Things to Do in Highland Village, TX with Kids
Highland Village pairs four lakefront parks on Lewisville Lake, a 9.83-mile connecting trail spine, and The Shops at Highland Village into one of the most intentionally family-built small cities in Denton County.
Part of the DFW Family Activities Hub covering all 67 DFW suburbs.
What Highland Village Families Actually Do Here
For a city of around 16,000 people, Highland Village packs a remarkable amount of family infrastructure into its footprint. Four parks with direct Lake Lewisville access, a 9.83-mile multi-use trail spine that connects every neighborhood by foot or bike, and The Shops at Highland Village anchoring dining, cinema, and community events make this one of the most well-resourced small cities in Denton County for families who want to be outdoors and active. See the full Highland Village relocation guide.
Lakefront Parks & Trails
Four parks border Lake Lewisville within city limits, including Pilot Knoll's bluff-top campground and Copperas Branch's swimming beach. The Inland Trail's 9.83-mile main spine connects virtually every Highland Village neighborhood without touching a major road.
Doubletree Ranch Park
Built on a former lakeside corporate retreat, this 27-acre park features a zero-depth splash pad, a dedicated soccer complex, a fishing pond, and a grand lawn shaded by century-old pecan trees. It is the park Highland Village families come back to most, and for good reason.
The Shops at Highland Village
The city's walkable open-air center hosts 13+ dining options from Grimaldi's coal-fired pizza to The Cheesecake Factory, a 12-screen cinema, a water play feature for younger kids, and free seasonal events including a spring festival, summer concerts, and the annual Our Village Glows tree lighting.
Parks, Trails & Green Space
The City of Highland Village maintains over 335 acres of public parkland across 19 city-owned or leased park sites, with 23.6 acres of multi-use trail surface. Four of those parks sit on the shore of Lake Lewisville, giving the city a waterfront footprint that most DFW suburbs four times its size cannot match.
Doubletree Ranch Park
At 27 acres on the south shore of Lake Lewisville (310 Highland Village Rd), this is the city's most-used community park. The zero-depth splash pad, designed to look like a natural creek with water features, is the centerpiece from late May through Labor Day. A dedicated soccer complex, fishing pond, nearly 1-mile trail loop, grand lawn, and two event venues round out the amenities. The towering pecan trees provide real shade, which matters in July. Restrooms and parking are well-maintained; the park is stroller-friendly throughout.
Unity Park
The city's 38-acre community sports park at 2200 Briarhill Blvd is where most HV athletic leagues play. Three baseball fields, two softball fields, six lighted pickleball courts, two tennis backboards, two small ponds with a fishing pier, and the Kid's Kastle playground structure (9,000 sq ft, community-built) make this the city's most activity-dense park. Hike-and-bike trails thread through the property. Good shade near the playground; the pickleball courts fill up on evenings.
Pilot Knoll Park
A 65-to-85-acre natural park (size varies with lake level) on Lake Lewisville's shore, Pilot Knoll is Highland Village's campground and nature escape. Bluff-top tent and RV campsites, a boat ramp, kayak launch, nature trails, and equestrian paths make it the destination for families who want a genuine overnight outdoor experience without a long drive. The bluff views over Lewisville Lake are some of the best in Denton County.
Copperas Branch Park
A regional park of approximately 75 acres on Lake Lewisville, leased from the US Army Corps of Engineers and open year-round (admission fee). The swimming beach and fishing pier are the main draws for families; a boat ramp, picnic tables, and restrooms make it a functional all-day outing. One of the few Highland Village parks with an actual sandy swimming area on the lake.
K-9 Kastle Dog Park
The city's dedicated off-leash dog park, fenced with separate areas for large and small dogs. A reliable gauge of a family-friendly suburb is how packed the dog park is on Saturday mornings, and K-9 Kastle doesn't disappoint. Good condition, well-maintained, and a natural meeting spot for new residents trying to get to know the neighborhood.
Inland Trail Network
The 9.83-mile Inland Trail spine is the backbone of Highland Village's walkability. Designed for walking, jogging, and cycling, it connects virtually all residential neighborhoods to parks, schools, and The Shops without requiring a car. Several named trail segments branch off the main spine: the Village Park Trail (1.92 mi), Market Trail (1.65 mi), and City Trail (2.73 mi) add additional route options. Most of the trail surface is paved and well-maintained, stroller-compatible throughout.
Kids Kastle Playground
A community-built playground structure at Unity Park with an expansive 9,000 sq ft play design. The scale and variety of climbing structures, slides, and play zones make it genuinely engaging for a wide age range. Shade from pavilion structures and nearby trees; restrooms at the adjacent athletic fields. Well-trafficked on weekend mornings, quieter on weekday afternoons.
Trail System Highlight
The Inland Trail runs 9.83 miles as the main spine, connecting virtually every part of Highland Village on one continuous multi-use path. Unlike many DFW suburb trail systems that require driving to a trailhead, this one is accessible from most neighborhoods by walking out the front door. Good for family bike rides, morning runs with a jogging stroller, and teaching older kids independent cycling routes through the city.
Relocation Tip
Start your Highland Village scouting at Doubletree Ranch Park on a weekday morning. The grand lawn is quiet before youth soccer practices begin, the fishing pond is calm, and the trail loop gives you a clear read on the park's layout and condition. Then walk or drive to The Shops for lunch. That two-stop loop tells you a lot about Highland Village's lifestyle in about three hours, and it's the sequence most families who move here repeat dozens of times once they're settled.
Youth Sports Leagues & Facilities
Highland Village's sports scene runs through a mix of city-affiliated associations and independent youth organizations. Unity Park serves as the primary athletic complex for baseball, softball, and pickleball, while the Doubletree Ranch Soccer Complex handles youth soccer. Families from neighboring Flower Mound often participate in the same GLASA and HVABSA leagues, so the pool of players and competition quality reflects a regional draw rather than just the city's 16,000 residents. See the Highland Village relocation guide for more on Lewisville ISD schools.
Soccer
League: Greater Lewisville Area Soccer Association (GLASA) · glasasoccer.org · Also: Highland Groveland Recreation Association (HGRA) · hgra.org
Ages: Youth recreational and competitive divisions
Season: Fall and spring
Where: Doubletree Ranch Soccer Complex
Baseball & Softball
League: Highland Village Area Baseball and Softball Association (HVABSA) · hvabsa.com
Ages: Youth divisions across age groups
Season: Spring primary; fall ball available
Where: Unity Park fields, 2200 Briarhill Blvd
Flag Football
League: Neighborhood Sports (NFL Youth Flag Football) · neighborhoodsports.us
Ages: Boys and girls, ages 4-18
Season: Fall and spring seasons
Note: Serves the Highland Village and Flower Mound area
Pickleball & Tennis
Program: City of Highland Village Parks & Recreation · highlandvillage.org
Ages: All ages; youth and adult leagues
Season: Year-round
Where: 6 lighted pickleball courts and 2 tennis backboards at Unity Park
Highland Youth Recreation (Multi-Sport)
Program: Highland Youth Recreation (HYR) · hyrsports.com
Ages: Youth programs across multiple sports
Season: Year-round programming
Note: Multi-sport programming for the Highland Village area outside of the single-sport associations
Adult & Family Athletics
Program: City of Highland Village Parks & Recreation · highlandvillage.org
Offerings: Adult kickball leagues (spring and fall), tennis classes, fitness runs, and year-round recreational programming for all ages
Where: City parks and the DuVall Center
Featured Sports Facility
Doubletree Ranch Soccer Complex at Doubletree Ranch Park serves as the dedicated soccer facility for GLASA and HGRA youth leagues. Multiple grass fields adjacent to the park's splash pad and pavilion mean parents watching games have real amenities nearby rather than just bleachers on a field. The lake backdrop makes it one of the more pleasant game-day environments in the area.
Thinking About Highland Village for Lewisville ISD & Youth Sports?
Start with the full Highland Village relocation guide: schools, neighborhoods, market data, and what life here actually looks like for families.
Family Entertainment & Attractions
For a small city, Highland Village's entertainment options concentrate well. The Shops at Highland Village does the heavy lifting, combining cinema, dining, a kids' water feature, and year-round programmed events in one walkable destination.
Studio Movie Grill at The Shops
Cinema · 12-screen theater at The Shops at Highland Village. The cinema + dining combination at The Shops makes it the natural anchor for family date nights and birthday parties. Walkable from the restaurants in the same center, so dinner and a movie becomes a one-stop evening.
Doubletree Ranch Park Splash Pad
Family water park · The splash pad at Doubletree Ranch Park is the city's signature summer destination: a zero-depth spray feature designed to look like a natural creek with geysers, waterfalls, and ground sprays. Open daily from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (closed Thursdays for maintenance). Free to use. No standing water, making it safe for toddlers.
The Shops Water Feature
Outdoor water play area · The Shops at Highland Village has a small interactive water feature in the center court area designed for younger kids while parents shop or dine on the surrounding patios. Low-key and well-placed; good for ages 2-7 when you need a 20-minute energy reset mid-outing.
Pilot Knoll Park Campground
Lakefront camping · Bluff-top campsites with views over Lake Lewisville, boat ramp access, kayak launch, and nature trails. One of the closest real campgrounds to the northern DFW suburbs. Families who want an overnight outdoor experience within 30 minutes of home use Pilot Knoll as their go-to. Book ahead for weekends, especially in spring and fall.
Backyard Sessions Kids Club
Seasonal programming · The Shops at Highland Village runs a Backyard Sessions Kids Club with regular children's activities and events in the outdoor shopping center. Events rotate seasonally; check theshopsathighlandvillage.com for the current schedule. Well-attended and a good way for new families to meet others in the community quickly.
Copperas Branch Lakefront Day
Lake swimming · The swimming beach at Copperas Branch Park on Lake Lewisville offers one of the area's only genuine sandy lake beach experiences. The park requires an admission fee but provides picnic tables, restrooms, a boat ramp, and a fishing pier. Best for families with older kids comfortable in open water; lifeguards are not always on duty, so check conditions before visiting.
Day Trip from Highland Village
Grapevine Mills: SEA LIFE Aquarium + Legoland Discovery Center (about 15 minutes south), two of DFW's best family attractions sit side-by-side. SEA LIFE Aquarium features a shark walk-through tunnel and stingray touch pool; Legoland Discovery Center next door has themed building zones, rides, and a 4D cinema. Families also frequently combine a Grapevine day with the Flower Mound activities corridor, which is adjacent to Highland Village and well worth exploring for families considering either suburb.
Family-Friendly Dining
The Shops at Highland Village concentrates most of the city's dining options in one walkable open-air center, which simplifies the decision for families. The range runs from fast-casual to upscale, with enough variety that regular visitors don't exhaust their options quickly.
Best for a special family dinner
Upscale casual American dining with a menu broad enough to satisfy every picky eater in the family. The large portions and familiar format make this a consistent crowd-pleaser for extended family visits and special occasions.
Best for pizza night out
Coal-fired brick oven pizza at The Shops. The thin-crust Neapolitan-style pies are a step above typical chain pizza, and the restaurant has a family-friendly energy without feeling chaotic. Kids who love pizza become regulars fast.
Best quick dinner after practice
Texas-born taco chain at The Shops with a creative menu (Fried Avocado, Trailer Park, Baja Shrimp) and kid-friendly pacing. Fast enough for weeknight post-practice dinners, good enough to return on weekends.
Best Tex-Mex with kids
Fresh-made Tex-Mex at The Shops with sizzling fajitas, homemade tamales, and a kids' menu. The kitchen starts cooking every morning at 7 a.m., which shows in the freshness of the ingredients.
Best birthday dinner for kids
Hibachi, sushi, and Asian fusion at The Shops, established in Highland Village in 2010. The tableside hibachi show is the perennial choice for birthday dinners when you need to impress an 8-year-old.
Best game-day lunch with family
All-American grill at The Shops with a casual atmosphere, multiple TVs for sports, and a broad menu covering sandwiches, burgers, and American fare. Good for families who need something reliable and low-stakes on a weekday.
Best Chinese takeout night
Chinese cuisine at The Shops with a diverse menu covering beloved staples. A newer addition to The Shops' dining lineup with a focus on traditional Chinese flavors and good portion value for families.
Best for parents-night-out
Globally inspired small plates and carefully curated cocktails at The Shops. The upscale option when parents want a grown-up meal while still being a short walk from the family-friendly parts of the center.
Best neighborhood gastropub
Local gastropub at The Shops with craft beer, comfortable pacing, and a pub menu with enough range for families. The outdoor patio seating works well on HV's mild spring and fall evenings.
Best post-splash pad treat
Ice cream and fresh-baked cookie delivery at The Shops. Two reliable after-activity stops for the end of a Doubletree Ranch Park day or a Friday evening at The Shops. The combination at one center makes it easy.
Nearly all of the dining options above are located within The Shops at Highland Village (1701 Shoal Creek), making it possible to walk between restaurants and activities in a single outing.
Shopping & Retail Districts
Highland Village's retail life revolves around The Shops at Highland Village, complemented by everyday services along FM 2499 and Highland Village Road. For a small city, the retail density is excellent relative to the population.
The Shops at Highland Village
Open-air lifestyle center at 1701 Shoal Creek with national retail anchors, 13+ dining options, a 12-screen cinema, a kids' water feature, and a programming calendar including Spring and Fall Festivals, summer concerts, and the annual Our Village Glows tree lighting ceremony. The center is pedestrian-friendly with covered walkways and outdoor seating areas.
Best for: a full Saturday family outing combining shopping, dining, cinema, and seasonal events in one walkable stop.
FM 2499 Corridor
The FM 2499 / Highland Village Road corridor handles the city's everyday retail needs: grocery stores, pharmacies, dry cleaning, automotive, and smaller service businesses. Most household errands are resolved within a mile or two regardless of which neighborhood you live in.
Best for: weekly groceries and quick errands without navigating a large shopping center.
Lewisville Proximity
Highland Village borders Lewisville directly to the east and south, and Lewisville's S. Stemmons / Hwy 121 corridor (with big-box retail, specialty stores, and 150+ restaurants) is a 5-to-10-minute drive from most HV neighborhoods. HV residents effectively have access to Lewisville's full retail ecosystem without living in a larger city.
Best for: major appliance shopping, home improvement, and anything that requires a full big-box retail selection.
Annual Events & Community Calendar
Highland Village's events calendar is small but well-executed. The city consistently delivers on a core set of community moments that families plan around: Celebrate Highland Village in June, fall concerts, and a December that includes two separate holiday events at The Shops and Doubletree Ranch Park.
June 13, 2026
Celebrate Highland Village
The city's signature annual event: a full-day celebration with a morning fishing derby and 5K run, a Fire Truck Pull benefiting Special Olympics Texas, a Kid Zone, live music into the evening, food vendors, and a fireworks finale. Draws families from across the area and reflects the city's smaller-town community feel. With live entertainment (check the city's calendar each year for lineup details).
Spring and Fall
Concerts in the Park
Free outdoor concerts at Doubletree Ranch Park on select evenings through spring and fall. Families bring blankets and lawn chairs to the grand lawn, food trucks set up nearby, and kids have room to run. The next confirmed date is October 3, 2026; check highlandvillage.org for the full series schedule each season.
Spring and Fall
Shops at Highland Village Festivals
The Shops hosts seasonal Spring and Fall Festivals with carnival rides, petting zoos, face painting, live music, and family activities in the center court. Free to attend; the scale and programming make these feel like genuine community festivals rather than retail promotions. Check theshopsathighlandvillage.com for annual dates.
Summer
Movies in the Park
Outdoor movie nights at city parks, coordinated by Highland Village Parks and Recreation. Families bring blankets and lawn chairs; the park setting with playground access before dark makes these a natural summer evening tradition. Check the Parks and Recreation events calendar for screening dates and films each season.
November
Our Village Glows
The annual holiday tree lighting ceremony at The Shops at Highland Village, with carolers, face painting, cookie decorating, and the arrival of Santa Claus. A genuinely charming small-city holiday moment that reflects Highland Village's community character. The outdoor setting at The Shops makes for good family photos against the light displays.
December
Christmas at the Ranch
Doubletree Ranch Park transforms into a winter wonderland with a real snow hill for sledding, Santa's workshop, live reindeer, and extensive light displays across the park grounds. A highlight of the DFW family holiday calendar and one of the reasons parents specifically mention Highland Village's events scene when describing why they chose it over larger neighbors.
Full calendar: Highland Village special events page
Upcoming Events in Highland Village
What's happening in the next 60 days, updated weekly.
North Texas Mean Green Football vs. UNLV Rebels Football
Event details →Last updated: 2026-07-20 · Source: Eventbrite
Indoor Activities for Kids
Highland Village's own indoor activity footprint is smaller than a larger city's, but its proximity to Lewisville's entertainment venues (5-10 minutes) effectively extends the options. The Shops cinema and the Robert & Lee DuVall Center handle the in-city needs, while Lewisville's trampoline parks and aquatic center cover higher-energy indoor days.
The Shops Cinema (12 Screens)
Type: Movie Theater · Ages: All ages
12-screen cinema at The Shops at Highland Village. The in-center location means families can combine a movie with dinner at Grimaldi's or Torchy's in a single stop. Matinee screenings on school break days fill up quickly; weekday afternoon screenings are reliably less crowded.
Robert & Lee DuVall Center
Type: Recreation Center · Ages: All ages
The city's Parks and Recreation hub at 948B Highland Village Road offers year-round programming including fitness classes, tennis instruction, senior programming, and community events. Check the Highland Village Parks and Recreation calendar for current youth class offerings.
Unity Park Pickleball Courts
Type: Outdoor/Lighted Courts · Ages: All ages
Six lighted pickleball courts at Unity Park allow play into the evening, which extends the usable season and avoids peak summer heat. Not fully indoor, but the lights and covering at adjacent shelters make this workable for families on hot afternoons with early evening play sessions.
Launch Family Entertainment (Lewisville, 8 min)
Type: Trampoline Park / Entertainment · Ages: 3 and up
The closest full-scale family entertainment center to Highland Village is Launch in Lewisville (~8 minutes east). Trampoline courts, ninja courses, rock climbing, bowling, VR gaming, and a full restaurant. The go-to rainy-day escape for HV families who need a few hours of structured indoor activity.
Sun Valley Aquatic Center (Lewisville, 8 min)
Type: Aquatic Center · Ages: All ages
Lewisville's Sun Valley Aquatic Center (801 S. Valley Pkwy) is about 8 minutes from Highland Village and offers a lazy river, competition pool, leisure pool with play features, double-loop slides, and a tot pool. The indoor/outdoor hybrid facility works well through the seasonal shoulder periods when HV's own splash pad is closed.
Highland Village Public Library
Type: Public Library · Ages: 0-12 children's programming
The branch serves Highland Village families with children's storytime, summer reading programs, and family events. A quiet option on hot weekday afternoons. Check the city's library calendar for current children's programming schedules and special events.
Summer Heat Pro Tip
When July heat becomes unworkable outdoors, Highland Village families run a predictable rotation: Doubletree Ranch Splash Pad in the morning (before the crowds arrive and before the heat peaks), lunch at The Shops, then the cinema for the hottest part of the afternoon. When the splash pad is closed on Thursdays for maintenance, Launch Family Entertainment in Lewisville (~8 minutes) absorbs the overflow. Most families keep the Launch website bookmarked for exactly this reason.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from families considering Highland Village.
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Yes, and it consistently gets high marks for exactly the things that matter to parents making a relocation decision: parks, trails, schools, and community feel. Highland Village is small enough that kids and parents develop real neighborhood connections quickly, but it has the Lewisville ISD school system (one of the largest and most resource-rich in Denton County) and proximity to Lewisville and Flower Mound for the services and amenities a larger city offers. The city's investment in Doubletree Ranch Park, the Inland Trail system, and The Shops at Highland Village means families rarely feel like they're lacking for things to do despite the city's modest size.
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The main youth sports organizations serving Highland Village are: Highland Village Area Baseball and Softball Association (HVABSA) at hvabsa.com for youth baseball and softball at Unity Park; Greater Lewisville Area Soccer Association (GLASA) at glasasoccer.org and Highland Groveland Recreation Association (HGRA) at hgra.org for soccer at the Doubletree Ranch Soccer Complex; Neighborhood Sports at neighborhoodsports.us for NFL Youth Flag Football ages 4-18 across the HV and Flower Mound area; and Highland Youth Recreation (HYR) at hyrsports.com for multi-sport programming. The city also runs tennis instruction, pickleball leagues, fitness programs, and adult kickball through the Parks and Recreation department.
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The 12-screen cinema at The Shops at Highland Village is the main in-city rainy-day option, and it works well paired with lunch or dinner at one of the center's 13+ restaurants. For higher-energy indoor activity, Launch Family Entertainment in adjacent Lewisville is about 8 minutes away and offers trampoline courts, ninja courses, bowling, rock climbing, and a full restaurant. The Lewisville Public Library's children's programming is another quiet option. On days when the forecast is uncertain, The Shops at Highland Village is the best starting point because it has covered walkways and multiple fallback options if plans change.
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Doubletree Ranch Park (310 Highland Village Rd) has the city's splash pad, designed to look like a natural creek with geysers reaching 12 feet, waterfalls, and ground sprays. It features recycled treated water with chlorine and UV filtration systems. The splash pad is open daily from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and is free to the public. Note that it is closed Thursdays for maintenance. When it is closed, the Old Town Splash Park in Lewisville (8 minutes east, 90 spray features, also free) is the closest alternative.
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Highland Village and Flower Mound border each other and share Lewisville ISD, so they're genuinely comparable on the school side. Where they differ is in scale and density. Flower Mound has 64 miles of trails across a much larger city, more youth sports associations, and a broader commercial corridor along FM 1171 and Long Prairie Road. Highland Village is smaller and more compact, with its activity life concentrated around Doubletree Ranch Park, The Shops, and the Inland Trail. Families who want more variety and more space tend to go to Flower Mound; families who want a tighter-knit community, shorter drives to everything, and direct lakefront access within city limits often choose Highland Village. Many families look at both before deciding, and Kristen frequently helps buyers compare the two side-by-side.
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Doubletree Ranch Park and the lakefront parks are Highland Village's defining characteristics. The city sits on the south shore of Lake Lewisville with four parks offering direct water access, including Pilot Knoll's bluff-top campground and Copperas Branch's swimming beach. The Inland Trail's 9.83-mile spine is one of the most walkable neighborhood trail systems in Denton County for its size. And the December events calendar, including Christmas at the Ranch with a real snow hill and live reindeer at Doubletree Ranch Park, is the kind of thing that gets shared on social media and remembered long after families have settled in.
Ready to Find Your Family's Home in Highland Village?
Kristen Carpentier is a DFW family relocation specialist and Lewisville ISD area expert, TREC #760457.
Kristen Carpentier · Kristen@whymovetodallas.com · (602) 405-4115 · eXp Realty · TREC #760457