Houston, Texas, is a haven for people on family vacations as it has something of interest for everybody. Even if you’re familiar with the place, you would probably still not know about all its beautiful attractions. If this is your first time planning a trip there, we know many great places to visit with kids in Houston.
Houston, extending until Galveston Bay, has several things to offer. From the Space Center in Houston to the Theater District, Grand Opera, and the Historic District, it has places that offer varied forms of entertainment. You will also be enthralled with its 19th century architecture and amalgamation of modernity.
Here is a list of the best kids’ attractions in Houston, both paid and free. So, plan a vacation, take your kids there, and have loads of wholesome family fun.
Nature Parks and Outdoor Attractions:
First on our list are a few outdoor attractions that you and your kids will love. After all, the best way to ensure kids have a great time is to take them to a park and watch them playing around to their heart’s content.
Hermann Park
Hermann Park is technically the father of all outdoor attractions in Houston as it houses several tourist attractions inside it. You can literally have any choice of outing and would find something of interest in this place. It has a golf course, a theater, picnic areas, a museum, jogging track, and also a beautiful rose garden with a butterfly exhibit.
Founded in 1914 by George Hermann, it has added attractions like the Houston Zoo, Miller Outdoor Theater, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, etc. At its entrance is a grand statue of General Sam Houston, who will point you towards the many attractions inside.
Timing
- Depends on the attraction you choose.
Pocket Pinch
- Depends on the attraction you choose.
Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
This beautiful natural attraction is located to the west of Memorial Park and serves a perfect haven for nature lovers. It is a non-profit sanctuary that protects endemic plants and animals, and also educates you about the environment. Visitors can explore the trail and the Discovery Room’s exhibits.
This place also has an interactive arena and Nature Shop to buy souvenirs. The Wildlife Garden has many birds, animals, and butterflies that you and your kids will love to observe. It also has gardens, a playground, an education center, and many other things.
Timing
- Varies for different attractions.
Pocket Pinch
- Free for exploration.
- $7 per person for guided tours.
Buffalo Bayou
Buffalo Bayou is a waterway that has become a special attraction for family crowds with its offering of natural beauty and diversity of animals and plants. It underwent a transformation in 2015, after which its natural beauty was restored and safety measures were introduced for visitors.
It has natural trails, pedestrian bridges, kayaks, and also an extension of blue lunar cycle lighting. It also has a dog park, picnic spots, and many distinctive parks. Here, you can visit the Buffalo Bayou Cistern, which is an out-of-use underground cistern for the city’s drinking water. You can also go canoeing and kayaking with your kids and explore the hiking and bike trail.
Timing
- Hours vary for different locations.
Pocket Pinch
- Check out the website for detailed information.
Amusement Parks:
Houston has a wide selection of amusement parks that can ensure a great day of fun for the entire family. You can take a pick from the many options and give your kids an experience to remember.
7 Acre Wood
The 7 Acre Wood is a fun park for families that is spread on over seven acres of land. It is a perfect farm setting that has a petting zoo and a mini golf course. Other attractions in this place include a western play town, a playground, a giant chess and checkers area, a huge sandbox, horseshoes, zip line, rope slide, and many more attractions.
You can hold parties and field trips here, for which they also offer concessions. For the Spring Break, 7 Acre Wood has events such as barrel train rides and pony rides. They also have seasonal events like hayrides and target paintball. Family functions like weddings, baby showers, reunions, and other social events are held here.
Timing
- Monday-Saturday: 9 AM to 5 PM
- Sunday: 12 PM to 5 PM
Pocket Pinch
- Prices vary for different activities.
Splashway Waterpark
If you’re looking for a clean, safe, and family friendly waterpark to take your kids, Splashway Waterpark is the place to visit. It has attractions for people of all ages. It does not matter whether you are an adrenaline junkie or a first timer to a world of fun, you will find things to do here, in the highest rated waterpark of Texas.
This huge waterpark has a campground and many fun rides for kids and adults. You can also indulge in activities such as putt putt and laser tag with your entire family. It also hosts special events and activities, the schedule of which you can find on the website. It also gives special discounts for groups and attractive offers to suit your needs.
Timing
- Monday-Saturday: 10 AM to 6 PM
- Sunday: 12 PM to 6 PM
Pocket Pinch
- Ticket prices vary according to time and individuals.
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
This special amusement park offers unique rides and experiences that you will treasure throughout your lifetime. You can fly over other guests, zoom over the Gulf of Mexico, and do several other things that will keep you wanting for more. The Pleasure Pier has 16 rides and something to offer to people of all ages.
This amusement park also holds special events for visitors, including weekend activities and home school days. You can enjoy rides, binge on food, and have loads of fun with the entire family. You can also host big groups there in a perfectly safe environment as this place has strict rules for visitors’ security.
Timing
- General timing: 12 PM to 9 PM
- May vary according to seasons.
Pocket Pinch
- Details of ticket prices are available on the website.
Dave & Buster’s
Dave & Buster’s is a huge entertainment area for both kids and adults. It has a large dining area, along with attractions such as pocket-billiards, shuffleboard, interactive simulations, and several video games. It hosts local events, weekday specials, and happy hours throughout the year.
You can play games with the entire family here, like bowling, billiards, Dance Dance Revolution A, and also explore virtual reality. Dave & Buster’s also organizes birthdays, group events, parties, and team building activities. You can enjoy a perfectly chilled-out evening in this place. It also lets you watch sports in an electric atmosphere with other fans.
Timing
- Monday-Thursday: 11 AM to Midnight
- Friday: 11 AM to 2 AM
- Saturday: 10 AM to 2 AM
- Sunday: 10 AM to Midnight
Pocket Pinch
- Depends on your activities.
Mesmerizing Museums:
Houston is the home of several museums related to different themes and topics. These are perfect places to take your kids for an interactive and educational experience. Not just kids, even you can learn about many things in these delightful places.
Space Center Houston
The Houston Space Center is the official Visitor Center of NASA Johnson Space Center and attracts visitors from all over the world. Your kid’s scientific curiosity will gain new heights after visiting this museum, which tells the history of America’s space programs and explorations. It houses over 400 space artifacts, moon rocks, and many other seasonal exhibits.
Your kids can know more about Mission Mars, watch Martian sunset, get into an Orion capsule, and observe several spatial exhibits. There are many replicas of shuttles, spacecrafts, vehicles, and many other advancements in space exploration.
You can also enjoy a tour of the NASA Tram Tour, Rocket Park, and Historic Mission Control. Visitors can experience activities like astronauts in a simulated zero gravity environment and also participate in several interactive exercises.
Timing
- 10 AM to 5 PM generally
Pocket Pinch
- Prices vary for individuals and membership programs.
The Health Museum
The Health Museum in Houston is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and offers a unique experience to the visitors. It is an interactive museum for kids that has multi-sensory experiences in the field of health science and biology. It hosts programs and camps throughout the year for people of all ages. You can also plan events, exhibitions, and parties here.
The Jim Hickox Amazing Body Pavilion is the main attraction here, which gives visitors a walking tour through larger-than-life exhibits of the human body. You can see about 30 audio and video displays for guests that teach about the human health and anatomy, like a giant backbone, rib cage, etc.
kids can enjoy memory games, test their vital stats while doing physical activities, and experience the Scream Booth. There is also a cell lab where you can pretend to be a scientist.
Timing
- Monday-Saturday: 9 AM to 5 PM
- Thursday: 9 AM to 7 PM
- Sunday: 12 PM to 5 PM
Pocket Pinch
- Adults: $10
- Children between 3-12 & Senior Citizens: $8
- Children under 2 years of age: Free
- Entry to DeBakey Call Lab
Children’s Museum of Houston
The Children’s Museum of Houston is a super fun place for kids that has numerous interactive exhibits related to science and technology, health and human development, arts and culture, and history. Kids can take part in exciting activities like run their own city, make news reports at Kidtropolis, use gadgets, and experience forces of hydropower at FlowWorks.
It also has a wonderland for toddlers and infants, so if you’re worrying about your younger kids, they will also have something to do.The PowerPlay exhibit lets kids explore their physical capabilities and ensures they do physical exercises in an interesting manner. It also has areas like 3D Twister, Dance Mania, and many other activities.
CyberChase is another major attraction, where kids can play a game to save the world from a villain Hacker. So, there are super interesting activities for all ages and experiences that you won’t get anywhere in the world.
Timing
- Tuesday-Saturday: 10 AM to 6 PM
- Sunday: 12 PM to 6 PM
- Thursday: 10 AM to 8 PM
- Monday closed
Pocket Pinch
- Museum Members: Free
- Children under 1: Free
- ASTC Travel Passport Program Members: Free
- Adults and Children above 1: $12
- Senior Citizens: $11
- Military Personnel: $10
Apart from these wonderful places, Houston offers many other free and paid attractions for family friendly fun. You can explore places like the Miller Outdoor Theater, Discovery Green Park, Art Car Museum, Water Wall, Boat Tour at Houston Port, and many other attractions.
Be it a budget friendly trip or a family extravaganza, Houston can satisfy all your wandering cravings. Summer and spring are perfect seasons for such family tours, so do not waste your time thinking. Plan your perfect vacation now!