Rebecca Matheson Ortiz

Rebecca Matheson Ortiz is a mom of two, a proud Aggie (2013—Whoop!), and a seasoned writer/editor with over a decade of experience. She’s the editor at Moose May and has worked with top publications like Vacations Magazine, Travel 50 & Beyond, and Where to Retire. Based in Houston, Rebecca loves exploring the city’s family-friendly gems with her kids. Writing for Mommy Poppins lets her share their favorite discoveries while staying on top of the latest hot spots.

Latest posts by Rebecca

Best Museums in Houston for Kids and Families

Submitted by Rebecca Matheso... on Fri, 07/21/2023 - 8:34am

Houston has many kid-friendly museums, and not all are children's museums. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum of Houston

Museums in Houston are a great way to beat the Texas heat, escape rainy weather, or just get out and learn something new with your kiddos. And Houston has a lot of museums to choose from. While there are a handful of children's museums in Houston that little ones will love, there are tons more that the whole family can enjoy. And quite a few of the museums on our list offer free days or extra-special events you won't want to miss. See prehistoric beasts, priceless works of art, and vehicles that have soared through space at a Houston museum near you.

We've narrowed the list down to the top 12 must-visit museums for families, but with so many to choose from, we added on a few more at the end. For a comprehensive list, browse our Houston Museum Guide.

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

Submitted by Rebecca Matheso... on Sun, 06/11/2023 - 8:35am

South Padre Island brings ultimate family fun and a taste of the tropics without ever leaving Texas. Roughly six hours south of Houston, this coastal getaway is worth the drive with its 34 miles of white-sand beaches, gorgeous Gulf Coast waters, and tons of activities the whole family can enjoy. We've rounded up the 20 best things to do in South Padre Island with the kids, from boardwalk trails and rocket launches to pirate boating adventures, museums visits, and more. And to make planning your vacation a breeze, we've also scouted out the top family-friendly resorts and restaurants you won't want to miss.

Looking for beachy fun that's closer to home? Browse our guide to Galveston for the best things to do there with children in tow. If you're hoping for more weekend excursions that are easy to pull off from H-Town, check out our Houston Getaways Guide. Or, if you're planning a big family vacation and need some destination ideas, give our Family Travel Guide a look for top family destinations across the US.

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

Submitted by Rebecca Matheso... on Fri, 05/19/2023 - 1:35am

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

Alright moms, we see you. You give your all to your family every day, and we know it’s rewarding but can also be, oh, so exhausting. Don’t shove your own needs in the corner – make sure you’re taking time to set it all aside and practice self-care with much-needed you time. After a fun mom's night out in Houston, either solo or with the ladies, you’ll return refreshed, with your cup filled and ready to keep on pouring into your family.

We’ve put together these five itineraries featuring top spots in Greater Houston, so you can enjoy a mom's night out without having to do the legwork that comes with planning one. Find your neighborhood's hottest spots for moms to hang in each part of town, from cocktail bars and excellent eateries to exciting events, spas, and more. If you’re looking for fun things to do with the family after you’ve taken a well-deserved night off, check out our roundup of the best kid-friendly restaurants in Houston. You can also browse all the fun things to do in your neck of the woods with our handy Houston Neighborhood Guide.

Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in Houston

Submitted by Rebecca Matheso... on Fri, 04/28/2023 - 7:34pm

Take the birthday kid out to a fun restaurant in Houston for a special night. Photo courtesy of The Melting Pot

There's something about going out to a fun, kid-friendly restaurant for a birthday dinner that just feels ... special! Give your kiddo that on-top-of-the-world feeling when you treat them to a festive meal where they get to experience fun desserts, exciting themes, interactive dining experiences, and more. Whether you're looking to celebrate your best birthday boy or girl with a nice family dinner out or want to throw a birthday bash at their favorite local restaurant, we've rounded up the best Houston hot spots that are sure to be a hit.

From fabulous fondue dinners to comfort food with a Wild West backdrop to afternoon tea, these 13 family-friendly (and birthday-friendly) Houston establishments will make the birthday kiddo the star of the show or offer bonuses like games and rides for an extra-special meal. For other eateries around town, look at our guide to Houston's kid-friendly restaurants. Or for some party planning ideas, check out these Birthday Venues Near Houston that Won't Break the Bank.

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

Submitted by Rebecca Matheso... on Fri, 02/17/2023 - 10:11pm

Hero Headquarters is a birthday party entertainment company in Houston. Photo courtesy of Hero Headquarters

Looking for children's birthday party entertainers in Houston? We have 15 Houston birthday party entertainers who will come to your home.

As parents, we want to make our children's birthday parties unforgettable, and planning one such party is definitely not monkey business. One easy way to do this is to bring whatever it is that your kid loves (animals, princesses, superheroes, magic - you name it) to life right in your very own home or event space. Yes, I did say easy. No, really; hear me out. These 15 excellent Houston birthday party entertainers provide everything from live animal shows to princess tea parties, face painting, balloon art, and more; and they bring the show on the road so you can host your event where it's convenient for you. Don't forget to check out our birthday party guide for more fun and easy ideas your little ones will remember for a lifetime.

Favorite Things to Do at Santa's Wonderland Near Houston

Submitted by Rebecca Matheso... on Thu, 12/15/2022 - 8:08am

Santa's Wonderland photo by Rebecca Matheson Ortiz

Round up the kids, pull on your cowboy boots, and get ready to celebrate the Christmas season Texas-style at Santa’s Wonderland in College Station, TX, just a short drive northwest of Houston. With attractions the whole family will love, from meeting Texas Santa to tubing down a hill of real snow, taking a ride along the famed Trail of Lights, and more, visiting this 130-acre Christmas park is sure to become a beloved family tradition.

Each year from mid-November through the end of December, families can participate in holiday merrymaking and make Texas Christmas magic come to life at Santa’s Wonderland. For more Christmas fun with the kiddos, check out our guides to the best Houston holiday events and attractions and light shows.

13 Top-Notch Montessori Preschools in Houston

Submitted by Rebecca Matheso... on Fri, 10/21/2022 - 11:51pm

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

Looking for a great preschool in Houston? Here are some of our favorite Montessori preschools near Houston.

Founded by Italian educator and physician Maria Montessori in the early 1900s, the Montessori method is an educational approach that allows children to learn naturally and at their own pace through play. Independence is encouraged, even at a preschool level, so classrooms in Montessori schools are often scaled to size so that even small children can do things for themselves. These little ones are given free range of the space to learn through exploration as they participate in age-appropriate activities to develop self-discipline, responsibility, confidence, and a love of learning - as well as the ability to succeed academically.

When looking for preschools in Houston, many parents look for Montessori preschools because of the individualized focus on independence, play, and natural learning. We've rounded up 13 Montessori preschools near Houston to help you narrow down your search. Read on to learn about what these programs have to offer, and then browse the Houston Preschools Guide to find the perfect fit for your family.

Baby and Toddler Music Classes in Houston

Submitted by Rebecca Matheso... on Sun, 09/11/2022 - 12:19am

Baby music classes are a great way to bond and learn. Photo courtesy of Musik Garden

Babies love music. Because my daughter seemed so interested in music, I decided to enroll my 2-month-old daughter in a mommy and me music class in Houston. Her dad attended the class frequently as well, and we found that the baby and toddler music classes in Houston taught us playful ways to interact with her and ways to incorporate music into our lives at home. It was a hit with our family and was a great opportunity to meet other new parents with babies close in age to our daughter. There are lots of options for baby and toddler music classes In Houston and many offer a free demo class.

For more fun things to do with Houston babies, try our Best Parent-Child Classes or Baby Swimming Lessons.

Rebecca Matheson Ortiz

Latest posts by Rebecca

Pages