Houston

15 Free Things to Do With Kids at the Houston Rodeo

Submitted by Carrie Taylor on Tue, 02/19/2019 - 9:08pm

Everything is bigger in Texas, and this motto is exemplified in Houston's massive livestock show and rodeo - from the crowds to food selection - but your resulting credit card bill doesn't have to be. After paying the price of admission, there are lots of things to do as a whole family without spending another dime. That's not to say you won't be tempted by the smells of deep-fried goodness and adorable miniature cowboy and cowgirl hats. Read on for free and fun activities, all of which are open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. every day unless otherwise noted.

21 Wacky Ways to Celebrate Dr. Seuss' Birthday with Kids

Submitted by Ally Noel on Mon, 02/18/2019 - 10:34am

“If we didn’t have birthdays, you wouldn’t be you. If you’d never been born, well then what would you do?” Thank goodness Dr. Seuss’ birthday comes once a year—and it always gives us great reason to cheer!

On March 2, we’ll celebrate literacy and Seuss with fun crafts, treats, and other activities in honor of the literary rhyming master. Dr. Seuss’ birthday kicks off a nationwide reading celebration known as Read Across America Day. Schools, libraries, and community centers across the country observe the day with read-alouds, crafts, and Seuss-a-rific treats!

Use this list of 21 zany activities to commemorate the day at home with the kids. Whether you want to start it off with some green eggs and ham or plan your next family vacation to the birthplace of Dr. Seuss himself, there is something for everyone on this list of Dr. Seuss-themed crafts, recipes, and activities—no matter how small.

12 Best California Family Vacation Ideas Kids Love

Submitted by Arianna Menon on Sat, 02/16/2019 - 1:00pm

Perhaps it’s no coincidence that California is also known as the Golden State. With breathtaking sceneries extending from mountains to desert and ocean, a mild climate, and exciting big cities and quaint towns, California offers golden opportunities to experience different worlds within its borders. The best part is that no matter where you go, the kids will be alright; these 12 destinations are perfect for families who want to create memories for a lifetime.

15 Awesome Houston-Area Breweries Where Kids Can Play, Too

Submitted by Carrie Taylor on Fri, 02/15/2019 - 10:41pm

Houston's craft beer scene is top-notch, which we probably don't have to tell you. But what might come as a surprise is that it's also very kid-friendly; some of the area's best brews are housed in stellar spaces with outdoor games and room to play. Here are some spots we love to go as a family because there is room for the kids to run around, they are unpretentious, they don't make my husband and I feel bad if our toddler starts malfunctioning during our visit, and the beer is delicious.

For our favorite kid-friendly eateries, check out our roundup of restaurants with plenty of playing room.

Your Kid Can Play Halo IRL at This Interactive Xbox Experience

Submitted by Li Starr on Thu, 02/14/2019 - 12:18pm

Whether or not your teen or tween is a video game geek, you've probably heard of Halo, the Xbox series from Microsoft that has dominated the gaming space since it was released in 2001. It has spawned a TV series, comic books, novels, and now a live tour.

The "Halo: Outpost Discovery" tour promises to bring the popular sci-fi game to life with a special fan experience "for the whole family" as it visits five major U.S. cities—Orlando, Philadelphia, Chicago, Houston, and Anaheim, California—this summer.

Presidents Day Weekend Fun for Houston Kids, Feb. 16-17

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Wed, 02/13/2019 - 2:30pm

I think we can all agree that all the recent back and forth of Houston weather has made it a little challenging to know what to do. Will it be hot or cold? Are those dark clouds actually bringing rain or just setting the scene for another gloomy day? It's been an all-out guessing game lately.

Because of this, we've been busy pulling out all of our best indoor activities: roller skating, ninja warrior courses, and laser tag when we need to get out of the house, exercise games, easy science experiments, and creative kids' crafts for those days we want to stay home.

This holiday weekend and the upcoming weeks are bringing all sorts of fun, though. Mardi Gras festivals are kicking into gear, rodeo is on its way, and there's still plenty of time to check out all the free things happening in February, like Mardi Gras on Main and the Houston Family Magazine Camp Fair. And if you find yourself scrambling for things to do on Presidents Day, rest assured, we have you covered there, too! Our event calendar is full of activities that are already planned for you and our Camp Guide will help you find the perfect solution for the holiday break if you don't have the day off with your kiddos.

We also recommend taking a look at our February GoList for some of the best free and cheap events happening around the city this month and signing up for our weekly newsletter; with so many great resources available, the hardest part isn't finding what to do, but picking the best event to attend.

Free and Cheap Summer Camps Around Houston

Submitted by Kate M on Tue, 02/12/2019 - 12:00am

It's hard to believe it, but it is already time to start making summer plans for your little ones, and one thing every kid looks forward to in the summer is going to camp! Summer camp is a chance for kids to have fun while learning new skills and making memories with new friends. From overnight camps, outdoor camps, science camps, dance camps, arts camps, and music and theater camps, Houston has so many different types of summer camps, including the following camps that won't break the budget.

To find a summer camp that your little one and your wallet will love, check out this list of inexpensive or cheaper camps that we've rounded up, all of which cost around $100 - $150. Also, keep in mind that many camps offer early bird (get on it now!), multi-week, and sibling discounts, as well as discounts for members, and some even offer scholarships. And for more summer and vacation camp ideas, check out our comprehensive camp guide and full directory of camp listings.

Cheap Spring Break Travel Ideas for Families on a Budget

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Sat, 02/09/2019 - 2:12pm

Is there a way to travel for cheap with kids during spring break? The short answer is... yes!

While some might automatically head to Orlando or even the Caribbean for spring break, airfare for a family of four can quickly add up to waaaay over budget. Families-in-the-know deploy a few tricks to plan a fun spring break vacation for the kids without blowing their mortgage payment, from scoring a secret deal to compromising a bit on the location.

There are plenty of family-friendly cities and destinations that cost a bit less but don’t scrimp on the family attractions, including top museums, eateries, beaches, and even amusement parks.

Read on for some of our editors’ favorite hacks in planning a cheap spring break and where they like to vacation as a family!

Houston Rodeo With Kids: What You Need to Know

Submitted by Carrie Taylor on Fri, 02/08/2019 - 10:50pm

It's finally here! The 2019 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo runs Feb. 25-March 17, 2019 and opens at 8 a.m. every day. Even if you're a rodeo regular, donning those cowboy boots and braving the crowds and traffic are still daunting tasks. And when you get there - it's just so....big. We've broken down some essential information to know before planning your visit, and we also recommend downloading the RODEOHOUSTON app for maps, schedules, and more (available for both Apple and Android products).

Check out our Rodeo Houston Guide for more posts on enjoying the rodeo with kids.

Weekend Fun for Houston Kids: GoGames360, Haz tu Propio Reguilete, Feb. 9-10

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Wed, 02/06/2019 - 7:16pm

Free February has a nice ring to it, right?! We're committed to helping you stay on track with your budget while still having plenty of family fun, which is why we've rounded up tons of free events and activities happening this month. The Houston Family Magazine Camp Fair, 2019 Lunar New Year Festival, and Asia Society Lunar New Year at the Galleria are just a sampling of events from our Free February list, and they just so happen to be going on this weekend, too.

And did you know that there are 20 - yes TWENTY - different museums around Houston that offer free admission on certain days and times? Couple that with a Kids Eat Free night and you've got the makings of an awesome day around Houston at minimal cost.

While we're on the topic of free, Girls Who Code is once again offering their free summer immersion program for girls entering their junior or senior year of high school. The camp offers teenage girls the opportunity to spend a portion of their summer learning valuable skills in robotics, web design, and mobile development, all at no cost. Spots for this incredible opportunity won't last long, though, so register soon!

Make sure you also check out our event calendar and February GoList for even more free and cheap events happening around the city. There are so many great things happening you don't want to miss!