Houston

Where to See Fourth of July Fireworks Around Houston With Kids

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Mon, 06/17/2019 - 12:15pm

Stars and stripes, street festivals, live music and fanfare all make the Fourth of July spectacular, but no celebration is complete without an impressive display of fireworks. Luckily, when it comes to celebrating our nation's independence, there's one thing that's certain: the Bayou City knows how to light up the sky and throw down (...in a family-friendly way, of course).

Inside Candytopia Houston: Is It Worth Visiting With Kids?

Submitted by Carrie Taylor on Sun, 06/16/2019 - 10:55pm

If you are looking for an air-conditioned summer escape, then YES - Candytopia is definitely worth the money. It's a one-of-a-kind experience kids of all ages will be talking about for the rest of the summer.

50 Things to Do in Baltimore with Kids: Where to Eat, Play, and Stay in Charm City

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 06/15/2019 - 12:43pm

Baltimore is an incredibly kid-friendly city. The walkable Baltimore Inner Harbor offers the impressive National Aquarium, family-friendly restaurants, museums and science centers, and more fun things to do.

Sports fans will find the pro-leagues Baltimore Ravens and Baltimore Orioles to cheer on, and if you have a transportation lover, the city is heaven with train museums and boats galore. It’s proximity to Washington, DC, doesn’t hurt either. It’s easy to visit both cities in one trip, taking advantage of all the free admission opportunities in the nation’s capital.

Here's our list of 50 fun things to do with kids in Baltimore, Maryland, from attractions to festivals, restaurants and even a few hotel suggestions for when you're ready to crash. Check out our other City Guides for more family travel ideas.

Best Texas Beaches For Family Getaways

Submitted by Ashley Jones on Fri, 06/14/2019 - 1:15pm

Heading to the beach is one of the most enjoyable and carefree ways to enjoy a family trip. Here in Houston, we're never too far from the beach down in Galveston, but that's not the only place where you can enjoy awesome beaches and family-friendly activities on a summer getaway. These seaside havens on the Texas coast each offer unique experiences, but all have amazing beaches where kids can run wild and build sandcastles until their heart's content while you relax and soak in the peaceful sounds of the ocean.

Whether you stay at a family-friendly campsite, a beachside hotel, or rent a beach house, you can be sure that your family will enjoy plenty of fun in the sun together when you head to one of these coastal spots.

11 Crazy Awesome Pool Floats for Kids and Babies on Amazon and Target

Submitted by Sally Chaffin Brooks on Thu, 06/13/2019 - 10:42am

Long gone are the days of the boring rectangular pool float that popped almost as soon as you finally filled it with air. Today's kids can hit the pool with a fabulous float in almost any design they can imagine, from the Millennium Falcon to a giant slice of pizza to on-trend unicorn floats. The best part? Parents can order these pool toys all online at either Target.com or Amazon. Check out our list of 11 crazy awesome pool floats for babies, kids, and teens in summer 2019.

Find more ways to cool down this summer in our Beaches, Lakes, and Pools Guides.

Dinosaurs Visit the Houston Zoo: Animatronic Fun Kids Will Love

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Thu, 06/13/2019 - 10:20am

The Houston Zoo, one of our favorite city attractions, has some new inhabidants that are out of this world (or at least time period). Seventeen life-size dinosaurs have arrived at the Houston Zoo for kids to gawk at through the end of the summer. We took our kids for a trip to see if the exhibit lived up to the hype, and we're here to tell you it absolutely does!

Father's Day Weekend Fun for Houston Kids: Fun Runs, Barbecue & Brews, June 15-16

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Wed, 06/12/2019 - 4:38pm

To all the dads, grandfathers, and men who fill the role of dad: Happy Father's Day from all of us on the Mommy Poppins Houston team! You guys are the best!

If you're starting to panic because you still don't have anything planned to celebrate Dad, we can help. In addition to a weekend packed with Father's Day specific events, we also put together a unique list of Father's Day ideas we know Dad will actually love, ensuring that your Father's Day will be anything but boring. This weekend is also the launch of super sweet interactive exhibit Candytopia in West Houston.

In case you missed it, we have had a lot of fun posts pop up on Mommy Poppins recently that are packed with fun summer ideas:

Build-A-Bear Has a New Pay-Your-Age Contest, without the Lines

Submitted by Li Starr on Tue, 06/11/2019 - 6:29pm

Making a puffy, fuzzy DIY toy at Build-A-Bear is a great experience, especially for a birthday gift, but those bears are far from free. So it was no surprise last year that the company's big Pay-Your-Age Day (5 years old, get any toy for $5) resulted in lines not only out of the stores but out of the buildings—and lots of angry parents when lines were shut down. The good news? Build-A-Bear is doing the popular event again, but doing it differently this year.

Rock Climbing Gyms & Walls Around Houston

Submitted by Kate M on Mon, 06/10/2019 - 3:32pm

Getting out of the house and getting exercise can be a challenge during the dog days of summer and the four days of Houston's winter. Rock climbing is one indoor activity to get the kids moving and is a fun way to bond with your children. Rock climbing is also a great way for children and adults to gain strength and flexibility, to learn new skills and build confidence, and to practice teamwork.

Here are some great spots around Houston where families can learn how to rock climb together!

Asheville with Kids: 40 Best Things to Do in Asheville, NC

Submitted by Anna Fader on Sat, 06/08/2019 - 2:05pm

Asheville, NC, is a popular destination for visitors, including families, with so many fun things to do like the Biltmore Estate, a thriving food and arts scene, a Vanderbilt mansion with extensive grounds, and its kid-friendly local breweries. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the plentiful hiking trails, waterfalls, and swimming holes. I frequently visit my sister’s family in Asheville and get to explore this charming Southern city with my young nephew, so I wanted to share the inside skinny on the best family-friendly attractions, restaurants, and what to do in Asheville with kids.

Find more family fun destinations in our Family Travel City Guides, and be sure to check our picks for North Carolina's best beaches for families.