Stearman Santa photo courtesy of the Lone Star Flight Museum
Mistletoe Market, Carols on the Green, and More Things to Do in Houston This Weekend with Kids
Take a road trip to play in the snow. Photo courtesy of Canva
Snow Near Houston? 6 Places in Texas Where You Can See Snow This Holiday Season
Bass Pro Shops Present Santa's Wonderland. Photo courtesy of the event.
27 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in Houston for Kids
Dickens on the Strand in Galveston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
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Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Houston Families
Go Rio Riverboat at Hilton Palacio del Rio San Antonio during Christmas. Photo by Nan Palermo via Flickr 2.0
The Best Family Christmas Getaways in Texas
Christmas trains near Houston 2024. Photo courtesy of The Polar Express Train Ride at the Texas State Railroad
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains Near Houston
It's time to get your annual picture with Santa, and we know just where to go. Photo courtesy of the Houston Galleria
Pictures with Santa Claus in Houston: From Malls to Rodeos
Photo by Mommy Poppins
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Outdoor Activities Guide for Houston Kids
There are so many ways to see The Nutcracker in Houston this season. Photo courtesy of NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in Houston
Holidays at Moody Gardens. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
19 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Houston for Kids
Beautiful neighborhood Christmas lights are all around Houston. Photo courtesy of the Franck's Christmas Light Show
Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Houston
Photo courtesy of Levy Park, Facebook
Best Budget-Friendly (Cheap) Birthday Party Places for Houston Kids
See animals up close at some of these farms near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
Best Farms in Houston with Family Entertainment
Pleasure Pier in Galveston is a top attraction near Houston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
Best Attractions and Things To Do in Houston that are Kid-friendly
Stop at Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo for some cool photos on your roadtrip to the Texas Panhandle.
Best Texas Road Trips for Families
Baywatch Dolphin Tours are a fun, kid-friendly tour near Houston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
Best Kid-Friendly Tours in Houston
Make dining out with kids more fun at one of Houston's themed restaurants. Photo courtesy of Rock N Roll Sushi
Themed Restaurants in Houston for a Fun Night Out With Kids
City Park Skate Park near Houston. Photo courtesy of the Sugarland Texas Govt.
Kid-Friendly Skate Parks in Houston
Urban Air has quite a few trampoline parks near Houston. Photo courtesy of Urban Air Adventure Park
Fun Trampoline Parks Near Houston for Kids to Jump in the AC
Batting cage photo courtesy of the Bellaire Bats
Indoor Batting Cages Near Houston Where Kids Can Practice Their Swings
Houston's Walking Stick Brewing Company has plenty of outdoor space. Photo courtesy of the Walking Stick Brewing Company
Family-Friendly Houston Breweries Where Kids Can Play, Too
Plan a magical quinceañera with these dress shops and venues. Photo courtesy of Canva
Quinceañeras in Houston: The Best Dress Shops and Venues for Your Teen Birthday
Photo courtesy of Big Air in North Houston
17 Coolest Indoor Activities for Houston Teens
In winter, visit Luminations at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. Photo by Ann Alva Weiding Photography, at bigredmuse.com.
Austin with Kids: 35 Best Things To Do in Austin, Texas
New to fishing? Try a Galveston fishing boat tour.
Best Kid-Friendly Tours in Galveston For Your Family Trip
The outdoor pool at the Moody Gardens Hotel, photo courtesy of Visit Galveston.
Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Galveston, TX
One of our favorite petting zoos near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
The Best Petting Zoos Near Houston
Make it an unforgettable family getaway from Houston by hiking Enchanted Rock. Photo courtesy Passport to Texas.
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Photo courtesy of Schlitterbahn Waterparks
20 Top Things To Do in Galveston with Kids
Photo by author Rebecca Matheson Ortiz for Mommy Poppins.
Tips and Secrets to the Houston Zoo with Kids
Little girl playing at an indoor play space in Houston. Photo courtesy of Frogs, Snails and Fairy Tales
Top Indoor Playgrounds & Play Spaces in Houston
Houston has many kid-friendly museums, and not all are children's museums. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum of Houston
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John P. McGovern's state-of-the art playground is perfect for both younger and older children. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green.
20 Things To Do in Downtown Houston With Kids
Ice at the Galleria provides year-round ice skating in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Galleria
Best Indoor and Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Houston for Kids and Families
MKT has great family-friendly restaurants! Photo courtesy of @mendocinofarms and MKT
Best Things to Do in The Houston Heights with Kids
Fishing in Lake Somerville. Photo courtesy of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
10 State Parks Near Houston With Lakes, Beaches, and Hiking
There's no shortage of fun baby activities in Houston.
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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
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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
Bowling is a fun indoor activity to add to your list this summer. Photo courtesy of Palace Social
Kid-Friendly Bowling Alleys in Houston
Fishing at Sea Center in Freeport, TX. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
Freeport with Kids: Best Things To Do in Freeport, Texas
Photo courtesy of Osprey Cruises
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Round up the girls and head out for a kid-free night in Houston. Photo courtesy of Thirsty Bee Meadery
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Kids love the carousel on Kemah's boardwalk.
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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
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Birdwatching at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary, photo courtesy of Houston Audubon
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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 courtesy of Canva
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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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Families enjoying a night out. Photo courtesy of Paradigm Brewing in Tomball
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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 has one of our favorite playgrounds. 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
Baby and Toddler Music Classes in Houston
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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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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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
Camping in Houston: Best Campgrounds in Texas for Families
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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Horseback riding is a favorite kid activity in Conroe
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14 Top Free Things To Do in Houston With Kids in November

Tour Weiss Energy Hall on Free Thursdays at HMNS. Photo courtesy of the Museum
Tour Weiss Energy Hall on Free Thursdays at HMNS. Photo courtesy of the Museum
11/4/22 - By Rachael Cherry

Looking for free things to do in November in Houston? Check out our list of kid-friendly free events in Houston.

November is here, and that means we're all trucking along through the month in anticipation of putting on our stretchy pants and indulging in lots of good eats and treats in celebration of Thanksgiving. However, since our favorite turkey-filled holiday isn't happening until the end of the month, we found lots of free things to do in Houston for the family to enjoy until then. 

From celebrating holidays at the annual Veterans Day Celebration or Thanksgiving Day Parade, to the Lighting of The Doves Festival and free train rides at Zube Park, there are lots of amazing free events in Houston to take advantage of this month. Check out our Fall Activities Guide for even more seasonal fun.

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Annual City of Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade photo by Carson Productions
Annual City of Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade photo by Carson Productions

Free Things to Do in November in Houston

Free Tuesdays at Houston Museum of Natural Science

Thursdays in November, 2022—Museum District
Make your way through all of the permanent exhibits at Houston Museum for Natural Science for free on Thursdays. READ MORE

Free Family Night at The Children's Museum of Houston

Thursdays in November, 2022—Museum District
It's a night of FREE family fun at the Children's Museum of Houston every Thursday evening from 5-8 p.m.  READ MORE

Night Market 2023 at Asia Society Texas Center

November 4, 2022—Museum District
Drawing inspiration from street markets commonly found in East and Southeast Asia, Asia Society Texas' all-ages festival celebrates Houston's AAPI communities through food, arts, and activities. READ MORE

Family Philanthropy Day

November 5, 2022—Garden Oaks
Greater Houston Community Foundation and Center for Family Philanthropy invite the community to Family Philanthropy Day, an annual volunteer event for ages 5+ to participate and learn about a specific issue area affecting the Greater Houston community. This year, the event will focus on combating food insecurity in the Houston area. Attendees will enjoy curated, hands-on service projects in support of local community needs. All projects are kid-friendly and will make a big impact for local nonprofits organizations. Volunteer activities will include packing meals for the families... READ MORE

Woodlands Wildflower Festival

November 5, 2022—Spring
Community event with free activities including wildflower seed packets, seed planting area, master gardener advice, children’s crafts, face painting, balloon art, and bouncy castle. READ MORE

Seabourne Nature Fest

November 5, 2022—Rosenberg
Take a step back in time to explore how the prairie looked prior to settlers at the annual Seabourne Nature Fest. There will be hands-on activities, nature tours, live animals, performers, kids' crafts, and more at this family event.  READ MORE

Hands-On Houston Family Festival

November 5, 2022—Museum District
Join HCCC for the return of our HANDS-ON HOUSTON FAMILY FESTIVAL, a free community event for families and visitors of all ages. This year, the festival celebrates recycling and the fall exhibition, CraftTexas 2022, with hands-on making and food and refreshments from Moon Rooster food truck. Visitors can also explore family-friendly events at neighboring arts organizations, Lawndale Art Center and Houston Met Dance.   READ MORE

MFAH's Fall Festival: Myths and Leyendas

November 6, 2022—Museum District
The MFAH hosts an action-packed family festival celebrating legends and folklore from a variety of countries and cultures in the Americas.   READ MORE

City of Houston Annual Veterans Day Celebration

November 11, 2022—Downtown
The City is proud to pay tribute to the men and women in the military by providing an annual “Houston Salutes American Heroes Veterans Day Celebration”. This civic celebration honors and celebrates the brave men, women, and families who have fought and sacrificed for our liberty and freedom. READ MORE

Lights and Lanterns : Family Art Workshop at Discovery Green

November 12, 2022—Downtown
The shortest day of the year and the longest night, the winter solstice, is a time to celebrate the birth of light. In countries around the world, this is done with lantern festivals. Children will learn about the tradition with a reading and a lantern-making workshop using plastic cups, pipe cleaners, paint, and battery tea light candles. READ MORE

HALS Public Ride Day at Zube Park

November 19, 2022—Hockley
Every third Saturday of the month (and some special Sundays as well), enjoy free train rides at Zube Park. READ MORE

Lighting of the Doves Festival at Town Green Park

November 19, 2022—The Woodlands
The Lighting of the Doves Festival is a long-standing tradition in The Woodlands that signifies the start of the holiday season in the community. Symbolizing peace during the holidays, the ceremonial illumination of the giant doves has attracted thousands of visitors each year. The Festival includes traditional and international performances, showcasing the cultural diversity of The Woodlands and holiday traditions celebrated around the world. Featuring snow play areas, vendor booths, children’s activities and strolling entertainment, Lighting of the Doves culminates with a special... READ MORE

Annual City of Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade

November 24, 2022—Downtown
H-E-B presents the city of Houston's annual Thanksgiving Parade, where families can enjoy traditional parade floats, attractions, and entertainment. The parade will be led by nine-time gold medalist Carl Lewis and honors Houstonians who competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. READ MORE

Family Movie Night at Levy Park : The Santa Clause

November 25, 2022—Upper Kirby
Bring your holiday spirit and the whole family for Family Movie Night featuring the movie The Santa Clause.  READ MORE

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