Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Houston Area
Winners for 2022
Every May and June, thousands of local parents, grandparents, and caregivers weigh in on their favorite local places to take kids. Typically, we showcase the Top 20 winners... but this year, in honor of KidsOutAndAbout.com's 21st birthday (we originally launched in June of 2001), we bring you the Houston area's
TOP 21 Places to Take Kids!
Of course, there are literally hundreds of wonderful places to take your kids in our area, not just this year's winners! The venues listed below are wildly popular with kids and families in the Houston area. But don’t miss out on ALL the other wonderful places as well! Browse through our site and discover lots more to do! Don't miss our Everything That's Free page! Plus:
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1. Splashway Waterpark & Campground
Splashway is your family's new favorite vacation destination! Come for the day and experience the CLEANEST waterpark in Texas or stay a few nights in our gorgeous campgrounds. Our waterpark has something for every member of your family, including high-thrill world class slides, toddler-focused splash pads, and everything in between! Next door, our scenic campgrounds have tons of activities, amenities, and attractions that you can enjoy from the comfort of a cabin, cottage, RV site, or tent! Our amazing staff, cleanliness, and dedication to our guests’ experience have made us the highest rated vacay spot in Texas! So if your family needs a getaway, book your stay today!
2. Houston Zoo
One of Texas’ best zoos is right here in Houston. Get your animal groove on exploring animal habitats, giraffe feedings, Naturally Wild Swap Shop (where you can bring in your found treasures), and Meet the Keeper talks/encounters/feedings every half hour. Their Water Play Park, Sneak Peek tours, Zoo Crew experiences, and Vet for a Day programs provide fun for toddlers to teens. Always be on top of what's happening at the Zoo: Click here to sign up for their newsletter.
3. Children’s Museum of Houston
Discovery happens at Children’s Museum Houston – A Playground for Your Mind™! Get ready for an Epic Adventure scavenger hunt designed to keep minds engaged while keeping everyone safe. Explore 11-Adventure Zones on a one-way trail, collect the clues and claim your prize. Free Thursday Family Nights and membership rates make it affordable for all. Open Wednesday – Sunday.
4. Houston Astros Baseball
Watching an Astros baseball game at Minute Maid Park is the perfect activity that the entire family will enjoy. Grab a hot dog, enjoy the game, and escape the Texas heat at an Astros game in the heart of downtown Houston.
Be sure to check out the Astros Buddies Club, presented by BBVA, the official Kids Club of the Houston Astros and the coolest way to show your Astros Pride in school or on the playground.
The Astros Buddies Club has activations and activities for kids throughout the year. For more information, visit Astros.com/Buddies.
5. Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Experience nature in the heart of Houston at the Houston 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 – all free of charge. This 155-acre non-profit nature sanctuary works to protect native plants and wildlife while offering environmental education opportunities for all ages. Become a Member to receive early access to children’s program registration, discounts on classes and events, free parking, and so much more! Trails open daily from 7 am – dusk; Nature Center open daily from 9 am – 4 pm.
6. Houston Museum of Natural Science
When you visit the Houston Museum of Natural Science, you’re not just going to one place. You’re exploring tropical rainforests and worlds galaxies away. You’re going back in time to when dinosaurs walked the Earth and blasting forward to the future of renewable energy. With five floors of permanent halls and a steady rotation of traveling special exhibits, this Houston attraction will take you beyond our walls to experience the wonder and delight of science. Browse our resources below for information on making the most out of your visit to this must-see location in Houston.
7. Little Beakers Science Lab for Kids
Little Beakers is a unique, fun and educational science lab built especially for kids! With everything from birthday parties, school & daycare field trips, homeschool classes, after school fun, summer & holiday camps, weekend workshops, scout groups, dissections, corporate & teacher development lab challenges, and its signature Open Lab service for great family fun, Little Beakers caters to all ages from pre-K to teen, and even to grownups! With 3 convenient Houston-area locations to choose from, just click to learn more or schedule your next science lab experience online at Cypress, The Woodlands or Katy/Memorial.
Little Beakers - created by a scientist for future scientists."
https://cypress.littlebeakers.com/
8. Dewberry Farm
During our Fall Festival at Dewberry Farm, you can get lost in the 8-acre corn maze, pick pumpkins, sunflowers and wildflowers, stroll through 500+ lighted carved pumpkins in our Pumpkin Hollar, ride the one-mile DewVille Express train, slide down Sliiide Mountain and blast metal targets with the blaster cannons! Kids can also jump on the jumping pillows, ride the carousel and visit the barnyard. There’s so much more to dew! Plus, there is a playground for children under 7 with swings, a spider web, trike track and tractor tires to climb. We also have Cut Your Own Christmas Tree Season after Thanksgiving Day and a Spring Fest in April.
11. CYT Houston (Christian Youth Theater)
CYT Houston offers classes for students ages 5-18 throughout the school year. Classes include drama, voice, dance, and behind-the-scenes training in makeup, costumes, tech, and more. Classes are held for two hours once a week and run for nine consecutive weeks in Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions. Class sizes are small and offer supervision both inside and outside the classroom. Each session culminates in a high-energy showcase to demonstrate to family, friends, and fellow students the skills acquired. Students who are enrolled in classes are eligible to audition for our Broadway-style musical productions.
12. Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ promotes agriculture by hosting an annual, family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage and provides year-round educational support within the community.
13. George Ranch Historical Park
Welcome to the Ranch! Founded in 1824, the George Ranch Historical Park brings Texas and Fort Bend County history to life through interactive school programming, group tours, special events and Saturday programs for the general public.
The George Ranch Historical Park is a 423-acre living history museum dedicated to preserving and interpreting Texas' rich history. Historic homes, a beautiful country setting and costumed presenters set the stage for trekking through Texas history.
18. Topgolf
Topgolf is a technology-enabled, golf entertainment concept where people from all walks of life come to play golf their own way in a dynamic, multi-level venue experience. Equipped with 102 outdoor hitting bays, players can enjoy a variety of games for players of all ages and skill levels, a chef-inspired food and beverage menu, and more. Enjoy one of three locations in the Houston area, including Katy, Spring and Webster. To book your play today, visit www.topgolf.com.
20. Conroe's Incredible Pizza
All-you-can eat buffet and family entertainment
Featuring pizza, pasta, soups, salads, homestyle entrees and delicious desserts. Indoor entertainment includes go-karts, laser tag, Hologate-virtual reality, bumper cars, mini golf, mini bowling and more than 175 video and arcade games! We offer something for everyone.
Come for the buffet, stay for the FUN!
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in three categories. Here were their choices.Top Arts Educator: CYT Houston (Christian Youth Theater)
CYT Houston offers classes for students ages 5-18 throughout the school year. Classes include drama, voice, dance, and behind-the-scenes training in makeup, costumes, tech, and more. Classes are held for two hours once a week and run for nine consecutive weeks in Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions. Class sizes are small and offer supervision both inside and outside the classroom. Each session culminates in a high-energy showcase to demonstrate to family, friends, and fellow students the skills acquired. Students who are enrolled in classes are eligible to audition for our Broadway-style musical productions.
Top Sports Educator: Topgolf
Topgolf is a technology-enabled, golf entertainment concept where people from all walks of life come to play golf their own way in a dynamic, multi-level venue experience. Equipped with 102 outdoor hitting bays, players can enjoy a variety of games for players of all ages and skill levels, a chef-inspired food and beverage menu, and more. Enjoy one of three locations in the Houston area, including Katy, Spring and Webster. To book your play today, visit www.topgolf.com.
Top STEM Educator: Little Beakers Science Lab for Kids
Little Beakers is a science lab built especially for kids where they can do fun and exciting hands-on experiments with parents or while being guided by our own scientist.