It may not have the clout of Hollywood or Broadway, but Houston boasts a rich and diverse theater scene that offers many acting classes for kids. We’ve compiled this list of 13 acting programs that provide in-person theater and acting classes near Houston for toddlers, kids, and teenagers. Get your young star in on the action with acting and theater classes hosted by Houston's best actors, directors, and educators. Whether they’re destined for on-screen (or stage) greatness, or just greatness in general, acting classes can give your child the tools they’ll need to enhance their confidence, creativity, public speaking abilities, social skills, and so much more. Plus, you’ll get to see the limelight twinkling in your thespian’s eyes as they put their skills and hard work to the test during final productions. 

For many, virtual and private lessons also are available. If you’d like to learn about other types of classes for kids in Houston, from cooking to coding and more, browse our directory of local Class Listings. 

Kids' eyes shine with glee as they climb aboard the Grand Canyon Railway’s magical Polar Express Christmas train. This 1930s vintage train is a ringer for the one in the Chris Van Allsburg children’s book of the same name (yep, the one they turned into a classic holiday movie). Every year families can celebrate the Christmas season with a trip to the North Pole to visit Santa Claus, via the Grand Canyon. That makes two childhood “must-do” outings completed with one amazing holiday trip.

This train sells out fast every year—some families book a year in advance—so the sooner you can get tickets, the better!

When the weather is mild, it's easy to explore cities north of Boston with walkable downtowns, plenty of activities, and waterfront vistas. For Boston families looking to fill a day enjoying the salty air, the North Shore has a lot to offer. Although summer is over, is the sea still calling? A low-cost destination, walkable towns are particularly attractive for spending a crisp autumn afternoon or a spring day. So take out that baby stroller, grab a few snacks for the kids and some bottled water, and head to one of these historic downtowns. These coastal communities on the North Shore are great to visit on a Saturday or Sunday.

For more adventures with kids, see our lists of fun New England fall day trips, best fall activities in Boston, and great hikes near Boston.  

If you’ve never considered binary decision-making to be loads of fun, then you’ve probably never played a few rounds of "Would You Rather." The concept is simple: present a pair of hypothetical situations and decide which of the two you’d prefer. In recent years, the idea has morphed into game formats and exploded in popularity, with books, websites, and YouTubers compiling lists of scenarios that get kids to weigh risks, benefits, and outcomes.

These 'Would You Rather' questions give kids a set of free, play-it-anywhere games to play with friends. Test out the hardest "Would You Rather" questions right at the dinner table for a little tech-free family entertainment. Once they burn out on brainteasers, try these top board games for kids or a round of exercise games to get everyone moving.

As summer turns to fall and a new school year is about to begin, parents everywhere are looking for after-school classes. Now entering the ring: boxing. These boxing classes for kids in New York City are a great option. The sport helps kids to build confidence, patience, fitness, and learn self-defense.

We've rounded up seven boxing gyms in NYC offering boxing classes for kids. Find more enrichment opportunities in our Guide to Classes and Activities for New York City kids.

When some people think of karate, they imagine epic martial arts battles seen in movies or on TV.  But those images don’t really represent what karate is all about. Westchester County has a number of karate classes to introduce kids to the self-discipline, mental attitude, coordination, spirituality, and respect the sport requires.

So whether you are looking for a fun and healthy activity for your child, or you want to expose them to the full range of skills martial arts offer, Westchester County karate classes have a program that is right for your child. With that in mind, read on for details on some of the best local karate classes available.

See our guide to kids classes in Westchester for even more inspiration.  

Essex County is home to so many amazing family-friendly towns, but Verona is definitely one of our favorite small towns in New Jersey. Nestled between Montclair and West Orange, Verona enjoys proximity to these great communities but has a distinct personality and flavor that's all its own.

Verona is probably most well known for Verona Park, a 54.32-acre park with a lake bordered by Lakeside and Bloomfield Avenues, situated in the southern part of town. It's the fifth-largest park within the Essex County Parks system. But, Verona is also home to an actual castle. Not to mention, the town is a robust hub of excitement that's easily walkable, with a slew of fantastic eateries and shops to visit. With a population of about 13,000 residents, Verona caters to its diverse community with engaging family-friendly events and cultural entertainment throughout the year. It's the best of both worlds—small-town charm coupled with the perks of a big city.

Read on for 25 of our favorite things to do in Verona. Come for the park but stick around for so much more!