Things to do with kids in Houston, TX
Checked · All times are local Central Time (Houston time)
Coming up in Houston: H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade (Nov 26), Houston Methodist Turkey Trot Kids Run (Nov 26), Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo (from Nov 19) and 4 more events. 8 always-open places, led by Houston Zoo, Downtown Aquarium Houston and Children's Museum Houston. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Thanksgiving events in Houston
H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · Starts 9am
- Cost
- Free to watch from the sidewalk; reserved seats sold separately
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Houston's 77th Thanksgiving Day parade with floats, balloons and marching bands. Route: north on Smith, east on Walker, south on Milam, west on Pease, north on Louisiana, west on Clay, then north on Smith to Dallas St.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Houston Methodist Turkey Trot Kids Run
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · Kids Run 9am (5K 7:30am, 10K 8am)
- Cost
- $25.99 Kids Run registration (price rises after Nov 20)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Thanksgiving morning race in Uptown with a Kids Run alongside the 5K and 10K. Registration closes Nov 20 and has sold out the last two years.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: lights and tree lightings
Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo
- When
- Thu, Nov 19 – Sun, Jan 3 (Nightly Nov 19–Jan 3; closed Dec 9 and Dec 24) · 5:30–10:30pm (last entry 9:30pm)
- Cost
- Date and arrival-time tickets for ages 3+; 2 and under free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Holiday light trail through the zoo. Last entry 9:30pm; closes at 9:30pm on New Year's Eve.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Deck the Hall: Mayor's Holiday Tree Lighting
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · Evening (see the city page for times)
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The City of Houston's holiday kickoff and tree lighting in front of City Hall.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Storytimes and free museum days
Free Family Night Thursdays at Children's Museum Houston
- When
- Thu, Oct 29 – Thu, Dec 17 (Every Thursday; free tickets release 48 hours ahead) · 5–8pm (last admission 7pm)
- Cost
- Free (reserve tickets; groups must include a child)
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
Free admission every Thursday evening. Up to six tickets per order, and every group needs at least one child.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Family Storytime at Central Library
- When
- Sat, Oct 31 & Sat, Nov 14 & Sat, Dec 12 (Select Saturdays: Oct 31, Nov 14, Dec 12) · 11–11:30am
- Cost
- Free (registration required)
- Ages
- Ages 3-9 · Indoor
Stories, songs and activities for the whole family in the first-floor Family Place.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Free Tuesday Evenings at the Houston Museum of Natural Science
- When
- Tue, Nov 3 – Tue, Dec 29 (Every Tuesday) · 5–8pm (last entry 7:30pm)
- Cost
- Free (permanent exhibit halls; first come, first served)
- Ages
- All ages · Indoor
The permanent halls, including the dinosaur hall, are free Tuesday evenings. The planetarium, giant-screen theater, butterfly center and special exhibits are not included.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
Houston Zoo
- Price
- $$ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
From Nov 11 open 9am–4pm (last entry 3pm); timed tickets
Downtown Aquarium Houston
- Price
- Exhibit: adults $16.99, children under 42 in. $14.99, 2 and under free with an adult; All Day Adventure Pass with rides $25.99 / $24.99
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Aquarium exhibit plus outdoor rides (Ferris wheel, carousel, shark train); exhibit open 10:30am–8:30pm Sun–Thu, until 10pm Fri–Sat
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Children's Museum Houston
- Price
- $21.95 online for ages 1+ ($23.95 on site); under 1 free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Free Family Night Thursdays 5–8pm; closed Mondays
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Houston Museum of Natural Science
- Price
- Adult $25 · Child $16
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Dinosaurs, gems and the Cockrell Butterfly Center; free general admission Tuesdays 5–8pm
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Space Center Houston
- Price
- $$$ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
NASA Johnson Space Center visitor center; open 10am–6pm
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
- Price
- Adult $24 · Child free (child 12 and under)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Children 12 and under free; Wed 11am–5pm, Thu–Fri 11am–9pm, Sat 11am–6pm, Sun 12:30–6pm; closed Mon–Tue
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
- Price
- Admission free; parking $6.50 (free Thursdays and second Sundays)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Trails open 7am–7:30pm; nature center 9am–4pm
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Discovery Green
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Downtown park with playgrounds and 600+ free events a year; open daily 6am–11pm
✓ Details checked Oct 25, 2026 on the official website
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Houston this weekend?
This weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1) we list 1 family event in Houston: Family Storytime at Central Library (Sat, free).
What time is trick-or-treating in Houston?
Sunset on Halloween in Houston is at 6:35 p.m. Houston doesn't list official trick-or-treat hours, so plan around dusk.
What are free things to do with kids in Houston?
These are free according to their official sites: 1 place and 4 upcoming events in Houston, including Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade (Thu, Nov 26) and Free Family Night Thursdays at Children's Museum Houston (Oct 29 – Dec 17). See all 5 above.
Where can kids play indoors in Houston when it's too hot or rainy?
We list 4 indoor places in Houston: Children's Museum Houston ($21.95 online for ages 1+, $23.95 on site), Houston Museum of Natural Science (kids $16), Space Center Houston and Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (kids 12 and under free).
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in Houston?
We list 2 Thanksgiving events in Houston, 1 free: H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade (Thu, Nov 26, free) and Houston Methodist Turkey Trot Kids Run (Thu, Nov 26). Our Thanksgiving weekend guide for the Houston area has more nearby.
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Houston?
We list 2 holiday light events in Houston: Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo (Nov 19 – Jan 3) and Deck the Hall: Mayor's Holiday Tree Lighting (Dec 5). Our holiday lights guide for the Houston area has more nearby.
Are there storytimes or regular kids' programs in Houston?
We list 3 everyday programs in Houston, all free: Free Family Night Thursdays at Children's Museum Houston (Every Thursday; free tickets release 48 hours ahead) and Family Storytime at Central Library (Select Saturdays: Oct 31, Nov 14, Dec 12). See all 3 above.
What is there to do with toddlers in Houston?
We list 4 places in Houston that welcome kids under 2, including Houston Zoo, Downtown Aquarium Houston and Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. See all 4 above. Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
What are the big family attractions in Houston?
The best-known family attractions we list in Houston are Houston Zoo and Downtown Aquarium Houston (Exhibit: adults $16.99, children under 42 in. $14.99, 2 and under free with an adult). See all 5 above. They're listed first under always-open places.
How much do Houston family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 4 places in Houston: Downtown Aquarium Houston (Exhibit: adults $16.99, children under 42 in. $14.99, 2 and under free with an adult) and Children's Museum Houston ($21.95 online for ages 1+, $23.95 on site). See all 4 above. Confirm before you go; prices change.
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
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