- Staying cool at Discovery Green. Photo: Katya Horner
Looking to have a lot of fun this summer with your kids… without spending any extra money? Check out my ultimate stay-cation guide for Summer 2011 in Houston, Texas and find something free to do every single day!
Or, pick your favorites and plan your ultimate one-or two-week staycation using my pointers for Planning a Great Staycation.
Ready for some FREE fun? Let’s go:
(Click the titles in orange to follow a link for more information on each activity.)
Tuesdays
Toddler Tuesdays at Discovery Green, Tuesdays, June 7 – 28 and August 2 & 9, 10:30 am
Houston Museum of Natural Science free general admission from 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. (last entry at 7 p.m.) Admission to special exhibits, Butterfly center, planetarium and IMAX have an additional charge.
Houston Zoo free general admission first Tuesday of the month from 2 p.m.- 7 p.m. (last entry at 6 p.m.)
Wednesdays
Wiggle and Giggle Wednesdays, as assortment of themed activities for the toddler and pre-school set at Discovery Green, Wednesdays, July 6-27
Craft Time for Kids at Discovery Green 3-4 p.m., through July 31. Limited supplies. Call ahead for large groups
Pioneer Open House Experience log cabin life in Texas in 1820s and ’30s at the Redbud Hill Homestead and explore the Akokisa Indian Village at Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center 1-4 p.m.
Thursdays
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston free general admission 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
John C. Freeman Weather Museum free general admission Noon – 4 p.m.
Health Museum free general admission from 2-5 p.m.
Craft Time for Kids at Discovery Green 3-4 p.m., limited supplies. Call ahead for large groups
Children’s Museum of Houston free general admission from 5-8 p.m., includes admission to live Spotlight Performances
Concert Series at Discovery Green in downtown 6:30 p.m. every Thursday in June (except June 16)
Fridays
Craft Time for Kids at Discovery Green 3-4 p.m., through July 31. Limited supplies. Call ahead for large groups
SummerFest in Pearland at Southdown Park. FREE concert, splashpad and playground. Bring your own picnic or buy food and beverages onsite. 7 p.m. through June 24.
Fireworks Fridays at the Kemah Boardwalk 9:30 p.m. through July 1. (The fireworks and taking in other sights are free, refreshments, rides and other attractions have a fee.)
Saturdays
FREE Writing workshops for kids with Writers in the Schools and the Houston Public Library at Discovery Green, 10:30- 11:30 a.m.
HPL Express Learn about new animals each week and see them up close at Discovery Green every Saturday June 4- July 9 at 1 p.m. Animals covered include turtles, birds, snakes, insects, ferrets and more.
Craft Time for Kids at Discovery Green 3-4 p.m., through July 31. Limited supplies. Call ahead for large groups
Second Saturday Settlers Explore Houston’s heritage with a new activity at Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center on the second Saturday of the month from 1-3 p.m.
Pioneer Open House Experience log cabin life in Texas in 1820s and ’30s at the Redbud Hill Homestead and explore the Akokisa Indian Village at Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center 1-4 p.m.
Sundays
Farmers Market and Craft Beer Garden at Discovery Green, Noon- 4 p.m. only though June 26
Second Sunday Pickers Bring an instrument and join in the concert on the second Sunday of every month from 2-4 p.m. at Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center
Craft Time for Kids at Discovery Green 3-4 p.m., through July 31. Limited supplies. Call ahead for large groups
FREE Special Events this summer:
Yogi Bear movie screening at Discovery Green Saturday, June 11 8:30 p.m.
Live children’s theater at Miller Outdoor Theater, in Houston’s Museum District.
- Swing, Jive and Pop! into Dance, June 2, 11 a.m.- Noon, presented by Houston Metropolitan Dance Company
- Disney’s Camp Rock presented by Theater Under the Stars Humphreys School, June 8-10, 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
- Hear Ye! Hear Ye!, June 13 and June 21, 11-Noon
- Journey Through China, July 1, 11 a.m. – Noon
- Children’s Hilltop Festival– Little Red Riding Hood, July 18, 11 a.m. – Noon
- Children’s Hilltop Festival– The True Story of the Tortoise and the Hare, July 19, 11 a.m. – Noon
- Children’s Hilltop Festival– Three Billy Goats Gruff, July 20, 11:30 – Noon
- Children’s Hilltop Festival– The Princess and the Pea, July 21, 11 a.m. – Noon
- Children’s Hilltop Festival– The Adventures of Tom and Huck, July 22, 11 a.m. – Noon
FREE Everyday
Get a great overview of our city and plan the rest of your fun:
Houston Visitor Center Watch a short video, see exhibits, collect brochures and ask the experts about all sorts of attractions and events at the is interactive visitors center right in downtown Houston. You can also buy Houston memorabilia from your stay-cation. Don’t worry about parking… you get one hour of free parking when you have your ticket validated. Monday- Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Experience the great outdoors in indoor facilities as well as outdoor adventures with fantastic trails with scavenger hunts and playgrounds in a variety of nature centers around town:
- Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, adjacent to Memorial Park
- Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens between Humble and Spring, open daily, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center, in Humble Open daily 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Explore nature indoors and out and take part in any number of free workshops, classes and activities. Nature center closes at 4:30 p.m.
- Sea Center, in Lake Jackson, marine aquarium, fish hatchery and nature center with touch tanks operated by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in Lake Jackson
Great spots for picnics
- Discovery Green, in downtown Houston, playgrounds, park and waterplay. They even have large restrooms to accommodate changing into and out of bathing suits for the waterplay.
- Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park, near the Galleria Enjoy a picnic in front of this 64-foot horseshoe-shaped waterfall. Pack bubbles for outdoor fun.
FREE events at a variety of locations with different event times
Puppet shows, magic shows, science experiments, animal encounters, chess club, teen knitting club and, yes, even story times, crafts and much more for babies to grandmas and everyone in between at the Harris County Public Libraries. Check your branch to see what is happening near you. And did I mention you can check out books, too?
Storytimes, crafts and character appearances at Barnes and Noble locations all over town. No purchase required.
Not staying in Houston all summer? Check out Inexpensive Vacation or Staycation Fun in 86 US Destinations for more great ideas.
Do you know of other FREE events and activities in Houston for kids and families this summer? Please leave a comments with the details or send me an email so I can add it to the list.
What activities on the list have you done before? Which ones will you try for the first time this summer?
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