# Dinosaurs Live! Life-Size Animatronic Trail at Heard Natural Science Museum

> Event for families in the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington area (TX). Times are Central Time.

- When: Sep 26 – Mar 1 · 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Where: Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Pl, McKinney, TX 75069
- Ages: All ages welcome; dinosaur trail is stroller-accessible; hands-on outdoor fossil dig and interactive science exhibits for youngsters
- Price: Adults (13–64) $14; Children (3–12) $10; Seniors (65+) $10; Children under 3 Free; Heard Museum Members Free; Museums for All (EBT) $5
- Organizer: Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary
- Official page: https://www.heardmuseum.org/dinosaurs-live/
- Last checked: Sat, Nov 7

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/dallas-fort-worth/activities/dinosaurs-live-life-size-animatronic-trail-at-heard-natural-science-mu--listing-76cb8755df55db4aaa7d313e

## About

Deep in the woods of McKinney's 289-acre Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary, prehistory roaringly returns to life each winter during the annual Dinosaurs Live! exhibit. Along a peaceful, stroller-friendly half-mile nature trail beneath native oak and pecan trees, families encounter 10 massive, life-size animatronic dinosaurs that move their heads, blink their eyes, sweep their tails, and let out thunderous roars as hikers approach.

The trail features a jaw-dropping 40-foot Tyrannosaurus Rex, a towering Brachiosaurus, and armored Triceratops, plus static photo-op dinosaurs that kids can climb onto for memorable vacation photos. The experience also includes an outdoor fossil dig pit where young paleontologists can unearth replica dinosaur bones, live venomous snake exhibits, and over 6.5 miles of tranquil winter hiking trails through native wetlands and blackland prairie.

## Similar picks in Dallas–Fort Worth

- [Texas Recycles Day at the Heard](https://grassyknees.com/dallas-fort-worth/activities/texas-recycles-day-at-the-heard--listing-3f3078d9adcfb77f000f88ec) — Nov 13 – Nov 15 · 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, McKinney · With admission · checked Nov 9. A family friendly recycling weekend at the nature museum. Visitors who bring a clean, dry plastic bottle or single-use plastic bag get free admission to explore the 289-acre…
- [3 Hour Wetland Canoe Trails at the Heard Museum](https://grassyknees.com/dallas-fort-worth/activities/3-hour-wetland-canoe-trails-at-the-heard-museum--listing-0ca32615326d1c5609005588) — Sun, Nov 15 (+1 more date) · 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM · Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary — wetlands, McKinney · checked Oct 20. A three-hour paddling program on the wetlands of the Heard Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney. Each session starts with a safety talk and an introduction to canoeing that covers…
- [Girls Nature Workshop — Spice Up Your Life](https://grassyknees.com/dallas-fort-worth/activities/girls-nature-workshop-spice-up-your-life--listing-9b659ca9b188cf6b81b298f1) — Sat, Nov 14 · 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM · Fort Worth Botanic Garden · Ages 7–13 · From $12 · checked Oct 11. Discover spice plants and make a citrus-and-cinnamon garland with a conservatory scavenger hunt.
- [Galleria Dallas Ice Skating Center: Center-Ice Holiday Tree Gliding](https://grassyknees.com/dallas-fort-worth/activities/galleria-dallas-ice-skating-center-center-ice-holiday-tree-gliding--listing-053a60455810068f25c8c598) — Nov 5 – Jan 4 · 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM · Galleria Dallas Ice Skating Center · All ages · From $13 · checked Nov 4. Gliding across the ice right beneath America's tallest indoor Christmas tree is Dallas's premier winter family spectacle. Standing an astonishing 95 feet tall with 450,000…
- [Forces at Play: Interactive Sports Science Exhibition](https://grassyknees.com/dallas-fort-worth/activities/forces-at-play-interactive-sports-science-exhibition--listing-296afa80c37297df91757213) — Apr 25 – Feb 28 · Fort Worth Museum of Science and History · With admission · checked Oct 18. Hands-on exhibits examine gravity, friction and momentum in sport, including how equipment changes performance and safety. This is a temporary exhibition, not a daily scheduled…
- [Free Admission Day: Veterans Day at Fort Worth Botanic Garden](https://grassyknees.com/dallas-fort-worth/activities/free-admission-day-veterans-day-at-fort-worth-botanic-garden--listing-59406c78381b27944247e97b) — Wed, Nov 11 · 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Fort Worth Botanic Garden · Free · checked Nov 3. General admission to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden is free for every visitor on Veterans Day. No tickets or reservations are needed. Public hours that day are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00…

## More for families

- [Things to do with kids at Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary](https://grassyknees.com/dallas-fort-worth/venues/heard-natural-science-museum-and-wildlife-sanctuary) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/dallas-fort-worth/venues/heard-natural-science-museum-and-wildlife-sanctuary.md)
- [Things to do with kids in McKinney, TX](https://grassyknees.com/dallas-fort-worth/towns/mckinney-tx) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/dallas-fort-worth/towns/mckinney-tx.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Collin County, TX](https://grassyknees.com/dallas-fort-worth/counties/collin-county-tx) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/dallas-fort-worth/counties/collin-county-tx.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Dallas–Fort Worth — November 2026](https://grassyknees.com/dallas-fort-worth/events/2026-11) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/dallas-fort-worth/events/2026-11.md)
- [This weekend in Dallas–Fort Worth](https://grassyknees.com/dallas-fort-worth/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/dallas-fort-worth/this-weekend.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Dallas–Fort Worth](https://grassyknees.com/dallas-fort-worth) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/dallas-fort-worth.md)
