Houston, Texas, is the fourth-largest city in the United States, which means it’s full of family-friendly attractions. Ranging from the world-famous, kid-friendly Space Center Houston to phenomenal museums, you will be spoiled with all the choices.
With warm weather all year round and direct flights from all over North America, Houston has it all. Make memories with your loved ones at any of this Texas city’s fun-filled, action-packed adventures that are as amusing as they are educational.
Looking for things to do in Houston with kids? Read on!
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AWESOME PLACES TO STAY IN HOUSTON (WITH KIDS IN TOW)
- Blossom Hotel Houston: You can walk to the Zoo from here, and the rooftop pool is very fun!
- La Colombe d’Or Hotel: Better for older kids, this unique hotel has a great 2-king suite and it’s near the Museum of Natural Science. Oh – and really cool pool here, too!
- Post Oak Hotel: Perfect for hotel snobs (raises hand), this 5-star has marble bathrooms, a gorgeous pool area (you might not want to leave) and delicious eats. Probably the best “with kids” hotel in the city, if you ask me!
- InterContinental Houston Medical Center: If you are an IHG Loyalty member, this is where to stay. It’s close to the Zoo and Rice Stadium. Ask for a room with a view.
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Houston-Energy Corridor: Your most affordable option, including a free breakfast. The indoor pool will keep the kids happy all year.
DISCOVERY GREEN PARK
Discovery Green Park is a 12-acre urban park situated in Downtown Houston. This park offers a kids play area, dog runs for your fur babies, restaurants, a man-made lake, and more.
At Discovery Green Park, there is a full itinerary of kid-friendly events throughout the year, like Toddler Tuesdays, Young Writer’s Workshop, and Family Movie Nights.
Have a picnic in the park surrounded by nature. Make merry and splash around at the Gateway fountains or kayak on the lake.
HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE
The Houston Museum of Natural Science was founded in 1969, and is one of the most visited museums in the United States. Its main agenda is to secure and increase public awareness of natural science.
A visit to the Houston Museum of Natural Science is like going back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the earth…and then fast-forwarding to the future with its renewable energy.
Different exhibitions, from Astronomy to the science of space energy to Native American culture, will spark interest in children’s minds.
Discount tickets: Houston CityPASS®: Save up to 47% at 5 Top Attractions including the Museum of Natural Science
SPACE CENTER HOUSTON
Houston, we have landed!
Space Center Houston guarantees all visitors a trip into the world of space.
The Space Center houses NASA Mission Control, the International Space Station Mission Control, and astronaut training. Space Center Houston cannot be missed!
Discover what life is like in space with a tour onboard actual rocket ships. On Fridays, a real-life astronaut stops by and talks about their experiences in outer space.
Examine moon rocks and other space relics and memorabilia, before making a final stop at the gift shop where freeze-dried ice cream and other keepsakes are sold.
Looking for online tickets to attractions or cool tours offering insider info? Get Your Guide is our family’s go-to resource for online purchases. Find Space Center Houston tickets here.
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF HOUSTON
The Children’s Museum of Houston is perfect for spending the day with the little ones. It sits on 90,000 square feet and is adorned with fascinating displays.
Walk on walkways stacked high with kid-friendly activities moved around every week. Build robots or test your endurance on a three-story tower. Encounter an entire town run by kids — from the stores to top government offices!
Join the secret service as an undercover spy and slither through laser tunnels. Bad guys trying to take over the Museum must not succeed on your watch!
Discount tickets: Houston CityPASS®: Save up to 47% at 5 Top Attractions including the Children’s Museum
EXPRESS CHILDREN’S THEATER AND MAIN STREET THEATER
Express Children’s Theatre presents original professional performing arts for children and their families. They have been around for over 30 years and have reached over a million kids.
Travel to faraway lands as you listen to stories that trigger the imagination and raise your spirit. They bring to life stories with your favorite fictional characters for children and those who are children at heart.
Life lessons will be learned, and the young minds will be impressed.
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HOUSTON ZOO
The Houston Zoo is home to more than 6,000 animals of various species and is a perfect choice for the animal-loving family. Everyone from teens to toddlers will have a good time. Watch the animal handlers feed the giraffes, splash around with the elephants, and find fun facts about your favorite species throughout the zoo.
The younger kids can find their way to the bat cave, and then interact with friendly animals, like goats, in the petting space. Free parking is available in Hermann Park.
Discount tickets: Houston CityPASS®: Save up to 47% at 5 Top Attractions including the Zoo
DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM
Everyone will marvel at the more than 200 sea life species that fill the tanks at Houston’s Downtown Aquarium.
Get close to stingrays and piranhas and learn all about reptiles in the Education Room. Walk next to rare white tigers or try the carnival games and rides. You can even book a special animal meet-and-greet!
Read More: 29 BEST AQUARIUMS IN THE U.S. YOU HAVE TO VISIT
Discount tickets: Houston CityPASS®: Save up to 47% at 5 Top Attractions including the Aquarium
HOUSTON ARBORETUM AND NATURE CENTER
For families who are one with nature and love the outdoors, Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is the answer.
This 155-acre, non-profit nature refuge’s main focus is to conserve plants and wildlife in their natural habitat while offering environmental education opportunities for all ages.
Go hiking on scenic trails or take a stroll through the gardens. They’ve got lots of amazing exhibits here, too. Parking is free.
THE HEALTH MUSEUM
The Health Museum is an interactive science center and is a member institution of the world-renowned Texas Medical Center.
This is the kind of museum where you can take a walk inside an eyeball or look up a massive rib cage. Skeletons even ride bicycles! The larger-than-life exhibits of different body organs and systems is an unforgettable experience.
At Texas Health Museum, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics form a huge part of the intelligent fun available here. It’s the perfect place to visit for the budding scientists in your crew.
MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE
Established in 1923, the Miller Outdoor Theatre is a meeting place for the community.
Enjoy free performances ranging from classical music to dancing, ballet, and theater. You can enjoy the performances from the hillside or the covered sitting area. It’s the perfect place to bring a picnic!
HERMANN PARK
Spread on over 440 acres in the heart of Houston, Hermann Park is close to the hearts of Houstonians. The park’s proximity to downtown and the Texas Medical Center make this a popular place to visit.
Board the train along the Parks Railroad, try a pedal boat on McGovern Lake or jog along the trails. Whatever you do at Hermann Park will leave you feeling relaxed and energized.
Read More: 13 TRAIN RIDES IN TEXAS (& RAIL MUSEUMS, TOO!)
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS HOUSTON
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is a wonderful museum that’s home to different media artworks and styles. There are also interesting archeological finds from all over the world displayed here.
Expose your child to incredible works of art, and join in on one of the story time circles hosted here. The whole family can even create their own art in the open studio.
BAYOU BEND COLLECTION AND GARDENS
The Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens is located at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts in the River Oaks area.
Sitting on 14 acres of tastefully manicured gardens, the collection consists of many decorative arts and paintings, ceramics, and silver.
Enjoy guided tours, musicians, puppet shows, dancers, storytellers, and artsy craft activities for children.
HOUSTON GRAND OPERA
The Houston Grand Opera celebrates opera’s biggest hits through workshops. You will sing, move, and play at the fun workshops held here.
A Teaching Artist leads children through music adapted for young audiences. A workshop here will last about 30 minutes and will have around 30 students.
The interactive opera shows are fun, animated, and delightful for all ages. Each program ends with a chat with the artists to ask questions.
COCKRELL BUTTERFLY CENTER
The Cockrell Butterfly Center is housed in an elegant glass building going up three floors. It is filled with tropical plants and brilliant butterflies. It provides education and wholesome fun for the entire family.
A living butterfly habitat with its live and preserved specimens will have you gasping in glee. Later, challenge your mind with interactive games and quizzes.
LONE STAR FLIGHT MUSEUM
The Lone Star Flight Museum is located in South Houston, Texas at Ellington Field. It is an aerospace museum that displays more than 24 historically significant aircraft and many artifacts related to the history of flight.
The aircraft collection at this museum is unusual because most of it is flyable. In the Flight Academy, visitors will learn the basics of flight and aircraft design. All this is explained with basic scientific principles through engaging hands-on educational stations.
Youngsters over 10 can fly the simulators in the Aviation Learning Center. Teens 12-17 years old can fly in the T-41 Mescalero if accompanied by a legal guardian. Parking is free.
SMITHER PARK
Smither Park is a work of art in progress. Here you will see artists in action.
Spend time gazing at all the spectacular mosaics that have been completed, which include a rocket ship, octopus, and the crazy cat lady.
Bring a picnic lunch and hang out under the Vinson & Elkins Pavilion. Start a spontaneous drum circle, join a performance in the Lindley Fish Amphitheater, or just enjoy time on the swings.
ART CAR MUSEUM
The Art Car Museum, or “Garage Mahal,” is located in the Heights near Washington Avenue. This car museum is devoted to modern art and must be seen in person to be believed!
The car museum is hard to miss because of its unique housing. The building is a work of art with its great scrap metal and chrome, castle-like exterior.
Walk into mind-bending and artfully constructed art on automobiles, lowriders, and mobile gadgets. Nothing here is cookie-cutter or factory-made.
All the cars are transformed into personal expressions. Admire a ride with bronze taxidermy, a mobile that looks like a grimy roach, an old school ride decorated in a floral pattern, a Christmas rocket, a giant Easter bunny on wheels, classic cars, and more original creations.
HOUSTON FIRE MUSEUM
The Houston Fire Museum is in the Midtown area of Houston. This historic building was built in 1898, and is the oldest firehouse in Houston.
Children will have plenty of fun here — there’s a room especially for them! They get to dress up as firefighters and slide down a fire pole in the fun kid’s area. Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop!
BUFFALO BAYOU
Spend a day at one of Houston’s most beautiful outdoor spaces, Buffalo Bayou. This enormous park on the water is home to a mixture of interests, including the Waugh Bat Colony.
As darkness takes over in the evening, you get to see 250,000 bats emerge from their caves and disappear into the night — Dracula-style!
Hidalgo Park delivers a substantial wooden playground and a splash pad the kids will love.
HOUSTON AREA LIVE STEAMERS
The Houston Area Live Steamers is an organization devoted to living steam modeling. Its base is in Northwest Harris County.
On the third Saturday of every month, the Live Steamers give free rides to everyone. Experience model trains running on diesel and steam along a 4700-foot track in Zube Park.
Passengers enjoy a panoramic loop ride through the park. Roll down the tracks, over small bridges and past model windmills — all crafted by the Live Steamers group.
There is a different passageway to this park with parking provided for the train rides.
THE GALLERIA
The Galleria is an international shopping destination that offers world-class shopping with over 375 stores, 30 restaurants, two hotels, and a full-sized ice rink.
The Galleria shows off some of the city’s best shopping and the chance to cool off while ice skating at Ice at the Galleria. Stay on the ice for as long as you like.
DAY TRIPS FROM THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA
While in the city, take a break from Houston and try some of these attractions.
- Kemah Boardwalk is 20 miles from downtown Houston and is open daily. Enjoy waterfront restaurants and seaside shows. Discount tickets: Houston CityPASS®: Save up to 47% at 5 Top Attractions including an all-day ride pass at the Boardwalk
- Brazos Bend State Park is a 5,000-acre treasure 40 miles from downtown Houston. It offers biking, fishing, hiking, birding, camping, star-gazing, and much more.
- At Moody Gardens in Galveston, take part in scout programs, overnight adventures, scavenger hunts, and field trips.
- Schlitterbahn Water Park in Galveston leads the pack in family water fun. Enjoy lazy river rides, enormous slides, and much more.
- The Woodlands Children’s Museum provides interactive exhibits, and play is the focus of this museum constructed for young children.
HOUSTON FAQS
What should I not miss in Houston?
There is so much to do in Houston, TX, but if you have limited time, you should not miss visiting Hermann Park, Buffalo Bayou Park, the Children’s Museum of Houston, or the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
What is Houston best known for?
Houston is know for a lot of great things, but it’s best known for Market Square Park, Space Center Houston, and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. It’s also well-known as a family-friendly place to visit and live.
When is the best time to visit Houston?
If you’re looking for good weather and pleasant temps, the best time to visit Houston, Texas is between February and April and in the fall. If you’re visiting in the summer though, there are plenty of nearby water parks to cool you off!
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MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO TEXAS
- YOUR TEXAS VACATION
- RESORTS: 17 Amazing Resorts In Texas Perfect for Pampering
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WHERE TO STAY IN HOUSTON
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