Zoo Boo kicks off this weekend. Photo courtesy of the Houston Zoo
Mid-Autumn Festivals and More Things To Do in Houston this Weekend with Kids
Get a pumpkin before Halloween at a farm fall festival. Photo courtesy of P-6 Farms, Facebook
Best Halloween Events in Houston for Kids and Families: Haunted Houses, Festivals, and More
See alligators in Beaumont, about 90 minutes from Houston. Photo courtesy of Gator Country Wildlife Adventure Park
Fall Day Trips From Houston for Families
There are plenty of choices for pumpkin patches near Houston. Photo courtesy of P6 Farms
Best Pumpkin Patches Near Houston for Fall Fun
Visit Froberg's Farm for fall festival fun, a pumpkin patch, and more. Photo courtesy the fall
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Fall Fun Guide for Houston Families
Galveston Oktoberfest is one of many kid-friendly festivals near Houston. Kid zone photo courtesy of Galveston Oktoberfest
Best Fall Festivals and Fairs in Houston for Families
Explore our guide of classes for kids in Houston.
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Guide to Classes for Houston Kids
Photo courtesy of Frogs, Snails and Fairy Tales
Top 10 Best Indoor Play Spaces in Houston
Houston has a variety of affordable afterschool programs. Photo courtesy of GirlStart
Free and Cheap Afterschool Programs in Houston
Head to Waller County for some rodeo fun in September. Photo by David Roesner, courtesy of the Waller County Fair and Rodeo.
21 Best Things to Do in Houston September 2023 with Kids
There's no shortage of fun baby activities in Houston.
Best Things To Do with Babies in Houston Before They Turn 1
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
We've launched a partnership with Care.com to bring background-checked nannies and sitters to the Mommy Poppins Directory.
Find Trusted Babysitters and Nannies Now on Mommy Poppins–Powered by Care.com
Your little learner will love the variety of toddler classes in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Fun Preschool and Toddler Classes in Houston for Little Learners
Houston's bucket list for kid activities
100 Things To Do In Houston Before Kids Grow Up
Treat your kid to one of these Houston spas with services for children. Photo courtesy of Float Baby
Kid-Friendly Salons and Spas Near Houston
Climb with your kids at one of these indoor rock climbing gyms in Houston. Photo courtesy of Texas Rock Gym
Best Indoor Rock Climbing Gyms in Houston for Kids
Levy Park is a splash pad in Houston's inner loop. Photo courtesy of Levy Park, Facebook
Best Splash Pads, Splash Parks, and Water Playgrounds in Houston
Bowling is a fun indoor activity to add to your list this summer. Photo courtesy of Palace Social
Kid-Friendly Bowling Alleys in Houston
Dinos Alive is the perfect indoor activity this summer.
Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience Featuring Life-Sized Dinosaurs
Fishing at Sea Center in Freeport, TX. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
Freeport with Kids: Best Things To Do in Freeport, Texas
These water parks and other swimming spots are perfect for summer birthday parties in Houston. Photo courtesy of the City of Conroe Parks and Recreation
Swimming Spots to Host a Pool Party for Your Houston Kid
Texas has 367 miles of coastline for you to explore. Photo by Michael Hogan, Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Hidden Gem Beaches in Texas for Your Summer Family Trips
Photo courtesy of Osprey Cruises
30 Things To Do Near South Padre Island, TX with Kids
Round up the girls and head out for a kid-free night in Houston. Photo courtesy of Thirsty Bee Meadery
Mom's Night Out in Houston: 5 Fun Itineraries for a Kid-Free Evening
The GardenBar at Tiny Boxwoods is perfect place for families to enjoy a delicious meal.
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Kids love the carousel on Kemah's boardwalk.
Top Things to Do at Kemah Boardwalk with Kids
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There are lots of farms offering berry picking near Houston. Photo courtesy of P6 Farms, Facebook
Strawberry and Berry Picking near Houston: The Best Pick-Your-Own Farms
Photo by Mommy Poppins
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San Antonio has a lot of budget-friendly things to do with kids. Photo courtesy of the San Antonio Botanical Garden
Fun Budget Weekend Getaways for Houston Families
Fishing in Lake Somerville. Photo courtesy of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
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Birdwatching at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary, photo courtesy of Houston Audubon
Best Things to Do in Memorial, West Houston with Kids
Photo courtesy of Cypress Academy
Ninja Warrior Gyms, Obstacle Courses, and Parkour in Houston for Kids
Hero Headquarters is a birthday party entertainment company in Houston. Photo courtesy of Hero Headquarters
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Check out one of these breakfasts in Houston for a casual meal when the kids get up early. Photo courtesy of Snooze
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Free activities like feeding the ducks at Mary Jo Peckham Park are simple and still great fun for kids. Photo by Rachael Cherry
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Photo courtesy of Threadfare Children's Boutique
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The Houston Zoo is a great stop for kids, and near other things to do in Houston, too. Photo by Jessica A., courtesy of the zoo
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Photo courtesy of Bellagreen
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Montessori preschools focus on hands-on learning. Photo courtesy of The Woodlands Montessori School
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Levy Park in Houston. Photo courtesy of OJB Landscape Architecture
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Playgrounds Without Limits photo courtesy of Memorial Park, Facebook
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Take a look at one of these popular toddler dance classes in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Ballet preschool program.
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Baby music classes are a great way to bond and learn. Photo courtesy of Musik Garden
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Photo courtesy of Texas Health Resources
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Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum of Houston
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Birthday party places near Houston include arcades, escape rooms, climbing gyms, and more. Photo courtesy of The Main Event
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There are a variety of fishing lakes near Houston to fish with your kids. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
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SwimJim offers baby swim classes in Houston. Photo courtesy of SwimJim Baby Swim School, Facebook
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San Antonio is full of amusement parks, good food, and lots of other things to do with kids. Photo courtesy of the San Antonio Riverwalk
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Try fishing for the first time in Lake Livingston. Photo courtesy of Lake Livingston State Park, Facebook
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Get building at Dig World TX near Houston.
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Kids eat Free at Dickey's on Sundays with each adult purchase of $10 or more. Photo courtesy of Dickey's
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The St. Regis in Uptown is one of Houston's best family-friendly resorts.
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Photo courtesy of Lake Conroe KOA Campground, Facebook
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Hiking at Garner State Park in the Texas Hill Country. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
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Fresh air is one of the best antidotes to a grumpy toddler or baby. Photo courtesy of Bigstock
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Come for the queso, stay for the ice cream at these Tex-Mex restaurants in Houston.
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Explore the 21 miles of trails around the park, of varying lengths and difficulty to suit your family’s needs.
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Kids can learn about Robotics at the Houston Space Center. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Ortiz.
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Photo courtesy of Levy Park, Facebook
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Samuel Sykes, owner of Trill Taco, photo courtesy of Samuel Sykes
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Calling all space lovers! NASA’s Space Center Houston, photo by Rebecca Matheson Ortiz
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Toddlers can enjoy playing with the foam block structures at Exploration Park. Photo courtesy of Exploration Park
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The Menil Collection is a free art museum in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Menil Collection
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​Galveston's Schlitterbahn is an indoor waterpark near Houston. Photo courtesy of Schlitterbahn in Galveston Island
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Reaching for Butterflies at the Cockrell Butterfly Center at the Houston Museum of Natural Science
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Kids walk a nature trail at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. Photo courtesy of the Houston Arboretum
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Horseback riding is a favorite kid activity in Conroe
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Walking inside Hermann Park's Japanese Garden. Photo courtesy of Vicky Li Yip.
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Building sandcastles at Port Aransas Beach.
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Kids learn and play at the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden at the Dallas Arboretum. Photo courtesy the Dallas Arboretum
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Explore the amazing parks in Pearland. Photo courtesy of Pearland Parks and Recreation
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Make it an unforgettable family getaway from Houston by hiking Enchanted Rock. Photo courtesy Passport to Texas.
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Free and Affordable Summer Camps In Houston

Summer Camp photo courtesy of the Houston YMCA
Summer Camp photo courtesy of the Houston YMCA
2/19/23 - By Rachael Cherry

Looking for free summer camps in Houston? We've got a list of affordable and free camps in Houston this summer 2023.

It's hard to believe it's already time to make summer plans for your little ones, and one thing every kid looks forward to in 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. Plus, it gives them something to do during those long days of summer.

There are all kinds of summer camps in Houston—check out our Houston Summer Camp Guide or full directory of camp listings for help finding the right one. But if you're looking for a summer camp in Houston that both your kid and your wallet will love, look no further than this list of affordable or even FREE Houston summer camps, most of which cost less than $200. Also, keep in mind that many camps offer early bird, multi-week, and sibling discounts, as well as discounts for members, and some even offer scholarships.

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Little Beakers offers an affordable summer camp in Houston. Photo courtesy of Little Beakers Camp
Little Beakers offers an affordable summer camp in Houston. Photo courtesy of Little Beakers Camp

Free and Cheap Summer Camps in Houston

Camp STREAM

Ages 5-19 | Multiple Houston locations
Campers engage in activities that explore science, technology, reading, art, engineering, and math (STREAM) at HPL's FREE summer camp. This week-long camp rotates from branch to branch during different weeks throughout the summer.  READ MORE

City of Houston Summer Enrichment Program

Ages 6-13 | Multiple Houston locations
The City of Houston hosts 10-week day-camp style programs throughout the summer at 54 different local community centers that allow kids to participate in sporting activities, fun fitness, nature exploration, recycling projects, arts and crafts, nutrition, bird watching, and more. READ MORE

YMCA Summer Day Camp

Ages 5-15 | Multiple Houston locations
Offered at locations around the Houston area, YMCA Summer Day Camp allows your child to get out and get active. Activities may include sports and outdoor games, creative and performing arts, archery, engineering, and nature exploration. READ MORE

Camp Hope

Ages Kindegarten - 6th Grade | Cypress
Children ages kindergarten through 6th grade are invited to dive into week-long camps that explore the Bible and its stories through read-alouds, games, arts and crafts, STEM activities, and worship. Camps are adult-mentored and student-led.  READ MORE

Camp Quillian

Ages 5-12 | Westchase
Camp Quillian offers both half and full-day options and boasts a gymnasium, two swimming pools for both lessons and water polo, an indoor climbing wall, game rooms, athletic fields, and a playground that campers are able to enjoy each day. READ MORE

The Little Gym Summer Camp

Ages 3-12 | Multiple Houston locations
Kids can enjoy the air-conditioned comforts of The Little Gym's indoor activity center when they enroll in the summer camp programs. Camp days include arts and crafts, games, and more, and each camp session boasts a different theme to cater to different interests. READ MORE

Camp Clear Lake

Ages 6-11 | Clear Lake
Each week-long camp session through the Clear Lake Community Association features a unique theme. Daily activities include games, crafts, art, science projects, singing, sports, and swimming. READ MORE

San Jacinto College Summer Camp

Ages 5-18 | Multiple Houston locations
At each of the San Jacinto College campuses, campers can choose from a variety of topics to explore during summer camp including STEM, keyboarding, career development, and theater. Depending on the activity chosen, the camp costs vary, with some free camp options available. READ MORE

BakerRipley Youth Summer Camp

Ages 4-13 | East End
At Little Leaders Summer Camp, children will enjoy fun-filled days and participate in weekly STEM activities, team-building, and virtual field trips. Weekly themes include Art week, Meet and Greet, Lego week, and more.  READ MORE

Little Beakers Camps

Ages 3-13 | Multiple Houston locations
With up to 12 different science themes to select from, kids touch on an array of topics through hands-on science activities including rockets, glowing volcanoes, reactions, fossils & minerals, polymers, ice-cream science, forensic science, edible molecules, physics, planets, microbiology and much more. READ MORE

MECA Sunburst Arts Summer Program

Ages 5-15 | East End
The Sunburst Summer Arts Program is an 8-week summer arts camp that implements a unique arts and education curriculum created by the MECA Arts Team with feedback and contribution from partnering agencies. The course addresses summer learning loss with an emphasis in Numeracy, Literacy, and Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Additionally, the syllabus focuses on the importance of multiculturalism in everyday life. READ MORE

Sunny Dayz Camps

Ages 6-12 | Multiple The Woodlands locations
The Woodlands Township provides a full season of fun, field trips, friends, swimming, STEM, and more. READ MORE

Pearland Parks and Recreation Camp KIA

Ages 6-10| Pearland
Kids participate in an active, carefree, safe, and supportive summer experience. Camp KIA (Kids In Action) is designed for kids who are seeking a well-rounded camp experience. Each camp session will include one field trip scheduled per week. READ MORE

University Baptist Church VBS

Ages Kindergarten - 5th grade | Clear Lake
This FREE camp for children offers fun activities for kids that teach them about God through Bible stories, activities, arts and crafts, sing-a-longs, and more.   Many churches around Houston offer free or very affordable Vacation Bible Schools. Check with local churches in your area to see what programs are offered.  READ MORE

Apple Camp

Ages 8-12| Multiple locations
If your kid can't let go of the screen for outdoor excitement, why fight it? This FREE camp is a two-hour session at your local Apple store where kids learn how to create a comic book on an iPad. This isn't a drop-off opportunity, however: Apple makes it very clear that all campers must have a parent or legal guardian on-site for the duration of Apple Camp. With free wifi and often a Starbucks within eyeshot, of course, that's not much of a sacrifice. Ages 8-12. READ MORE

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