Dig World, the Houston-area construction-themed adventure park where kids can operate real machinery, has officially started work on its second Texas location, marking a major step toward what the company envisions as a nationwide rollout. Representatives confirmed to the Houston Business Journal that construction is underway at Grapevine Mills mall in the Dallas–Fort Worth region, setting up a significant expansion three years after the debut of its first site in Katy.
Opened in 2022, Dig World quickly became a regional standout by offering children a hands-on experience with construction equipment—mini excavators, Skeet Skid loaders, boom lifts, and other rock-moving machines. The 3.5-acre Katy attraction is designed for kids who can’t resist watching trucks, diggers, and loaders at work, a concept inspired by founder Jacob Robinson’s own family. Robinson’s son, who is nonverbal after a bacterial meningitis diagnosis, developed a deep fascination with construction equipment and helped inspire the park's creation.
.jpg)
The park’s playful, immersive model attracted national attention in March 2025, when Robinson appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank, securing a $200,000 investment from Robert Herjavec in exchange for 10 percent equity. The deal helped accelerate development plans beyond Houston, with Grapevine representing the next major step.
The upcoming Dallas-area park will introduce a prominent new feature: a collaboration with the creators of the hit YouTube channel Dude Perfect. According to the company, every future Dig World will include a Dude Perfect-branded zone offering trick-shot challenges blended with construction-themed activities, adding a sports-entertainment twist to the experience.
As Dig World grows its footprint, the company is eyeing a multistate expansion. Reportedly, potential next stops include Austin, Phoenix, Orlando, Miami, and Atlanta. While no formal timeline has been set, the park’s website is actively polling fans to help choose upcoming cities, signaling a more community-driven and interactive rollout strategy.
Robinson said earlier this year that the vision extends far beyond a few major markets. “The entrepreneur in me wants as many Dig Worlds as possible,” he said in March. “I believe we have a very unique value proposition that allows us to go into a lot of markets; it doesn't just have to be the big, big cities.”
Dig World’s concept taps into a niche that blends family entertainment, STEM learning, and real-world machinery operation—an experience that is rare even within the broader theme park industry. The new Grapevine location is expected to draw families from across North Texas, especially those looking for hands-on, tech-free attractions for younger children.
The park’s expansion comes at a time when family entertainment centers are evolving rapidly, integrating influencers, interactive environments, and social-media-ready experiences. The Dude Perfect partnership positions Dig World to attract families familiar with the group’s massive digital audience.
With new construction underway and momentum building behind the brand, Dig World is pushing toward what could become a national chain rooted in Houston creativity and Texas ambition.
Originally reported by Jamil David,Culture Reporter in Chron.
