Houston Activities with Kids

1. The Houston Museum of Natural Science

Founded in 1909, The Houston Museum of Natural Science endeavors to preserve and advance general knowledge of natural science and to inspire visitors to take an interest in the subject. One of the most visited museums in the United States, the museum has a variety of projects, programs, and exhibitions that cover several different topics, including astronomy and the science of space, paleontology, chemistry, energy, Native American culture, and gems and minerals, among others.

The museum is home to the Burke Baker Planetarium, which presents a range of science and astronomy shows. Visitors always enjoy stopping by the Cockrell Butterfly Center, a beautiful three-story glass building filled with tropical plants and butterflies. If you are looking for fun things to do in Houston with kids, this museum is a must-see. The museuem is also known for the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre, a huge 394-seat theater that screens a variety of educational films and programs in 3D and 4K technology.

Address: The Houston Museum of Natural Science, 5555 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, Texas, Phone: 713-639-4629

2. Space Center Houston

Part of the extensive science education program at Manned Space Flight Education Foundation Inc., Space Center Houston is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United States and welcomes more than 800,000 visitors every year. The center was established in 1992 with the aim of educating, encouraging, and inspiring young learners to embrace science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a fun and engaging way.

World-renowned as the home of NASA Mission Control, International Space Station Mission Control, and astronaut training, Space Center Houston takes visitors on a journey behind the scenes and into the world of space. Using space exploration to inspire wonder and interest in the fields of science and math, the center presents over 400 temporary and permanent exhibits, artifacts and items from space, and other various attractions related to America’s human spaceflight program.

Address: 1601 NASA Parkway, Houston, Texas 77058, 281-244-2100

3. The Children's Museum of Houston

The Children's Museum of Houston offers a range of diverse exhibits, workshops, and programs for children and encourages them to engage in a unique and exciting learning environment. The museum endeavors to transform the lives of children and the communities in which they live through innovative, child-centered learning; it features excellent displays and presentations for children of all ages.

Explore Yalálag is an interactive display set inspired by an Oaxacan mountain village in Mexico where children can learn about the day-to-day life of people who live in the community. The Building Zone is an interactive exhibit that teaches children basic principles of physics and engineering. The Children’s Museum of Houston is one of the top things to do in Houston for families. Eco-Station is an indoor/outdoor display that explores environmental issues and ecological studies, while Flow Works delves into the wonders of water and fascinating concepts related with hydropower.

Address: The Children's Museum of Houston, 1500 Binz, Houston, Texas, Phone: 713-522-1138

4. Smither Park

Smither Park is an exciting work in progress that will amaze and intrigue anyone interested in art. The park is full of inspiring and whimsical art installations which have been created by community artists. Each of the interactive installations in the park has been designed to stimulate creativity and free thinking, and to inspire children of all ages (and their parents) to follow their creative side and produce beautiful visual art using all kinds of waste products like bottle caps, shells and the like. The park is free to enter and visitors can interact with the community artists on Saturdays.

Address: Smither Park, 2441 Munger Street, Houston, TX 77023, 713 926 6368

5. McGovern Centennial Gardens

Situated in Hermann Park in the heart of Houston, the McGovern Centennial Gardens prides itself on a magnificent collection of manicured landscapes and gardens for the public to enjoy. Managed by the Hermann Park Conservancy, which was established in 1992 to restore and maintain the gardens for the people of Houston, the collection includes a beautifully maintained rose garden, an arid dryland garden, a leafy woodland garden, and a recently introduced interactive family garden.

The McGovern Centennial Gardens is one of the top Houston attractions for garden lovers. One of the main features of the gardens is a spectacular 30-foot high garden mount with a spiral to its summit, which boasts beautiful views. The Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion is equally beautiful and provides a lovely place to sit and relax.

Address: McGovern Centennial Gardens, 1500 Hermann Drive, Houston, Texas, Phone: 713-524-5876

6. Caracol

Caracol is a laid-back, inviting restaurant managed by brothers Hugo and Ruben Ortega and known for its authentic, regional, and historic Mexican cuisine. Everything is made with the best ingredients from the Pacific, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean. Designed to create a beach getaway feel, the restaurant and its cuisine take diners on a culinary journey along the Mexican coast.

Get a taste of some of the country’s best seafood dishes, such as ‘Tostadas de Pez Vela Ahumado’ (smoked swordfish tostadas) and ‘Langosta Puerto Nuevo’ (fire roasted lobster served with ropa beans). A full-service bar presents guests with a wide range of handcrafted cocktails, wine flights, and a nice selection of cervezas and tequila. The restaurant is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, and it provides a variety of vegetarian options for diners with specific dietary requirements.

Address: Caracol, 2200 Post Oak Blvd, Suite 160, Houston, TX 77056, 713-622-9996

7. Three Brothers Bakery

A long-standing Houston institution, Three Brothers Bakery is a huge operation with three locations where food lovers go when they fancy mouth-watering European-style high-quality breads, bagels, pastries, or cakes. Three Brothers Bakery is certified kosher, offering more than 400 different items, both dairy and non-dairy, including baked goods, fantastic pastries, incredibly delicious rye bread, cake balls, gingerbread cookies, award-winning Key lime pie and pecan pie, fabulous traditional hamantaschen, buttery and flakey rugelach, and much, much more. The bakery roasts its own coffee, and most of their goodies are now available by mail order, including their famous, amazing, over-the-top Pumpecapple Piecake, consisting of three pies sandwiched between three layers of cake.

Address: Three Brothers Bakery, 4036 S. Braeswood Blvd, Houston, TX 77025, 713-666-2253 (CAKE)

8. Houston Arboretum and Nature Center

Covering a lush and beautiful 155 acres, the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is a must-see attraction for families. You can start your visit by enjoying 5 miles of hiking trails which take you through a variety of habitats including wet lands, savanna, woodlands and prairie. There are 8 ponds where you a stop to admire the abundant wildlife. The arboretum hosts a wide variety of educational workshops and lectures for adults as well as children of all ages. These include Tyke Hikes, Home School programs, Summer Camps and even Birthday Parties. Adult programs include birding and photography courses and gardening workshops.

4501 Woodway Drive, Houston, TX 77024, 713 681 8433

9. Discovery Green

Discovery Green is a vibrant 12-acre park in the heart of downtown Houston that provides the public with a beautiful outdoor space in which to relax and participate various outdoor activities. Together, the City of Houston and the non-profit Discovery Green Conservancy opened the park in 2008. Today, Discovery Green presents a variety of dynamic programs, workshops, and events throughout the year that are free and open to the public.

Situated on the north side of the lake is Kinder Lake, where people can enjoy kayaking and stand up paddling lessons, remote controlled boating, and ice-skating during the winter. The park is also home to a nice sized playground for whimsical young children, the Fondren Performance Space, and the Anheuser-Busch Stage, features that offer live music and shows, a putting green, shuffleboard and boules court, and a jogging trail for fitness fundis.

Address: Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney, Houston, Texas 77010