Move One Place On Statue in Evelyn's Park
4400 Bellaire Boulevard, Bellaire
This whimsical statue in Evelyn's Park is the perfect spot to snag an iconic photo of Houston kids and have a picturesque picnic alongside the beloved characters from Alice In Wonderland. A ten-foot long table complete with larger-than-life statues of Alice, the Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat, and the March Hare welcome visitors from near and far to interact with the art piece by climbing into Alice's chair, or taking a seat alongside any of the classic characters. The statue is located inside of one of Houston's most gorgeous green spaces, complete with a natural play area, slides, sand pit, and more. 

Discovery Green 
1500 McKinney Street, Houston
Reminiscent of a Rubik's Cube, the vibrant color boxes at Discovery Green make an eye-catching backdrop for casual, impromptu shots, or even formal photo sessions of your kids. These shots are totally Instagram-worthy!

Picnic alongside Alice and friends in Evelyn's Park/ Photo courtesy Ashley Jones

Lawndale Art Center
4912 Main Street, Houston
Youngsters and adults alike enjoy the modern, out-of-the-box murals that adorn the outside wall of the Lawndale Art Center. The murals change annually, which gives you ample time to visit and snap away as well as a reason to come back each year. Currently, the wall features "About ___ Rocks" by Russell Etchen, which covers the wall with hundreds of amoeba-like rocks sure to mesmerize kids of all ages - hopefully long enough to snag a shot.

The Menil Collection
1533 Sul Ross Street, Houston
No list of beloved Houston landscapes could be complete without the modern architecture of the Menil Collection, which houses multiple art collections from around the United States. The possibilities for photos in and around the minimalist buildings on the 38-acre campus are endless.

Houston Graffiti Building
1503 Chartres Street, Houston
While there are plenty of murals to choose from around town, this one is a true Houston landmark. The bright colors and whimsical graffiti make it a picture perfect backdrop for Houston kids of all ages. 

Houston kids jump for joy in front of the Houston Graffiti Wall/ Photo courtesy Sweet Pecks Photography

"Greetings from Houston"
3601 White Oak Drive, Houston
Talk about postcard-worthy. This mural at gelato shop Gelazzi in the Heights vibrantly expresses the "everything is bigger in Texas" spirit. Tip: Use a panorama feature or app to capture the kiddos and their dripping cones of gelato in front of the mural. Also note that parking is limited, so if you want a clear shot of the mural you may want to arrive early in the day.

Cinderella's Carriage
3600 Locke Lane, Houston
Turn your play-date into a photo session at Cinderella's Carriage. The pumpkin carriage in River Oaks Park is fit for a fairytale. The park, commonly known as Pumpkin Park, was established in 1938 and features a playground, hike and bike trail, tennis courts, and a lighted sports field. To the delight of neighbors, the park recently underwent a major renovation, including restoration of the carriage. It reopened with fanfare in March 2016.

Minute Maid Park
501 Crawford Street, Houston
What kid doesn't want to sit on top of a giant baseball? Snag the cutest photos of little ones with the baseball statues outside of Minute Maid Park for FREE. Or, if you have a ticket to a game, try posing for a picture indoors with the brand new mural celebrating the 2018 World Series Champion Houston Astros. 

Throwback illustrations of Astros legends adorn this colorful mural inside Minute Maid Park/ Photo courtesy Minute Maid Park

North and South Boulevards
Boulevard Oaks Historic District 
If you are looking for a traditional, portrait-worthy locale, look no further than these dramatic tree-lined esplanades.

Biscuit Paint Wall (#biscuitpaintwall)
1435 Westheimer Road, Houston
Who wouldn't want to take a picture at a wall with its own hashtag? Located in the Montrose area, the Biscuit Paint Wall has become a local favorite of bloggers and families alike, and it's easy to see why. The unmistakable entrance to Biscuit Home, an upscale home furnishings store, is a backdrop filled with colorful streaks of paint that makes you want to jump for joy. Be sure to follow the store's social media accounts for details on photos ops with Santa in front of the colorful wall, which usually take place the weekend after Thanksgiving.

We Love Houston Sign
2305 Polk Street, Houston
This brightly colored sign touts Houston love far and wide. Recently re-located, the sign is now conveniently located next to 8th Wonder Brewery, which happens to be one of the top family-friendly breweries in town. This photo-op stop is a win-win for kids and adults!

Bright colors shine against the clear blue Houston sky at this iconic photo spot/ Photo courtesy Visit Houston

American Statesmanship Park
1400 Elder Street, Houston
To borrow lyrics from Hamilton, history has its eyes on you at this obscure intersection of I-10 and 45 where artist David Adickes' sculptures of Texan and American founding fathers stand 18-feet tall. Kids can strike a pose with Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston, Abraham Lincoln, and George Washington. Just a note: “park” might be a bit generous of a description. Don’t expect more than the statesmen’s busts!

San Jacinto Monument and Battleship Texas
One Monument Circle, La Porte
Another historical photo opportunity is just south of Houston on the ship channel at the San Jacinto Monument and Battleship Texas. This historical site is the only nearby destination where you'll find a real, floating battleship that you can take a photo with. While you're there, kids will love playing at the new park right across from the monument. 

Space Center Houston
1601 NASA Parkway, Houston
Celebrate the "space city" by taking a trip to see real rockets, jets, and space shuttles at Space Center Houston. Even if you just happen to be in the area and don't have time to visit the entire venue, snag a photo with the jets poised at the entrance to Johnson Space Center for FREE. 

Fly high with a photo of your kiddo and these twin jets outside/ Photo courtesy Space Center Houston

Sam Houston Monument - Hermann Park Conservancy 
6001 Fannin Steet, Houston
Celebrate Texas history and snap a selfie with your little one and former governor Sam Houston. Bonus points for an impressive backdrop in a kid-approved play space.

Dillidiidae Statues - Hermann Park Conservancy
1700 Hermann Drive, Houston
Bright colored statues on the Hermann Park lawn serve as fun and interactive pieces of art that kids will love to play on and around as you get epic photographs with the bubbly art forms. 

Sugar and Cloth Color Wall
3302 Canal Street, Houston
Perfect for themed photo shoots, this wall features eight different bright color panels each six-feet wide to provide a picture perfect backdrop for all of your photography needs. Plenty of parking can be found along the extra-wide sidewalk near the wall. 

Let your imagination run wild during photo shoots in front of the Sugar and Cloth Wall/ Photo courtesy Sugar and Cloth

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir 
1150 Brand Lane, Stafford
Prepare for the unexpected as you travel the short distance west from Houston to the city of Stafford. Here you will find the first traditional Hindu Mandir in North America made entirely of stone and marble. That's right, there is no steel or metal. This place of worship is a breathtaking sight to behold and to capture with your lens. For an added treat, take the kids in the evening when the Mandir is illuminated from within – the effect is extraordinary. Note: Photography is only allowed outside.

Waterwall Park
2800 Post Oak, Houston
One of the most recognizable landmarks in Houston, the Waterwall in front of William's Tower on Post Oak provides a beautiful backdrop for photographs. Plus, the rushing water and towering height of the falls will have kids so entranced that standing still for a photo shouldn't be a problem. 

Top Photo by Frances Broussard Denenburg

This post originally published in August 2016.