Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Houston Area
Winners for 2019
Houston is rich in fun events and exciting places. It was hard for our readers to choose their favorites from the hundreds of choices! The venues listed below are wildly popular with kids and families in the Houston area. But don’t miss out on ALL the other wonderful places as well! Browse through our site and discover lots more to do! Don't miss our Everything That's Free page! Plus:
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Splashway Waterpark
Splashway is far more than your average waterpark - we’re experts in family vacation, fluent in fun, and mega clean freaks! Like you, we believe your family deserves the best and we strive to deliver just that. We have something for every member of your family - from the thrill seekers to the first time swimmers. Our amazing staff, cleanliness, and dedication to our guests’ experience have made us the highest rated waterpark in Texas! So what are you waiting for? Come check us out!
Houston Zoo
One of Texas’ best zoos is right here in Houston. Get your animal groove on exploring animal habitats, giraffe feedings, Naturally Wild Swap Shop (where you can bring in your found treasures), and Meet the Keeper talks/encounters/feedings every half hour. Their Water Play Park, Sneak Peek tours, Zoo Crew experiences, and Vet for a Day programs provide fun for toddlers to teens. Always be on top of what's happening at the Zoo: Click here to sign up for their newsletter.
Children’s Museum of Houston
A Playground for your Mind™! The Children’s Museum of Houston is packed with 14 hands-on exhibits, including the chance for kids to program robots and invent things; anchor the news; run a business; get elected as mayor; explore nanotechnology and climb a three-story tower! Plus, their Thursday Free Family Nights, Family Adventures, and membership rates make it affordable for all.
Houston Astros Baseball
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team and play at Minute Maid Park.
My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the Houston area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them #3 in best places to take kids this year!
Moody Gardens
The iconic three pyramids are just the tip of the iceberg at Moody Gardens. The Rainforest Pyramid®, the Aquarium Pyramid®, and the hands-on discovery museum are treasures. Add to that the 3D and 4D Theaters, Colonel Paddlewheel Boat, Palm Beach and the annual Festival of Lights, you’ve got a multi-day destination that kids of all ages will enjoy.
Kemah Boardwalk
The Kemah Boardwalk is open daily providing fun for everyone! Located just 20 miles from downtown Houston, the Kemah Boardwalk is home to fabulous waterfront restaurants, amusements, charming retail stores, festivals and seaside shows!
Dewberry Farm
Fall family entertainment at its very best, just a short country drive from Houston! 30+ attractions. 10 yummy eateries. Acres and acres of fun! And then Christmas trees a little later. We will be starting our Christmas Trail of Lights in December. Click here for directions.
Little Beakers Science Lab for Kids
Little Beakers is a science lab built especially for kids where they can do fun and exciting hands-on experiments with parents or while being guided by our own scientist.
Galveston Island Pleasure Pier
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is one of the few spots in the world that has this many rides over water! You'll be flying over guests on the Pier, soaring over the Gulf of Mexico and anticipating your next ride! 16 rides for all ages.
Urban Air Trampoline Park
Downtown Aquarium
That big Ferris wheel enticing you from I-45 and I-10 invites you to experience all the Downtown Aquarium has to offer. Amusement rides and carnival games thrill alongside aquarium adventures and hands-on encounters with stingrays. Sharing much more than an underwater voyage, the Aquarium boasts incredible rare white tigers which you can experience on your own by visiting the Tiger Exhibit or during a Sea Safari Camp, a Wild Dreams Overnight, or an Aquarium Birthday Party.
Houston Museum of Natural Science
Explore the far reaches of outer space, roam with the dinosaurs, wander through Africa's Serengeti, and marvel at the world's rarest and most beautiful minerals. Discover all this and much more at one of the nation's most heavily attended museums.
Schlitterbahn Waterpark - Galveston Island
Since 1979, Schlitterbahn Waterparks has been a leader in family water entertainment. In 2006, the Galveston location opened and immediately became a favorite of Houston families. Schlitterbahn is still the Hottest, Coolest time in Texas!
Altitude Trampoline Park
Brazos Bend State Park
5,000-acre gem 40 miles from downtown Houston, offers a variety of activities for every age: biking, fishing, hiking, birding, camping, star-gazing, and opportunities to learn about Texas’ bountiful natural history via free programs and guided hikes.
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage and provides year-round educational support within the community.
Dave & Buster's
Dave & Buster's is a 56,000 square foot dining and entertainment facility featuring world-class pocket billiards, shuffleboard and the latest video games and interactive simulators.
Main Event
Main Event offers a unique, “EatBowlPlay” experience featuring state-of-the-art bowling, multi-level laser tag, thrilling high ropes adventure courses, captivating game rooms featuring the latest video and amusement, stylish billiards, energetic bars and high-quality restaurants.
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Located on the western edge of Memorial Park, the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and the opportunity to experience the natural world. This 155-acre non-profit urban nature sanctuary provides education about the natural environment to people of all ages. It plays a vital role in protecting native plants and animals in the heart of the city where development threatens their survival.
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in seven categories. Here were their choices.Favorite Place to Have Fun INSIDE
Urban Air Indoor Trampoline ParkWe are the ultimate indoor adventure park. People may know us for our trampolines (because they’re awesome), but that’s just the tip of the Urban Air iceberg. Once you get inside, you’ll see what we mean. It takes an adventurous soul to experience all of our attractions in one visit.
Favorite Place to have Fun Outdoors
Houston ZooOne of Texas’ best zoos is right here in Houston. Get your animal groove on exploring animal habitats, giraffe feedings, Naturally Wild Swap Shop (where you can bring in your found treasures), and Meet the Keeper talks/encounters/feedings every half hour. Their Water Play Park, Sneak Peek tours, Zoo Crew experiences, and Vet for a Day programs provide fun for toddlers to teens. Always be on top of what's happening at the Zoo: Click here to sign up for their newsletter.
Favorite Amusement Park
Splashway WaterparkSplashway is far more than your average waterpark - we’re experts in family vacation, fluent in fun, and mega clean freaks! Like you, we believe your family deserves the best and we strive to deliver just that. We have something for every member of your family - from the thrill seekers to the first time swimmers. Our amazing staff, cleanliness, and dedication to our guests’ experience have made us the highest rated waterpark in Texas! So what are you waiting for? Come check us out!
Favorite Kid-Friendly Performing Arts
Cynthia Woods Mitchell PavilionThe Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, presented by Huntsman, is an outdoor amphitheater that provides the Greater Houston region with an array of performing arts events, educational outreach programs and contemporary entertainment.
Favorite Kid-Friendly Museum
Children’s Museum of HoustonA Playground for your Mind™! The Children’s Museum of Houston is packed with 14 hands-on exhibits, including the chance for kids to program robots and invent things; anchor the news; run a business; get elected as mayor; explore nanotechnology and climb a three-story tower! Plus, their Thursday Free Family Nights, Family Adventures, and membership rates make it affordable for all.
Favorite Nature Center
Brazos Bend State Park5,000-acre gem 40 miles from downtown Houston, offers a variety of activities for every age: biking, fishing, hiking, birding, camping, star-gazing, and opportunities to learn about Texas’ bountiful natural history via free programs and guided hikes.
Favorite Farm (agri-entertainment)
Dewberry FarmFall family entertainment at its very best, just a short country drive from Houston! 30+ attractions. 10 yummy eateries. Acres and acres of fun! And then Christmas trees a little later. We will be starting our Christmas Trail of Lights in December. Click here for directions.
Favorite Professional Sports Team
Houston AstrosThe Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team and play at Minute Maid Park.
Favorite Arts Education Center
School of RockSchool of Rock teaches guitar, bass, drums, vocals, and keys through an innovative performance-based method. Through private lessons and group rehearsals, students get to show what they're learning on real rock stages to real rock audiences.
Favorite Sports Education
TopgolfTopgolf is the premier golf entertainment complex where the competition of sport meets your favorite local hangout. You can challenge your friends and family to addictive point-scoring golf games that anyone from the a pro golfer to a 7-year-old kid!
