Inner Loop

Best Spots to Cool Off with Frozen Desserts in Houston

Submitted by Frances Broussa... on Fri, 07/19/2019 - 3:09pm

One of the few bonuses to Houston's almost nonstop hot weather is that you can pretty much indulge in frozen sweets year-round. Whether it's an after-school treat or an after-dinner outing while savoring those last rays of sunlight, these 15 spots have the best ice cream and frozen desserts in Houston.

40 Ways to Beat the Houston Heat This Summer

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Fri, 07/12/2019 - 3:08pm

We don't have to tell you that during a Houston summer, the heat and humidity come at you at full force. Staying cool with the kids is top priority these days, and while the area has plenty of splash pads and pools, sometimes it's nice to just be out of the sun. And enjoying someone else's air conditioning. Even though we love them, we know it can get expensive at indoor playgrounds and gyms, so we've included an entire section of free indoor fun ideas to help you beat the heat without breaking the bank. And if you don't mind dishing out some dollars for fun indoor experiences, the second half of this list includes our favorite paid entry Houston-area venues where you can beat the heat this summer.

Find yourself in need of even more ideas? Be sure to check out our guide to free summer fun and full guide of things to do with Houston kids in the summer.

July GoList: Best Things to Do With Houston Kids This Month

Submitted by Carrie Taylor on Fri, 06/28/2019 - 11:58pm

Somehow, summer is already about halfway over. But the good news is July is full of fun things to do around Houston for the whole family. You can still catch a free (or cheap) outdoor movie, or see a flick for cheap at an area theater in the comfort of air conditioning, or roam through a candy wonderland at Candytopia. This month is also full of kid-friendly shows like "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing," "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown," and "Annie," the latter performed at the historic Crighton Theatre in Conroe.

There are lots of options for dazzling Fourth of July fireworks across Houston as well as celebrations without fireworks at the children's museum downtown and Fort Bend locations. Read on for more family fun in Houston this month.

20 Kid-Friendly Restaurants With Room to Play in Houston

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Mon, 06/24/2019 - 10:56pm

Relaxing on the patio with good food and drinks is something that, prior to kids, we used to love to do... and then we had kids and going out to eat became nothing short of a nightmare that quickly got nixed from our weekend plans. All seemed lost, and we resigned ourselves to spending our evenings out at Chick-fil-A until we found these awesome Houston restaurants with play spaces for kids (we also spent an exhaustive amount of time eating near the green area at CityCentre).

Father's Day Ideas Houston Dads Will Actually Love

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Fri, 06/07/2019 - 3:38pm

He ties shoes, fixes every broken toy, plays ball in the backyard, always knows how to make mom smile... and he is easily one of the hardest people to shop for. Dad is a superhero in his own right, and with Father's Day right around the corner, it's time to start brainstorming ideas to let dad know just how much we appreciate him. This Father's Day, we recommend giving dad the gift of a fun experience and quality time.

Whether the dad in your life is active or into the arts, is someone who appreciates fine dining and a superb wine or wants to spend the afternoon outdoors with a cold beer and crawfish, we've got you covered with fun Father's Day events spanning all of Houston - from Kemah to The Woodlands and back.

Best (Free) Splash Pads and Spray Grounds Around Houston

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Fri, 05/10/2019 - 1:30pm

There's no denying that when the first heat wave of summer hits Houston, it hits hard. And as every Houstonian knows, once it comes it's here for the long haul - sometimes well into "fall." This means it becomes crucial to find fun ways to keep the kids cool without locking them indoors. Luckily, there is no shortage of splash pads here.

These are our favorites, and they are all FREE. Most are open year round, but if you're visiting outside of summer months be sure to check the park website before heading out. And if you're looking for something on a larger scale, check out the amazing water parks you can visit around Houston.

10 Free Pools in Houston Kids Will Love

Submitted by Kate M on Mon, 05/06/2019 - 3:18pm

I grew up in Northern Michigan in a town that often makes the news for beating the record for the most snowfall and the coldest temperatures, and somehow I was lucky enough to have a pool in my backyard. I loved jumping into that pool after working out or having friends over to swim, and now that I live in a city with weather that could accommodate an almost endless pool season, there is, unfortunately, no pool outside my back door. Instead, we take advantage of Houston's many free community pools.

The city of Houston has 37 FREE community pools open June 1- Aug. 11 (in the 2019 season) from 1-8 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday and from August 17- Sept. 1 on Saturdays and Sundays only, and 29 water spraygrounds that are open year round.

Without further ado, here is a list of some of the best FREE pools with great features and amenities. And be sure to check out our recommendations for Houston splashpads and playgrounds, as well as our Summer Fun Guide, which has water park recommendations, parks with shade, and more!

35 Things We Can't Wait To Do with Houston Kids this Summer

Submitted by Kate M on Sat, 05/04/2019 - 4:44pm

Ready to take advantage of these longer summer days by trying some new activities and exploring greater Houston? From festivals to day trips, this summer will fly by with all the exciting places to go and events to check out. Here is a list of the top 35 things we can't wait to do in the Bayou City from Memorial Day to Labor Day, even on those 100-degree days.

All-Day Fun: Destination Parks in Houston

Submitted by Carrie Taylor on Sat, 04/20/2019 - 12:19am

Houston is home to a ton of parks. A ton. (Including some pretty great splash pads.) And some are better than others if you're looking to spend more than 30 minutes at an unshaded playground, so we've rounded up 13 parks where you can easily spend a few hours, or even the entire day.

Where To Find Bluebonnets in Houston this Spring

Submitted by Carrie Taylor on Fri, 03/08/2019 - 10:05pm

It's that time of year again. Texas Bluebonnet season runs March-May, and this Spring Texans have already seen these beautiful blue blooms in some parts of the state. We've rounded up some spots where you can snap some of those iconic pictures in and around Houston, and we'll continue to update this post as we find more locations. If you have a favorite spot to share, let us know at houstoneditor@mommypoppins.com.