Saturday I get to play grandpa and take a 6 year old on his very first fishing experience. They live in Ennis, and I'll have Saturday afternoon to take him somewhere close and get him his first fish. glancing at a map it looks like richland chambers and joe pool lake are close. All I want is a public fishing pier where we can dunk some worms and catch a bunch of panfish.

I know there is cedar hill state park, but it looks like the piers may be closed due to construction. Any suggestions on where to go?

If I were you, find out which ponds are stocked and go there.
Google neighborhood fishin' ponds with TPWD and also Inland Fisheries DFW https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/
https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/management/stocking/neighborhood-fishin.phtml

So going to jump on here as I want to start fishing with my kids around neighborhood ponds. If you went to Academy or Cabela's, would you do a rod/reel combo or get 2 parts separate? Hoping to keep rigs under $100 as this is a new hobby.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer%3Fmid%3D14Bo6cJ0jDfCcRxRZXK9ANZePLRA%26ie%3DUTF%26msa%3D0%26ll%3D0%252C0%26z%3D5&ved=2ahUKEwjn2qDdwZDpAhVHC6wKHS7hD7sQjjgwAHoECAIQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3xEfW67uRtAf5vQT1ybFXI

Here is a map of bank fishing spots.

I would find some shallower gentle sloping banks and plan for the wind to be at your back.

Should be able to catch bass and catfish up shallow 2-6 ft and if you can find some structure in some intermediate depths you could maybe get into some crappie.

Bring snacks and drinks! That has been the key to a successful trip with my 4 year old.

Also think about getting some small hooks and worms and catch a few perch if things are slow.

Funny how me and the boss was just talking about Richland Chambers lake. He fishes there regularly and he was just telling me that if I wanted to do some pier fishing to go to fishersmens point. Said they are still catching crappie and whites early morning and late afternoon there. Said they charge 5.00 a day to fish their pier.

that bank fishing map is awesome, turns out Lake Clark in Ennis is right there and looks perfect for what I want. Thanks guys!

Lake Clark for the win. You can park in the parking lot and fish up and down the bank. It does have quite a bit of grass to the right of the parking lot but down along the dam should be pretty clean and the kids can sit on the rocks. Lots of small bass in there but it's a fun little lake.

Try Lake Bardwell specifically at Hi View Park marina. Indoor fishing floating area in the shade with sitting and can catch fish.

Fish brain app