Things To Do With Kids in Houston

Everything’s bigger in Texas, and Houston is no different. This Southern metropolis stretches into the Gulf Coast and is filled with a fusion of culture, art, and historic sites. The whole family will fall in love with the Old West cowboy lifestyle side mixed with the interstellar influence of one of the most famous space centers in the country. Spend the next day in the Magnolia City discovering why Houston is one of the most popular cities in the Lone Star State.

Between sports, food, space, and animals, Houston has a little something for everyone. The next time you and the kids are looking for a fun-filled day on the town, be sure to visit all of the unique and thrilling attractions H-Town has to offer. Afterward, be sure to check out these other top activities for kids:

  • Climb on the water treehouse at Wet N’ Wild SplashTown
  • Pretend to be an astronaut at Space Center Houston
  • Feed the giraffes at Houston Zoo
  • Learn about conservation at the Downtown Aquarium
  • Run the Challenge Course at the Children’s Museum of Houston

Houston is all about local culture. From local boutiques at Rice Village to the hearty Tex-Mex at Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen, no other city can boast a better day of leisure for the whole family. Bring the kids along to discover some of the top food and art in town, such as:

  • Admiring the contemporary art at the Art Car Museum
  • Seeing art from different cultures at the Museum of Fine Arts
  • Buying local produce and goods at Urban Harvest Farmers Market
  • Enjoying a European pastry at Ashley's Donuts Kolaches and Tacos
  • Strolling through the trails at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center

Houston’s diverse culture and history have shaped the metropolitan area into a land unlike any other. Teach the kids all about what makes Houston one of Texas’s favorite cities by visiting its many historical sites, neighborhoods, and downtown Houston, as well as these other exciting places to visit:

  • Shopping and dining at the Kemah Boardwalk
  • Learning about Houston history at the Battleship Texas State Historic Site
  • Exploring, shopping, and eating out in Chinatown
  • Seeing the memorial at the San Jacinto Museum of History
  • Having a family photo session in front of Mecom Fountain

From theaters to jungle gyms, there are plenty of places in town to entertain the kids. Be sure to stop by some of Houston’s favorite green spaces, like Levy Park, and its many theme parks, including Grand Texas and Boomers! Houston. Don’t forget to also check out:

  • Grab sweets for the whole family at The Chocolate Bar
  • Spend a few hours playing in the mall at Little Galleria Play Area
  • Splash in the Mist Tree at Discovery Green Park
  • Meet the barnyard animals at Old MacDonald Farm
  • See a production at the Main Street Theater

Everything's better with friends. Set up your next big playdate to visit some of Houston's top rated attractions that are better to experience with a buddy, including laser tag arenas, scavenger hunts, and mini golfing. If you’re looking for some more fun, check out:

  • Moody Gardens in Galveston has three pyramids of entertainment
  • Speedy’s Fast Track is the perfect place to challenge your friends to a race
  • The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the best place in town to see bull riding
  • Typhoon Texas in Katy offers passes for the whole season
  • Minute Maid Park is the best place to cheer for the Houston Astros

The Houston Museum District is home to exhibits covering a variety of cultures and time periods. For a cultural experience the kids will never forget, check out the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft and the Czech Center Museum Houston. Some other museums in town include:

  • Learn about history on the sea at the Houston Maritime Museum
  • Take a photo in front of the giant heart at The Health Museum
  • Solve a mystery at the Sherlock Holmes exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science
  • Walk amongst the Art on the Lawn at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
  • Attend an event at the Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center

Does your child have an artistic or athletic streak? Houston has tons of top rated children academies and camps for everything from dance to gymnastics. For those determined to make their child a rising star, be sure to sign up for some of these fun lessons:

  • Painting cups and plates at Mad Potter
  • Signing up for acting classes with HITS Theater
  • Become a tumbling master at Houston Elite Cheer Camp
  • Unleash your child’s inner Mozart at Vivaldi Music Academy
  • Make presents for the whole family at Tree House Arts + Crafts

Tired of spending your days by the water in Buffalo Bayou? Head indoors for some unique and exciting entertainment for kids of all ages, including movies at Landmark River Oaks Theatre and learning about planes at the Lone Star Flight Museum. Some other fun places for kids to visit include:

  • AMF Bowling Co. is a local favorite in Jersey Village
  • Sky Zone hosts Ultimate Dodgeball competitions
  • Edwards Houston Marq’E Stadium 23 is inside the Marq-E Entertainment Center
  • Battlefield Houston is great for family gatherings and field trips
  • Funplex Amusement Park has a bowling alley, arcade, and go-karts