Looking for summer fun for kids and families in Houston?
I’ve got you covered with this year’s MomsTravelTales Houston Summer Staycation and Vacation Guide for Family-Friendly Fun with tons of free and frugal fun all over Houston for you here.
Break out your calendar, take 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 page.
(And keep checking back, because there is even more to come!!)
Ready? Here comes the fun…
Houston Zoo
FREE on the first Tuesday of every month starting at 2 p.m.
Activities to look for:
Chill Out at the Houston Zoo
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. 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.
Check the Daily Update at the Plan Your Day Kiosk when you arrive at the Zoo for a complete list of the day’s happenings, including the animals’ Chill Out activities and Meet the Keeper talks, when you can get an inside scoop on what happens at the zoo. More at
During regular Zoo hours through September 3
All Chill Out activities and Meet the Keeper Talks included with paid zoo admission
DINOSAURS! at the Houston Zoo
Come face to face with the massive, fearsome ‘dinosaurs’ 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.
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
Best for kids 6 years and older
9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily through Sept. 3
$3 per person in addition to regular Zoo admission
The Houston Zoo is open in summertime from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., with the last admission at 6 p.m.
Houston Zoo, 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX, 77030
For more information: 713-533-6500 or www.houstonzoo.org
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
FREE all the time.
Activities to look for:
Hands-On Houston
Hands-On Houston is a free craft-activity open house on the first Saturday of every month at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. Each month, a teaching artist demonstrates a craft related to the current exhibitions. Craft material (and inspiration) provided free.
Families and children of all ages are welcome.
First Saturday of every month; drop in anytime between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
FREE
Click here to read about June’s Hands-On Houston activity:
Artist Residency Program
Watch and speak with artists at work in their studios (studios are open to the public).
Click here to see their current artists.
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft is open Tuesday–Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday: Noon – 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’s Day.
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft– 4848 Main Street
For more information: 713-529-4848, www.crafthouston.org
The Health Museum
FREE every Thursday from 2-5 p.m.
Activities to look for:
Super Science Summer
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.
Appropriate for all ages
June – August during regular business hours
Included with general admission
Imagination Playground
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.
Appropriate for children ages 12 and under
Tuesdays, 1 – 3 p.m. from June 12 – August 14
Included in general admission
The Health Museum is open Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 – 5 p.m.
General Admission is $8 adults, $6 children 3 – 12 and seniors 65+, children 2 and under free.
The Health Museum – 1515 Hermann Drive, Houston, TX 77004
For more information: 713-521-1515 or www.thehealthmuseum.org
Houston Center for Photography
FREE admission all the time.
Activities to look for:
Second Saturdays for Kids at HCP
Second Saturdays at the Houston Center for Photography offer young photo enthusiasts the chance to create photo-related projects alongside the experts.
Appropriate for children 8 – 12 years old
Second Saturdays of the month beginning July 14, 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon
FREE
Summer Camps Open House at HCP
About: Houston 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.
Meet the instructors, learn a bit more about each camp and get your questions answered!
Age: Camps for 10 – 16 years old
When: Saturday, June 9, 10:00am – 12:00noon
Price: FREE
The Houston Center for Photography is open Wednesdays to Sundays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Thursday, 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. HCP’s galleries are closed Mondays & Tuesdays.)
The Houston Center for Photography offers free admission.
Houston Center for Photography, 1441 West Alabama St, Houston, TX 77006 For more information: 713-529-4755 or www.hcponline.org
Children’s Museum of Houston
FREE every Thursday from 5-8 p.m.
Look for:
Instructables: Made in Your Mind exhibit
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® website—branded the “world’s largest show and tell.”
Most appropriate ages: 4 – 12
Every day during the summer
Included with general admission
The Children’s 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.
General admission in $9.
Children’s Museum of Houston, 1500 Binz, Houston, TX 77004
For more information: (713) 522-1138 or www.cmhouston.org
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
FREE every Thursday.
FREE for children ages 6 to 18 on Saturdays and Sundays, when they show their library card from any public library in Texas.
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 post to see it all, from detective adventures to movies, to storytimes and concerts, to cool food trucks for lunch, gorgeous masterpieces and more…
Discovery Green
FREE activities all the time.
Look for:
DockDogs®
Friday, June 22 – Sunday, June 24
DockDogs®, the world’s 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.
Rounding out the scene are pet-friendly vendors, dog training demonstrations and animal adoptions. Don’t 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.
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 for times and additional information and a comprehensive list of participating vendors.
Free
All ages
Toddler Tuesdays at Discovery Green
Enjoy story time and activities with your favorite look-a-like characters. Amerigroup RealSolutions® will be on-site during event to provide CHIP and Medicaid assistance.
Toddler Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.
- June 5- Scooby-Doo Time to Play
- June 12- The Berenstain Bears: Papa’s Day Surprise
- June 19- Curious George: The Dog Show
- June 26- Yogi and Boo Boo: Boo Boo’s New Leg
Free
All ages welcome
Houston Screen on the Green: The Muppets
Saturday, June 9, 9:00 p.m.
With the help of three fans, The Muppets must reunite to save their old theater from a greedy oil tycoon. (PG), 2011, 103 min. Arrive an hour early for activities and contests! CompuCycle will also be accepting electronic recycling at this movie. Blankets, lawn chairs and picnics are welcome; food, beer and wine are available at the Lake House. No glass containers or outside alcoholic beverages, please.
Free
All ages
Thursday Concerts at Discovery Green
Rock out at our free, family-friendly concerts showcasing the best music of Texas and the Gulf Coast. Blankets, lawn chairs and picnics are welcome; food, beer and wine are available for purchase. No glass containers or outside alcoholic beverages. Co-sponsored by 29-95, Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Cactus Music and KPFT 90.1 FM, 103.7, ESPN 97.5 FM, 104 KRBE and Houston Press. * Recycle your empty Saint Arnold six-pack carriers for double reward points at this concert.
Thursdays through June 28, 6:30 p.m.
- June 7 :George Porter Jr. & Runnin Pardners, Paul Ramirez Band Opens
- June 14*: The Gourds, Paula Nelson Band
- June 21: The NiceGuys, Kydd, Zin
- June 28: Los Skarnales, Wild Moccasins
Free
All ages
Discovery Green Flea
Treasure-hunt at this monthly, one-of-a-kind market nestled in the shady southeast end of the downtown park. The destination market features an array of vintage items, clothing, antiques, collectibles, jewelry and more. Plus local music, kids’ activities in the kid zone, bicycle repair workshop and food vendors.
All ages.
Saturdays, June 16; July 21; August 18; NEW Summer hours are 6-10 p.m.
Free
Kayak on Kinder Lake
Experience something that will have you and your friends talking! Enjoy a guided kayak ride on Kinder Lake provided by Buffalo Bayou Shuttle Service. Each kayak will be piloted by a professional guide. Children must be signed in by a parent or guardian. Kayaks will take up to two children or one adult and one child at a time for a total of three people including the guide. Each ride will consist of two laps around Kinder Lake to learn about paddling and enjoy all the beautiful fish swimming in the lake.
All ages
Saturdays and Sundays through June 30
$5 per person
Houston Family FunFest
Come celebrate the summer with Houston Family magazine. Enjoy free face painting,
arts and crafts, bounce houses and more!
July 1, Noon- 4 p.m.
Free
Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney, Houston TX 77010
Sunday Market at CITYCENTRE
FREE Every Sunday
Every Sunday, from 4 until 7 pm, the central plaza at CITYCENTRE becomes a showcase for a variety of 20+ (and growing) vendors and a gathering place for families who come to enjoy the festive atmosphere enhanced by live music.
In addition to all the unique vendors for shopping, there are hands-on activities, too, and Savory Celebrations catering provides cooking demonstrations every other Sunday.
800 Town and Country Boulevard, Houston, TX 77024
Kemah Boardwalk
Rock the Dock
Play in the Dancing Fountains and celebrate a rockin’ summer with our free summer concert series.
All ages; geared towards adults but all performances are family friendly
Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. thru the end of August
FREE
Fireworks Fridays
Check out our spectacular fireworks display over the Galveston Bay every Friday night in June & July!
All ages
Fridays – June & July, July 4th @ 9:30pm
FREE
Bay Day
Interactive activities, demonstrations and exhibits for kids of all ages. Presented by the Galveston Bay Foundation.
All ages
Saturday, June 9th. 11am – 4pm
FREE
Kid Krazy Mondays
Summer specials on rides, food and fun! Download a coupon from the Kemah Boardwalk website (or grab one from the Houston Chronicle) for discounts on All Day Ride Passes, Kids’ Meals (at participating locations) & the Boardwalk Beast!
Plus, karaoke just for kids from 11am – 4pm each week.
All ages (Kids Meals are for children 12 & Under. All Day Ride Passes are based on height requirements, not age.)
Mondays – July 9th thru August 13th
Boomin’ By the Bay
Rock out with KSBJ and NGEN Radio at a free concert series with popular Christian artists. Come early for artist meet & greets and the Houston Astros Street Team, too.
All ages
Tuesdays in July – July 10th – 31st. Concerts start @ 7:30pm each week.
FREE
Shark Week
Help celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Shark Week! Take your picture with the Aquarium’s very own “Sharkey” and enjoy shark-themed activities all week long!
All ages
July 29 – August 4
FREE, however some activities may incur a small fee.
Kemah Boardwalk, 215 Kipp Avenue, Kemah, TX 77565
Do you know of something fun that isn’t listed?
Please tell us all about it in the comments so we can check it out!
I’ll be adding more ideas to this post as the summer continues. :)
Not in Houston?
Check back Tuesday when I’ll post a links to more than 40 bloggers across the country sharing their ideas for their cities.
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