KIDSTUFF

For the definitive word on where to take the kids in and around town, check out Places Tb Go With Children in Dallas & Fort Worth by Joan F. Jackson and Glenna Whitley. From science and nature stops to where to take the kids out for dinner, this complete guide covers it all (there’s even a chapter on family-oriented special events held throughout the year). Available at BookStop, B. Dalton. Doubieday. and Taylors for $7.95.



Benbrook Ranch and Stables. Saddle up and hit the trails. The ranch offers riding lessons, and, for you more advanced cowboys, solo rides out there on the plains. Rt.17. Box 226, Benbrook, near Fort Worth (817)249-1176; Tuesday-Sunday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; riding lessons: $10 per hour; horse rentals; $10 per hour; all children under 18 must have a parent present or a notarized Benbrook Stable parental consent form to ride.

The Dallas Library. Don’t overlook your neighborhood branch library. A whole host of activities is scheduled year-round for preschool (puppet shows, visits from circus clowns, arts and crafts) as well as school-age youngsters (term-paper workshops, summer reading clubs, bicycle safety presentations). Contact the library for specific activities, dates, and times or go by and pick up The Almanac, which publishes events scheduled each month. For hours and branch locations, call 749-4100. Most activities are free.

Dallas Park and Recreation Department. Sometimes you don’t even have to leave your neighborhood to find fun and excitement. The Park and Recreation Department answers a 24-hour activity line that outlines major city-wide activities at the various park grounds. Call 670-7070.

The Dallas Zoo. Take a walk on the wild side. There are lions and tigers and bears; there are scheduled feeding times (3 pm. daily) and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Bird and Reptile Building. Board the zoo train if your feet get tired. 621 E. Clarendon (946-5155); April-Sept, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Oct-March, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; adults: $2; children (6-11): $1.25; under 6: free.

Fort Worth Zoological Park. The Fort Worth Zoo is home to one of the largest aquariums in the Southwest. But. if you’ve come to see the lions, tigers, and bears, you won’t be disappointed. Take a look at the new elephant breeding facility and at the extensive collection (more than 600) of reptiles and amphibians in the Herpetarmm. 2727 Zoological Park Drive. Fort Worth (817) 870-7050; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5;30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a,m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-6;30 p.m.; adults; 12; youth (12-17): $1.50; children (3-11): 25 cents; tots (0-2): free.

Hundley Boat and Recreation Center. Rent a bike, paddle boat, or surrey (that’s a bicycle built for two) and tour White Rock on your own. 3240 W. Lawther near the Old Boat House (823-6933); 10 a.m.-one hour before sunset; closed winter months.; bicycles; 14.25 per hour; paddle boats: $8.50 per hour; surreys; 18,50 per hour.

International Wildlife Park. Feel like going on safari? As you drive through this nature preserve, you’ll see plenty of exotic animals stalking the grounds. A few of the beasts are bold enough to come right up to your car for closer inspection. And if you’re hearing the call of the wild, take a camel or elephant ride in the park’s Entertainment Village (open on weekends only). 1-30 at Belt Line, Grand Prairie (263-2203); Monday-Friday: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; $6.95 per person during the week; $9.95 per person on weekends.

L.B. Houston Park Nature Area. So, you’re really tired of having someone else point out the animals, tell you what kind of flower that is, remind you to stay behind the rope, and herd you onto the next exhibit. Have we got the place for you. This nature area is exactly that -natural and undisiurbed. You ’11 find your own birds, beaver tracks, fossils, honey locusts, and, of course, a swamp rabbit or two. Be prepared to rough it. For the park’s specific location (it branches out near the Trinity River), call Doug Vergara with the City of Dallas at 352-3967.

Log Cabin Village. Turn the clock back to the frontier days Seven pioneer cabins, all built in the 1800s, make up this rustic neighborhood. University Drive and Log Cabin Lane, Fort Worth (817) 926-5881; Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Saturday, noon-4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m.; adults: $l; children {under 12): 35 cents.

Malibu Grand Prix. Here’s a half-mile of pure racing pleasure. Race cars punch up to 45 m.p.h., so buckle up and pretend you’re on Central Expressway 11150 Malibu Drive, Stemmons at Walnut Hill (247-5318); Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-midnight: adults: $1.75 per lap; children: $1.50 per lap.

Penny Whistle Park. Here’s an enclosed and air-conditioned amusement park full of carnival rides, a boat ride around a magic fountain, even a sea of red and yellow balls to “swim” in. 10717 East Northwest Hwy. (348-8297).

Photon. Players suit up in space-age warrior gear and ward off the bad guy at this living fantasy. 12630 E. Northwest Hwy. (270-7616); Monday-Friday. 6-10 p,m,; Saturday, 4 p.m.-l a.m.; Sunday. 12-11 p.m.; must be 4’6″ to play; J4.50 for ID card (one-time charge); $2 per game.

the Science Place I. See exhibits of seashells, old typographic machines, and an optical display. State Fair Grounds, Fair Park (428-5555); Tuesday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday. 1-5 p.m.; (Admission into exhibit is every half-hour. Last admission-4:30 p.m).

The Science Place II and Planetarium. Stop your shadow dead in its track. Watch your organs explain how they function. Drill for oil. See the gerbil that lives underwater. State Fair Grounds, Fair Park (428-5555); Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m-5 p.m.; Sunday, 12-5 p.m,; adults: $l: children: 50 cents; Planetarium: $1.50.

Six Flags Over Texas. Celebrating its 26th season, Six Flags is full of new attractions. The latest ride, the Avalanche Bobsled, is sure to give you goosebumps. And the swanky new Festival Concert Pavilion is hosting some top name performers this summer (Billy Ocean, the Star-ship, and Mr. Mister are already confirmed). But, some things never change: don’t miss eating at least one Pink Thing. I 30 at Hwy 360, Arlington (640-5050); Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-l0 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-midnight.; adults: J15.95.; children under 4: $9.95.

Southfork Ranch. J.R. won’t be there, but you can take a tour of the house and grounds. Magic shows are performed several times throughout the day. On weekends, see authentic clog dancing, and (for a dollar extra) take a ride wild-west style in a stagecoach or surrey. Parker Road at FM 2551, Parker (442-6536); open 7 days, 9 a.m.-dark; adulls: $6.00; children (4-12): $4.00; 3 and under: free.

Wax Museum of the Southwest. Come face to face with figures from the Old West, heroes from American history, heartthrobs from the silver screen, and ghouls in the new Theater of Horrors. 601 E. Safari Pkwy, Grand Prairie (263-2391); Jan-May, Sept-Dec. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m-6 p.m.; June-Aug, Monday-Sunday, 10a.m.-9 p.m.; adults: $5.95; children (4 12): $4.95; under 4: free.

Wet ’n’ Wild. Forget the neighbor’s pool-the wave of the Eighties is water parks. Wet ’n’ Wild is speed slides, flume rides, wave pools, and an old-fashioned Tom Sawyer-uke river raft ride. 1800 E. Lamar, Arlington (265-3356) and 12715 LBJ Freeway at Northwest Hwy. in Dallas (271-5637); Sunday-Thursday, 10 a,m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; adults: $12.50; children (3-12): $10.50.