We Made Houston Our Playground and Found the 10 Best Things To Do With Kids
- Go On An Animal Encounter at Houston Zoo
- Learn and Play at Children’s Museum Houston
- Go See The Dinosaurs and Stars at Houston Museum of Natural Science
- Swim in Splashway Waterpark & Campground
- Visit the Downtown Aquarium
- Go on Rides at Kemah Boardwalk
- Do A Science Experiment at Little Beakers Science Lab for Kids
- Visit the Dewberry Farm
- Jump in Altitude Trampoline Park
When I was a kid growing up in the 90s, I loved going on simple adventures, but I could only spend quiet afternoons in the park playground.
Now that there are more places to have even better adventures, I wanted to up the ante for my own kids so that they can have a memorable childhood.
If you’re looking for fun things to do with kids in Houston, you’re in the right place! The city has many fun and interesting activities that kids will love. From meeting animals at the Houston Zoo to science experiments at Little Beakers, there’s something for every kid in the city.
Go On An Animal Encounter at 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
Admission Costs: Prices start at $19.95 for kids and $24 for adults
The Houston Zoo is always a great choice for kids to explore and see amazing animals. Nestled in Hermann Park, the Houston Zoo is a favorite of local families with kids of all ages. Whether you have a toddler or school-aged children, a visit to this zoo is a must!
For kids curious about reptiles, the Reptile and Amphibian House is a must-see! Kids can check out the king cobra and the Komodo dragon. They’ll be amazed by the colorful Amazon Milk Frog and Panamanian Golden Frog and learn how these animals help the environment.
But our favorite experience was in the African Forest, where we saw chimpanzees, tall Masai giraffes, and even southern white rhinoceroses. Kids can even feed giraffes at the Giraffe Feeding Platform!
Aside from the exhibits, there are also animal encounters that can be purchased in advance. The Elephant Encounter is a popular choice, where guests get an opportunity to see and feed the zoo’s elephants up close.
| Pro Tip: Holders of a CityPass can get tickets to the Houston Zoo at a significantly lower price! |
Learn and Play at 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
Admission Costs: Prices start at $19.95
The Children’s Museum Houston is one of the best places to take kids for an afternoon of fun and learning. It’s one of the best children’s museums in the country, and with its variety of interactive exhibits, it’s easy to see why.
Their exhibits are far from the typical museum exhibits–they encourage kids to think, solve, learn, create and play! Kids can sharpen their Math skills in the GameQuest exhibit, or role play jobs at Kidtropolis, USA (a city for kids, run by kids).
Since we brought an energetic child with us on our last visit, we saw that he really enjoyed the PowerPlay! exhibit where he got to run, climb, crawl, and jump while learning about the importance of health and exercise.
| Pro Tip: The Children’s Museum is usually packed on weekends, so aim for a weekday visit if you want a relaxed experience. |
Go See The Dinosaurs and Stars 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
Admission Costs: Prices start at $16 for kids, $25 for adults
Kids and museums are often not a good mix, but at Houston Museum of Natural Science, there are experiences that are just too irresistible for kids!
The Burke Baker Planetarium is within the museum grounds and allows kids to explore the cosmos and feel like they’re in outer space! Watching the astronomical programs under the massive dome will definitely be an unforgettable experience.
We saw the Aurora Borealis show at the planetarium, and it was amazing! There are other shows that are programmed to songs by famous artists, so if that interests you, check the schedule of shows regularly before buying a ticket.
A short walk from the planetarium is another popular exhibit for kids: the Morian Hall of Paleontology. Dinosaurs are always a hit, and what better way to enjoy them than to explore how they survived and appreciate their life-sized models?
| Pro Tip: Museum members enjoy free access to the permanent exhibits. Can’t get enough of HMNS? Sign up for their membership! |
Swim in Splashway Waterpark & Campground
Media Credit: splashway
Website: https://www.splashway.com/
Address: 5211 Main St, Sheridan, TX
Contact Details: (979) 234-7718
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – Closed
- Saturday to Sunday – 11AM to 6PM
Admission Costs: Waterpark passes start at $39.99
Kids will always have a great time in the water so a visit to Splashway Waterpark & Campground is perfect for those hot summer days when there’s not much to do.
This waterpark has more than 20 attractions in the waterpark alone. Most of their slides have a high thrill level and are perfect for adrenaline junkies of all ages (as long as you meet the height requirements, of course).
The Summit Planet is a gravity-defying water slide that is definitely not for the faint of heart. Don’t want to go down a slide alone? Try The Patriot, where guests can ride a small raft down a slide together with a buddy.
For those who prefer a more relaxing day at the pool, don’t fret! There’s a Lazy River where you can leisurely float or do slow laps. For those who want something more exciting but don’t want to go on a slide, there’s a Wavepool where you can swim with waves.
| Pro Tip: Guests can bring their own food and drink, so feel free to bring your favorite outing food on your visit! |
Visit the Downtown Aquarium
Media Credit: aquariumhouston
Website: https://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/downtownaquariumhouston/default.asp
Address: 410 Bagby St, Houston, TX
Contact Details: (713) 223-3474
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 10 AM to 8:30 PM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 8:30 PM
Admission Costs: Starts at $13.99
The Downtown Aquarium is another popular destination for families with small children in the city. But this place isn’t just an aquarium–it has a famous white Bengal tiger, a train, and a small amusement park connected to it.
We love this place because of their cool exhibits! Our favorite exhibit, the Stingray Reef, allows guests to touch and feed some stingrays. It was such a unique experience to feel their soft bodies glide past our hands!
Another highlight was the Sunken Temple. The intricate design of the temple, surrounded by a wall-to-ceiling aquarium, made it feel like we had stepped into an ancient world. Watching the colorful fish swim around the ruins was mesmerizing.
But perhaps the most interesting part of the aquarium is the Tigers of the Maharaja’s Temple exhibit, where the infamous white Bengal tigers can be seen. It was odd to see them in an aquarium, but it was difficult to not stare at their fierce appearance!
A trip to the aquarium isn’t complete without seeing a shark and the Downtown Aquarium doesn’t disappoint. To make things even better, guests need to ride a train to reach the exhibit.
| Pro Tip: The Stingray Reef exhibit requires a small fee, so be prepared with extra cash on your visit! |
Go on Rides at Kemah Boardwalk
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Website: https://www.kemahboardwalk.com/
Address: 215 Kipp Ave, Kemah, TX 77565
Contact Details: (281) 535-8100
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 12 PM to 8 PM
- Friday – 12 PM to 9 PM
- Saturday – 12 PM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 9 PM
Admission Costs: Free to enter but passes for rides start at $22.99
Kemah Boardwalk is a long-time, must-visit spot for food and fun along the Texas coast. There are family-friendly restaurants that cater to even the pickiest eaters, while kids of all ages enjoy the exciting rides.
For younger visitors or those wanting a more relaxed experience, the iconic Boardwalk Tower, the Wonder Wheel, the Double Decker Carousel, and the CP Huntington Train replica are great ride options.
Thrill-seekers in the family will love the roller coasters like the 73-foot tall Flare ride and the wooden coaster, the Boardwalk Bullet. For those looking for an activity in the water, the Boardwalk Beast speedboat ride is sure to get your blood pumping.
Don’t feel like riding anything? You can try the carnival games located along the Boardwalk. Play a round of Balloon Bust, Longshot Basketball, or Water Gun Fun to win fun prizes.
| Pro Tip: There’s a playground on the Boardwalk near the Flying Dutchman for kids who have extra energy that needs to be burned and have fun on the Boardwalk for free! |
Do A Science Experiment at Little Beakers Science Lab for Kids
Media Credit: littlebeakers
Website: https://katymemorial.littlebeakers.com/
Address: 7620 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX (inside Marq-E Entertainment Center)
Contact Details: (833) 543-7522
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Tuesday – Closed
- Wednesday to Thursday – 11 AM to 6 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 11 AM to 7 PM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 6 PM
Admission Costs: Varies
Little Beakers Science Lab for Kids is a perfect spot for family fun and science exploration! This place is great for igniting children’s curiosity and love for science.
Kids from all ages can find something to enjoy in this science haven. During Open Lab, kids can choose from up to 30 experiments! And don’t worry about safety–the little mad scientists are given all the safety equipment needed such as goggles and a coat.
Kids can also opt to do some dissection sessions where they can examine real-life specimens (earthworms and grasshoppers, anyone?) using age-appropriate tools. Your future surgeon may just find their calling here!
| Pro Tip: Parents say an hour of experiments just isn’t enough because the kids have so much fun, so consider booking multiple hours for those with science-loving children. |
Visit the Dewberry Farm
Media Credit: dewberryfarmtexas
Website: https://www.dewberryfarm.com/
Address: 7705 FM 362, Brookshire, TX
Contact Details: (281) 934-3276
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – Closed
- Saturday to Sunday – 10 AM to 5 PM
Admission Costs: Tickets start at $39.95
A visit to Dewberry Farm is a great introduction for kids to learn about life on the farm! Of course, there won’t be any actual farming happening on their visit, but they do get to go on fun rides in a farm setting and pet some farm animals.
There are over 40 attractions in Dewberry Farm for kids and adults to enjoy. Thrill-seeking kids may enjoy Slide Mountain and the Phantom’s Revenge. For something more relaxed, there’s the Box Car Tractor Rides as well as the DewVille Express.
Want to feel close to nature? There’s an 8 Acre Corn Maze and a Pumpkin Patch for guests to enjoy. And to really get into the farming mood, there’s Axe Throwing, a Hay Mountain attraction, and lastly, Pony Rides!
| Pro Tip: Fall is one of the best times to visit Dewberry Farm because of Halloween season! They have Halloween-themed nighttime events for those looking for a spooktacular time. |
Jump in Altitude Trampoline Park
Media Credit: altitudekaty
Website: https://www.altitudetrampolinepark.com/locations/texas/katy/24952-katy-ranch-road/
Address: 24952 Katy Ranch Rd, Katy, TX
Contact Details: (281) 394-9221
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11 AM to 9 PM
- Friday – 11 AM to 10 PM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 8 PM
Admission Costs: Starts at $14.99
The secret to burning off kids’ excess energy is to make them play and jump a lot, and this is why Altitude Trampoline Park is a great place to visit for families with Energizer bunny kids.
The Main Court is the centerpiece of the park, featuring wall-to-wall trampolines where everyone can jump in and play. For groups going to the park, there are team activities such as Extreme Dodgeball and Battle Beam.
For kids who like to jump really high, there’s a Basketball Trampoline Dunk where they can fly like Jordan and a Performance Trampoline for experienced trampoline jumpers.
Tired of jumping? Head on over to the 20-feet Rock Wall or crash into the Foam Pit to take a breather!
| Pro Tip: Jump only within your abilities! Jumping on a trampoline looks easy but it can cause injury when done recklessly. |
