Let someone else cook Thanksgiving dinner this year. Photo courtesy of Bigstock
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Annual City of Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade! 2023 photo © Richard Carson
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Christmas trains near Houston 2024. Photo courtesy of The Polar Express Train Ride at the Texas State Railroad
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Visit Froberg's Farm for fall festival fun, a pumpkin patch, and more. Photo courtesy the fall
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From pumpkins to corn mazes, there's loads of seasonal fun at local farms. Photo courtesy of P6 Farms
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Galveston Oktoberfest is one of many kid-friendly festivals near Houston. Kid zone photo courtesy of Galveston Oktoberfest
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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
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Stop at Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo for some cool photos on your roadtrip to the Texas Panhandle.
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Baywatch Dolphin Tours are a fun, kid-friendly tour near Houston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
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Make dining out with kids more fun at one of Houston's themed restaurants. Photo courtesy of Rock N Roll Sushi
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City Park Skate Park near Houston. Photo courtesy of the Sugarland Texas Govt.
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Urban Air has quite a few trampoline parks near Houston. Photo courtesy of Urban Air Adventure Park
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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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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.
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The outdoor pool at the Moody Gardens Hotel, photo courtesy of Visit Galveston.
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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
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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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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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Ice at the Galleria provides year-round ice skating in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Galleria
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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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Explore our guide of classes for kids 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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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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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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Come for the queso, stay for the ice cream at these Tex-Mex restaurants in Houston.
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Best Kids' Sports Classes in DC: Soccer Classes, Basketball Classes, Baseball Classes, and Tennis Classes

Batter up! Photo courtesy of Gatorball Academy
Batter up! Photo courtesy of Gatorball Academy
8/14/22 - By Jennifer Marino Walters

Sports are a great way for kids to stay active, make friends, and learn how to be part of a team. Children who are new to a sport can benefit from introductory kids' sports classes before they jump into competitive play. Other, more seasoned young athletes can hone their skills at specialized sports clinics and classes.

Here are some of the best kids' sports classes in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia for athletes of all ages and experience levels, from toddlers through high schoolers. These kids' sports classes include soccer classes, basketball classes, baseball classes, and tennis classes. We've also thrown in a few places that offer classes in multiple sports.

For more great classes for kids, including everything from dance classes to Mommy & Me classes, check out our Guide to Classes for Kids Near DC.

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Doesn't it feel like all kids start with soccer? Photo courtesy of Kicks Are for Kids Youth Soccer
Doesn't it feel like all kids start with soccer? Photo courtesy of Kicks Are for Kids Youth Soccer

Best Kids' Soccer Classes in DC

Kicks Are for Kids Youth Soccer

Washington, DC; Arlington, VA
This youth development soccer program operates year-round and provides private and small-group lessons for kids ages 2-8. Players improve their fundamentals through fun drills such as ball control, technique, footwork and dribbling skills, and more.  READ MORE

Brit-Am Soccer Academy

Bethesda, MD
Brit-Am Soccer Academy offers soccer classes, clinics, camps, and league play for all levels of player, from toddlers just learning to play to high schoolers looking to refine their skills. Programs are available for ages 2-18 (4-18 for camps). The academy was founded in 1999 by a former English professional soccer player.  READ MORE

DC Way Soccer

Washington, DC
DC Way offers soccer camps, skills clinics, leagues, and instruction for kids ages 4 and up. Its Kids Academy introduces children ages 4-8 to soccer through six weeks of age-appropriate classes with licensed coaches. Skills clinics for ages 6-12 focus on the development of individual skills such as dribbling, shooting, passing, and receiving. Camps are offered for ages 4-13.  READ MORE
Hoop dreams come true at Tru2form Hoops. Photo courtesy of Tru2form Hoops
Hoop dreams come true at Tru2form Hoops. Photo courtesy of Tru2form Hoops

Best Kids' Basketball Classes in DC

HoopEd Nation

Washington, DC; Silver Spring & Kensington, MD
HoopEd Nation offers basketball, All Sports and Games, and Girl Power camps for kids ages 5-13 at various locations. There are also a variety of basketball skills classes and outdoor games for kids in grades 1-12.  READ MORE

Sport Proformance

Chevy Chase, MD
This premier basketball training company offers clinics, lessons, and camps for kids ages 5 and up and adults, from beginners to professionals. Camps for kids in grades 2-12 take place at Capello Park in Chevy Chase. Clinics are offered for kids in grades 1-12 at either Capello Park or Somerset Elementary School. Private or group lessons can be scheduled at clients' homes or another location.  READ MORE

Tru2form Hoops

Montgomery County, MD
Tru2form Hoops offers group and one-on-one basketball instruction, camps, and clinics to kids ages 6-18 of all skill levels at various Montgomery County locations. Ball handling, shooting, defensive and offensive footwork, passing, and rebounding are some of the elements of focus during these programs.  READ MORE
Get world-class instruction from coaches with years of professional baseball training. Photo courtesy of Gatorball Academy
Get world-class instruction from coaches with years of professional baseball training. Photo courtesy of Gatorball Academy

Best Kids' Baseball Classes in DC

Metropolitan Baseball Academy

Lorton, VA
MBA offers private and group baseball lessons, clinics, and camps for kids of all experience levels at either its indoor baseball facility or outdoor locations. Camps are offered for ages 6-14. MBA's experienced coaches have played the game in high school, college, and beyond.  READ MORE

The Athlete Factory

Frederick, MD
The Athlete Factory offers softball and baseball classes, clinics, camps, and more to players of all ages and experience levels at its indoor facility or at outdoor fields. Lessons focus on individual skills including pitching, hitting, throwing, fielding, and catching. Camps and clinics are generally for ages 6-13.  READ MORE

Gatorball Academy

Washington, DC
This baseball training academy provides private instruction, group clinics, and instructional camps and leagues run by coaches with college or professional baseball experience. Camps are offered for kids ages 4-14. Kids of all experience levels are welcome.  READ MORE
Tennis is a game kids can play for the rest of their lives. Photo courtesy of Go West Tennis
Tennis is a game kids can play for the rest of their lives. Photo courtesy of Go West Tennis

Best Kids' Tennis Classes in DC

Washington Tennis and Education Foundation

Washington, DC
WTEF offers tennis classes and programs for kids ages 4-18 at two DC locations, with a focus on serving youth in underserved communities. Both indoor and outdoor courts are available, so classes are offered year-round. WTEF's West Campus courts are the same ones on which the Citi Open professional tennis tournament is played. READ MORE

Go West Tennis

Falls Church, VA
Go West Tennis provides high-quality tennis training to players of all ages and skill levels. Both individual and group lessons are offered, in which students learn proper grip, strokes, and footwork. Go West's camps introduce kids ages 4-14 to competitive match play through fun games and activities. READ MORE

Junior Tennis Champions Center

College Park, MD
JTCC's Future Champs program provides tennis lessons to kids of all abilities ages 3 and up. The classes are designed to develop players' techniques and strokes and to build an athletic foundation for other sports.  READ MORE
Can't pick a sport? Get multi-sport training for a range of ages and skill levels. Photo courtesy of Player Progression Academy
Can't pick a sport? Get multi-sport training for a range of ages and skill levels. Photo courtesy of Player Progression Academy

Best Kids' Sports Classes in DC: Multiple Sports

The St. James Sports

Springfield, VA
The St. James offers lessons, clinics, and summer camps in more than 15 sports including volleyball, hockey, soccer, lacrosse, golf, flag football, basketball, and baseball at its massive indoor athletic and fitness complex. Camps are for kids ages 6-17, while lessons can be tailored to kids of all ages.  READ MORE

Player Progression Academy

Washington, DC & Bethesda, MD
PPA offers private and group training clinics and summer day camps in both soccer and basketball for kids ages 5-14. Kids will learn the fundamentals of the sport, develop core skills and team-building, and enjoy some healthy competition.  READ MORE

The nZone

Chantilly, VA
This large indoor complex offers five-week programs in which kids learn fundamental and sport-specific skills and build sportsmanship. The nZone also provides summer camps and school-holiday camps in which kids ages 2-14 learn and play sports, do crafts and science experiments, and take cooking classes. READ MORE

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