Sesame Street Live! Image courtesy of Sesame Street Workshop/Round Room
Sesame Street Live, Spring Festivals, and More Things to Do in Houston This Weekend with Kids
Earth Day Compost Demo photo courtesy of the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
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NASA's Space Center is one of Houston's best science museums for kids. Photo by Pierce Ingram, courtesy of Travel Texas
Explore the Best Science Museums in Houston for Kids: Educational Fun for All Ages
There are lots of farms offering berry picking near Houston. Photo courtesy of P6 Farms, Facebook
Best Strawberry Picking Farms and Strawberry Festivals in Houston
Easter Fest at P-6 Farms has hayrides, a cow train, and more. Event photo courtesy of the farm
Top Easter Egg Hunts in Houston
A field of bluebonnets near Houston. Photo by Phineas Adams, courtesy of Unsplash
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One of the kid-friendly rides at the Rodeo Carnival. Photo courtesy of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
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Houston has several fun baseball summer camps. Photo courtesy of the Space Cowboys Baseball Camp
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Camp La Junta offers an overnight summer camp in Texas. Photo courtesy of Camp La Junta for Boys
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Photo by Mommy Poppins
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Little Beakers has three locations near Houston. Photo courtesy of Little Beakers
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Two girls enjoying a fun gymnastics summer camp in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Gymnastics Academy
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Firetruck Park in West University. Photo by Jessica Stautberg
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Children's Museum Houston is free every Thursday evening. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum Houston
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Discovery Green hosts free events like Arte en el Parque, where kids learn Spanish while making art. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green
100 Free Things To Do in Houston with Kids
Photo courtesy of Levy Park, Facebook
Best Budget-Friendly (Cheap) Birthday Party Places for Houston Kids
See animals up close at some of these farms near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
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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
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Houston's Walking Stick Brewing Company has plenty of outdoor space. Photo courtesy of the Walking Stick Brewing Company
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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
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Houston has many kid-friendly museums, and not all are children's museums. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum of Houston
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In winter, visit Luminations at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. Photo by Ann Alva Weiding Photography, at bigredmuse.com.
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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
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Make it an unforgettable family getaway from Houston by hiking Enchanted Rock. Photo courtesy Passport to Texas.
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Photo courtesy of Schlitterbahn Waterparks
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Photo by author Rebecca Matheson Ortiz for Mommy Poppins.
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John P. McGovern's state-of-the art playground is perfect for both younger and older children. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green.
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MKT has great family-friendly restaurants! Photo courtesy of @mendocinofarms and MKT
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Fishing in Lake Somerville. Photo courtesy of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
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There's no shortage of fun baby activities in Houston.
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Your little learner will love the variety of toddler classes in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
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Treat your kid to one of these Houston spas with services for children. Photo courtesy of Float Baby
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Climb with your kids at one of these indoor rock climbing gyms in Houston. Photo courtesy of Texas Rock Gym
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Bowling is a fun indoor activity to add to your list this summer. Photo courtesy of Palace Social
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Fishing at Sea Center in Freeport, TX. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
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Photo courtesy of Osprey Cruises
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Round up the girls and head out for a kid-free night in Houston. Photo courtesy of Thirsty Bee Meadery
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Kids love the carousel on Kemah's boardwalk.
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San Antonio has a lot of budget-friendly things to do with kids. Photo courtesy of the San Antonio Botanical Garden
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Birdwatching at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary, photo courtesy of Houston Audubon
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Photo courtesy of Cypress Academy
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Hero Headquarters is a birthday party entertainment company in Houston. Photo courtesy of Hero Headquarters
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Check out one of these breakfasts in Houston for a casual meal when the kids get up early. Photo courtesy of Snooze
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Free activities like feeding the ducks at Mary Jo Peckham Park are simple and still great fun for kids. Photo courtesy of Canva
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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
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Families enjoying a night out. Photo courtesy of Paradigm Brewing in Tomball
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Montessori preschools focus on hands-on learning. Photo courtesy of The Woodlands Montessori School
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Levy Park in Houston has one of our favorite playgrounds. Photo courtesy of OJB Landscape Architecture
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Try fishing for the first time in Lake Livingston. Photo courtesy of Lake Livingston State Park, Facebook
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Playgrounds Without Limits photo courtesy of Memorial Park, Facebook
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Take a look at one of these popular toddler dance classes in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Ballet preschool program.
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Baby music classes are a great way to bond and learn. Photo courtesy of Musik Garden
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Photo courtesy of Texas Health Resources
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Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum of Houston
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Birthday party places near Houston include arcades, escape rooms, climbing gyms, and more. Photo courtesy of The Main Event
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There are a variety of fishing lakes near Houston to fish with your kids. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
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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
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Calling all space lovers! NASA’s Space Center Houston, photo by Rebecca Matheson Ortiz
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Kids can learn about Robotics at the Houston Space Center. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Ortiz.
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Kids eat Free at Dickey's on Sundays with each adult purchase of $10 or more. Photo courtesy of Dickey's
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The St. Regis in Uptown is one of Houston's best family-friendly resorts.
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Hiking at Garner State Park in the Texas Hill Country. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
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Fresh air is one of the best antidotes to a grumpy toddler or baby. Photo courtesy of Bigstock
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Come for the queso, stay for the ice cream at these Tex-Mex restaurants in Houston.
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Explore the 21 miles of trails around the park, of varying lengths and difficulty to suit your family’s needs.
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Photo courtesy of Levy Park, Facebook
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Samuel Sykes, owner of Trill Taco, photo courtesy of Samuel Sykes
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Toddlers can enjoy playing with the foam block structures at Exploration Park. Photo courtesy of Exploration Park
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Things to Do in DC with Kids this Weekend: Holiday Theater, Lights, Movies

Join Santa for a ride aboard the B&O Railroad. Photo courtesy of B&O Railroad Museum
Join Santa for a ride aboard the B&O Railroad. Photo courtesy of B&O Railroad Museum
12/11/19 - By James Smith

It might be difficult to believe, but in a mere two weeks Santa visits the nation's capital and surrounding areas. So why not take a breather from shopping and take in some of the capital area's best holiday offerings. You've earned it.

Things like: holiday theater in DC; train rides with Santa in Baltimore; and a Christmas movie festival in Arlington. There's also a toy drive in Alexandria for truck fans, and holiday lights all around the city, including at Nationals Park. 

It's hard to escape holiday-themed entertainment this time of year, but if you'd like to, why not take part in a Sunday morning nature walk or stimulate your kids' minds with some museum fun.  

As always, see our holiday guide for the best seasonal entertainment in the Washington area. And remember, our events calendar is loaded with fun, family events right through New Year's Day.

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OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Things to Do in DC with Kids All Weekend

Step Afrika!'s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show

Washington, DC
Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show is the most vibrant holiday celebration in town. This fun, family-friendly performance will have you stomping your feet and clapping your hands to energetic beats from Step Afrika! and special guest DJ Frosty the Snowman. READ MORE

A Christmas Carol

Washington, DC
The ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future come to Ford's Theatre for a family holiday tradition. READ MORE

Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus! (The Musical!)

Washington, DC
Based on the best-selling Pigeon picture books by author Mo Willems, the musical comedy Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus stars an innovative mix of actors, puppets, songs, and feathers. Best for ages 5 and older. READ MORE

The Magical Piñata

Washington, DC
A seemingly plain clay pot magically transports Cucha, a selfish and lonely girl, from her town of Zapotoco, Mexico, to a mysterious jungle. There she encounters Parrot Rivera, a jungle muralist who paints the future; Señor Chapulin, a soccer star with the heart of the present; and Burro Burrito, a farmer who plows the past. READ MORE

ZooLights

Washington, DC - FREE
Zoolights won't be held onsite this year. Instead, it's hitting the road and coming to you. READ MORE

Enchant Christmas: Reindeer Games

Washington, DC
Enchant Christmas includes a giant light maze, a magical ice skating trail, a kids' play place, live music, and a Christmas market and eatery. Kids can also have professional photos taken with Santa and enjoy storytime with Mrs. Claus. READ MORE

Roundhouse Breakfast & Train Ride with Santa

Baltimore
Join the B&O Railroad Museum for its annual breakfast buffet with Santa in the Roundhouse, which includes a holiday storytime and photos with Santa. Then climb aboard the Mile One Express for a train ride with Santa, who will give kids a special gift.    READ MORE

Wonderplace at the National Museum of American History

Washington, DC - FREE
This 1,700-square-foot exhibit gives kids ages 0-6 a hands-on experience with elements taken from the adult exhibits, providing a gateway to history and a place to exercise curiosity. It features plenty of interactive elements, including a construction area, a climbing structure, a soft-play area for crawlers, a pretend farm and kitchen with play food and accessories, a mini portrait gallery, and more.  READ MORE
Join the season's celebrity for breakfast at Adventure Park USA. Photo courtesy of the park
Join the season's celebrity for breakfast at Adventure Park USA. Photo courtesy of the park

Things to Do in DC with Kids, Saturday, December 14

Family Day at The US Capitol Visitor Center

Washington, DC - FREE
Every Saturday families can enjoy a visit to the Capitol and a special family program. READ MORE

National Law Enforcement Museum: Science Saturday

Washington, DC
Kids can enjoy science activities every Saturday at the Law Enforcement Museum. READ MORE

Adventure Park USA Breakfast with Santa & the Grinch

Monrovia, MD
Don't miss breakfast with Santa and the Grinch when they stop by Adventure Park USA. Choose either the 8:30am or the 9:30am seating. READ MORE

All Ages Christmas Show

National Harbor, MD
Santa's not in the house this year, but Bobby McKey's is piling on the holiday mood with songs/carols and more at the audience's whim. The players have encyclopedic knowledge of Disney theme songs, today's pop hits, carols, and Hanukkah songs. READ MORE

Touch A Truck Toy Drive

Alexandria - FREE
Enjoy the lights of fire trucks and police cars and meeting first responders. There will also be some other vehicles including a motorcycle. Event organizers will be collecting toys for the Women's Shelter and police toy drive. READ MORE

Saturday Art Explorers

Glen Echo, MD
Enjoy a new art activity every week during Saturday Art Explorers. READ MORE
Take in Polar Express at a holiday movie festival in Arlington. Photo courtesy of Warner Brothers
Take in Polar Express at a holiday movie festival in Arlington. Photo courtesy of Warner Brothers

Things to Do in DC with Kids, Sunday, December 15

Sunday Morning Bird Walks

Alexandria, VA - FREE
Visit Dyke Marsh for an early Sunday morning bird walk led by experienced birders. Guests are asked to gather in the south parking lot of the Bell Haven picnic area at 8am. READ MORE

Christmas Movie Festival

Arlington, VA
At this all-day event, families can enjoy holiday classics Polar Express, It's a Wonderful Life, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and Elf. Doors opens at noon. READ MORE

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About the Author

James Smith
James Stephen Smith is a seasoned journalist who transitioned from reporting at Newsday to a more relaxed life as a father and director of media relations at St. John's University. He manages the university’s messaging while also contributing to Mommy Poppins, a site he discovered after his third daughter was born in 2011. Fun fact: James nearly made it on Jeopardy but missed a Final Jeopardy question on art history—only to watch a colleague nail it and become a two-time champion.
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