18 Things To Do in Houston With Kids

christadiserio said:  Experience the ultimate kind of family fun at the Kemah Boardwalk! Adults and kids of all ages will enjoy the amusement rides, selection of waterfront dining, shopping, and games. Kids of all ages will have the option to hop on several different rides, like a Ferris wheel, carousel, replica of a famous train, space adventure and so much more. Trust me, the thrill of the rides plus a family lunch or dinner at one of the onsite restaurants will be just the kind of fun the kids have in mind!

Cost: All day ride passes ranging from $18.99-24.99. More info here.

christadiserio said:  Have your kids every wondered what exactly astronauts do and what space is all about? A visit to the Houston Space Center is something that the whole family will find fascinating. You'll get to learn about the history of space exploration and experience the life of astronauts in space through the Kids Space Place. Kids will also enjoy the Blast Off Theater, where you'll hear live mission updates from the International Space Station. There are limitless fun activities for kids. For a VIP experience, kids 14+ should consider the Level Nine Tour.

Cost: $29.95 (adults) & $24.95 (ages 4-11)

Visit Bayou Wildlife Zoo in Alvin, TX! An experienced guide will take you on a safari tram ride. You will travel through 60-plus acres while learning about and interacting with animals from all around the world. All three attractions (Tram Ride, Addie Lou's Barnyard, & Big Red Barn) are included in the entrance fee.

christadiserio said:  Build your family's love for music by attending a performance at the Houston Symphony. Rest assured, this is not your average adult symphony performance. The Houston Symphony puts on performances that will appeal to kids and move them with the music. Performance examples geared toward families include Peter and the Wolf, Hocus Pocus Pops, Home Alone, Once Upon a Time and others your kids will be thrilled to attend.

Cost: tickets starting at $25/person

christadiserio said:  If you've noticed the Ferris wheel from I-45 and I-10, that's right on the Downtown Aquarium property and it's calling your family's name. This aquarium calls itself a "500,000-gallon wonderland," and in my opinion, that's exactly what it is. It houses more than 300 species of aquatic life from around the world, such as white tigers, gators, eels and more. The Downtown Aquarium also has a full-service restaurant, so you'll have somewhere to eat with the family if you're hungry. Oh, and don't forget to visit the Ferris Wheel.

christadiserio said:  If your family is full of basketball fanatics, then a Houston Rockets basketball game is the perfect family outing. Dress your kids in their Rockets jerseys if they have them and make your way on over to the Toyota Center for a game. At the arena, you can order dinner and sit back & relax to enjoy watching your favorite players, like Carmelo Anthony, ball it up on the court. The whole family will love the energy and may or may not have a voice the next day after cheering so loudly!

Cost: Tickets starting at $11/person

Donovan Park is the result of extensive community efforts to transform a formerly underused park. Today, it is a place that sparks young imaginations, encourages social interaction among cultures, and serves as an inspiration to future generations.

Main Street Theater in Houston is a professional, intimate venue founded in 1975 that presents adult-focused literary MainStage productions alongside a vibrant Theater for Youth program based on children’s literature, with performances both in‑house and touring across Texas. Housed at a cozy 99‑seat black‑box theater in Rice Village (and also performing at MATCH downtown), the company is deeply committed to equity, inclusion, and enriching the local arts landscape.

Buffalo Bayou Park is a 160-acre green space just west of downtown Houston. It has beautiful gardens and native landscaping, as well as hiking and biking trails, a nature play area, and a dog park. There's also public art, and delightful places to picnic, relax, and enjoy the outdoors.

The Children’s Museum of Houston is housed in a whimsical, Robert Venturi–designed facility in Houston’s Museum District, offering interactive bilingual exhibits and programs for children from birth up to age 12. It spans approximately 90,000 sq ft, welcomes over one million visitors annually, and features hands‑on galleries like Kidtropolis, FlowWorks, Invention Convention, and Tot*Spot to spark playful learning and creativity.

Sarah D. said:  The Children's Museum of Houston is the ultimate museum experience for any child. Whether you little one wants to learn about our environment, develop an invention, disappear into the world of dragons and fairies or simply learn how things work, this museum has it all.

christadiserio said:  Let your kids explore the human body in the unique, interactive and fun setting at the Health Museum. Kids can actually walk through the human body in this museum and learn how all of our body's major organs play a role in keeping us alive and healthy. They'll get to experience a 12-foot beating heart, a 10-foot-tall walk through-brain, cellular biology and even a skeleton riding a bicycle. If your kids are at all into biology, science and anatomy, then this museum must be moved to the top of your list to visit!

Sarah D. said:  Hermann Park is an amazing place to spend the day with family! The park is home to an array of activities that make this destination a must-see for any family hoping to spend time in Houston. Whether your child enjoys locomotive train rides, peddle boats, garden-scapes or time at the zoo (adjacent to Hermann Park), this lovely spot set in Houston's scenic and historic medical district will be a perfect place to check out.

Miller Outdoor Theatre offers the most diverse season of professional entertainment of any Houston performance venue, and it’s all FREE! Classical music, jazz, world music and dance, ballet, Shakespeare, musical theatre, classic films, and much, much more are included in this year’s outstanding line-up. Relax in the covered seating area or enjoy a pre-performance picnic on the Hill. All performances at Miller are family-friendly!

Sarah D. said:  Whether you want to time travel, explore space or understand wildlife, there is something for every child at the Houston Museum of Natural Science! Blast into space on family space day, visit the stars in the planetarium, be in nature at the Butterfly Center, or explore extraordinary permanent exhibits like Ancient Hall of Egypt or the world of paleontology.

The Houston Zoo, located in Hermann Park, Houston, Texas, spans approximately 55 acres and is home to more than 6,000 animals representing over 900 species, making it the second‑most visited zoo in the United States, with nearly two million annual visitors