Houston

Are Daycare Kids Better Behaved? This Study Says Yes

Submitted by Elaine Paoloni ... on Mon, 10/15/2018 - 10:01am

Torn between a nanny, daycare, or staying home with your kids? Choosing childcare can be a difficult—and deeply personal—decision for any family, and of course involves a number of factors, from costs to the length of your commute. A new study out of France suggests that daycare might offer some significant advantages in terms of our kids' development.

Researchers at Sorbonne Université in Paris followed nearly 1,500 kids from the womb to age 8 as they either attended a center-based daycare or were cared for by a nanny or family member. The daycare kids, particularly those who attended at least a year before the age of three, were less likely to have problems with peers and other emotional and behavioral issues, according to the researchers.

Texas' Hidden Children's Museums You Have to Visit

Submitted by Ashley Jones on Sat, 10/13/2018 - 9:32pm

Major cities throughout Texas boast well known and very well loved children's museums such as Austin's Thinkery, San Antonio's DoSeum, and of course our very own Children's Museum of Houston. But as "they" always say... everything is bigger in Texas! That means there are even more children's museums to get to know and love all over the lone star state. These hidden gems are nestled in small towns and suburbs, and they are bursting at the seams with fun and hands-on learning for kids of all ages.

Best Kid-Friendly Hotels for a San Diego Family Vacation

Submitted by Dana Zepeda on Sat, 10/13/2018 - 1:50pm

Whether you're driving down from Los Angeles or flying in from afar, a weekend in San Diego is the perfect getaway to find rest and relaxation all year long. The SoCal destination offers a wide array of family activities to keep everyone entertained, in between the requisite visits to Seaworld, Legoland, and the Safari Park. Here, we round up eight of our favorite spots to kick back and unwind in this picturesque beach town.

Best Places for Trick or Treating in Houston

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Fri, 10/12/2018 - 9:18pm

Halloween is only a couple weeks away, which means it's time to start finalizing costumes (just realized you're in a pinch? We've got you covered with easy, last-minute costume ideas!) and determining where you're taking the kiddos trick or treating, especially if you're looking to branch out past your own neighborhood this year. Not sure where to start looking? Check out these Houston neighborhoods and hotspots for fun, safe, and friendly trick or treating this Halloween.

21 Halloween Movies with Kid-Friendly Thrills and Chills

Submitted by Ally Noel on Thu, 10/11/2018 - 10:00am

Are the kids excited for Halloween? Build on their anticipation with a family Halloween movie night that brings all those witches, ghosts, and goblins to life!

Pop some popcorn or whip up an on-season batch of scarecrow snack mix and candy corn punch while you settle in for a cozy night on the couch with one of these top Halloween movies. It's the perfect family-friendly nightcap to fall days spent apple and pumpkin picking or puzzling your way out of a corn maze.

With so many spooky films available to rent or stream, it can be hard to choose the right one for your family. From preschool to preteen, our list of the best Halloween movies for kids has something to put everyone in the Halloween spirit.

Weekend Fun for Houston Kids: Bayou City Art Festival, Family Day at the Ocean Star, Oct.13-14

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Wed, 10/10/2018 - 9:13pm

Did you hear the news? The annual Gerber Baby Photo Contest is officially rolling! If you haven't submitted your photo yet, you still have until Oct. 20 to get your kid's cutest photo in the running. Just post to Instagram with the hashtag #GerberPhotoSearch2018.

In case you've been living under a rock (pun intended), we've found the coolest new outdoor activity to add to your list of things to try: painted rocks. The premise is simple; you paint a rock with your kiddo, usually with a kind message, and then you "hide" it around town for others to find. Check out all the details of this crazy cool new trend!

Whenever you're in need of some more activity inspiration, we'd love for you to check out our event calendar, which is full of events happening all over the Houston. You can also use our October GoList to find the top events happening around town throughout the month. Have an awesome event you want to share? Submit your event to our calendar so we can check it out and get it published. And last but not least, you can also make staying up to speed with everything happening on our little corner of the web a breeze by signing up for our weekly newsletter.

Now let's see what's on tap for the weekend!

Houston Area Trunk-or-Treats for Halloween

Submitted by Carrie Taylor on Tue, 10/09/2018 - 2:46pm

Trick-or-treating is great and all, but if this year is as hot as previous Halloweens, walking around in thick felt costumes may not exactly get your little ones excited. Trunk-or-Treat events are great alternatives (or opportunities to collect more chocolate for mom) because they offer a safe environment where your kids can still get their candy fix without having to lap the neighborhood.

For those who are scratching their heads at the word "trunk," these events usually feature area organizations and groups that decorate the trunk of a car (typically in elaborate and fun displays) and fill it with candy. Read on to find a trunk-or-treat event that's on or near Halloween close to you.

Painted Rocks Is the Newest Kid-friendly Scavenger Hunt & Hiking Craze Since Geocaching

Submitted by Ashley Jones on Mon, 10/08/2018 - 1:55pm

The popular geocaching phenomenon has proven over the years to be a great way to channel your inner treasure hunting abilities as a family. Chances are someone in your family has also played at least one round of Pokemon Go. One positive impact these types of activities have is that they get kids up and moving, many times in parks or on local trails. Painted rocks is a trend that offers yet another way to get moving as a family and connect with the community, with a little crafting thrown in.

The Gerber Baby Photo Search Is Happening Now on Instagram

Submitted by Rose Gordon Sala on Thu, 10/04/2018 - 9:08am

Think your kid is the cutest? Well, baby food maker Gerber just opened its annual Gerber Baby photo contest, so it’s time to take your best shot.

Parents can enter newborns to children up to age 4 in the photo search contest that selects a child ambassador for the brand. Simply post a photo of your cutie to Instagram with the hashtag #GerberPhotoSearch2018 between October 1 and October 20 to join in the fun. Remember to make your profile public, so Gerber can see your photo.

Weekend Fun for Houston Kids: Centennial Oktober Kids-Fest, Celebration Seabrook, Oct. 6-7

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Wed, 10/03/2018 - 8:50pm

Don your favorite set of PJs, because we're kicking off this upcoming weekend early with a special family-friendly pajama party at Discovery Green's moonGARDEN exhibit on Friday. The evening, which concludes the exhibit's run in the park, features stargazing and special celebrity readings of "Goodnight Moon," plus a serving of milk and cookies.

Can we all say a little hooray for the (slightly) cooler weather we've been enjoying? Even a marginal break in the heat means that outdoor activities are infinitely more enjoyable, which is why we think now is the perfect time to take the kids to the Renaissance Festival this weekend or out for a family camping trip (or you could even camp at RenFest...). Let's celebrate the change in seasons with all the outdoor activities!

Speaking of activities, if you have an event or activity coming up that you want to share, we want to share it too! Submit your event to our event calendar and we'll add it to our ever-growing list of awesome happenings around town. The start of a new month also means we have a brand new October GoList up, so be sure to stop by and check out some of the best events that are going on throughout the month so you can plan out your weekends with the kids and GO!

We also recommend signing up for our weekly newsletter so you can stay up to speed with everything happening on Mommy Poppins. We promise not to bombard you with superfluous emails; just a weekly check-in or two sharing the best of the best!

Without any further delay, let's check out what this lovely first weekend in October has in store for us.