Great Gobbler Thanksgiving Week. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum Houston
Zoo Lights and More Things to Do in Houston This Weekend with Kids
It's time to get your annual picture with Santa, and we know just where to go. Photo courtesy of the Houston Galleria
Pictures with Santa Claus in Houston: From Malls to Rodeos
Photo by Mommy Poppins
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Outdoor Activities Guide for Houston Kids
Visit Froberg's Farm for fall festival fun, a pumpkin patch, and more. Photo courtesy the fall
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Let someone else cook Thanksgiving dinner this year. Photo courtesy of Bigstock
Kid-Friendly Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Houston
Holidays at Moody Gardens. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
19 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Houston for Kids
Beautiful neighborhood Christmas lights are all around Houston. Photo courtesy of the Franck's Christmas Light Show
Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Houston
There are so many ways to see The Nutcracker in Houston this season. Photo courtesy of NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in Houston
Annual City of Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade! 2023 photo © Richard Carson
Best Things to Do in Houston November 2024 with Kids
Christmas trains near Houston 2024. Photo courtesy of The Polar Express Train Ride at the Texas State Railroad
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains Near Houston
Photo courtesy of Levy Park, Facebook
Best Budget-Friendly (Cheap) Birthday Party Places for Houston Kids
From pumpkins to corn mazes, there's loads of seasonal fun at local farms. Photo courtesy of P6 Farms
Fall Bucket List for Kids: 30 Top Things To Do in Houston This Fall
Galveston Oktoberfest is one of many kid-friendly festivals near Houston. Kid zone photo courtesy of Galveston Oktoberfest
Best Fall Festivals and Fairs in Houston for Families
See animals up close at some of these farms near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
Best Farms in Houston with Family Entertainment
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
Indoor Batting Cages Near Houston Where Kids Can Practice Their Swings
Houston's Walking Stick Brewing Company has plenty of outdoor space. Photo courtesy of the Walking Stick Brewing Company
Family-Friendly Houston Breweries Where Kids Can Play, Too
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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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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Little girl playing at an indoor play space in Houston. Photo courtesy of Frogs, Snails and Fairy Tales
Top Indoor Playgrounds & Play Spaces in Houston
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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John P. McGovern's state-of-the art playground is perfect for both younger and older children. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green.
20 Things To Do in Downtown Houston With Kids
Ice at the Galleria provides year-round ice skating in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Galleria
Best Indoor and Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Houston for Kids and Families
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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Houston's bucket list for kid activities
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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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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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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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Try fishing for the first time in Lake Livingston. Photo courtesy of Lake Livingston State Park, Facebook
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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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Photo courtesy of Lake Conroe KOA Campground, Facebook
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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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Kids can learn about Robotics at the Houston Space Center. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Ortiz.
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The Menil Collection is a free art museum in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Menil Collection
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​Galveston's Schlitterbahn is an indoor waterpark near Houston. Photo courtesy of Schlitterbahn in Galveston Island
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Reaching for Butterflies at the Cockrell Butterfly Center at the Houston Museum of Natural Science
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Horseback riding is a favorite kid activity in Conroe
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Free and Cheap After-School Programs Near DC

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington's after-school programs sometimes include snacks or a light meal. Photo courtesy of the organization
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington's after-school programs sometimes include snacks or a light meal. Photo courtesy of the organization
8/20/23 - By Jennifer Marino Walters

After a summer of expensive camps, this handy list of free and cheap after-school programs near DC for kids is quite welcome.

Children across the DC area are heading back to school, which means it's already past time to start thinking about after-school programs. If you haven't found one yet, don't worry: Families looking for enriching, reasonably priced, and even free after-school programs near DC have several options from which to choose. These programs include sports, arts, homework help, and other activities. With offerings in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, you're bound to find a great inexpensive or free program for your kids near you.

We've rounded up 12 local organizations offering free or cheap after-school programs near DC for kids, tweens, and teens. If you're looking for more options, be sure to see our Guide to Classes for Kids Near DC.

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Kids learn healthy habits, like smoothie-making, at After-School All-Stars DC. Photo courtesy of the program's Facebook page
Kids learn healthy habits, like smoothie-making, at After-School All-Stars DC. Photo courtesy of the program's Facebook page

Free After-School Programs Near DC

DCPS Out of School Time (OSTP) Afterschool Programs

Washington, DC
DCPS Out of School Time (OSTP)'s free after-school programs engage students in grades PK3 - 8 (depending on the site) in academic support, a free dinner or snack, and a variety of enrichment activities provided by DCPS teachers, paraprofessionals, and partner organizations at 55 DC schools. The program is made possible by funding from DCPS and a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant.  READ MORE

After-School All-Stars DC

Washington, DC
After-School All-Stars provides free after-school programs at six DC sites that help under-resourced students develop the skills, knowledge, and habits needed to succeed in life, school, and their future career. Its five program areas include health and fitness, academic readiness, STEM, career exploration, and visual and performing arts.  READ MORE
Educational activities are part of the after-school fun at the General Heiser Club. Photo courtesy of General Heiser Club After-School Child Care
Educational activities are part of the after-school fun at the General Heiser Club. Photo courtesy of General Heiser Club After-School Child Care

Cheap After-School Programs Near DC

Xtreme After-School

Prince George's County, MD
The M-NCPPC, Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation, offers free or affordable after-school activities for kids ages 6-17 at over 40 community centers and other sites.    READ MORE

City of Rockville Recreation and Parks Department After-School Programs

Rockville, MD
Rockville's Recreation and Parks Department has a variety of affordable, high-quality after-school programs for students in grades K-10. Each program has well-trained staff and included a snack, homework help, and more. READ MORE

Old Firehouse After-School Program

McLean, VA
The Old Firehouse Center (OFC) offers members free after-school programs on Mondays through Fridays from 2:30-6pm. OFC membership is open to 5th- through 9th-graders for around $300 per school year. Students can drop in for a snack and drink, crafts, games, a computer lab, sports, and homework assistance. There are even trips to laser tag, paintball, go-karting, and more.  READ MORE

FBR Club @THEARC

Washington, DC
The FBR Clubhouse provides after-school care from 3:30-7:15pm for DC students afes 6-18 living in Ward 8. The membership fee is $50 per year, per child, but no child is turned away for the inability to pay. The membership fee includes after-care, snacks, special activities, and field trips during the school year.  READ MORE

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW) Germantown Club After-School Care

Germantown, MD
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington's Germantown Club after-school program provides kids in grades 1-12 with sports, arts, educational activities, and more for $125 per month per child. BGCGW membership costs $25-$50 per child, depending on the age.  READ MORE

Project BE GREAT

Washington, DC
Project BE GREAT is a free after-school program for all Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington members (membership costs a small fee) ages 6-13. Project BE GREAT is offered Mondays through Fridays from 3-7:30pm at George M. Ferris, Jr. Clubhouse 6. READ MORE

City of Alexandria Power-On Out of School Time Program

Alexandria, VA
The City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities offers its Out of School Time Program (OSTP) for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade at six rec centers and three public schools. The program costs less than $800 for the school year, but only around $300 for kids who qualify for free/reduced-price school meals, around $250 for those with SNAP benefits, and about $150 for families with TANF benefits. The program is open only to Alexandria City residents.  READ MORE

General Heiser Club After-School Child Care

Dumfries, VA
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW) offers after-school child care to school-age children (up to age 12) enrolled in kindergarten and higher at its General Heiser Club. Program activities include a computer learning center, sports, arts and crafts, cooking, indoor and outdoor games, tournaments, contests, field trips, a games room, special-event days, homework assistance, and educational activities. The membership fee is $50 per child per school year.  READ MORE

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