Looking for a few ways to keep the kids entertained now that school’s out? You don’t have to go far! Houston has tons of fun, kid-friendly, and affordable options for summer vacation activities.
One of our favorite places to start is Houston’s very own Museum District. Here are our top picks:
- The Children’s Museum of Houston. Houston is lucky to have one of the top-ranked children’s museums in the country. Exhibits include the Building Zone where kids can learn about physics and engineering by creating buildings; Kidtropolis, U.S.A. where kids take on roles of running a city; and FlowWorks, where kids get to play with water while learning about water energy.
- Miller Outdoor Theatre. Located in the Museum District’s Hermann Park, Miller Outdoor Theatre is the place for summer culture. In June through September, the theatre offers free shows for kids (see the schedule here). And of course, Miller Outdoor Theatre is home to one of the city’s most popular Independence Day celebrations, too.
- Houston Museum of Natural Science. In addition to the permanent Egyptian and dinosaur exhibits, this Houston museum offers special summer educational programs like Explorations Science Adventures camp for elementary school kids and the Aramco Science Fair Bootcamp for teenagers.. As if that wasn’t enough, the Cockrell Butterfly Center alone is worth a trip to the museum. This walk-through butterfly habitat is filled with species from around the world.
- Houston Zoo. The Museum District’s animal kingdom is home to over 6,000 animals and sprawls over 55 acres across Hermann Park. Kids will enjoy the entire experience, but there’s an additional “children’s zoo” with a petting zoo and playground. Children under two years old get into the zoo for free.
- The Health Museum. This interactive science learning center is more fun than it sounds. The Amazing Body Pavilion is a tour through the human body—kids can sit on giant teeth and walk through a giant brain, amongst other things. You: The Exhibit uses multi-media and special effects to let kids and adults see what they will look like in 30 years, and how their current habits affect their future.
What are your favorite things to do in Houston during the summer?
My kids are fascinated by the exhibits at The Health Museum. I have to admit, I’ve learned a lot there myself. It’s a great way to spend a day with the family.