Despite the fact that summer in Houston can be excruciatingly hot and sticky, I still enjoy it. School activities will soon fill our calendars during the school year, and all sense of flexibility and spontaneity seems to be put on the back burner. Looking for a way to beat the heat this summer in Houston? These fun summer activities will keep the whole family entertained.
Quillian Center Noah’s Ark and Pool
One of my favorite pools for young children is Noah’s Ark! It is shallow and has a slide, fountains, and other features. It is located next to a traditional swimming pool (which is also included with admission) for the older children, but Noah’s Ark is fenced off so that the children do not run into the deep end.
Quillian Center Pool, 10570 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77042
Hurricane Harbor Splashtown
SplashTown is Houston’s biggest water park, with 40 acres of fun in the sun and over two million gallons of water. The Stingray Racer, the park’s newest thrill ride with six water slide lanes spanning 55 feet up, is a must-see. And the Tornado, an experience that begins on a 75-foot-high platform before sending courageous riders down a 132-foot-long tunnel and into the massive open-ended funnel.
Experience Houston’s most exciting waterpark, which features over 15 attractions! Hurricane Harbor Splashtown has something for everyone, with towering exciting water slides, relaxing lazy rivers and wave pools, and splash parks for the kids!
Hurricane Harbor Splashtown, 21300 I-45, Spring, TX 77373
Children’s Museum Houston
The Houston Children’s Museum has 90,000 square feet of interactive exhibits. Can you let your mind run wild? For good reason, it’s consistently rated as one of the top children’s museums in the country for its variety and creativity.
The TotSpot on the third floor caters to the under-three set with a secure, enclosed space that allows little ones to roam freely (without fear of getting too far or being overrun by older children). As children grow, areas such as Kidtropolis, the Matter Factory, and FlowWorks provide a plethora of opportunities for play-based learning.
Children’s Museum Houston, 1500 Binz St, Houston, TX 77004
Discovery Green Park
Discovery Green, downtown’s premier green space, spans 12 acres and is surrounded by the George R. Brown Convention Center, hotels, and downtown sports arenas. The Houston Downtown Park Conservancy, a group of leading local foundations, philanthropists, and civic officials, created the park.
This dynamic park, dubbed “Downtown’s new backyard,” features two restaurants, a children’s play area, a man-made lake, two dog runs, a multiuse amphitheater, an event lawn, and other amenities.
Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney, Houston, TX 77002
Buffalo Bayou
Buffalo Bayou, the 52-mile slow-moving waterway where Houston was founded in 1836, has become a popular outdoor recreation destination near downtown Houston. It has been left in its natural state and is home to an incredibly diverse urban ecosystem that supports dozens of native species of flora and fauna.
Wortham Insurance Visitor Center at The Water Works, 105 Sabine Street, Houston, TX 77007
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
The five miles of trails are open to the public for free. The Nature Center building houses the Discovery Room, which features interactive exhibits and activities, as well as the Nature Shop, which sells items for nature lovers of all ages.
The Arboretum has recently added new amenities such as increased parking, new trails, revised boardwalks, six educational Field Stations along the trails, a newly designed Administration Building and Conservation Center, added prairie and savanna landscapes, two new ponds, and an entirely remodeled Nature Center over the last few years.
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, 4501 Woodway Drive, Houston, TX 77024
Levy Park
Levy Park is not only one of the city’s newest parks; it is also one of its most popular. The unusual children’s area differs from traditional playgrounds in that it features a massive stone slide instead of several plastic ones, as well as a spherical jungle gym instead of monkey bars. There are large tunnels and grassy mounds to crawl over and through, providing a more natural feel than a metal playset. However, the play area is only a small part of the fun.
Levy Park, 3801 Eastside St, Houston, TX 77098
Lone Star Flight Museum
The Lone Star Flight Museum in Southeast Houston is one of many fun museums to visit with kids in Houston. Originally located in Galveston, the museum relocated to Ellington Field in September 2017. The new location features cutting-edge exhibits and interactive elements that will appeal to visitors of all ages.
The museum’s two hangars house a large collection of planes from various wars, many of which are still operational today and fly in air shows across the country. It also serves as the home of the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame, which honors legendary pioneers in aviation history.
Lone Star Flight Museum, 11551 Aerospace Ave, Houston, TX 77034
In Houston, spending a morning hiking and canoeing through the city’s lovely green belt is just as easy as visiting an acclaimed science exhibit. Plan a visit and treat your family to one of the city’s entertaining and educational fun-filled, action-packed adventures.
