Gazillion Bubble Show is headed to downtown Houston this weekend. Photo courtesy of the event.
Gazillion Bubble Show, Family-Friendly Theater, and More Things to Do in Houston This Weekend with Kids
Right by the zoo entrance, Jack's Cafe has a quick serve window for snacks and drinks before you start exploring.
Where to Eat Near the Houston Zoo: Family-Friendly Restaurant Picks
There's no shortage of fun baby activities in Houston.
Best Things To Do with Your Baby in Houston
Free activities like feeding the ducks at Mary Jo Peckham Park are simple and still great fun for kids. Photo courtesy of Canva
GUIDE
Free Things to Do in Houston with Kids Guide
Keep costs down with a party at a local playground. Photo courtesy of Levy Park, Facebook
Cheap Party Rental Spots in Houston Great for Kid Birthday Parties
Discovery Green hosts free events like Arte en el Parque, where kids learn Spanish while making art. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green
100 Free Things To Do in Houston with Kids
Children's Museum Houston is free every Thursday evening. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum Houston
Free Museum Days (and Always-Free Museums!) in Houston
Cheap, delicious, and good for leftovers. Photo of Buffalo Grille by Jessica Stautberg
Best Cheap Places to Eat in Houston for Kids and Families (Under $10!): Recs From Locals
Don't miss the MLK Grande Parade this January 2026. Photo by 2C2K Photography via Flickr 2.0
Top Free Things To Do with Kids in Houston in January 2026, According to MP Editors
Play Street Museum West U is perfect for toddlers. Photo by Jessica Stautberg.
The Best Places that Opened in Houston Last Year: 11 New Things To Do with Kids
Yes, you can snow tube in Texas! Photo courtesy of Gaylord Resorts.
Best Snow Tubing for Families in Texas
Tomfoolery is packed with toys. Photo by Jessica Stautberg
The Best Toy Stores in Houston: Gifts for Kids of All Ages
Buffalo Bayou Park has trails, climbing structures, and skate park, slides, and more. Photo by Jessica Stautberg.
Things To Do in Houston That Everyone Will Love - From Toddlers to Teens (and Parents Too!)
Free alligator education at Brazos Bend State Park. Photo by Sarah Banks.
The 10 Best Free Hidden Gems for Kids in Houston
Visit the Hall of Paleontology at the Museum of Natural Science. Photo courtesy of Visit Sugar Land.
Why HMNS at Sugar Land Is a Must-Visit for Houston Families
Help your Scout rack up the badges at these programs in Houston. Photo courtesy of Canva.
Best Places to Earn Scout Badges in Houston
Unique Birthday Party Venues in Houston for One-of-a-Kind Birthday Parties
Our favorite gymnastics gyms in Houston. Photo courtesy of Canva
Gymnastics Gyms in Houston: Places to Take Gymnastic Classes, Camps, or Open Gym
Palace Social has bowling and a restaurant in addition to arcade games. Photo courtesy of Palace Social
Where to Find the Coolest Arcades for Kids in Houston
The Mini classes at Goldfish Swim School are a great bonding experience for parent and child. Photo courtesy of the school
Best Mommy and Me Classes for Houston Babies and Parents 2025
Ready Go Amusement Arcade photo by author Elizabeth R.
Houston’s Best Claw Machine Arcades Where Kids (and Parents) Can Actually Win
A crafting party at one of these venues or at home is the perfect celebration for a creative kid. Photo courtesy of Color Me Mine
Best Crafting Parties for Teens in Houston
Our top picks for your Houston bar/bat mitzvah. Photo by Juliano ASTC, courtesy of Pexels.
Fun Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah Venues in Houston
These Houston ice cream shops have the best treats for kids. Photo by Kelly Patino, courtesy of Mommy Poppins.
Best Ice Cream Spots In Houston For Kids
Go for a nature walk in on of Houston's huge parks. Photo by Anthony Rathbun, courtesy of the Houston Arboretum.
Houston Budget-Friendly Weekend Itinerary for Families
Discovery Green hosts free events like Arte en el Parque, where kids learn Spanish while making art. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green
100 Free Things To Do in Houston with Kids
Levy Park in Houston has one of our favorite playgrounds. Photo courtesy of OJB Landscape Architecture
Best Playgrounds in Houston: Destination Playgrounds Worth the Drive
NASA's Space Center is one of Houston's best science museums for kids. Photo by Pierce Ingram, courtesy of Travel Texas
Explore the Best Science Museums in Houston for Kids: Educational Fun for All Ages
Firetruck Park in West University. Photo by Jessica Stautberg
Neighborhood Guide: Things To Do in West University and Rice Village with Kids
See animals up close at some of these farms near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
Best Farms in Houston with Family Entertainment
Children's Museum Houston is free every Thursday evening. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum Houston
Free Museum Days (and Always-Free Museums!) in Houston
Keep costs down with a party at a local playground. Photo courtesy of Levy Park, Facebook
Cheap Party Rental Spots in Houston Great for Kid Birthday Parties
City Park Skate Park near Houston. Photo courtesy of the Sugarland Texas Govt.
Kid-Friendly Skate Parks in Houston
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
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
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
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
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
Photo courtesy of Big Air in North Houston
17 Coolest Indoor Activities for Houston Teens
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
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
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

Free with AC: 20 Free Indoor Spots to Cool Off in August

8/11/14 - By Laurie Rein

Are the dog days of August starting to wear you down? As much I love summery outdoor fun, there are days when I need a break from chasing sweaty kids, globbing on lotion and cleaning sand from the car. If you need an escape from the August heat or rain, chill out indoors at these fun, air-conditioned events and activities. If your budget’s tight after camp and summer vacation, don’t sweat it. Everything on this list is free! And for more ideas to finish off the summer, check out the New Jersey Kids Summer Activities Guide.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

  1. Hang with snakes and turtles or dig for fossils in the sand table at Trailside Nature Center in Mountainside.
  2. Host a bug-free, sunburn-free playground play date indoors at Woodbridge Center Mall, Freehold Raceway Mall or Livingston Mall.
  3. Strike up a free game of bowling through the Kids Bowl Free program at participating alleys throughout New Jersey.
  4. Catch a family-friendly movie at no charge Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at Bow-Time Cinemas.
  5. Play with the train tables at some Barnes and Noble stores or Meyers Dolls Toys Hobbies.
  6. While at Barnes and Noble, partake in a free story time.
  7. Enjoy free healthy snacks, crafts and stories at Whole Foods in Millburn on Wednesdays at 10:30am.
  8. Check your local library for all kinds of fun and free events, such as Bingo, story time, movies and crafts.
  9. Score free tickets to attractions, such as Imagine That or Monster Mini Golf, through your local library’s Museum Pass; options may differ by library.
  10. Experience museums throughout the state with free admission for certain ages.
  11. Grab lunch at a fast food restaurant with a free play area, such as Chick-fil-A or McDonald’s.
  12. Ask your local kiddie gym or other children’s centers for a free trial class.
  13. Create free projects at Lowes Build & Grow or Home Depot Kids Workshops.
  14. Attend a story time at Pottery Barn Kids on Tuesdays at 10:00am at Short Hills Mall.
  15. Whip up easy recipes at Williams-Sonoma’s Jr. Chef free classes; check store for age range.
  16. Dine out at your favorite restaurant on a Kids-Eat-Free night.
  17. Get crafty at a Lakeshore Learning store every Saturday for a free craft workshop.
  18. Stop by Garden State Plaza for weekly Toddler Tuesday with free youngster activities.
  19. Drop the kids off at Ikea’s supervised play area while you do a little shopping.
  20. Watch Disney videos and enjoy Summer Play Days at the Disney Store; some locations, such as Freehold Raceway Mall and Menlo Park Mall, have coloring tables and crawl-through castles.

 

About the Author

Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
Recent Articles By Laurie Rein:
Read more articles by Laurie Rein.