You are right to be concerned. Dark wood, although very lovely, shows the dust.
Maybe someone here on GW had a mid range color that could work.
My home has all the original light oak flooring. And, I have to say it does give an overall clean appearance.

Your post resonates with me! We are replacing all the hardwood in our new build due to a water leak and the choices are overwhelming. I am soon-to-be 9 grandkids behind you. Mine are 4, 3, 2, 2 and newborn. Lots of activities, trucks, balls, little dirty feet and so much more.

We chose to go back with oak for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, hardness and that it is enduring for years. I am unfamiliar with Mahogany, but wonder if it has red tones. We are going back to white oak and I want no red undertones. We have cherry wood on the lower cabinets in the kitchen and they have so much red and it gets more pronounced with exposure to eastern/southern sun.

Congratulations on the new grandbabies! We tell our kids they are why we had them!

It depends on the style of your house. In our last house, we had gorgeous Brazilian walnut floors stained ebony, and in the house we're building we have gray / whitewashed white oak. Both species and finishes fit the setting and style of home.

White oak can be stained most any color and can be finished with a gloss or matte appearance.