Whether you’re 2 or 82, you may have walked past a construction zone and dreamed of one thing—climbing aboard one of a giant bulldozers and scooping your way through the site.
Come next year, that dream could be a reality in North Texas for kids and adults alike.
Dig World—a construction-themed adventure park that’s been featured on ABC’s “Shark Tank” and has opened its first location in Katy outside Houston—plans to open its second location at Grapevine Mills mall in Grapevine in early 2026.
Photo: Dig World
Dude Perfect collaboration
Dig World at Grapevine Mills will allow families to safely operate real construction equipment in a “hands-on, kid-friendly environment,” the company said. The Grapevine location will also feature exclusive attractions developed in partnership with Frisco’s Dude Perfect— including construction-themed trick-shot stations and interactive family challenges.
Cody Jones, co-founder of Dude Perfect, said in a statement that “this is just the beginning,” adding, “We can’t wait to see these one-of-a-kind experiences all over the country.”
Mall is known for immersive experiences
Grapevine Mills, owned and operated by Indiana-based Simon Property Group, was recently named a Top Ten Mall in America by USA TODAY, partly for its focus on immersive entertainment like Meow Wolf, an immersive, multimedia “multiverse” art experience.
Soon, you can add roaring tractors and excavators to the mall’s experiential mix.
It won’t be the first construction-themed park in North Texas, however. A park called Extreme Sandbox fulfilled similar bulldozer dreams in the past decade at sites in Pottsboro and Sachse, albeit on a smaller scale.
Photo: Dig World
Aiming for national franchise growth
Dig World said it plans to expand nationwide following its Grapevine Mills opening. It got a big boost for that when Co-Founder Jacob Robinson of Houston pitched his vision to millions of viewers on “Shark Tank.”
Robinson was inspired to create Dig World by his son Pierce, who lives with special needs after experiencing bacterial meningitis as a young boy. Pierce has always been mesmerized by construction equipment, finding “undeniable joy” in bulldozers and excavators his father brought him. Robinson envisioned a family-friendly theme park where adults and kids could operate full-size construction equipment, and pitched his vision on “Shark Tank”—landing a deal with “Shark Tank” investor Robert Herjavec.
Photo: Dig World
Herjavec says Dig World “is going to be huge.”
“It’s fun, it’s exciting, and it’s got real potential to grow nationwide,” the “Shark Tank” investor said. “Jacob’s passion and determination are exactly what I look for in a founder.”
Dig World said that since the episode aired on ABC, it has seen “a surge in interest, with franchise inquiries rolling in and a massive influx of visitors to the company’s website.”
“The response to our Shark Tank episode has been incredible,” Robinson said. “Hearing from families, builders, and investors across the country who are excited about what we’re doing just reaffirms that Dig World is something truly special.
Promising ‘an unforgettable experience’
Photo: Dig World
Dig World Co-Founder Alex Carroll said that as a lifelong builder and entrepreneur, he “couldn’t be more excited to launch Dig World in my hometown of DFW.”
“We’re combining real machinery, creative play, and the power of partnership with Dude Perfect to create an unforgettable experience for families,” Carroll added in a statement.
More looks at Dig World in Katy
Photo: Dig World
Photo: Dig World
Photo: Dig World
Photo: Dig World
Photo: Dig World
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