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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 Tuesday Evenings. READ MORE

Free Family Night at The Children's Museum of Houston

Thursdays in November, 2022—Museum District
Join every Thursday evening for a fun-filled, family-friendly experience at Children's Museum Houston! 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: Mujeres

November 6, 2022—Museum District
The MFAH hosts an action-packed family festival celebrating women in myths, legends, and Latin American history. The annual Fall Festival features six new, temporary large-scale sculptures by Houston Latinx artists. “Myths and Leyendas: Mujeres” highlights the Museum’s commitment to Latin American and Latino art, and art of the Indigenous Americas. READ MORE

City of Houston Annual Veterans Day Celebration

November 11, 2022—Downtown
The City is proud to pay tribute to our 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 select 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
Get ready, Houston! The 76th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade is rolling through downtown again! As one of the oldest Thanksgiving Day Parades in the nation, this beloved tradition draws hundreds of thousands of Houstonians together to celebrate each year. 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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