Berry Merry Christmas begins this Thanksgiving weekend in Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm

Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2024 in Houston: Thanksgiving Parade, The Nutcracker, and Holiday Celebrations

Let someone else cook Thanksgiving dinner this year. Photo courtesy of Bigstock

Kid-Friendly Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Houston

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

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

GUIDE

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

Visit Froberg's Farm for fall festival fun, a pumpkin patch, and more. Photo courtesy the fall

GUIDE

Houston Fall Day Trips Guide: Farms, Festivals, and Family Getaways 2024

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

Annual City of Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade! 2023 photo © Richard Carson

Best Things to Do in Houston November 2024 with Kids

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

Best Budget-Friendly (Cheap) Birthday Party Places for Houston Kids

From pumpkins to corn mazes, there's loads of seasonal fun at local farms. Photo courtesy of P6 Farms

Fall Bucket List for Kids: 30 Top Things To Do in Houston This Fall

Galveston Oktoberfest is one of many kid-friendly festivals near Houston. Kid zone photo courtesy of Galveston Oktoberfest

Best Fall Festivals and Fairs in Houston for Families

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.

GUIDE

Houston Day Trips and Family Getaways Guide

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

Best Museums in Houston for Kids and Families

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.

Best Things To Do with Babies in Houston Before They Turn 1

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

100 Things To Do In Houston Before Kids Grow Up

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

30 Things To Do Near South Padre Island, TX with Kids

Round up the girls and head out for a kid-free night in Houston. Photo courtesy of Thirsty Bee Meadery

Mom's Night Out in Houston: 5 Fun Itineraries for a Kid-Free Evening

Kids love the carousel on Kemah's boardwalk.

Top Things to Do at Kemah Boardwalk with Kids

San Antonio has a lot of budget-friendly things to do with kids. Photo courtesy of the San Antonio Botanical Garden

Fun Budget Weekend Getaways for Houston Families

Birdwatching at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary, photo courtesy of Houston Audubon

Best Things to Do in Memorial, West Houston with Kids

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

15 Fun Houston Birthday Party Entertainers Who Will Come to Your House

Check out one of these breakfasts in Houston for a casual meal when the kids get up early. Photo courtesy of Snooze

Best Breakfasts in Houston for Kids and Families

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

Photo courtesy of Threadfare Children's Boutique

Best Baby Stores in Houston, From Clothes to Gear to Resale

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

3 Days in Houston with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

Families enjoying a night out. Photo courtesy of Paradigm Brewing in Tomball

25 Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Houston: Where Kids Can Play While Parents Eat

Montessori preschools focus on hands-on learning. Photo courtesy of The Woodlands Montessori School

13 Top-Notch Montessori Preschools in Houston

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

Playgrounds Without Limits photo courtesy of Memorial Park, Facebook

Accessible Playgrounds in Houston: 14 Places Where All Kids Can Play

Take a look at one of these popular toddler dance classes in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Ballet preschool program.

Toddler Dance Classes in Houston for your Tiny Dancer

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

Pregnancy Classes and Parenting Classes in Houston

Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum of Houston

Exploring The Children's Museum Houston

Birthday party places near Houston include arcades, escape rooms, climbing gyms, and more. Photo courtesy of The Main Event

Teen Birthday Party Ideas in Houston: 10 Cool Party Places for Teens and Tweens

There are a variety of fishing lakes near Houston to fish with your kids. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife

Fishing Lakes Near Houston and More Kid-Friendly Places To Go Fishing

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

San Antonio with Kids: 26 Best Things To Do in San Antonio, Texas

Try fishing for the first time in Lake Livingston. Photo courtesy of Lake Livingston State Park, Facebook

Fun Things to Do in Lake Livingston State Park with Kids

Kids eat Free at Dickey's on Sundays with each adult purchase of $10 or more. Photo courtesy of Dickey's

13 Kid-Friendly Barbecue Restaurants in Houston

The St. Regis in Uptown is one of Houston's best family-friendly resorts.

Best Family-Friendly Spa Resorts And Hotels Near Houston

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

Texas Hill Country with Kids: Where to Go, Eat, and Stay

Fresh air is one of the best antidotes to a grumpy toddler or baby. Photo courtesy of Bigstock

Top 10 Stroller Hikes in Houston and the Suburbs

Come for the queso, stay for the ice cream at these Tex-Mex restaurants in Houston.

Best Tex-Mex Restaurants in Houston with FREE Ice Cream

Explore the 21 miles of trails around the park, of varying lengths and difficulty to suit your family’s needs.

20 Things to Do in Huntsville State Park with Kids

Kids can learn about Robotics at the Houston Space Center. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Ortiz.

Top Attractions in Houston for Kids and Families: Museums, Theme Parks, & More

Best Budget-Friendly (Cheap) Birthday Party Places for Houston Kids

Samuel Sykes, owner of Trill Taco, photo courtesy of Samuel Sykes

10 Black-Owned Restaurants Near Houston to Try with Kids

Calling all space lovers! NASA’s Space Center Houston, photo by Rebecca Matheson Ortiz

17 Fun Things to Do with Kids in Clear Lake and Webster

Toddlers can enjoy playing with the foam block structures at Exploration Park. Photo courtesy of Exploration Park

Best Houston Playgrounds and Parks for Toddlers

The Menil Collection is a free art museum in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Menil Collection

Free Museums and Free Museum Days for Kids in Houston

Galveston's Schlitterbahn is an indoor waterpark near Houston. Photo courtesy of Schlitterbahn in Galveston Island

The Best Indoor Waterparks in Texas

Reaching for Butterflies at the Cockrell Butterfly Center at the Houston Museum of Natural Science

Best Things to Do at the Houston Museum of Natural Science with Kids

Horseback riding is a favorite kid activity in Conroe

20 Things To Do in Conroe with Kids

Splurge-worthy Holiday and Christmas Activities for Houston Families

Celebrate Christmas at the Gaylord Texan, photo courtesy of Marriott

12/10/21 - By Rachael Cherry

While we love a free holiday event as much as the next person, there are some festive activities that add seasonal pizazz precisely because they are a little more extravagant. Whether you're in the mood to dress up for an afternoon holiday tea, or take in a Nutcracker performance, or road trip to the Christmas Capital of Texas to stay at the Gaylord Texan or Great Wolf Lodge, we've found some of the best splurge-worthy holiday and Christmas activities for you and your family this season.

For even more holiday and Christmas activities and events, be sure to check out our event calendar and our holiday and Christmas event guide. We also have an entire guide dedicated to Christmas activities and holiday fun so you can bring the magic of the season into your home with ease.