We’re mourning a huge loss in our neck of the woods. After 43 years in business, the iconic  White Rock Skate Center in Lake Highlands will close its doors for good on Oct. 16. It was a big blow to the local middle school set. Their neighborhood hangout is going away, which means, they’ll have to come up with another way to stealthy interact with the opposite sex without the help of the “Hokey Pokey.” Quite a few adults were equally saddened by the news. For many, the rink was a very precious part of their childhood, and like all good things from childhood, it’s hard to let go.

The closing of the roller skating rink got me thinking about how it really is the small things we remember and hold dear. You don’t need a big, splashy and expensive excursion to bond with your kids. Sometimes all you need is something simple like a skating rink to plant the seed of a perfect memory. With that in mind, here are some fun, free, memory makers.

Thanks to Thomas the Train most tiny tykes are crazy about trains. October is the perfect month to take a ride on the rails trolley-style. You can glide along the city streets at a slow pace, listen to the ding-ding of the trolley bells, and feel the wind in your hair with Molly in the Trolley in Fort Worth or the McKinney Avenue Trolley in Dallas. Both of these trolleys are free to ride and you can jump on and off at multiple locations. Catch up with Molly at stops in downtown Fort Worth. Hop on the M-Line trolley along McKinney Avenue or in the Arts District.

Take the M-Line trolley to Klyde Warren Park Thursday afternoon. Grab a snack off one of the many food trucks parked there from 11 to 3, and then play, play, play at the children’s park. There are numerous structures for climbing, interactive fountains if you get hot, and best of all, bathrooms. Later, join the Dallas Center of Architecture for a “standing” tour of the Dallas skyline. They’ll point out all the important buildings from Dallas’ architectural past and present.

Want to make a big impression with the wee ninja in your life? Take them to the Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum for a look at suits of armor worn by Samurai warriors during the 17th and 18th century.  You can even see the armor worn by the Samurai’s horses. The museum is located on the 2nd floor of the St. Ann’s School building in Uptown and admission is free.

Take advantage of this excellent October weather we’ve been having with an outdoor movie. Grab the tinies, a blanket and head to square in historic downtown Carrollton this Saturday night for Movie on the Square. They’ll be showing “Hotel Transylvania,” the perfect flick to get you in the Halloween spirit.

It’s October so that must mean it’s time for Dogtoberfest again! The event includes free treats for people and pooches, pet related vendors,obedience and agility demonstrations and children’s activities. There will also be lemonade and corndogs for sale (I guess hot dogs would just be too cliché). The highlight of the event will be an appearance by Turtle the painting pit bull. Catch this fur-tastic festival on Thursday afternoon at Heritage Village in Hurst.

Looking for something really different? Check out the 7th annual Bonnie & Clyde Days in Pilot Point this Saturday. The town was a location for one the bank robbery scenes in the 1967 movie “Bonnie and Clyde.” To commemorate the town’s moment in the film history, a festival is held annually to reenact the filming of the famous bank robbery scene. The featured event, complete with gangsters, police and old-timey cars, happens at noon and 3 p.m. Festival goers can also enjoy a classic car parade, a soap box car challenge, pie-eating contest, kids activities, and a free concert on the square with Brave Combo headlining.