Houston is very popular when it comes to NASA and space technology. But discovering fun things to do with kids and other exciting activities in Houston isn’t rocket science. Being the fourth largest city in the country, it is cram-packed with family-friendly destinations to visit. Here, you’ll find lush parks and open play spaces, a flourishing scene of art, culture, nature, and entertainment, plus a whole lot more Houston attractions that will impress kids of all ages.
Keep your little ones happy and entertained with our ultimate list of family-friendly attractions, fun family activities, and things to do with kids in Houston all year round!
1601 NASA Pkwy., Houston, Texas 77058
Phone Number: (281) 244-2100
NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center and Mission Control provide a fascinating look into the world’s most extensive space program. The Space Center Houston attractions and activities include interactive exhibits, more than 400 space artifacts, a shuttle replica, space simulators, the Northrop Grumman IMAX Theater and Martian Matrix, and a play area for kids.
Here, kids can experience the rich history and the awe of space through Kids Space Place, created for children of all ages who have always dreamed of experiencing the same things astronauts do in space. Visitors also get a behind-the-scenes tour of the historical moments in America’s space journey. For more information, please visit their website.
2026 Lockheed Rd., Galveston, TX 77554
Phone Number: (409) 770-9283
One of the all-time best attractions in nearby Galveston, Schlitterbahn is a great place to bring the whole family. There are 33 exciting rides and attractions here, including several high-speed slides, kid’s water playgrounds, lazy rivers, wave pools, water coasters, and plenty of snack bars, restaurants, and even a swim-up bar for the adults.
Ride the uphill Dragon Blaster water coaster, or catch lovely views of the park while riding the Soaring Eagle Zipline. You’ll have to navigate the park through its lazy river—quite a fun, unique feature. For more information, please visit their website.
11440 Hempstead Rd. Houston, TX 77092
Phone Number: (713) 957-8803
This family entertainment center is the perfect answer for those who want to let off steam, show off their skills, and have some all-around fun things to do in Houston with kids. Whether you’re racing one of its go-karts, hitting a hole in one on the mini-golf course, playing a video game, or zapping opponents in their laser tag arena, you’re bound to have fun at Speedy’s Fast Track!
With friendly and helpful staff, super clean facilities and tables, video and pinball games together with super enjoyable games Godzilla Wars JR, Wacky Gator Super Speedway, and Awesome Rat for the kids – to name just a few – Fast Track Amusements is the place for the family to head to. For more information, please visit their website.
1500 Binz St., Houston, TX 77004
Phone Number: (713) 522-1138
The Children’s Museum of Houston is packed with excellent educational exhibits, highly interactive displays, fun activities, and huge play areas. The museum even includes a sprawling child-sized city called Kidtropolis, where kids can hold jobs, start businesses and elect one another for city government. And for younger kiddos, TotSpot has plenty of structures and toys for babies and toddlers.
This world-class museum is crazy fun for all kids, featuring 90,000 square feet of interactive and bilingual exhibitions in science and technology, history and culture, health and human development, and the arts. For more information, please visit their website.
5555 Hermann Park Dr., Houston, TX 77030
Phone Number: (713) 639-4629
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is one of the most fun places to visit in Houston, with lots of things to do with kids. It houses world-class exhibit areas, including the Cockrell Butterfly Center and the Burke Baker Planetarium, and over a dozen permanent exhibits that examine space, science, astronomy, paleontology, and Texas wildlife.
Explore the extensive collection of skeletons, mineral specimens, space station models, and the fun planetarium. Tots will love the fascinating grasshopper clock at the museum’s entrance—the legs and seconds synchronize. For more information, please visit their website.
6000 Hermann Park Dr., Houston, TX 77030
Phone Number: (281) 373-3386
Catch free music, dance, and kid-friendly performances like Jack and the Bean Stalk and The Three Little Pigs at Miller’s beautiful outdoor amphitheater. This outstanding theater offers both culturally and artistically assorted daytime children’s programming as part of its free productions season and many other free plays, concerts, dances, and shows to suit all ages.
The theater, situated on 7.5 acres of land in Hermann Park, runs from mid-March through mid-November and is a trendy venue, as you can imagine. There is the option to either bring your chair, blanket, and food, or you can purchase seating when you are there. For more information, please visit their website.
1515 Hermann Dr., Houston, Texas 77004
Phone Number: (713) 521-1515
It’s anatomy and physiology come to life. The Health Museum takes kids on an interactive, Magic School Bus-like exploration through the human body, letting them identify their personality, view their internal organs, see what they will look like in 30 years, and much more. Take a walking tour through a huge human body and learn how it works.
The Health Museum houses Houston’s first 4D theater, where you can see the 3D film “Planet You.” It has created a colorful experience that takes museum visitors on a journey to learn about the physical and mental aspects. For more information, please visit their website.
800 Bagby St., Houston, TX 77002
Phone Number: (713) 315-2400
The Hobby Center opened its doors in 2002, establishing a new era for the performing arts and cultural quality of life for Houstonians of all ages and backgrounds. The venue was purpose-built with musical theater in mind, bringing the best of Broadway right here to our backyard. This massive complex has two performance chambers, a 3-story grand lobby with French styling, and views of the city skyline.
There are some incredible shows and plays performed here, and a visit to the center would be a lovely outing for all the family as there are often children-friendly shows to see. For more information, please visit their website.
1019 Commerce St., Suite 200, Houston, TX 77002
Phone Number: (713) 752-0314
Buffalo Bayou Park is the 160-acre greenspace that lies along the 2.3-mile stretch of the Bayou from Shepherd Drive to Sabine Street. There is ample green space in Houston with beautiful gardens and native landscaping, a dog park, and a creative nature play area where kids can enjoy different activities. You can explore the Bayou by renting a paddle craft on the lake or renting a bike, or enjoying it on foot and following one of the trails.
With multiple biking and walking trails, Buffalo Bayou Park is a great spot to breathe in the fresh air with many fun things to do with kids in Houston and get in some healthy exercise. There are loads of space for picnics, playing games, or chilling out in the serene surroundings. For more information, please visit their website.
1500 McKinney St., Houston, TX 77010
Phone Number: (713) 400-7336
Discovery Green is a 12-acre park with playgrounds, green grass, and a fountain for kids to play in on a hot summer day. This lovely, vibrant green space is located right in the middle of downtown Houston, and there are always tons of activities for kids happening, from mini-golf and yoga classes to family movie nights. For a day in the fresh air of the great outdoors, Discovery Green is the place to be.
Situated on the north side of the lake is Kinder Lake, where people can enjoy kayaking and stand-up paddling lessons, remote-controlled boating, and ice-skating during the winter. Discovery Green is also the perfect spot for a Sunday picnic under the shade trees. For more information, please visit their website.
2800 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, TX 77056
Phone Number: (713) 850-8841
In the heart of the city, the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park is one of Houston’s most beloved, iconic landmarks and community centerpieces for visitors of all ages. As one of the most visited attractions in Houston, the waterwall is the star attraction, and kids can stand in the semicircle and feel like they’re at the bottom of a waterfall. The park has ample green space, framed with Texas Live Oaks and benches.
If there is a breeze, the kids get a little shower as they enjoy their surroundings. However, this park does not have a playground but is an excellent place for a picnic. The kids can run through the grass and let their imaginations run wild at the waterwall. For more information, please visit their website.
1700 Hermann Dr., Houston, TX 77004
Phone Number: (713) 524-5876
Hermann Park has a bountiful assortment of entertainment: a golf course, an outdoor theater, a jogging track, a beautiful rose garden, picnic spaces, a butterfly exhibit, and even a museum. This 445-acre urban park in Houston is the perfect place to spend fun activities and things to do with kids, whether it’s riding the train along Hermann Park Railroad, pedal boating on McGovern Lake, or enjoying a peaceful moment in the Japanese Garden.
Much of Hermann Park houses cultural institutions like the Houston Zoo, Miller Outdoor Theater, McGovern Centennial Gardens, and even the Hermann Park Golf Course. There are plenty of fun things to do with kids in Houston. For more information, please visit their website.
4501 Woodway Dr., Houston, TX 77024
Phone Number: (713) 681-8433
Experience nature in the heart of Houston at the Arboretum & Nature Center! Explore 5 miles of trails, let your imagination run wild on the new Nature Playscape, or learn about Houston’s native ecosystems in the Discovery Room. This 155-acre non-profit nature sanctuary works to protect native plants and wildlife while offering environmental education opportunities for all ages.
The Nature Center building is open to the public and includes a Nature Shop filled with items for nature lovers and an interactive Discovery Room. You can find educational exhibits, hands-on activities, live ambassador animals, biofacts, and a weekly botany display here. For more information, please visit their website.
11755 W. Little York, Ste. 202, Houston 77041
Phone Number: (713) 409-1990
This laser tag arena is a favorite among older kids because of its focus on tactics and strategy. Its tagline is literally “tactical laser tag,” it uses heavier laser guns that feel more realistic than the plastic, cartoonish models you can find elsewhere. You can step into the combat zone knowing that you’re getting the best of the best when it comes to equipment and missions.
As a cross between paintball, airsoft, and traditional laser tag with all of the video game options, it’s sure to be memorable and exhilarating for every player. For more information, please visit their website.
125 West Gray St., Ste. 100, Houston, TX 77019
Phone Number: (346) 240-9111
There are so many fun things to do with kids at Escape Hunt Houston. Packed with excitement, your kids and the entire family will leap into new worlds, completing ground-breaking missions. Work as a team to find clues, solve puzzles, and complete challenges before the time run out. This isn’t something you watch, it’s something you experience – right in the heart of the action.
Each brilliantly imaginative game takes place in a themed room designed with incredible attention to detail so you can really lose yourself in the experience. For more information, please visit their website.
14147 Northwest Fwy., Houston, TX 77040
Phone Number: (713) 996-7811
Looking for fun activities and things to do with kids in Houston? Jumping World Houston’s northwest location is the best place for indoor trampolines, basketball dunking, dodgeball, and more. This family entertainment center also has redemption arcade games, tumbling lanes, an authentic mechanical bull ride, a walk on water roller, and rock climbing walls.
Besides all the fast-paced features, they also offer a wide variety of activities perfect for the younger crowd or the young at heart, including a plushy foam pit and too cute for words toddler court. For more information, please visit their website.
1526 Campbell Rd., Houston, TX 77055
Phone Number: (713) 973-7625
Take your little climbers to Texas Rock Gym, where lots of fun activities and things to do with kids in Houston await everyone in this original indoor rock climbing gym. Offering over 14,000 sq ft of climbable surface, 5 Auto Belays, 42 Top Ropes, a lead arch, and a separate bouldering area, the Texas Rock Gym is a fantastic venue for rock climbing and gym addicts of the family.
The gym emphasizes safety, and, to minimize the inherent rock climbing risks, all participants must take part in the gym’s safety orientation and belay training class, Climbing 101, regardless of previous climbing experience. Besides all of the above, the gym offers Yoga, Tai Chi, and Kung Fu options. For more information, please visit their website.
20502 Hempstead Rd., Ste. 110, Houston, TX 77065
Phone Number: (832) 447-1278
Urban Air Adventure Park is much more than a trampoline park. If you’re looking for the best year-round indoor attractions and fun activities in Houston, Urban Air is the perfect place for jumping, climbing, riding, playing, and fun for kids of all ages. With new adventures behind every corner, this is the ultimate indoor playground for the entire family.
There’s something for everyone here, from rope courses to tube playgrounds to climbing walls to a DropZone to plenty of trampolines, a tumble track, and even dodgeball. There’s also a dedicated area for tots under 7. For more information, please visit their website.
410 Bagby St., Houston, TX 77002
Phone Number: (713) 223-3474
The Downtown Aquarium is a marvel, teeming with hundreds of creatures and plants from the deep blue sea. Tour exciting exhibits, go on thrilling aquatic-themed rides, eat at an undersea restaurant, and more at one of Houston’s most popular tourist attractions for kids and the whole family. Kids will adore the Shipwreck exhibit, a tropical rainforest, the Shark Voyage, the Discovery Rig, and more!
In addition to a magnificent variety of aquatic and geographic exhibits and displays related to the marine environment, the complex also features a full-service restaurant and stylish bar, shopping opportunities, and other attractions for kids and entertainment in Houston. For more information, please visit their website.
6200 Hermann Park Dr., Houston, TX 77030
Phone Number: (713) 533-6500
This 55-acre zoo is home to over 6,000 animals representing 900 species, unsurprising then that it’s the country’s second-most visited zoo. Get your animal groove on exploring animal habitats, giraffe feedings, and Naturally Wild Swap Shop. The super-large elephant and lion exhibit, the primate section, and a section modeled after Texas’ wetlands are all must views.
Their Water Play Park, Sneak Peek tours, Zoo Crew experiences, and Vet for Day programs provide fun for toddlers to teens. In addition to a special children’s zoo and an aquarium filled with exotic aquatics, the zoo’s Natural Encounters facility gives kids a “nose to nose” experience with animals. For more information, please visit their website.
Houston is home to exciting sights and exciting places. Kids of all ages will find something entertaining about the Bayou City, and it’s actually one of the top destinations for families. From boat tours to playgrounds to museums and more, there’s always an abundance of family-friendly activities, attractions that wow the kids, and fun things to do in Houston!
Houston offers a wide variety of opportunities for kids to enjoy and have fun all year round! Check out our list of kids resources. Are you looking for more things to do with kids around Houston? Browse through our places to go and camps section. Check out our blog posts if you’re even more curious and seek to learn more about kids’ topics, tips, and guides.
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