See aquatic life without a fee at Sea Center Texas. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
Keep Cool in Houston: Top Beaches, Swimming Lakes, Splash Pads, and AC Spots
Photo courtesy of Frogs, Snails and Fairy Tales
Top 10 Best Indoor Play Spaces in Houston
Explore our guide of classes for kids in Houston.
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Guide to Classes for Houston Kids
Task-tackling service Taskrabbit is able to take on tons of back-to-school projects you may not have even considered outsourcing.
25 Back-to-School Tasks You Didn't Know You Could Pay Someone Else to Do
Houston has a variety of affordable afterschool programs. Photo courtesy of GirlStart
Free and Cheap Afterschool Programs in Houston
There's no shortage of fun baby activities in Houston.
Best Things To Do with Babies in Houston Before They Turn 1
Houston has many kid-friendly museums, and not all are children's museums. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum of Houston
Best Museums in Houston for Kids and Families
We've launched a partnership with Care.com to bring background-checked nannies and sitters to the Mommy Poppins Directory.
Find Trusted Babysitters and Nannies Now on Mommy Poppins–Powered by Care.com
Your little learner will love the variety of toddler classes in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Fun Preschool and Toddler Classes in Houston for Little Learners
Never Stop Live Tour photo courtesy of the Kidz Bop Facebook page
Best Things to Do in Houston August 2023 with Kids
Splashway Waterpark is located in Sheridan, TX, about 90 minutes drive from Houston. Photo courtesy of Splashway Waterpark
Splashway Waterpark: Beat the Heat this Summer with a Daytrip From Houston
Treat your kid to one of these Houston spas with services for children. Photo courtesy of Float Baby
Kid-Friendly Salons and Spas Near Houston
Climb with your kids at one of these indoor rock climbing gyms in Houston. Photo courtesy of Texas Rock Gym
Best Indoor Rock Climbing Gyms in Houston for Kids
Levy Park is a splash pad in Houston's inner loop. Photo courtesy of Levy Park, Facebook
Best Splash Pads, Splash Parks, and Water Playgrounds in Houston
Houston's bucket list for kid activities
100 Things To Do In Houston Before Kids Grow Up
Bowling is a fun indoor activity to add to your list this summer. Photo courtesy of Palace Social
Kid-Friendly Bowling Alleys in Houston
Cool off at one of Houston's free public pools. Photo courtesy of Houston Parks - Houston Parks & Recreation
Free Public Swimming Pools in Houston for Summer 2023
Dinos Alive is the perfect indoor activity this summer.
Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience Featuring Life-Sized Dinosaurs
Fishing at Sea Center in Freeport, TX. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
Freeport with Kids: Best Things To Do in Freeport, Texas
These water parks and other swimming spots are perfect for summer birthday parties in Houston. Photo courtesy of the City of Conroe Parks and Recreation
Swimming Spots to Host a Pool Party for Your Houston Kid
Texas has 367 miles of coastline for you to explore. Photo by Michael Hogan, Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Hidden Gem Beaches in Texas for Your Summer Family Trips
Photo courtesy of the City of Friendswood
Houston's Free Concerts and Outdoor Music Festivals for Families This Summer
Photo courtesy of Osprey Cruises
30 Things To Do Near South Padre Island, TX with Kids
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is free every Thursday! Photo courtesy of Levy Park
50 Free Things To Do in Houston This Summer With Kids
Movies Under the Moon offers free outdoor movies in Houston this summer. Photo courtesy of Kings Harbor
Free Outdoor Movies in Houston this Summer for Kids
Round up the girls and head out for a kid-free night in Houston. Photo courtesy of Thirsty Bee Meadery
Mom's Night Out in Houston: 5 Fun Itineraries for a Kid-Free Evening
Even little ones can enjoy the slides at Strawberry Water Park. Photo by Ashley Jones
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Houston Water Parks and Theme Parks Guide
The GardenBar at Tiny Boxwoods is perfect place for families to enjoy a delicious meal.
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Kids love the carousel on Kemah's boardwalk.
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Indoor Fun Guide for Houston Kids
Cool off this summer at one of these Houston water parks. Photo courtesy of Big Rivers Waterpark
Best Outdoor Water Parks in Houston for Family Fun
There are lots of farms offering berry picking near Houston. Photo courtesy of P6 Farms, Facebook
Strawberry and Berry Picking near Houston: The Best Pick-Your-Own Farms
Photo by Mommy Poppins
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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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Fishing in Lake Somerville. Photo courtesy of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
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Mad Science is a science summer camp in Houston. Photo courtesy of Mad Science of Houston
Top Science Summer Camps for Houston Kids
Art summer camps in Houston offer creative fun this summer. Photo courtesy of the Mad Potter
Best Art Summer Camps for Houston's Creative Kids
These Houston summer camps are the perfect day camps for preschoolers. Photo courtesy of Kidventure
Best Houston Summer Camps for Preschoolers
Spend the summer at one of these fun summer camps near Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Gymnastics Academy
30 Best Summer Camps in Houston
Birdwatching at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary, photo courtesy of Houston Audubon
Best Things to Do in Memorial, West Houston with Kids
Summer Camp photo courtesy of the Houston YMCA
Free and Affordable Summer Camps In Houston
Photo courtesy of Cypress Academy
Ninja Warrior Gyms, Obstacle Courses, and Parkour in Houston for Kids
Hero Headquarters is a birthday party entertainment company in Houston. Photo courtesy of Hero Headquarters
15 Fun Houston Birthday Party Entertainers Who Will Come to Your House
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 by Rachael Cherry
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Photo courtesy of Threadfare Children's Boutique
Best Baby Stores in Houston, From Clothes to Gear to Resale
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
3 Days in Houston with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Photo courtesy of Bellagreen
Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Houston: Where Kids Can Play While Parents Eat
Montessori preschools focus on hands-on learning. Photo courtesy of The Woodlands Montessori School
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Levy Park in Houston. 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
Baby and Toddler Music Classes in Houston
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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SwimJim offers baby swim classes in Houston. Photo courtesy of SwimJim Baby Swim School, Facebook
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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
San Antonio with Kids: 26 Best Things To Do in San Antonio, Texas
Try fishing for the first time in Lake Livingston. Photo courtesy of Lake Livingston State Park, Facebook
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Get building at Dig World TX near Houston.
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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
Camping in Houston: Best Campgrounds in Texas for Families
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
Top 10 Stroller Hikes in Houston and the Suburbs
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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Photo courtesy of Levy Park, Facebook
Birthday Venues Near Houston That Won't Break the Bank
Samuel Sykes, owner of Trill Taco, photo courtesy of Samuel Sykes
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Calling all space lovers! NASA’s Space Center Houston, photo by Rebecca Matheson Ortiz
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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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The Menil Collection is a free art museum in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Menil Collection
Free Museums and Free Museum Days for Kids in Houston
​Galveston's Schlitterbahn is an indoor waterpark near Houston. Photo courtesy of Schlitterbahn in Galveston Island
The Best Indoor Waterparks in Texas
Reaching for Butterflies at the Cockrell Butterfly Center at the Houston Museum of Natural Science
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Kids walk a nature trail at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. Photo courtesy of the Houston Arboretum
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Horseback riding is a favorite kid activity in Conroe
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Photo courtesy of texasgatorfest.com
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Walking inside Hermann Park's Japanese Garden. Photo courtesy of Vicky Li Yip.
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Building sandcastles at Port Aransas Beach.
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Photo courtesy Sweet Pecks Photography
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Kids learn and play at the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden at the Dallas Arboretum. Photo courtesy the Dallas Arboretum
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Explore the amazing parks in Pearland. Photo courtesy of Pearland Parks and Recreation
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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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Back to School Bash is happening this weekend in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum Houston
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Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains Near Houston

Photo courtesy of The Polar Express Train Ride at the Texas State Railroad
Photo courtesy of The Polar Express Train Ride at the Texas State Railroad
10/23/22 - By Rachael Cherry

Looking for Christmas trains in Houston this year? There are still plenty of tickets for Polar Express train rides near Houston.

If you have a little train lover in your life, going on a Christmas train near Houston might just be at the top of the list for Santa this year. Help make kids' dreams come true by celebrating the holiday season on a Polar Express train ride in Houston at one of many festive venues in the area. Many Christmas trains even feature a visit from the big guy himself! 

For those of you prepping early for the holiday season, check out our list of Favorite Advent Calendars for Christmas 2022, or maybe this list of 50 Fun Elf on the Shelf Ideas.

 

 

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Photo courtesy of The Christmas Train in Alvin
Photo courtesy of The Christmas Train in Alvin

Polar Express and Christmas Trains Near Houston in 2022

Santa's Wonderland

College Station
Daily, Nov. 12-Dec. 30
Experience Santa's magical world at the biggest Christmas attraction in the state of Texas. READ MORE

The Polar Express at the Galveston Railroad Museum

Galveston
Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 18-Dec. 23 (excluding Thanksgiving Day)
The adventure comes to life on this round-trip journey to the North Pole led by a cast of talented actors. Passengers relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ for a one-hour trip to meet Santa. READ MORE

The Polar Express Train Ride at the Texas State Railroad

Palestine
Weekends and select weekdays, Nov. 19-Dec. 26
Bring the magic of The Polar Express to life as you take your own train ride journey. Read along to the book as you listen to the movie soundtrack, dine on hot chocolate and cookies, and travel to the North Pole to see Santa.  READ MORE

Christmas at Old Time Christmas Tree Farm

Spring
Daily, Nov. 20-Dec. 12, excluding Nov. 22-25
In addition to finding and cutting your own Christmas tree, you can enjoy a variety of seasonal fun at the farm. Activities include train rides, hay rides, a petting zoo, a giant slide, a bounce house, and a jumping pad. READ MORE

Holidays at Moody Gardens

Galveston
Daily, Nov. 20-Jan. 2
Head down to Moody Gardens for an unparalleled holiday experience that includes seven different attractions.  READ MORE

Christmas at Dewberry Farms

Brookshire
Friday-Sunday, Nov. 26-Dec. 12
Take a train ride on the Dewville Express over to the forest of Christmas trees and indulge in lots of family-friendly holiday festivities during Christmas at Dewberry Farm.  READ MORE

The Christmas Train in Alvin

Alvin
Fridays, Saturdays, and select days, Nov. 26-Dec. 23
Come enjoy an old-fashioned train ride in open-air coaches while experiencing hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights and displays. There is also Santa's Speedway with go-karts (additional cost) and a free Elf Show. READ MORE

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