32 Fun Family-Friendly Things to Do in Houston with Kids
From lodging in one of the world’s most popular opera houses to its nearby proximity to NASA, beautiful Houston has made a name for itself, making it one of The Lone Star State’s most active metropolitan urban communities and a significant tourist destination.
Downtown impeccably intertwines the old and new, while a ‘Space 101’ anticipates at NASA’s Space Center Houston.
Read on for a rundown of additional pleasant activities in Houston with kids!
- Children’s Museum of Houston
Why You’ve Got to Go
The Children’s Museum of Houston has a seriously respectable beginning — the individuals establishing this museum were parents who looked to further improve childhood development locally back in 1980.
What to Do
Look at the scope of interactive displays.
The Market is a play-region cum-learning-focus; there’s one more outdoor region with water lines and toy boats for the children to appreciate.
For
Ages 3 and up
- Express Children’s Theater and Main Street Theater
Reasons Why You have to Go
Main Street and Express Children’s Theater are among Houston’s ideal and most deep-rooted theater organizations, known for their highly engaging and interesting exhibitions.
What to Do
Get an exhibition!
Express Theater and Main Street perform at numerous public venues in the city and run a scope of residencies and studios for kids.
Many events are free of charge.
For
All ages
- Houston Zoo
Why You’ve Got to Go
This 55-acre land zoo is home to over 6,000 wild animals and over 900 species. It is the nation’s second-most visited zoo!
What to Do
The super-enormous elephant show, the primate segment, and a section modeled after Texas’ wetlands are all areas to visit.
The lion display is also remarkable.
Besides, there are a lot of incredible eateries in the zoo.
For
All ages
- Space Center Houston
Top of List
Why You’ve Got to Go
Home to 400-plus relics, both temporary and permanent, this famous tourist destination has archives of America’s excursion in the Space Race.
What to Do
Look at the scope of child-friendly shows and a broad collection of films.
Guests can also get a behind-the-scenes tour of the NASA Johnson Space Center, which is home to some epic moments in the American space journey!
For
All ages
- Houston Symphony
Why You’ve Got to Go
A Grammy-Award-winning ensemble, the incredibly famous Houston Symphony performs at The Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, situated in downtown Houston, has been the symphony’s primary residence since 1966.
What to Do
The orchestra is one of the city’s most well-known attractions for families. It entertains crowds with its rich directory of classical music.
Spruce up and get a show!
For
Ages 6 and up
- Houston Grand Opera
Why You’ve Got to Go
Established in 1955 by the legendary Walter Herbert, the Houston Grand Opera is one of the nation’s most highly-acclaimed opera organizations.
What to Do
A terrific option if you’re searching for night-life activities in Houston, TX; aside from an opera, visitors can appreciate pre-performance addresses or conversations with the cast.
For
Ages 9 and up
- Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS)
Why You’ve Got to Go
The HMNS is one of the best time spots to visit in Houston. This spot is still popular even though it opened shop as far back as 1909.
What to Do
Explore the broad assortment of skeletons, mineral samples, space station models, and the memorable planetarium.
Toddlers will adore the captivating grasshopper clock at the exhibition hall’s entry — the legs and seconds synchronize!
For
All ages
- Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
Why You’ve Got to Go
Assuming you’re asking yourself about what to do in Houston with kids, the 155-acre Houston Arboretum and Nature Center that safeguards the native trees and animals and educates guests is a brilliant decision!
What to Do
Walk the 5 miles of trails, partake in the intuitive displays at the Discovery Room, shop at the Nature Shop, and explore The Wildlife Garden and the Carol Tatkon Sensory Garden!
For
All ages
- Miller Outdoor Theater
Why You’ve Got to Go
The Miller Outdoor Theater is a must-visit highlight on your list of “activities to do with family today in Houston. The theater offers a remarkable scope of culturally and artistically rich shows, plays, and shows for all ages.
What to Do
Enjoy the free performance during the theater’s free creations season, or bring some food and blankets for an outing!
You can likewise buy seating.
For
All ages
- Discovery Green Park
Why You’ve Got to Go
The Discover Green Park is an 11.78-acre land recreational park that locals and guests visit. The park has something special for everyone!
What to Do
Partake in the free yoga classes, movie nights, shows, story time for kids, and outdoor reading rooms.
Besides, you can lease games for use in the play area or laze about on the green — there’s also free Wi-Fi!
For
All ages
- The Chocolate Bar
Why You Have to Go
The Chocolate Bar is as close to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Satisfy your cravings in this eatery that honors everything chocolate.
What to Do
Enjoy the must-try ‘Trompe l’oeil’ pizza, sweet treats, pies, cakes, and frozen yogurt, stock up at the traditional candy counter, and listen to live music while swing dancing on Thursdays.
For
All ages
- The Mad Potter
Why You’ve Got to Go
The Mad Potter is where you go for everything pottery-related; this great studio offers many enjoyable kids’ exercises that will leave children spoilt for decisions!
What to Do
Select your vessel, paint it, and take it back home!
The studio also has summer camps and painting parties for youngsters and grown-ups (and for pets, as well!).
For
All ages
- The Health Museum
Why You’ve Got to Go
Assuming you’re a family of science enthusiasts, you’ll cherish the scope of intuitive displays that bring together learning and fun.
What to Do
Kids can know more about the human body in a hands-on session that entails real-life organ dissections!
The displays are ever-changing, so there’s a continuous novelty.
For an additional charge, kids can visit the cell lab and attempt fun science experiments.
For
All ages
- The Galleria
Why You’ve Got to Go
A close replica of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan, The Galleria is Houston’s biggest and most famous response to all self-proclaimed shopaholics!
What to Do
Explore the 400-plus stores and the full-sized ice arena — there’s additionally a fantastic play region for children
Refuel at one of the numerous restaurants that incorporate top picks like The Cheesecake Factory and Chili.
For
All ages
- Hermann Park
Why You’ve Got to Go
Hermann Park is a free public park occupying almost 450 acres of land in the city center. It’s even perceived as one of America’s ideal parks to visit.
What to Do
Hermann Park offers a scope of fun exercises like the train ride along the Hermann Park Railroad, pedal boats on McGovern Lake, many trails, and an exquisite Japanese Garden.
For
All ages
- Museum of Fine Arts Houston (HMNS)
Why You’ve Got to Go
The MFAH packs over 6,000 years of history in its over 64,000 art collections from six continents.
What to Do
View world-famous art like Monet’s Water Lilies, Glieze’s La Femme, and paintings & sculptures from the Roman times.
Going for the 45-minute journey is an ideal way to see all the artwork MFAH offers.
For
All ages
- Kemah Boardwalk
Why You’ve Got to Go
Awaiting the individuals who visit the 60-acre family-friendly Kemah Boardwalk are memorable activities. This is where “the good times won’t ever stop”!
What to Do
Partake in all-time-fan favorites like the Ferris Wheel and Carousel or even more adventurous rides like the Boardwalk Bullet and Tower, and a rainforest show and stingray reef, where guests can contact and feed a live stingray.
For
All ages
- Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Why You’ve Got to Go
As part of the MFAH, Bayou is the museum’s 14-acre land that hosts American art, furniture, and beautiful paintings.
The structure was once home to Houston altruist Ima Hogg.
What to Do
Open all year round, Bayou Bend offers guests a scope of fascinating activities, such as History book discussions, Family Days, Detective Days, and a summer history camp.
For
All ages
- Moody Gardens
Why You’ve Got to Go
Moody Garden is a diversion center with a humongous aquarium, a wonderful greenhouse, two state-of-the-art theaters, and various jungle gyms and pools.
What to Do
Visit the 13-story Rainforest Pyramid to learn more about the vegetation and animals in Asia and Africa, the Discovery Pyramid for its over 40 interactive displays, or take a private voyage on an 1800s paddlewheel boat copy.
For
All ages
- Schlitterbahn Water Park
Why You’ve Got to Go
One of the best family-friendly center points in the state, Schlitterbahn is fascinating to thrill seekers and the more level-headed folk.
What to Do
Take a ride on the uphill Dragon Blaster water coaster, or catch exquisite sceneries in the recreation area while riding the Soaring Eagle Zipline.
You’ll need to explore the park through its lazy river —a fun, one-of-a-kind feature!
For
All ages
- Houston Area Live Steamers
Why You’ve Got to Go
Committed to live steaming, the Houston Area Live Steamers is “the” place for complementary rides aboard steam motor and diesel model trains along a 4,700-foot track.
What to Do
Enjoy s scenic ride on the Cypress Creek and Southern Railroad tracks through the Northwest Harris County park, loaded with scaled-down windmills and bridges.
Besides, you can take an excursion to Zube Park.
For
All ages
- Old MacDonald’s Farm
Why You’ve Got to Go
Old Macdonald’s is an activity center highlighting a scope of fun activities, from small train rides to pumpkin patches to pools to a petting zoo.
What to Do
Interact with animals such as sheep, emus, cows, and llamas.
To top up the fun, there are play areas, pony rides, slides for the kids, and a volleyball court for older children.
For
All ages
- Houston Urban Air Trampoline Park
Why You’ve Got to Go
Urban Air is one of Houston’s best indoor experience parks, paving the way for a day of family fun!
What to Do
There’s something for everybody here, such as rope courses, tube play areas, wall climbing, a DropZone, trampolines, tumble track, and even dodgeball!
Besides, there’s a dedicated region for toddlers under 7.
For
All ages
- Buffalo Bayou
Why You’ve Got to Go
With various strolling and biking trails, Buffalo Bayou Park is a beautiful spot to breathe the natural air and partake in healthy exercises.
What to Do
Spread north of 124 acres of land, get beautiful sceneries on the horizon from here, and participate in the play region, live performances, and art hosted here.
Buffalo Bayou accepts pets as well!
For
All ages
- SplashTown
Why You’ve Got to Go
There are endless ways to have fun in the water at SplashTown, including enormous slides, tubes, and swimming pools that would spruce up your children on a hot day.
Best of all, each ride or pool fits various age sections, so everybody in your family has something enjoyable to do on a warm day.
What to Do
Attempt the 75-foot drop into a mega pool of twirling water in The Tornado or the 5-story Texas Freefall for a serious adrenaline rush!
Besides, numerous family rides, like a lazy river, and many kid-friendly restaurants, make it a memorable spot for your children to have fun in Houston.
For
All ages
- Minute Maid Park
Why You’ve Got to Go
This immense arena is a sanctuary for any sporting enthusiast. The high energy and tasty food here may very well alter your perspective even if you don’t like games that much,
Watching baseball on T.V. is quite different than catching a live match, and this is the ideal spot to watch a home run live (you could even catch a baseball from the game.)
What to Do
Watch and root for your favorite baseball teams, eat something, or if you have the star tour, you can explore the press boxes and scoreboard before a game. The children could want to grab a hotdog, popcorn, a picture, or autograph of their number one baseball player after the game.
For
Ages 6 and up.
- Cockrell Butterfly Center
Why You’ve Got to Go
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is close to a glass-encased butterfly living space with a model rainforest and many perfectly hued butterflies that will wow you and your kids while educating them on new things.
Butterflies aren’t the sole insects they have here, and you’ll be astonished at the amount of learning you can get from the little crawlies you view here.
The enormous dome on only hosts insects, yet such countless plant species you and your children can learn from (you could try to figure out how to separate the poison ivy from a typical plant.)
What to Do
You start the visit by sitting and listening to a fast, enlightening, five-minute video before you head on to explore.
You can also explore the Rainforest Conservatory, which resembles a small rainforest with various plants encompassing a 50-foot cascade that you’ll want to take pictures of.
After you’re done, be sure to stop by the Brown Hall of Entomology, where they house the various insects and butterflies and a horde of data regarding what they look like as infants, their natural habitats, and much more.
At last, visit the Pollinator Garden, where you’ll learn more about how butterflies and honey bees interact with flowers.
For
All ages.
- Toyota Center
Why You’ve Got to Go
This cutting-edge arena is a bright, lively, happy spot to root for your favorite teams and spend quality time with your family. Your kids will have fun with the lights, cheering, commotion, and food.
The Toyota Center hosts the Houston Rockets, a basketball team in the NBA, and even VIPs stop by to watch b-ball games between popular teams.
Get the popcorn, wear your team colors, and catch the basketball and hockey games.
Besides, they hold concerts here, so you might as well catch your number one artist or band performing here. To learn more about their schedules, visit their website, which guarantees you won’t miss any single event.
What to Do
Get a chicken tender and a beverage of your decision while cheering with other fans. You could even get the chance to meet your #1 basketball player after the game.
As for the concert, get front row seats so you can see your favorite celebrity or musician up close. Remember to take a lot of pictures or recordings to keep as recollections.
For
Ages 3 and up.
- Rodeo Houston
Why You’ve Got to Go
This is an all-encompassing rodeo, and fair your family could spend an entire day in, with fun sights from various animals, rides, and rodeos. It’s both engaging and educating.
Rodeo Houston isn’t simply another rodeo. It’s the most significant animal show and rodeo in the world, and assuming you are interested in the elite horse breeds, you’ll find them here.
What to Do
Take your children to see the petting zoo, eat something, have fun at the carnival, and watch the rodeo with some pizza.
For
Ages 3 and up.
- The Hobby Center
Why You’ve Got to Go
This non-profit exhibits Houston’s best-performing art and some of the greatest traveling Broadway hits, so if you have some musicians in your family, you’ll want to sing along here.
They have famous Disney hits like Winnie the Pooh and the Little Mermaid and shows for older children like Hamilton or the Wicked.
Did we say that the scenery is also breathtaking? This auditorium highlights 60-foot-glass walls with a view of Houston’s extraordinary skyscrapers, so you can appreciate the clamoring city after you leave one of their shows.
What to Do
What kid can stay away from a stage adaptation of Frozen or Wicked? This vast complex has two performance chambers, so if Elsa isn’t a great fit for everybody in your family, your family can visit the same venue and see various shows.
For
All ages.
- Downtown Aquarium
Why Do You’ve Got to Go
This aquarium holds 500,000 gallons of water and an entertainment area with festival-style activities, a café, an aquatic carousel, and a Ferris wheel. It’s basically a submerged paradise.
You will require all your strength, a lot of water, excitement to see ocean animals, and an adventurous spirit since this spot is an astounding six acres of aquatic wonderland you’ll want to cover.
They have north of 300 species of sea creatures from oceans everywhere on earth, and the fact that your kids can see it up-close is something they won’t forget.
What to Do
A Shipwreck show, a tropical rainforest, the Shark Voyage, and the Discovery Rig (which offers a chance to get near stingrays and horseshoe crabs) are only some of the stunning habitats and attractions that can be found at the Downtown Aquarium.
Kids will love the Downtown Aquarium.
For
All ages.
- Brazos Bookstore
Why You’ve Got to Go
Books have forever been a fanciful getaway for kids. This is Houston’s locally-owned bookshop with a brilliant kids’ section with a very sizable amount of magic for the kids’ creativity.
Although this book shop has been working starting around 1974, the stories and poems are no less refreshed, and you can expect to be in the know regarding the most recent book releases.
What’s considerably more noteworthy is that you’ll track down an enormous selection of international literature, and it’s ideally suited for expanding your kid’s horizons and viewpoints on the world.
What to Do
As well as lodging a brilliant assortment of books for youngsters, Brazos frequently has engaging activities that are designed explicitly for kids. There are story-times, book-themed parties, and author signings, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg, which is excellent assuming you’re searching for entertaining activities in Houston with kids.
For
All ages.
