{"id":13614,"date":"2012-06-04T08:00:40","date_gmt":"2012-06-04T13:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/momstraveltales.com\/?p=1423"},"modified":"2012-06-04T08:00:40","modified_gmt":"2012-06-04T13:00:40","slug":"houston-summer-staycation-and-vacation-guide-for-family-friendly-fun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.momstoolbox.com\/blog\/houston-summer-staycation-and-vacation-guide-for-family-friendly-fun\/","title":{"rendered":"Houston Summer Staycation and Vacation Guide for Family-Friendly Fun"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Looking for summer fun for kids and families in Houston?<\/p>\n

I’ve got you covered with this year’s MomsTravelTales Houston Summer Staycation and Vacation Guide for Family-Friendly Fun <\/strong>with\u00a0tons of free and frugal fun all over Houston for you here.<\/p>\n

Break out your calendar, \u00a0take a few notes and get ready to blast away any idea of summer boredom! And when you do visit any of these spots, be sure to let me now what you thought about the experience either here or on the MomsTravelTales Facebook<\/a> page.<\/p>\n

(And keep checking back, because there is even more to come!!)<\/p>\n

Ready? Here comes the fun…<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Houston Zoo<\/h3>\n

\u00a0FREE on the first Tuesday of every month starting at 2 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Activities to look for:<\/p>\n

Chill Out at the Houston Zoo<\/strong><\/p>\n

Houston summers are hot, but the Houston Zoo is cool… well, in the Chill Out zones, at least! While you are there, look for the 13 indoor, air-conditioned locations throughout the zoo to chill out and relax away from the Houston heat.\u00a0 The animals enjoy Chill Out-themed enrichment activities that keep them happy and cooled off, too. From ice-pops for the bears, to daily baths for the elephants, the zoo takes care of the animals to keep them cool all summer long.<\/p>\n

Check the Daily Update at the Plan Your Day Kiosk when you arrive at the Zoo for a complete list of the day\u2019s happenings, including the animals\u2019 Chill Out activities and Meet the Keeper talks, when you can get an inside scoop on what happens at the zoo. More at<\/p>\n

During regular Zoo hours through September 3<\/p>\n

All Chill Out activities and Meet the Keeper Talks included with paid zoo admission<\/p>\n

DINOSAURS! at the Houston Zoo<\/strong><\/p>\n

Come face to face with the massive, fearsome \u2018dinosaurs\u2019 this summer at the Houston Zoo! The Houston Zoo is featuring almost twice as many dinosaurs as before and they are highlighting species that were once found in Texas, with all but two found in our region.<\/p>\n

From the towering brachiosaurus and mighty T-rex to the new additions like the protohadros and edmontonia, these animatronic dinosaurs move, roar, and even spit water. More information on line at<\/p>\n

Best for kids 6 years and older<\/p>\n

9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily through Sept. 3<\/p>\n

$3 per person in addition to regular Zoo admission<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Houston Zoo is open in summertime from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., with the last admission at 6 p.m.<\/p>\n

Houston Zoo, 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX, 77030<\/p>\n

For more information: 713-533-6500 or www.houstonzoo.org<\/a><\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft<\/h3>\n

\u00a0FREE all the time.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Activities to look for:<\/p>\n

Hands-On Houston<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hands-On Houston is a free craft-activity open house on the first Saturday of every month at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.\u00a0 Each month, a teaching artist demonstrates a craft related to the current exhibitions. Craft material (and inspiration) provided free.<\/p>\n

Families and children of all ages are welcome.<\/p>\n

First Saturday of every month; drop in anytime between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.<\/p>\n

FREE<\/p>\n

Click here to read about June\u2019s Hands-On Houston activity<\/a>:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Artist Residency Program<\/strong><\/p>\n

Watch and speak with artists at work in their studios (studios are open to the public).<\/p>\n

Click here to see their\u00a0current artists<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft is open Tuesday\u2013Saturday: 10 a.m. \u2013 5 p.m. \u2028Sunday: Noon \u2013 5 p.m. It is closed Sundays July 4th through Labor Day. HCCC is closed on Mondays and on the following holidays: Easter, July 4th, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft– 4848 Main Street<\/p>\n

For more information: 713-529-4848,\u00a0 www.crafthouston.org<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Health Museum<\/h3>\n

\u00a0FREE every Thursday from 2-5 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Activities to look for:<\/p>\n

Super Science Summer<\/strong><\/p>\n

Spend this summer at The Health Museum and take advantage of special events, exhibits and contests planned as part of Super Science Summer! All visitors can find out what happens inside their bodies every day at Cells: The Universe Inside Us, enter to win a lime green bicycle courtesy of Regions Bank or take part in the Super Science Summer Coloring Contest.<\/p>\n

Appropriate for all ages<\/p>\n

June \u2013 August during regular business hours<\/p>\n

Included with general admission<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Imagination Playground<\/strong><\/p>\n

New this summer, Imagination Playground houses giant foam blocks forming the basis of a play space to encourage child-directed, unstructured free play. With a focus on loose parts, Imagination Playground offers a changing array of elements that allows children to constantly reconfigure their environment and to design their own course of play.<\/p>\n

Appropriate for children ages 12 and under<\/p>\n

Tuesdays, 1 \u2013 3 p.m. from June 12 \u2013 August 14<\/p>\n

Included in general admission<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Health Museum is open Monday \u2013 Saturday, 9 a.m. \u2013 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 \u2013 5 p.m.<\/p>\n

General Admission is $8 adults, $6 children 3 \u2013 12 and seniors 65+, children 2 and under free.<\/p>\n

The Health Museum \u2013 1515 Hermann Drive, Houston, TX 77004<\/p>\n

For more information: 713-521-1515 or www.thehealthmuseum.org<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Houston Center for Photography<\/h3>\n

\u00a0FREE admission all the time.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Activities to look for:<\/p>\n

Second Saturdays for Kids at HCP\u2028<\/strong><\/p>\n

Second Saturdays at the Houston Center for Photography offer young photo enthusiasts the chance to create photo-related projects alongside the experts.<\/p>\n

Appropriate for children 8 – 12 years old<\/p>\n

Second Saturdays of the month beginning July 14, 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon<\/p>\n

FREE<\/p>\n

\u00a0Summer Camps Open House at HCP<\/strong><\/p>\n

About:\u00a0\u00a0Houston Center for Photography is excited to offer full day camps this summer. Learn the fundamentals of photography, camera operations and photo editing software such as Photoshop and Lightroom in a fun non-competitive environment.<\/p>\n

Meet the instructors, learn a bit more about each camp and get your questions answered!<\/p>\n

Age:\u00a0Camps for 10 – 16 years old<\/p>\n

When:\u00a0Saturday, June 9, 10:00am – 12:00noon<\/p>\n

Price:\u00a0FREE<\/p>\n

The Houston Center for Photography is open Wednesdays\u00a0to\u00a0Sundays,\u00a011 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Thursday, 11 a.m. until\u00a09 p.m. HCP’s galleries are closed Mondays & Tuesdays.)<\/p>\n

The Houston Center for Photography offers free admission.<\/p>\n

Houston Center for Photography, 1441 West Alabama St, Houston, TX \u00a077006\u2028For more information: 713-529-4755 or www.hcponline.org<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Children\u2019s Museum of Houston<\/h3>\n

\u00a0FREE every Thursday from 5-8 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Look for:<\/p>\n

Instructables:\u00a0 Made in Your Mind exhibit<\/strong><\/p>\n

Made in Your Mind strives to instill the importance of engineering and perseverance in YOU through a hands-on, step-by-step process based on the concept of the Instructables\u00ae website\u2014branded the \u201cworld\u2019s largest show and tell.\u201d<\/p>\n

Most appropriate ages:\u00a0 4 \u2013 12<\/p>\n

Every day during the summer<\/p>\n

Included with general admission<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Children\u2019s Museum of Houston is open Monday through Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m,with extended hours Thursdays from 5 – 8 p.m. Sunday: noon – 6 p.m.<\/p>\n

General admission in $9.<\/p>\n

Children\u2019s Museum of Houston, 1500 Binz, Houston, TX\u00a0 77004<\/p>\n

For more information:\u00a0 (713) 522-1138 or \u00a0www.cmhouston.org<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston<\/h3>\n

\u00a0FREE every Thursday.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0FREE for children ages 6 to 18 on Saturdays and Sundays, when they show their library card from any public library in Texas.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston offers such a variety of activities, many of which are free, that I could not list them all here. Click over my Summer Fun for Families at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston<\/a> post to see it all, from detective adventures to movies, to storytimes and concerts, to cool food trucks for lunch, gorgeous masterpieces and more…<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Discovery Green<\/h3>\n

FREE activities all the time.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Look for:<\/p>\n

\u00a0DockDogs\u00ae<\/strong><\/p>\n

Friday, June 22 – Sunday, June 24<\/p>\n

DockDogs\u00ae, the world\u2019s premier canine aquatics competition, returns to Discovery Green, Friday, June 22 through Sunday, June 24. This competition showcases furry four-legged athletes from across Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana as they compete in high-jump, long-jump and speed retrieve events.<\/p>\n

Rounding out the scene are pet-friendly vendors, dog training demonstrations and animal adoptions. Don\u2019t miss out on the Haute Dog costume contest, Saturday, June 23 at 3pm and the Dog-gone Talented pet trick contest Sunday, June 24, at 3pm.<\/p>\n

This family-friendly event is free and open to the public. Free viewing, registration fees apply to enter a dog in the jumping competition. Check discoverygreen.com <\/a>for times and additional information and a comprehensive list of participating vendors.<\/p>\n

Free<\/p>\n

All ages<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Toddler Tuesdays at Discovery Green<\/strong><\/p>\n

Enjoy story time and activities with your favorite look-a-like characters. Amerigroup RealSolutions\u00ae will be on-site during event to provide CHIP and Medicaid assistance.<\/p>\n

Toddler Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.<\/p>\n