Best Fort Worth memberships to have for your nanny
Even the best and most creative caregivers (parents included) run out of inspiration for at-home activities, and that’s when we personally rely on the many wonderful, family-friendly places available to us in the Fort Worth area.
We love our memberships to these 5 Fort Worth spots for so many reasons:
As parents of sometimes unpredictable, often illogical littles, we know that a trip that was originally planned for 3 hours ends up getting cut short. When you have a zoo membership, for example, it just stings a little less if you only stayed for an hour
Being outdoors and outside of the house help our children learn so much about their world, including how they are expected to behave in public and how to learn boundaries and limits
Being outside is so great for naps and nighttime sleep. Seriously.
Sometimes we parents and caregivers need a break too (honestly, I can only do so much active pretend play each day), and kid-friendly places offer us the opportunity to just hang back and watch our kids play
Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Cost: $50 for an individual, and kids under 5 are free.
Best things to do at the garden:
Spend the $2 and get a bag of fish food. Head over to the Japanese garden for a peaceful morning.
If the weather isn’t great, hang out in the butterfly house
Need to get some energy out? Run around in the field by the Rose Garden
Take some amazing photos!
Other benefits:
Discounted or free entry to popular events like the Japanese Festival
Reciprocal benefits to the Dallas Arboretum
Fort Worth Zoo
Cost: $64 for an adult, $32 for kids 3+
If your nanny is a student, she can get a student membership for $56.
If your nanny is a senior, she can get a membership for $52
Best things to do at the zoo:
Texas Wild! might be the best kept secret in Fort Worth. Catch a ride on the train to the back of the zoo where you can see the otters, touch starfish, brush goats, and play in the Play Barn. It’s always less crowded in this area and there is plenty of space to run and play. Just make sure to pack your bug spray.
Stingray Cove: you can feed the stingrays or just hang out and pet the ones that swim by. This area is always a hit with kids of all ages
Safari Splash: the Zoo’s splash pad is open in the summer and is a great way to introduce younger kids to a water park without needing to brave huge crowds. We have taken kids from 1 - 12 to the splash pad, and they have all enjoyed it.
Benefits:
Discounts on or early access to popular events, summer camp, and member-only benefits like early morning access during some months of the year.
Discounts on activities (train, carousel, shop, restaurants, animal feedings)
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History:
Cost: $140 for 2 people (Wonder level membership). This is our favorite option because it offers free admission to the Perot and Heard museums. Kids under 2 are free.
Best things to do at the FWMSH:
All things dinosaurs
Children’s Museum: this is a great, pretend-play area that’s still popular with my almost-4-year-old
Innovation Studios: so many different hands-on activities for all ages
Cattle Raisers Museum: the talking cow portraits!
Benefits:
Member mornings during some months (access for members only from 8am - 10am).
Early access to events and camp/school signups.
Reciprocal membership at Perot and Heard Museums (Wonder Level Membership and above)
Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge
Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge
Cost: Dual membership (2 people) $75, kids under 3 are free. Membership Includes free entry for dogs!
Best things to do a the Nature Center:
Preschool Discovery Club (3-5 y/o) classes twice a month on Fridays, focusing on different animals, plants and other wonders of nature
Bison feeding! There are a herd of buffalo/bison at the Nature Reserve and, several times a year, you can sign up for a hayride that takes you to the bison feeding area. This is such a treat, and the guides are always so wonderful. Great for all ages.
Adult activities! Yoga on the boardwalk, nature hikes, nighttime paddles.
Benefits:
Discounts on Nature Center programs
Invitations to member-only events
Shop discounts
Altitude Trampoline Park
Ok. We know this one might be controversial, given all the trampoline injuries we have heard about. However, we like this one specifically for the Toddler Jump time during the week when the majority of trampoline park visitors are little and not too rambunctious. That said, we are aware of the dangers of the trampoline park so we know it’s not for everyone. And for those who go, you definitely need to keep a constant and watchful eye and you need to stay close!
Cost: $10/mo + $2 parent jump pass each time you go
Best things to do:
Our favorite thing to do is to jump-walk the long trampoline and play in the little kids’ area.
Benefits:
2 hours jump time any day you visit
Annual membership offers discounts on parties and other events
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Some of our favorite caregivers are the ones who enjoy outings as an opportunity to engage our kids, teach them about the world around them, help them stay active and encourage an appreciation for the outdoors. These memberships are a wonderful benefit to offer your nanny and provide an easy way to fill your children’s days with activities and learning opportunities.