Traveling with children isn’t always easy, but travelers will be delighted to know that there are plenty of things to do in Houston with kids. There are attractions here that will delight anyone; you just have to think about what might interest the particular children you are traveling with. Some parents might decide that they want to focus on fun activities, while others might want their outing to have an educational element.
01 Johnson Space Center
The Johnson Space Center has many activities that families can enjoy together. You can watch the Mission Control room where space explorations are monitored. Thousands of artifacts are housed within the center’s campus. You can learn about the history of space travel and get a glimpse into what the future holds. Touring the entire campus can take at least a full day, depending on how long you spend taking in each exhibit and section.
02 Health Museum Houston
The Health Museum Houston offers interactive exhibits to help children learn about the human body and various aspects of medical science. Some exhibits are appropriate for children of all ages, but others are geared more toward teenagers. Many exhibits are permanent, but be sure to find out what temporary and traveling exhibits are there when you plan to visit. Many of these are offered in conjunction with larger museums and medical centers.
03 Houston Zoo
The Houston Zoo is a great place to spend a day but try to visit when the weather is nice. There are shelters to protect you from the rain, as well as sprinklers to help cool visitors in the blistering heat, but it is best to visit on a mild day when you can truly enjoy being outside. You can find a host of animals here, and the Natural Encounters facility offers an up-close look at some of them.
04 Children's Museum of Houston
The Children’s Museum of Houston is a fun attraction all year long. There are activity areas geared toward all age groups. Many of the exhibits are permanent, but the museum also has some temporary ones that offer a new experience with each opening. There is a Tot Spot for kids who are three and under. Other exhibits throughout the 90,000 square foot facility include interactive options covering culture, history, technology, science, art, and health.
05 Downtown Aquarium
Houston’s Downtown Aquarium has something to offer people of all ages. You can watch divers caring for the massive tanks and animals. Interactive exhibits thrill children and adults. You can even take a turn petting stingrays. If you plan to visit the aquarium, you should schedule at least several hours, but it might take more than one day to go through all of the exhibits at a leisurely pace.
06 Kemah Boardwalk
The Kemah Boardwalk can keep children and adults happy for hours on end. It is a traditional boardwalk attraction complete with rides and other amusement park offerings. An all-day ride pass is available, or you can opt to pay per ride if you won't be going on too many. The area features 11 eateries, including a coffee shop, seafood restaurants, an ice cream shop, and a grill. There are also several shops and kiosks where you can find a variety of goods and souvenirs.
07 SplashTown
During the summer months, you can beat the heat at SplashTown. This massive waterpark has giant slides, a wave pool, and a lazy river. There are also areas for smaller children to enjoy, with adult supervision of course. You can find cooling stations and refreshments throughout this 40-acre park. Thrill seekers might enjoy the Tornado or the Stingray Racer attractions.
08 The Chocolate Bar
The Chocolate Bar has two locations in the city and is one of the sweetest things to do in Houston with kids. You can find a host of chocolate goodies at either location, including one in Rice Village and other in River Oaks. Many of the desserts and offerings are made in-house. With so many goodies in the counter-style display cases, everyone in your group should be able to find something yummy to snack on.
09 Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
The Hobby Center for Performing Arts provides children and adults with the opportunity to do hands-on activities that bolster an appreciation for the arts. The Mad Potter is an art studio where you can the kids can paint pottery. While you are in the area, you can enjoy seeing some artwork from local artists in various galleries.
10 Houston Theater District
The Houston Theater District is housed across 17 blocks and includes eight performing arts groups. Many of the performances, including the ones by the Express Children’s Theater, can keep kids entertained while helping to foster a love for the arts. Make sure you look up the schedule for the performances so you can make it to the ones that interest you.
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