With special exhibits rotating in and out of the Houston Museum of Natural Science throughout the year, it's easy to overlook the permanent exhibits. The Morian Hall of Paleontology is one constant you don't want to miss. This is no ordinary collection of dinosaur bones on display; it's an in-depth encounter with creatures of the past that is sure to enthrall even the youngest visitors. 

When it comes to staying fit, stroller walking and running are popular choices among moms who need to work out with the kids in tow. Finding a good trail that's stroller-friendly, however, can often prove to be just as difficult as actually getting out and running with one. Houston's Memorial Park spans 1,400 acres and features the Seymour Lieberman Exercise Trail, which is a 2.93-mile loop that is perfect for this activity.

As an avid distance runner, I've researched and tried out many around the greater Houston area, and in the process, I have identified several factors that can make or break a jogging route. I've logged countless stroller miles with my son, who is now 2 1/2 years old. The Seymour Lieberman Exercise Trail at Memorial Park fits all of my "running mom" requirements, and here are 10 reasons why:  

The Houston Museum of Natural Science is known for having a variety of both permanent and traveling exhibits to visit throughout the year. One such museum constant is the Cockrell Butterfly Center, which is an indoor exhibit that consists of the Brown Hall of Entomology and the Rainforest Conservatory. Brown Hall houses a wealth of interactive information about various insects, and conservatory is a living habitat that houses hundreds of different butterflies. 

Tucked behind the west side of Hobby Airport is an unassuming building that houses a local treasure: the 1940 Air Terminal Museum. It's one of those buildings you'd probably miss if you weren't looking for it, but it is a stop worth visiting with your young aviation enthusiasts.

While the Houston Municipal Airport Terminal, which houses the museum, was a hotspot for commuters flying in and out of Houston in its heyday, it was eventually upstaged by Hobby Airport and gradually fell into disrepair. In an effort to prevent the art deco building from being demolished, the Houston Aeronautical Heritage Society formed in 1998 and began an extensive renovation process that included turning the terminal into the present-day 1940 Air Terminal Museum. Much of the terminal has been renovated to match its former glory giving museum-goers a glimpse into what early travelers experienced as they waited for their planes to depart or for loved ones to land. 

Houston is known for being a bustling metropolis, but the city also boasts some hidden gems in the nature department. Nestled in the heart of Bellaire and surrounded by houses, the Nature Discovery Center is one such place that is ideal for reconnecting with the outdoors without venturing too far from city limits.

The Nature Discovery Center was founded in 1979 and is dedicated to educating children and adults about nature and inspiring them to spend more time outdoors. It features two Discovery Rooms, which house hands-on exhibits and displays, and Russ Pitman Park, a 4-acre property with a variety of amenities.

Since 2014, the Hermann Park Kite Festival has been bringing Houstonians of all ages - and their kites - together to enjoy a day of kite flying, live entertainment, and tons of free activities for families and children. Organized by the Hermann Park Conservancy, the festival takes place on Miller Hill and over the Jones Reflection Pool.

I knew I wanted to take my family to the Hermann Park Kite Festival because not only does my toddler love watching and flying kites, but any family oriented event that is filled with fun activities and is free always sounds like a good idea. We attended the 2016 festival on April 3, which was perfect timing in terms of weather - the annual heat wave had yet to set in. Next year's festival is set for March 26, 2017.

The Fort Bend Children's Discovery Center opened in May of this year, and it is more than a branch of the Children's Museum of Houston. Although it is sponsored by the organization, it isn't merely a replica of the popular downtown museum. Instead, it is filled with attractions that make it worth a visit in its own right. 

Even though the Houston Children's Festival has been around for longer than I have been on this planet - it celebrates its 29th anniversary in 2017 - I had never made the trek to see what all the fuss was all about. My family and I attended this year and I can happily say it was well worth the trip from our corner of the metroplex. The country's largest children's festival features live entertainment, booths for parents, local food trucks, games, and (so) much more. It can be an overwhelming weekend if you do not plan ahead, so check out our breakdown of how to maximize your festival fun.