Kids can get to know the brass instruments during the Philharmonic Families program Saturday. Photo courtesy of the Kaufman Music Center
Mommy Poppins Winter Fest, Puzzle Day, Pac-Man, and More Things To Do in NYC this Weekend
Discover the NYC-themed play space hidden inside the Toys
39 Free Things To Do Indoors in NYC: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
Galactic snow tubing at Camelback offers an LED light show come nightfall.
Best Snow Tubing near NYC for Families
Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids Guide
Pillow Fort photo by Seamus McCauley via Flickr 2 .0
Snow Day Activities: 55 Fun Things To Do on a Snow Day Indoors
Central Park has some great hills for a fast ride. Photo by Jody Mercier
Best Sledding Hills in NYC
Museo del Barrio's The Three Kings Day Parade takes over the streets of East Harlem Photo by Mommy Poppins
Top Things To Do with Kids in NYC in January 2026, from MP Editors
There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier
100 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
Hit the ice at the scenic Mohonk Mountan House, which offers winter day passes to enjoy its spectacular resort amenities. Photo courtesy of the venue
23 Fun Winter Day Trips from NYC
Bryant Park's Bumper Cars are a mainstay of late-winter fun in the park. Photo by Janet Bloom
Ultimate Winter Bucket List: 47 Best Things To Do with Kids in NYC
Stranger Things: The First Shadow plays at the Marquis Theatre and gives the popular Neflix show a prequel. Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman
Best Broadway Shows for Kids and Families in 2025
Kids as young as 14 can apply for an eco-focused internship at Alley Pond Park in Queens. Photo courtesy of the Alley Pond Environmental Center
Best Museum Programs in NYC for Teens
See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
Ultimate New York City Bucket List: 100 Things To Do in NYC with Kids Before They Grow Up
Winter fun for kids in New York City: Building a snowman is just the start of fun things to do with kids in NYC during winter
GUIDE
NYC Winter Vacation Guide: Best Getaways and Activities for Families
The 2025-2026 public school year for NYC kids starts on Thursday, September 4.
Here's the NYC Public School Calendar for 2025-2026
Get ready for back to school with all the right supplies, classes, and tips.
GUIDE
Back-to-School Guide 2025-2026
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
Ultimate New York Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in NY State
Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier
47 Fun Indoor Activities in NYC for a Rainy Day
Vinland Playground got a fresh upgrade in Bay Ridge. Photo by NYC Parks/Daniel Avila
Jaw-Dropping New Playgrounds in NYC to Explore with Kids Now
Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun
GUIDE
NYC Summer Camp Guide
The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!
Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids
Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC's Best Playgrounds: 21 Parks Worthy of a Subway Schlep
Brooklyn's Flying Apple offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.
24 Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC
Discover the NYC-themed play space hidden inside the Toys
39 Free Things To Do Indoors in NYC: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC
Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort
14 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC
Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop
GUIDE
Guide to NYC Classes for Kids
For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier
Best Attractions and Things To Do near NYC that are Kid-Friendly
Tea Around Town combines a sumptuous meal with a unique view NYC landmarks! Photo by Jody Mercier
25 Best NYC Tours for Families: From Boat Rides to Free Walking Tours and More
The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH
Best Museums for Kids in NYC: Children's Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in NYC
GUIDE
Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC
Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.
Best Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
Best Aquariums to Visit from the NYC Metro Area with Kids
Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in NYC
Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier
3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC on a Budget: Cheap Things To Do and Money Saving Tips for Families
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
Kids can see the masterpieces and get hands-on with art during a free visit to MoMA on Friday evenings. Photo by Jody Mercier
Free Museum Days (and Always-Free Museums) in NYC
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting. Photo by Sara Marentette
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird
40 Best NYC Attractions to Do with Kids Right Now
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
GUIDE
NYC Kids Summer Guide: 728 Best Festivals, Deals, Activities & Free Things to Do
Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.
GUIDE
Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
GUIDE
Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Crafts for Kids Guide: Thousands of Craft Ideas
Explore modern humanity through all-new world-wandering exhibitions at Mmuseumm.
Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful Under-the-Radar Museums in NYC that Kids Love

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.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

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

Places featured in this article: