Top 20 Places to Take Kids in the Houston Area

The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team and play at Minute Maid Park. 

Of course, the libraries in the Houston area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them #3 in best places to take kids this year!

The iconic three pyramids are just the tip of the iceberg at Moody Gardens.  The Rainforest Pyramid®, the Aquarium Pyramid®, and the hands-on discovery museum are treasures.  Add to that the 3D and 4D Theaters, Colonel Paddlewheel Boat, Palm Beach and the annual Festival of Lights, you’ve got a multi-day destination that kids of all ages will enjoy.

The Kemah Boardwalk is open daily providing fun for everyone! Located just 20 miles from downtown Houston, the Kemah Boardwalk is home to fabulous waterfront restaurants, amusements, charming retail stores, festivals and seaside shows!   

Fall family entertainment at its very best, just a short country drive from Houston! 30+ attractions. 10 yummy eateries. Acres and acres of fun! And then Christmas trees a little later. We will be starting our Christmas Trail of Lights in December. Click here for directions.    

Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is one of the few spots in the world that has this many rides over water! You'll be flying over guests on the Pier, soaring over the Gulf of Mexico and anticipating your next ride! 16 rides for all ages.  

That big Ferris wheel enticing you from I-45 and I-10 invites you to experience all the Downtown Aquarium has to offer.   Amusement rides and carnival games thrill alongside aquarium adventures and hands-on encounters with stingrays. Sharing much more than an underwater voyage, the Aquarium boasts incredible rare white tigers which you can experience on your own by visiting the Tiger Exhibit or during a Sea Safari Camp, a Wild Dreams Overnight, or an Aquarium Birthday Party.

Since 1979, Schlitterbahn Waterparks has been a leader in family water entertainment. In 2006, the Galveston location opened and immediately became a favorite of Houston families. Schlitterbahn is still the Hottest, Coolest time in Texas!

5,000-acre gem 40 miles from downtown Houston, offers a variety of activities for every age: biking, fishing, hiking, birding, camping, star-gazing, and opportunities to learn about Texas’ bountiful natural history via free programs and guided hikes.

Dave & Buster's is a 56,000 square foot dining and entertainment facility featuring world-class pocket billiards, shuffleboard and the latest video games and interactive simulators.

Located on the western edge of Memorial Park, the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and the opportunity to experience the natural world. This 155-acre non-profit urban nature sanctuary provides education about the natural environment to people of all ages. It plays a vital role in protecting native plants and animals in the heart of the city where development threatens their survival.

We are the ultimate indoor adventure park. People may know us for our trampolines (because they’re awesome), but that’s just the tip of the Urban Air iceberg. Once you get inside, you’ll see what we mean. It takes an adventurous soul to experience all of our attractions in one visit.

Splashway is far more than your average waterpark - we’re experts in family vacation, fluent in fun, and mega clean freaks! Like you, we believe your family deserves the best and we strive to deliver just that. We have something for every member of your family - from the thrill seekers to the first time swimmers. Our amazing staff, cleanliness, and dedication to our guests’ experience have made us the highest rated waterpark in Texas! So what are you waiting for? Come check us out!

A Playground for your Mind™! The Children’s Museum of Houston is packed with 14 hands-on exhibits, including the chance for kids to program robots and invent things; anchor the news; run a business; get elected as mayor; explore nanotechnology and climb a three-story tower! Plus, their Thursday Free Family Nights, Family Adventures, and membership rates make it affordable for all.

Fall family entertainment at its very best, just a short country drive from Houston! 30+ attractions. 10 yummy eateries. Acres and acres of fun! And then Christmas trees a little later. We will be starting our Christmas Trail of Lights in December. Click here for directions.  

School of Rock teaches guitar, bass, drums, vocals, and keys through an innovative performance-based method. Through private lessons and group rehearsals, students get to show what they're learning on real rock stages to real rock audiences.