We Made Memories on a Budget with the 11 Best Free Things to Do with Family in Houston
- Watch a Family-Friendly Show at Miller Outdoor Theatre
- Enjoy the Attractions at Discovery Green
- Spend an Afternoon in Hermann Park
- Appreciate Art and Architecture at The Menil Collection
- Spend Time in Nature at Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
- Learn New Things Together at Houston Museum of Natural Science
- Learn About the Human Body at the Health Museum
- Visit the Animals at the Houston Zoo
- Enjoy Free Family Night at the Children’s Museum Houston
- Play and Learn at the Houston Public Library
- Listen to Story Time at Brazos Bookstore
As a parent, I know how important it is to spend time with our families while keeping costs down. Fortunately, Houston has plenty of free activities that are fun for everyone!
From outdoor shows to hands-on museums and beautiful parks, there are so many ways to enjoy our time together as a family in the city. Let’s explore some of the best free family things to do in Houston, TX and create special memories without spending a lot!
Watch a Family-Friendly Show at Miller Outdoor Theatre
Media Credit: milleroutdoor
Website: https://www.milleroutdoortheatre.com/
Address: 6000 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX
Contact Details: (832) 487-7102
For 8 months in a year, the Miller Outdoor Theatre offers first-rate outdoor performances that are all free, that’s why it’s an absolute must-visit destination for families in Houston.
Families can enjoy a variety of shows, including family-friendly musicals and concerts featuring different types of music, like gospel and ethnic music.
Guests can choose to either relax on the hill with lawn chairs and blankets or reserve seats in the covered seating area in advance (it’s free entry either way). There’s also a snack bar for when the kids get hungry and free parking nearby.
Pro Tip:
If attendance is low in the covered seating area, the vacant seats may be offered to those without reservations, so stay alert!
Enjoy the Attractions at Discovery Green
Media Credit: discoverygreen
Website: https://linktr.ee/discoverygreen
Address: 1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX
Contact Details: (713) 400-7336
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 6 AM to 11 PM
Looking for free activities near Downtown Houston? Head on over to Discovery Green where there’s always plenty of family-friendly activities to do.
Have a picnic at Sarofim Picnic Lawn and have the kids enjoy the playground or cool off under the Mistree. At night, enter and enjoy the lights of The Tunnel!
During summer, visit the Gateway Fountain, where kids can jump in and enjoy the water jets during summer. Christmastime means Christmas lights, so families can enjoy the twinkling lights in the park!
Discovery Green also hosts Toddler Tuesdays where families can bring their littlest ones for play dates at the park. For moms and dads needing a break, join the free yoga or zumba classes!
Pro Tip:
There’s almost always something new at Discovery Green, so make a habit of checking their website for the new attractions and activities they have in store!
Spend an Afternoon in Hermann Park
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Website: https://www.hermannpark.org/
Address: 6001 Fannin St, Houston, TX
Contact Details: (713) 526-2183
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 6 AM to 11 PM
Hermann Park is one of the most well-loved parks in Houston. With 40 attractions, the park offers plenty of free activities for families to enjoy!
You can spend an afternoon at the Lake Picnic area–make BBQ and have a picnic, or walk along the trails. The Bayou Parkland is also another picnic-friendly area for family time that’s close to nature!
The Japanese Garden is also a popular attraction in Hermann Park. Spend an afternoon checking out winding down its paths and exploring this peaceful hideaway! In spring, check out the beautiful blooms of the Japanese wisteria and Taiwan cherry trees!
Pro Tip:
Most flowering plants in the Japanese Garden bloom in the spring, but the Japanese Apricot (they look a lot like cherry blossom trees) blooms during winter!
Appreciate Art and Architecture at The Menil Collection
Media Credit: menilcollection
Website: https://www.menil.org/
Address: 1533 Sul Ross St. Houston, TX
Contact Details: (713) 525-9400
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Tuesday – Closed
- Wednesday to Sunday – 11 AM to 7 PM
Are the kids showing early interest in art? Get them started on contemporary and surrealist art by taking them to see The Menil Collection! This museum allows guests to view famous contemporary and surrealist pieces for free.
There are 4 buildings to visit filled with art that guests can appreciate at absolutely no cost. This private collection even includes work by famous artists like Picasso!
After a few hours viewing the art indoors, step outside to admire the stunning main museum building by renowned architect Renzo Piano—a must-see for architecture fans and potential future architects!
Pro Tip:
Photography strictly isn’t allowed inside the museum, so please keep your phone in your bag or pocket to avoid getting reprimanded.
Spend Time in Nature at Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Media Credit: houstonarboretum
Website: https://houstonarboretum.org/
Address: 4501 Woodway Drive Houston, TX
Contact Details: (713) 681-8433
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 7 AM to 8 PM
A visit to Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is a great way to learn about nature together as a family and to instill a love for nature at a young age. The best part is that this can be done for free!
The trails in this nature haven can be accessed for free. Admire and learn about the different types of flora and fauna in the trails!
The Nature Center is also free to visit, where guests can get to know the habitats in the Arboretum. Learn about life in Wetlands, Prairies, or Savannas!
And for the kiddos, there’s a Nature Playscape area, a learning playground inspired by nature! Enter by the Caterpillar Entrance, pass by the Balancing Bridge, and play in the Spider Web or Grass Climb!
Pro Tips:
- Early mornings are the best time to drop by the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center because it’s not yet too hot in the day.
- Dropping by the Nature Center? Weekdays between 9 AM to 1 PM are reserved for field trips and other reservations, so plan ahead accordingly!
Learn New Things Together at Houston Museum of Natural Science
Media Credit: hmns
Website: https://www.hmns.org/
Address: 5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX
Contact Details: (713) 639-4629
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5:30 PM
Great news for parents–Houston’s best museums can be enjoyed for free! Houston Museum of Natural Science is free on Tuesdays from 5 PM to 8 PM for everyone, with kids under 3 always free!
Check out the interactive Matter & Motion exhibit or go on a prehistoric tour at the Morian Hall of Paleontology (dinosaurs will always be a hit with kids). For animal-loving children, there are exhibits on African Wildlife and the ecology of Texas’ coasts!
Regular admission covers these areas, but remember that special exhibits, the Cockrell Butterfly Center, and the Burke Baker Planetarium usually cost extra.
Pro Tip:
If you’re planning to visit the Houston Museum of Natural Science during free entry hours, make sure to arrive by 7:30 PM, as that’s the last time slot for entry that day.
Learn About the Human Body at the Health Museum
Media Credit: thehealthmuseum
Website: https://thehealthmuseum.org/
Address: 1515 Hermann Dr, Houston, TX
Contact Details: (713) 521-1515
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Closed
- Tuesday to Wednesday – 10 AM to 5 PM
- Thursday – 10 AM to 7 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 10 AM to 5 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 5 PM
The Health Museum offers Free Family Thursdays from 2 PM to 7 PM! Reservations are needed, but the extra step of signing up is worth it for a fun afternoon learning about the human body.
The highlight of the museum is the Amazing Body Gallery, where visitors can explore the human body and learn how major organs work! It has over 30 interactive video and audio stations for questions about anatomy and health.
Pro Tip:
Kids aged 7 and up can enjoy one hour of laboratory learning time at the museum’s DeBakey Cell Lab! There’s a fee of $6 for non-members, but the unique opportunity to learn about the human cells and DNA through hands-on lab experiments is worth it!
Visit the Animals at the Houston Zoo
Media Credit: houstonzoo
Website: https://www.houstonzoo.org/
Address: 6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX
Contact Details: (713) 533-6500
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 4 PM
Visit the Houston Zoo for free on the first Tuesday afternoon of each month, from 9 AM to 4 PM!
Most of the zoo’s main exhibits, such as the Galapagos Islands, Reptile and Amphibian House, and the African Forest, are free to view and explore with the free admission!
However, some attractions such as the Wildlife Carousel and the animal encounters still require payment at their regular price.
To avoid parking hassles, arrive early, take the metro, or park in the nearby museums and walk. Because of the high demand, tickets often sell out early, so don’t forget to secure your free tickets online in advance prior to the visit.
Pro Tip:
You can bring outside food and drinks into the Houston Zoo with your free ticket, but leave straws and glass at home! Bring a reusable water bottle to use the free refilling stations in the zoo.
Enjoy Free Family Night at the Children’s Museum Houston
Media Credit: childrensmuseumhouston
Website: https://www.cmhouston.org/
Address: 1500 Binz St, Houston, TX
Contact Details: (713) 522-1138
Operating Hours:
- Monday – Closed
- Tuesday to Wednesday – 9 AM to 5 PM
- Thursday – 9 AM to 8 PM
- Friday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5 PM
The Children’s Museum offers Free Family Night Thursday from 5 PM to 8 PM! The museum extends its usual hours for this special night weekly so families can enjoy the interactive exhibits and mind-bending experiments at no cost.
Kids can enjoy fun exhibits such as FlowWorks and Kidtropolis, USA! Families can also enjoy Game Quest, where they can go head to head or work together to solve puzzles.
Pro Tip:
The Houston Police Department offers free Child ID fingerprinting from 4 PM to 8 PM during the free family nights! This is so families will have a record of their children’s fingerprints, latest photo, and height and weight as a safety precaution.
If you’re worried about privacy, don’t fret! The information collected will be given to the parents for safekeeping.
Play and Learn at the Houston Public Library
Media Credit: houstonpubliclibrary
Website: https://houstonlibrary.org/home
Address: 500 McKinney St, Houston, TX
Contact Details: (832) 393-1313
Operating Hours:
- Monday – 12 PM to 6 PM
- Tuesday to Friday – 9 AM to 6 PM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 6 PM
- Sunday – Closed
The Houston Public Library system gives families access to books, book reading events, and educational programs–all for free!
Their special program, Family Place Libraries, provides parents and caregivers with access to early literacy kits, games, toys, and engaging learning stations, to help them ensure a strong foundation for their child before kindergarten.
Parents can also attend workshops to learn how to use the library’s resources to help their child’s learning and development.
The Houston Public Library system also hosts board game parties, baby storytimes, and family storytimes at the different branches! Just check out their events schedule for when and where the event will take place. All events are free and only need registration.
Pro Tip:
To borrow e-books, e-audiobooks from the Houston Public Library, just apply online to get a MYLink Card. For physical books and other items, just head over to your nearest HPL branch and bring a valid ID and proof of address to get a physical card.
Listen to Story Time at Brazos Bookstore
Media Credit: brazosbookstore
Website: https://www.brazosbookstore.com/
Address: 2421 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX (in Bissonnet Village Center)
Contact Details: (713) 523-0701
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 10 AM to 6 PM
- Sunday – 1 PM to 6 PM
Brazos Bookstore is Houston’s oldest independent bookstore and has been around for more than 50 years!
But you don’t have to spend money to enjoy spending time in this book haven, because Brazos Bookstore regularly hosts family-friendly Story Time events for families to experience the joy of reading together.
Every Saturday at 10:30 AM, kids of all ages come together to listen to fun stories and enchanting tales. It’s a great way to spark their imaginations and help them love reading for life.
Pro Tip:
Brazos Bookstore has several book clubs that parents can join! Are you into romance, Asian literature, or general fiction? Join one of their book clubs today!
