Houston has endless attractions that are enjoyable for both adults and kids. In addition, the city is frequently listed as one of the most family-friendly in the nation. So plan a trip and treat your family to one of the city’s exciting, fun-filled educational, and entertaining adventures.
Finding fun activities for kids in Houston can be challenging due to its enormous size. However, the list below is full of parks, museums, vibrant parks, and other fascinating locations perfect for kids of all ages.
1. Children’s Museum of Houston
The 90,000-square-foot Children’s Museum of Houston is filled with unique exhibits.
It invites children to participate in a unique and interesting learning environment by providing a variety of diverse exhibits, workshops, and activities. This museum is fit for kids from 3 to 12 years.
Read also: 20 Reasons to Visit The Children’s Museum of Houston
Children can learn about pulleys in the Building Zone by hoisting a big bag of gravel. Also, they can jump, climb, and dance while learning about health and fitness in the Powerplay area.
Location: 1500 Binz, Houston, Texas,
Phone: 713-522-1138
2. The Houston Museum of Natural Science
Since its establishment in 1969, the Houston Museum of Natural Science has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Its main goals are safeguarding natural science and raising public awareness of it.
The museum offers a wide range of programs, activities, and exhibits that cover several subjects, including astronomy and the science of space, paleontology, chemistry, energy, Native American culture, gems and minerals, and more.
When you visit the Houston Museum of Natural Science, it’s like traveling back to the era when dinosaurs ruled the planet.
Children’s attention will be sparked by a variety of exhibits, including those on Astronomy, the science of space energy, and Native American culture.
Location: 5555 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, Texas,
Phone: 713-639-4629
3. Space Center Houston
The Space Center is home to astronaut training, NASA Mission Control, and International Space Station Mission Control. Over 800,000 people visit Space Center Houston each year, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.
Take a tour of actual rocket ships to learn about life in space. Every Friday, a real astronaut visits and shares their stories from space which kids will surely enjoy.
The center offers more than 400 different attractions relating to America’s human spaceflight program, including temporary and permanent displays, artifacts and items from space, and more.
Location: 1601 NASA Parkway, Houston, Texas 77058,
Phone: 281-244-2100
4. Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is the ideal destination for families that enjoy being in and around nature.
The major objective of this 155-acre, nonprofit nature refuge is to preserve plants and animals in their native habitats while providing chances for environmental education for people of all ages.
The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center offers a true retreat from city life with five miles of walking trails, gardens, hundreds of birds and other animals, pond habitats, and towering pine trees. In addition, the Arboretum offers weekly Discovery Classes throughout the summer to teach kids more about Houston’s native plants and animals and the natural world.
Location: 4501 Woodway Dr, Houston, TX 77024
Phone: 713.681.8433
5. Little Beakers Science Lab for Kids
Little Beakers is a distinctive, enjoyable, instructive science lab created particularly for youngsters! Little Beakers offers a wide range of activities for kids of all ages, from preschoolers to teenagers and even adults, including birthday parties, school and daycare field trips, homeschool classes, after-school activities, summer and holiday camps, weekend workshops, scout groups, dissections, corporate & teacher development lab challenges, and its popular Open Lab service.
Book your upcoming science lab experience at one of the three convenient Houston-area locations; cypress, The Woodlands, or Katy/Memorial.
Phone: 1-833-KIDS-LAB (1-833-543-7522)
6. Houston Zoo
The Houston Zoo is home to nearly 6,000 animals from 900 different species and sits on a 55-acre zoological park. Over two million people visit the Houston zoo each year.
Children will be excited to watch the giraffes being fed by the animal keepers, play with the elephants, and learn interesting facts about their favorite species all across the zoo.
The younger children can find their way to the bat cave and visit the petting area to interact with friendly animals like goats.
Location: 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030
Phone: +17135336500
7. Downtown Aquarium
The Downtown Aquarium, a magnificent six-acre entertainment and dining complex that features a 500,000-gallon aquarium with more than 200 species of aquatic life from across the world, is made up of two refurbished downtown Houston landmarks: Fire Station No. 1 and the Central Waterworks Building.
The complex includes a full-service restaurant and stylish bar, a fully furnished ballroom for special events, shopping opportunities, and various other attractions and entertainment, in addition to a magnificent variety of aquatic and geographic exhibits and displays related to the marine environment.
Location: 410 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 713-315-5109
8. The Health Museum
The Health Museum is a member institution of the renowned Texas Medical Center and is an interactive learning science center.
The larger-than-life exhibits of various human systems and organs are a unique experience.
The intelligent entertainment offered by Texas Health Museum is heavily influenced by science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The aspiring scientists in your group will love it here.
Location: 1515 Hermann Drive, Houston, TX 77004
Phone: (713) 521-1515
9. George Ranch Historical Park
The George Ranch Historical Park, established in 1824, brings Texas and Fort Bend County history to life through engaging educational programs, group tours, unique events, and public Saturday presentations.
The George Ranch Historical Park is a 423-acre living history museum devoted to preserving and illuminating Texas’ rich history. The scene is prepared for a walk through Texas history with historic homes, a beautiful country setting, and costumed presenters.
Location: 10215 FM 762 Rd, Richmond, TX
Phone: (281) 343-0218
10. Ice Skate At The Galleria
Going ice skating in the middle of a mall may seem a little strange, but it’s a 30-year tradition at Houston’s Galleria. You can enroll the kids in certain lessons if you do some advanced planning. There are also many toy stores and ice cream parlors nearby to keep the kids happy if they don’t have the talent for ice skating.
Location: 5015 Westheimer Rd Suite #1260
Phone: +1 713-621-1500
11. Discovery Green
Look no further than Discovery Green if you’re searching for a free outdoor space for youngsters to burn off some energy. This 12-acre park in the heart of Houston frequently holds entertaining events like kid’s yoga sessions and family movie nights.
There is even a splash pad on-site for the youngsters to enjoy during the Texas heat, as Houston summers are notoriously hot. Enjoy the playground, outdoor sculptures, and several shady locations in H-Town for the ideal picnic.
Location: 1500 McKinney Houston, Texas 77010
12. Wet ‘n’ Wild SplashTown
Spending the day at Wet’n’Wild SplashTown is the best way to escape the summer heat. SplashTown, the most famous and expansive water park in Houston, is 20 minutes from the city center and spans over 40 acres.
Enjoy the relaxing river or ride the exhilarating water slide. Both young and old Texans enjoy their stay here. Older children will like the whitewater rafting trip and the 132-foot-long tunnel slide, which begins 75 feet in the air. Don’t overlook the Wet’n’Wild Jr. section of the park for younger kids, which features three levels of interactive entertainment.
Location: 21300 Interstate 45 North Spring, Texas 77373
13. Lake State Park
Sheldon Lake is a reservoir on Carpenter’s Bayou in the San Jacinto River Basin, northeast of Houston. It is part of Sheldon Lake State Park. Locals and visitors can engage in fishing, boating, kayaking, and wildlife observation at the lake.
The park has an environmental learning center that offers multiple kids’ programs for wildlife/nature research, hiking, fishing, and birding, as well as regular wildlife shows.
Location: 14140 Garrett Rd, Houston, TX 77044
Phone: 281-456-280
14. Kemah Boardwalk
Located 20 minutes from Downtown Houston and overlooking Galveston Bay, this coastal getaway offers family-friendly attractions, retail stores, and restaurants with unique themes.
In addition to a 65-foot Ferris wheel and a 36-foot carousel, there are rides including the Aviator, the Inverter, and the Boardwalk Tower on this 35-acre carnival-like setting. Children adore Midway and arcade games.
Location: 215 Kipp Avenue Kemah, TX 77565
Phone: (281) 535-8100
15. Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park, the baseball team’s home field, is situated near Union Station in Houston. Taking one of the daily offered guided tours allows visitors to see the famous stadium.
A historic locomotive travels down a track on the wall of the renowned stadium. Some of the guided tours even go inside historic Union Station, giving guests a chance to learn about the history of the railroad and to see the press box, radio booth, and other structures.
Visitors can also take field tours to see the bullpen, dugout, and manual scoreboard. They last for an hour to an hour and a half.
Location: 501 Crawford St, Houston, TX 77002, United States
Phone: +1 713-259-8000
16. Schlitterbahn Galveston Island
Let your kids cool off and blast off this summer at the water park on gorgeous Galveston Island, close to Houston. There is something for everyone at Schlitterbahn Galveston, from mild to crazy. Only an hour’s drive from Houston lies this 26-acre aquatic dreamland.
There are 33 thrilling rides and attractions here, along with lots of snack bars, restaurants, an adult-only swim-up bar, kiddie water slides, lazy rivers, wave pools, and water coasters.
Location: 2109 Gene Lucas Blvd, Galveston, TX 77554, United States
Phone: +1 409-770-9283
17. Miller Outdoor Theater
Hermann Park is home to the Miller Outdoor Theatre, an outdoor performing arts venue. Between March and November, the theater hosts a wide range of professional entertainment and free performances.
Before shows, visitors are welcome to have a picnic on the hillside that serves as the amphitheater or watch the performance from a cozy covered seating area.
The Miller Outdoor Theatre provides a range of daytime children’s events planned during the week and on weekends as part of its free seasonal shows.
The Velveteen Rabbit and Arabian Nights are well-known among the performances, along with new productions like Mesoamerica de Mexico, Swing, Jive and Pop! Into Dance, and Mixteco Ballet Folklorico.
Location: 6000 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, United States
Phone: +1 832-487-7102
18. Dewberry Farm
You can wander through 500+ illuminated carved pumpkins in the Pumpkin Hollar, get lost in the 8-acre corn maze at Dewberry Farm’s Fall Festival, ride the mile-long DewVille Express train, slide down Slide Mountain, and fire blaster cannons at metal targets!
Children can also ride the carousel, ride the jumping pillows, and explore the barnyard. Additionally, there is a playground with swings, a spider web, a tricycle track, and tractor tires to climb for kids under 7 years old.
Location: FM 362 & Morrison Road Brookshire, TX 77423
Phone: 281.934.3276
19. Brazos Bend State Park
This 5,000-acre park, where you can enjoy biking, hiking, boating, and fishing, is only 40 miles from downtown Houston. In addition, there are guided hikes and interpretative programs available.
There is a Nature Center in the park where you can find out more about the ecosystems and residents of the area, including an estimated 250 alligators over six feet long. It’s crucial to be alligator-safe because you can frequently observe crocodilians lurking in the water, especially in Elm and 40-Acre Lakes.
The George Observatory, where you can use powerful telescopes to study the cosmos, is also in the park.
Location: 21901 Farm to Market Rd 762, Needville, TX 77461, United States
Phone: +19795535101
20. Urban Air
Urban Air is an indoor adventure park. It’s the ideal air-conditioned place to spend a hot and humid (classically Houston) summer day. You can jump on the trampolines, get competitive on the Warrior Obstacle Course, climb walls, go indoor skydiving, and have fun on the Sky Rider indoor coaster.
Urban Air has several locations in the Houston area, including Cypress, Jersey Village, Willowbrook, and Northwest Houston.
Location: 20100 Holzwarth Rd, Spring, TX 77388, USA
Phone: +1 281-219-9255
