Houston is not only the 4th largest city in the US, but it is also the largest city in Texas. Houston is a very family-oriented city, and it has hundreds of things to do with kids in Houston. We have compiled a list of some of the best things to do with kids in Houston. Some are free or inexpensive, and also a list that you simply can’t miss.
5 Free things to do with kids in Houston
Within the bustling city of Houston, there are free things to do with kids. You can take your kids to their favorite park or a museum for free. There are also many free performances your kids may enjoy.
1. Miller Outdoor theater
Miller Outdoor theater is a great place for kids 6 and older to enjoy. There are performances here almost every night of the summer season. There are many interactive events for kids here as well.
Past performances include:
*Shakespeare in the Park
*Summer Theater for Children including stories like Alice in Wonderland and Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit
*Movie nights
*Concerts
*Interactive performances such as Kids Jam and Dancing in the Street
2. Hermann Park
Hermann Park is one of Houston’s largest city parks. It is the perfect spot for families to enjoy. One of our favorite things to do with kids in Houston is going on a hike.
There are plenty of trails that you and your family can enjoy inside Hermann Park.
But if you are looking to spend some money, you should try the Hermann Park Train. It is a fun ride for the price.
You definitely get your money’s worth because the ride is about 2 miles long. It rides around Buffalo Bayou, over a bridge, and by many historic homes in Houston. It is an excellent experience for children and adults alike.
3. Free days in the Houston museum district
The Houston Museum District is home to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Houston Zoo, and many other museums. With over 200 museums in this area, you are sure to find something that your family will like.
The Houston Museum District is located in the heart of Houston. It has a variety of free days throughout the year. Many museums are free for some portion of the day on Thursdays. Check the museum you are wanting to visit for precisely what time.
4. Art Car museum
The Art Car Museum in Houston is a unique experience for the whole family. . The art car museum is located between downtown Houston and the Galleria area. The museum is free to enter most days.
The Art Car Museum has the most extensive collection of classic cars plus outrageous art cars that are unforgettable. Every year Houston also has a free art car parade that attracts unusual vehicles from all over the United States.
5. Houston police department stables
The Houston Police Department Stables is a great place to take your kids out for the day.
They have horses that you can learn about and feed. You can have your kids around horses all day. There is also a petting zoo.
The Houston Police Department Stables is located in the heart of the city, so it is easy to enjoy without spending hours driving. Unschedule visitors can show up between 12 pm and 2 pm to feed and pet these police horses.
Cheap things to do In Houston
To stretch your budget, you can try some of these inexpensive options to do with your family while visiting the Lone Star State.
1 . Discovery Green
Discovery Green is located in downtown Houston near the Toyota Center. It is a fantastic option in the summertime. There are plenty of activities for kids to enjoy. It is also a great spot to bring your family for a picnic.
Check out their website for a schedule of activities.
Discovery Green also has the Discovery Green Boathouse if you are looking to spend a little bit of money. The Discovery Green Boathouse has paddle boat rentals available as well as kayaks and pontoon boats. They also have fishing poles that you may borrow with your Texas fishing license on hand. Their website offers information on SUPs (stand-up paddleboards) lessons, sailing lessons, kids camps, and other things happening around Houston’s free waterfront destination.
2. Go to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo every January
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a fun family event that takes place every January. It is a chance for everyone to enjoy something different in the city of Houston.
It is the largest Livestock Show and Rodeo in the world. If you are visiting during January/February, definitely check out everything from the BBQ cook-offs to the rodeo, carnival rides, and concerts.
There are also lots of entertainment options for the kids. If you are looking to have some fun on a budget, make sure to check out the Rodeo Parade and the fireworks display.
3. Houston Zoo
The Houston Zoo is a great zoo to visit with your family. It has many free days and affordable pricing. The Houston Zoo has many hands-on activities for kids to enjoy. They offer animal shows, train rides, and much more.
Not only will you get to get up close and personal with many of the animals with meet and greets, but the Zoo also offers a splash pad, playground, and sea lion show.
3 Can’t miss things to do with kids In Houston
Don’t leave Houston until you visit these can’t-miss destinations.
1. NASA Johnson Space Center
Located in Houston, the NASA Johnson Space Center is a fun space center for kids to visit. You can get to board the NASA “mission control” simulator and take a trip into space on the 12 minute trip into orbit.
This is spot will easily take you most of the day.
2. Downtown aquarium
The Downtown Aquarium in Houston is another fun spot to visit with the kids. The Downtown Aquarium has an extensive collection of over 5,000 marine animals.
It is one of the largest aquariums in Texas. The aquarium has many activities for the whole family and also offers dolphin shows.
Outside you can also do some rides like the Ferris Wheel and water features.
3. Express Children’s Theater
The Express Children’s Theater is a great place to take the kids. The theater is near the Lawndale Art Center. They have children’s shows going on all the time and have served the Houston area for more than 30 years. It is a great place to introduce your kids to the arts and theatre.
Houston is a large, diverse city that has so much to offer to families on vacation. From free and cheap things to places you just can’t miss, Houston is sure to be a favorite family vacation for a long time to come. Be sure to check and see if any local festivals are being held when you visit. It is usually hard to find a weekend that you can’t find a fun free festival.
We hope that you are enjoying our travel tips to help you when you travel with kids in the USA! If you want more travel ideas take a look at these from our site.
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Thanks for stopping by,
Helen
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Helen
Helen is a mum to two, social media consultant, and website editor; and this site is (we think) the only Social Enterprise parenting magazine! Since giving up being a business analyst when juggling travel, work and kids proved too complicated, she founded KiddyCharts so she could be with her kids, and use those grey cells at the same time. KiddyCharts has reach of over 1.1million across social and the site. The blog works with big family brands (including travel) to help promote their services, as well as offering free resources to parents of kids under 10. It gives 51%+ profits to Reverence for Life, who fund a number of important initiatives in Africa, including bringing running water and basic equipment to a school in Tanzania. Helen has worked as a digital marketing consultant (IDM qualified) with various organisations, including Channel Mum, Truprint, Talk to Mums, and Micro Scooters. She loves to be creative in the brand campaigns she works on. Get in touch TODAY!