Going to the Sherwood Forest Faire With Kids
Are you planning on going to the Sherwood Forest Faire with kids? We’ve gone several times when our kids were all different ages, and I think it’s pretty fun for any age. With these tips, you can bring your kids to the faire and have a full day of fun!
Sherwood Forest Faire Location
1883 Old Hwy 20, McDade, TX 78650
Sherwood Forest Dates/Times
Open Weekends: Feb 28 – Apr 19, 2026. Also Open Friday, Mar 20th. Hours: 10 a.m. to Dusk — Rain or Shine
Sherwood Forest Faire Day Parking Entrance
There is no fee to park in the giant lot right in front of the Sherwood Forest Faire. Just be sure to remember your aisle number (or snap a pic) before heading in!
Sherwood Forest Admissions
KIDS 5 AND UNDER ARE FREE! That is huge for families with little ones. And there is PLENTY that kids 5 and under will enjoy at the faire. Tickets are $18-34 (cheaper if you buy ahead of time online) and can be purchased onsite or online.
- Adults (age 13+): $30 + tax Standard Online / $34 incl tax at Gate
- Youth (age 6-12): $18 + tax Standard Online / $20 incl tax at Gate
- Children 5 and under – free of charge, no ticket required
Sherwood Forest Faire Special Deals:
Weekend 1 (Feb 28-Mar 1)
BOGO for everyone all day Sunday!
Weekend 2 (Mar 7-8)
BOGO for members of all branches of the military, and first responders, all weekend! (former or current, with ID)
All youth age 12 and under are FREE, all weekend!
Weekend 3 (Mar 14-15)
BOGO for all students and educators! ID required for educators and higher education students. Minors do not need to present an ID if they do not possess one.
Sundays on Weekends 2-6 (Mar 8, 15, 22, 29; Apr 5)
BOGO for everyone before Noon!
Sherwood Forest Faire Rules and Tips
- No pets allowed.
- No outside food or drink. We brought our own water bottles and it was fine. You could easily bring in food — no one checks strollers or bags. We didn’t because we like to try the faire food.
- Strollers, wagons, etc. are allowed. Don’t attempt the faire with an umbrella stroller — the ground is rocky and uneven. But a good jogging stroller or wagon would do just fine here.
- Those with wheelchairs may find the terrain challenging, but still doable in most areas.
- Bring cash!!! Most places accept credit cards, but not all. There are ATMs onsite, but to save hassle and fees, bring cash. Rides like the merry-go-round only accept cash.
- You do not need to dress up in order to attend. You will see many who do! Let your kids wear costumes if they enjoy dressing up.
- Bring small bills for tips! You will be expected to tip and tip frequently. Everyone who is dressed up and taking pictures with you or serving you in any way is hoping for a tip.
What Will Kids Enjoy at Sherwood Forest Faire?
Is it worth it to go if you have younger kids? Absolutely yes! Kids 5 and younger get in for FREE, which makes it worth it right there. Honestly, kids of all ages will find something to enjoy at Sherwood Forest Faire. I’d say even kids as young as 2 will have a great time! Here are some fun things for kids to enjoy:
The Children’s Forest
Inside the Children’s Forest, you will find a castle, characters like the Queen who will chat with your kids, entertaining shows like musicians and puppets, a giant chess board, and a petting zoo.
Digging for Treasure (Gemstones)
The poorly-buried-treasure-dig is also in the Children’s Forest area, but I thought it deserved its own section since it was my kids’ favorite activity! The bags you buy are sooooo small, but that’s not really the fun part anyway. The fun is in the searching, and our whole family got into it! Once they find enough treasures to fill their bag, you can keep searching and then swap out the gems you have for gems you like better. It’s nice and shady in the sand pits and the sand is damp and cool, making it the perfect resting spot if you’re hot and tired of walking.
Rides!
My kids loved the merry-go-round, jousting ride, Tubs-O-Fun (like the spinning teacups at Disney), and the giant King Richard’s swing. Be sure to bring cash for the rides!
Shows
There are lots of shows at the Sherwood Forest Faire. You can purchase a program on your way in and plan your visit based upon what shows you want to see and when they occur, or you can just stumble upon a show at any given time. We’ve done it both ways. Some kid friendly shows include the dog show, the birds of prey, magicians like escape artists, Robin Hood, and the big joust, of course. They also have a big parade at the castle that includes all the characters if your kids are into that!
Archery
Archers will teach your kids how to shoot a bow and arrow at the archery station. My kids always look forward to this one.
What About Older Kids?
My older boys are both in middle school and they both have a great time too. Older kids and teens will like shopping and especially eating their way through the Sherwood Forest Faire, along with a few activities and shows to keep them entertained. There is just a lot to take in, including the people in costumes!
Wax Hands
It’s so much fun to make a wax hand when you come to the Sherwood Forest Faire! Older kids are perfect for this and both my older boys made one. You have to keep your hand very still for a long time, making this ideal for older kids and not great for young ones. Make a shape with your hand, dunk it in hot wax a bunch of times until it gets thicker, then it hardens and dries and you have a wax hand to keep forever! Dye it any color (or all the colors). This was my big boys’ favorite part of the day.
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