Rachael Cherry

Latest posts by Rachael Cherry

Houston's Newest Indoor Playground Makes Us Say 'Hooray'

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Mon, 01/22/2018 - 10:54pm

Every mom can agree that having a good go-to indoor playspace can be a lifesaver when you need to get out of the house, but not necessarily outdoors. However, as the mom of two kids that fall into very different categories on the developmental spectrum, it is surprisingly hard to find playspaces that cater to both of my kids' age groups within the same space. More commonly, there are two entirely separate areas for the babies/young toddlers and the older toddlers/little kids, making it impossible to keep an eye on both kids if I let my youngest play. Houston's newest indoor playground just opened in Katy, and it did not disappoint. Read on to get the inside scoop on Hooray.

Discover the Houston Museum of Natural Science's Latest Makeover

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Fri, 01/05/2018 - 9:00am

A 3-D look at Houston as Energy City/Photo courtesy of Houston Museum of Natural Science

In November 2017 the Wiess Energy Hall reopened its doors after undergoing a massive renovation. The previous version of the exhibit covered 8,500 square feet and was home to several classic attractions, like the popular Geovater and the Energy Jukebox. The new and improved exhibit, however, is more than triple in size, and now spans 30,000 square feet of interactive, hands-on learning and fun. Over the holidays we got a chance to check it out, and it did not disappoint.

Family Friendly New Year's Eve Fun in Houston

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Mon, 12/25/2017 - 8:55pm

While typically considered a holiday largely for adults, ringing in the new year isn't solely for the 18-and-up age group. In fact, Houston has quite a few festivities lined up for kids and the whole family on New Year's Eve. Whether it's making a special trip down to Kemah Boardwalk to watch fireworks over the water, or heading to the ever-popular Children's Museum of Houston to enjoy a more traditional balloon drop and "Noon" Year's countdown, there's something for everyone on this list of family-friendly New Year's Eve activities.

Christmas Light Trail at Dewberry Farm

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Sun, 12/24/2017 - 3:30pm

Dewberry Farm is an easy favorite when it comes to planning fall activities, and once the holiday season hits it becomes a choose-n-cut Christmas tree chopping destination. However, this year the farm has added another layer of holiday cheer to the festivities: the brand new Trail of Lights and Christmas Village, touting it as a "Christmas Adventure as Big as Texas!" Christmas lights become a bigger and bigger deal each year as our kids get older, and when we had the opportunity to check out the Trail of Lights I knew it was a holiday activity we had to add to our list.

Spoiler: it was a BIG hit... dare I say... (drum roll...) as big as Texas?

11 Fun Things to Do on Christmas Eve With Kids in Houston

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Mon, 12/11/2017 - 9:49am

Christmas Eve is my favorite day of the Christmas season. I know a lot of people have holiday traditions that they enjoy throughout the month of December, like seeing a favorite play or visiting the same Santa for photos each year, while others have special activities reserved for Christmas Day, like enjoying a meal out with family or driving around to see the holiday lights and displays one last time. But to me, there's always been something magical about the night before Christmas. Growing up, that was the day we opened all of our presents from family members, attended the candlelight church service, and listened to Christmas carols while sipping hot chocolate and eating holiday treats, so I guess it's no surprise that I find myself wanting to make the day just as special in our house now that I have my own family. Luckily, there is no shortage of fun things to do with the kids on Christmas Eve.

Exploring the Missouri City Edible Trail

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Tue, 09/26/2017 - 3:16pm

At first glance, the entrance to this trailhead in Southwest Houston looks like any other. The unassuming concrete pathway stretches out in front of you, shaded by trees and running parallel to Oyster Creek. It could be a million other trails, and if you didn't know what you were looking for you might assume it was just that. But a short ways down the path from our start in the dirt parking lot is a sign that tells visitors just how unique this pathway really is: "Welcome to the Missouri City Edible Arbor Trail."

For the Fire Truck Fanatics: Houston Fire Museum and Fire Station Tours

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Mon, 09/18/2017 - 4:10pm

Fire trucks are a big deal in our house - my toddler loves them - so it's natural that one of my family's favorite Houston museums to visit is the Houston Fire Museum. Formerly Houston Fire Station No. 7, the facility was built in 1898 by the Houston Fire Department and remained active until 1969. In 1980, it was renovated into its current state as a museum and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Driving up, you can see how well the outside of the building has been preserved, and the station exudes an unparalleled authenticity.

All Aboard the Rosenberg Railroad Museum

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Thu, 09/14/2017 - 9:00am

My son loves to visit museums, and frequently requests repeat visits to the b utterfly museum, the "museum with the dinosaurs," and the Children's Museum - all of which we've been to many times in his short three years of life. As a result, I'm always on the lookout for new ones to visit, particularly those that fall into the category of being lesser-known museums that offer a little something extra. The Rosenberg Railroad Museum landed on my radar a few months ago, and when we found ourselves with an open morning on a beautiful day, checking it out became a top priority.