Why go out of Preston Hollow for fun when you have these neighbors?

It’s not too early to make your July Fourth plans. Here are family-friendly things to do.

July 4 in the ‘hood

Melshire is hosting a July Fourth parade and picnic from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jamestown Park. If you want to participate in the parade, line up at 10:15. The picnic is at 11 a.m., and activities are a kid’s fantasy: petting zoo, pony rides, bounce house, face painting, dunk tanks and a firetruck. Also: hotdogs and kosher snow cones. The event is free to Melshire HOA members and $10 otherwise. Volunteers are needed. Call 214-789-6272.

July 4 outside of the ‘hood

But if you want to venture out of the neighborhood, here are two comprehensive guides to Fourth of July events thanks to GuideLive and Dallas Culture Map.

Keep the kids busy this summer

Organized moms usually chart the summer camp schedule on an Excel spreadsheet in early April. But last-minute planners can still get ideas here on Dallas.Citymomsblog. The site also has a guide to vacation bible schools in Dallas.

Play in fantasy playhouses at NorthPark

Dallas CASA’s 23rd annual Parade of Playhouses opens at NorthPark Friday, June 29, and closes Sunday, July 15. Donated by local builders, architects and organizations, the whimsical playhouses range from a Whataburger drive-thru to an acorn. To win one for yourself, you can purchase $5 raffle tickets during the event. All of the proceeds benefit Dallas CASA, an organization that assists children in foster care. Learn more about the organization here, and get all the details about the fundraiser here. 

 See a photo exhibit at NorthPark on basketball hoops

NorthPark Center, in partnership with the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University and artist Bill Bamberger, presents Courtside: Photographs by Bill Bamberger, an exhibition of color photographs that capture basketball hoops around the world. The artist began photographing hoops in 2004. The exhibit is on level one between Burberry and Louis Vuitton from now until January 2019.

Enjoy story time

Interabang has story time and a craft 10:30 a.m. June 30.