1. Mom and parent groups on Meetup, Facebook, and BigTent - Search these websites for local groups based on neighborhood, interests, and kids' ages. These groups are a great way to meet nearby moms who enjoy the same types of activities as you and who want to expand their social circles as well, they also offer ways to get advice and support both online and face to face. You can even set up your own play dates and activities!

2. Mommy Mingle at the Tot Spot at the Children's Museum of Houston - Meet other parents while you enjoy free coffee and snacks and let your little one have fun exploring the Tot Spot, which is a special play space for children 35 months and under. Mommy Mingle takes place the first Wednesday of each month from 10 am to noon and is included with general admission

3. Houston Public Library children's events - The Houston Public Libraries offer a variety of fun and free events for babies and children and their parents. There are story times and play groups geared toward infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school-age children, and families as well as baby yoga and toddler yoga classes. Check out the event calendar at your local library to find a session to attend. 

4. More Storytimes - There are also story times at Barnes and Noble, the Museum of Fine Arts, Rienzi House, Discovery Green, Nature Discovery Center, Brazo's Book Store, and Hermann Park. Become a regular and you will start to see familiar faces. 

5. Hike it Baby Houston - HIke it Baby encourages parents to get outside every day with their kids. Check the website for hikes in your area as there are many in and around Houston throughout the week. A few times a year they do challenges to hike 30 days in a row or 30 miles in a month. Many of the hikes are reoccurring each week, so it's a perfect way to get regular exercise and get to know other moms. Another idea for hiking are the Tyke Hikes for toddlers 18 months-3 years old on Mondays at the Houston Arboretum at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. These hikes include a storytime and a simple craft as well. 

6. Baby Boot Camp and Fit4Mom Stroller Strides classes - These exercise classes are a great way to get fit with your little one and make friends at the same time. You can attend the classes multiple times per week so you really get to know the other moms and kids while you are there. 

7. Take a Music Class, Swim Class, or Gym Class - Taking a regular weekly class is fun for you and your little one and is an easy way to meet other parents with children the same age and on a similar schedule.

8. The Motherhood Center - This is a great resource for new parents and a place where you can connect with other moms. You can take a mommy and baby yoga class or a family yoga class, take a Gymboree class, attend one of their free events, and go to the "Mom's Talk" on Fridays from 10:30-11:30 a.m. for moms with infants up to 6 months old.

9. Attend a new mom's support group - Many hospitals offer breastfeeding, postpartum, and parenting support groups, which can be very helpful to attend when you have a newborn and provide an opportunity to meet other moms going through similar experiences. For example, The Woman's Hospital of Texas hosts a group called Birth, Baby, and Beyond on Thursday mornings at 10 a.m. for parents of babies up to 1 year old. The group has guest speakers and time to discuss a variety of topics and you don't have to have delivered there to attend the group and you do not need to register, and there is free valet parking as well. 

10. Take a class with Kolibri, A Mother's Guild - Kolibri offers artistic and crafty classes with childcare so you can bring your kiddo along and spend some time being creative along with like-minded moms. 

Photo Courtesy of The Motherhood Center