROPCS FAIR PARK FOURTH

City of Dallas’ official Independence Day celebration to feature spectacular fireworks at the Cotton Bowl sponsored by Gold Metal Recyclers, a Dallas Wind Symphony patriotic concert, reduced admission to museums from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m., and more 

Wednesday, July 4, 2012    4:30 - 10 p.m.

Fair Park 
1300 Robert B. Cullum Blvd., Dallas, TX 75210

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

4:30 - 7:30 p.m. – Reduced admission to Fair Park’s participating museums
8 p.m. – Dallas Wind Symphony patriotic performance in front of the Hall of State 
Gate D opens to Cotton Bowl (Gate D is only entrance; handicap entrance is at Gate C)

Shark Stewards Texas, the local chapter of the non-profit shark conservation organization based in San Francisco, will teach visitors about shark finning and how to stop it through a fun, hands-on learning activity. Make your very own shark-tooth necklace to show your support for sharks! Visitors will also learn about the work of Shark Stewards Texas and how to adopt their very own shark.

HIGH FLYIN’ FUN AFTER DARK SLEEPOVERS
MNS Science Building (1318 South Second Avenue in Fair Park)

August 4, 2012 (Registration closes July 27)
Geared toward children 6-12 years old
Cost: $35 per child /$20 per adult chaperone

Experience the wonders of the world like never before with plenty of adventure that unfolds under the cover of night. Discover the science of flight from super heroes to helicopters to pterosaurs during this night of high flyin’ fun. Enjoy a late-night pizza snack, auditorium show, hands-on workshop, permanent exhibit tour and scavenger hunt, continental breakfast in the morning, plus an eye-opening IMAX® film!

Activities: There will be one workshop on animals/insects that fly. Taxidermy specimens will be used. Another activity will be on man-made flying machines, and children will make paper helicopters and test out stomp rockets. There will be a scavenger hunt within our permanent exhibits, and the auditorium live show is called Super Heroes. The IMAX® film is National Geographic's Flying
Monsters.

HIGH FLYIN’ FUN AFTER DARK SLEEPOVERS
MNS Science Building (1318 South Second Avenue in Fair Park)

July 21 (Registration closes July 13) and August 4, 2012 (Registration closes July 27)
Geared toward children 6-12 years old
Cost: $35 per child /$20 per adult chaperone

Experience the wonders of the world like never before with plenty of adventure that unfolds under the cover of night. Discover the science of flight from super heroes to helicopters to pterosaurs during this night of high flyin’ fun. Enjoy a late-night pizza snack, auditorium show, hands-on workshop, permanent exhibit tour and scavenger hunt, continental breakfast in the morning, plus an eye-opening IMAX® film!

Activities: There will be one workshop on animals/insects that fly. Taxidermy specimens will be used. Another activity will be on man-made flying machines, and children will make paper helicopters and test out stomp rockets. There will be a scavenger hunt within our permanent exhibits, and the auditorium live show is called Super Heroes. The IMAX® film is National Geographic's Flying
Monsters.