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Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration at the Children's Museum Houston. Photo by Cody Duty for the museum.
MLK Weekend 2026 in Houston: Best Things To Do With Kids
 Discovery Green hosts free events like Arte en el Parque, where kids learn Spanish while making art. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green
100 Free Things To Do in Houston with Kids
Children's Museum Houston is free every Thursday evening. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum Houston
Free Museum Days (and Always-Free Museums!) in Houston
Free activities like feeding the ducks at Mary Jo Peckham Park are simple and still great fun for kids. Photo  courtesy of Canva
GUIDE
Free Things to Do in Houston with Kids Guide
Cheap, delicious, and good for leftovers. Photo of Buffalo Grille by Jessica Stautberg
Best Cheap Places to Eat in Houston for Kids and Families (Under $10!): Recs From Locals
Don't miss the MLK Grande Parade this January 2026. Photo by 2C2K Photography via Flickr 2.0
Top Free Things To Do with Kids in Houston in January 2026, According to MP Editors
Play Street Museum West U is perfect for toddlers. Photo by Jessica Stautberg.
The Best Places that Opened in Houston Last Year: 11 New Things To Do with Kids
Yes, you can snow tube in Texas! Photo courtesy of Gaylord Resorts.
Best Snow Tubing for Families in Texas
Tomfoolery is packed with toys. Photo by Jessica Stautberg
The Best Toy Stores in Houston: Gifts for Kids of All Ages
Buffalo Bayou Park has trails, climbing structures, and skate park, slides, and more. Photo by Jessica Stautberg.
Things To Do in Houston That Everyone Will Love - From Toddlers to Teens (and Parents Too!)
Free alligator education at Brazos Bend State Park. Photo by Sarah Banks.
The 10 Best Free Hidden Gems for Kids in Houston
Visit the Hall of Paleontology at the Museum of Natural Science. Photo courtesy of Visit Sugar Land.
Why HMNS at Sugar Land Is a Must-Visit for Houston Families
Help your Scout rack up the badges at these programs in Houston. Photo courtesy of Canva.
Best Places to Earn Scout Badges in Houston
Unique Birthday Party Venues in Houston for One-of-a-Kind Birthday Parties
Our favorite gymnastics gyms in Houston. Photo courtesy of Canva
Gymnastics Gyms in Houston: Places to Take Gymnastic Classes, Camps, or Open Gym
Palace Social has bowling and a restaurant in addition to arcade games. Photo courtesy of Palace Social
Where to Find the Coolest Arcades for Kids in Houston
The Mini classes at Goldfish Swim School are a great bonding experience for parent and child. Photo courtesy of the school
Best Mommy and Me Classes for Houston Babies and Parents 2025
Ready Go Amusement Arcade photo by author Elizabeth R.
Houston’s Best Claw Machine Arcades Where Kids (and Parents) Can Actually Win
A crafting party at one of these venues or at home is the perfect celebration for a creative kid. Photo courtesy of Color Me Mine
Best Crafting Parties for Teens in Houston
Our top picks for your Houston bar/bat mitzvah. Photo by Juliano ASTC, courtesy of Pexels.
Fun Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah Venues in Houston
These Houston ice cream shops have the best treats for kids. Photo by Kelly Patino, courtesy of Mommy Poppins.
Best Ice Cream Spots In Houston For Kids
Go for a nature walk in on of Houston's huge parks. Photo by Anthony Rathbun, courtesy of the Houston Arboretum.
Houston Budget-Friendly Weekend Itinerary for Families
 Discovery Green hosts free events like Arte en el Parque, where kids learn Spanish while making art. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green
100 Free Things To Do in Houston with Kids
Levy Park in Houston has one of our favorite playgrounds. Photo courtesy of OJB Landscape Architecture
Best Playgrounds in Houston: Destination Playgrounds Worth the Drive
NASA's Space Center is one of Houston's best science museums for kids. Photo by Pierce Ingram, courtesy of Travel Texas
Explore the Best Science Museums in Houston for Kids: Educational Fun for All Ages
Firetruck Park in West University. Photo by Jessica Stautberg
Neighborhood Guide: Things To Do in West University and Rice Village with Kids
See animals up close at some of these farms near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
Best Farms in Houston with Family Entertainment
Children's Museum Houston is free every Thursday evening. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum Houston
Free Museum Days (and Always-Free Museums!) in Houston
Keep costs down with a party at a local playground. Photo courtesy of Levy Park, Facebook
Cheap Party Rental Spots in Houston Great for Kid Birthday Parties
City Park Skate Park near Houston. Photo courtesy of the Sugarland Texas Govt.
Kid-Friendly Skate Parks in Houston
Pleasure Pier in Galveston is a top attraction near Houston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
Best Attractions and Things To Do in Houston that are Kid-friendly
John P. McGovern's state-of-the art playground is perfect for both younger and older children. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green.
20 Things To Do in Downtown Houston With Kids
Stop at Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo for some cool photos on your roadtrip to the Texas Panhandle.
Best Texas Road Trips for Families
Baywatch Dolphin Tours are a fun, kid-friendly tour near Houston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
Best Kid-Friendly Tours in Houston
Make dining out with kids more fun at one of Houston's themed restaurants. Photo courtesy of Rock N Roll Sushi
Themed Restaurants in Houston for a Fun Night Out With Kids
Houston's Walking Stick Brewing Company has plenty of outdoor space. Photo courtesy of the Walking Stick Brewing Company
Family-Friendly Houston Breweries Where Kids Can Play, Too
Urban Air has quite a few trampoline parks near Houston. Photo courtesy of Urban Air Adventure Park
Fun Trampoline Parks Near Houston for Kids to Jump in the AC
Batting cage photo courtesy of the Bellaire Bats
Indoor Batting Cages Near Houston Where Kids Can Practice Their Swings
Photo courtesy of Big Air in North Houston
17 Coolest Indoor Activities for Houston Teens
Plan a magical quinceañera with these dress shops and venues. Photo courtesy of Canva
Quinceañeras in Houston: The Best Dress Shops and Venues for Your Teen Birthday
Houston has many kid-friendly museums, and not all are children's museums. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum of Houston
Best Museums in Houston for Kids and Families
In winter, visit Luminations at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. Photo by Ann Alva Weiding Photography, at bigredmuse.com.
Austin with Kids: 35 Best Things To Do in Austin, Texas
New to fishing? Try a Galveston fishing boat tour.
Best Kid-Friendly Tours in Galveston For Your Family Trip
The outdoor pool at the Moody Gardens Hotel, photo courtesy of Visit Galveston.
Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Galveston, TX
One of our favorite petting zoos near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
The Best Petting Zoos Near Houston
Make it an unforgettable family getaway from Houston  by hiking Enchanted Rock. Photo courtesy Passport to Texas.
GUIDE
Houston Day Trips and Family Getaways Guide
Photo courtesy of Schlitterbahn Waterparks
20 Top Things To Do in Galveston with Kids
Photo by author Rebecca Matheson Ortiz for Mommy Poppins.
Tips and Secrets to the Houston Zoo with Kids
MKT has  great family-friendly restaurants! Photo courtesy of @mendocinofarms and MKT
Best Things to Do in The Houston Heights with Kids
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This Week In
Houston
Monthly Volunteer Workday at Buffalo Bayou Park
Buffalo Bayou Park - 8:30 AM Pick
30th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at Children's Museum Houston
Children's Museum of Houston - 9:00 AM Pick
Discover Nature Together Scavenger Hunts at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center - 2:00 PM Pick
Sensory-Friendly Educational Morning
Hooray Playground - 10:00 AM
Origami At Evelyn's Park With Japan America Society Of Houston
Evelyn's Park Conservancy - 11:00 AM
MATCH Family Fun Day
MATCH - Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston - 1:00 PM Pick
ReelAbilities Houston Presents ReelArt Opening Reception
Laura Rathe Fine Art - 1:00 PM
Disney's Beauty and the Beast at Hobby Center
The Hobby Center - 7:30 PM
Green Mountain Energy Ice at Discovery Green
Discovery Green - various times
Cistern Illuminated
Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern - various times
MLK Unity Parade & Festival
Tranquility Park - 10:00 AM Pick
MLK National Day of Service
- various times
Green Mountain Energy Ice at Discovery Green
Discovery Green - various times
MLK Jr. Photographs on View at the Menil Collection
Menil Collection - various times
Green Mountain Energy Ice at Discovery Green
Discovery Green - various times
Free Museum Days at Lone Star Flight Museum
Lone Star Flight Museum - various times
MLK Jr. Photographs on View at the Menil Collection
Menil Collection - various times
Nature Storytime at Nature Discovery Center
Nature Discovery Center - 4:00 PM
Green Mountain Energy Ice at Discovery Green
Discovery Green - various times
MLK Jr. Photographs on View at the Menil Collection
Menil Collection - various times
Mommy and Me Story Time at On the Park Toy and Candy Store
On the Park Toy and Candy Store - 10:00 AM
Green Mountain Energy Ice at Discovery Green
Discovery Green - various times
MLK Jr. Photographs on View at the Menil Collection
Menil Collection - various times
Green Mountain Energy Ice at Discovery Green
Discovery Green - various times
MLK Jr. Photographs on View at the Menil Collection
Menil Collection - various times
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4 Cool New Free Public Art Displays That NYC Kids Will Love

4/14/13 - By Stephanie Ogozalek

While there are a bunch of wonderful new kid-friendly exhibits this spring, you don't need to go to a museum to find awesome art in NYC. Cool public art installations are popping up as quickly as spring flowers in Manhattan's parks and plazas, and they're FREE for all to enjoy. From an enormous statue of a bird by Madison Square Park to a series of iconic NYC landmarks contorted into dazzling new shapes on Park Avenue to a dozen winged hearts suspended in a Midtown West passageway, here are four public art displays to catch this spring in New York City.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Bird – Flatiron
Flatiron Plaza, 23rd Street and Broadway
On view through Sunday, April 21
You only have one more week to check out Will Ryman's eye-catching sculpture: An enormous, 12-foot bird made entirely of giant nails. The artist used 5,500 nails to form the bird's body, which is perched on another 90,000 for the base. Make sure you walk around the bird as the tail feathers are amazing. While adjacent Madison Square Park often showcases offbeat art, this is the inaugural work for Flatiron Plaza.

Goodbye My Love – Midtown West
Anita’s Way, pedestrian passageway connecting 42nd and 43rd Streets between Sixth Avenue and Broadway
On view through Monday, May 13
You have to know where to look to spot Esterio Segura's funky installation, which is suspended from the ceiling of a Times Square walkway. The Cuban artist explores love and separation through a dozen shiny red heart-shaped airplanes. Kids are sure to love this imaginative display even if the message is lost on them.

No Limits – Midtown East
Park Avenue Malls between 54th and 67th Streets
On view through Sunday, June 9
Of all the public art we saw on our tour, Alexandre Arrechea's series of contorted NYC skyscrapers was our favorite. See the Chrysler Building rolled up like tape, the Citicorp Center perched on what looks like a top, the Empire State Building wound up in a circle and other landmarks completely reimagined.

United Enemies – Midtown East
Doris C. Freedman Plaza, 60th Street and Fifth Avenue
On view through Sunday, August 25
The theme of political corruption inspired these sculptures of two pairs of bound men. Created by German artist Thomas Schütte, the pieces play with focus: The men's faces are soft, abstract and hard to see while the ties that bind them are incredibly detailed and realistic. My son and I found them really intriguing. Even though they have no limbs they seem to be physically fighting to get away from each other.

Read about other cool public art displays at the Art in the Parks website.


Find out about other cool art exhibits for kids in our Museum Guide.

Free Activities Museums Preschoolers Kids Tweens & teens Uptown Downtown Flatiron Midtown East Midtown West New York City

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