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

GUIDE

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.

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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

30 Things To Do Near South Padre Island, TX 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.

Best Outdoor Dining in Houston at Family-Friendly Restaurants

Kids love the carousel on Kemah's boardwalk.

Top Things to Do at Kemah Boardwalk with Kids

GUIDE

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

GUIDE

Outdoor Activities Guide for Houston Kids

San Antonio has a lot of budget-friendly things to do with kids. Photo courtesy of the San Antonio Botanical Garden

Fun Budget Weekend Getaways for Houston Families

Fishing in Lake Somerville. Photo courtesy of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

10 State Parks Near Houston With Lakes, Beaches, and Hiking

GUIDE

Houston Summer Camp Guide

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

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

Best Breakfasts in Houston for Kids and Families

Free activities like feeding the ducks at Mary Jo Peckham Park are simple and still great fun for kids. Photo by Rachael Cherry

GUIDE

Free Things to Do in Houston with Kids Guide

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

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

13 Top-Notch Montessori Preschools in Houston

Levy Park in Houston. Photo courtesy of OJB Landscape Architecture

Houston Parks With Playgrounds That are Worth the Drive

Playgrounds Without Limits photo courtesy of Memorial Park, Facebook

Accessible Playgrounds in Houston: 14 Places Where All Kids Can Play

Take a look at one of these popular toddler dance classes in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Ballet preschool program.

Toddler Dance Classes in Houston for your Tiny Dancer

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

Pregnancy Classes and Parenting Classes in Houston

Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum of Houston

Exploring The Children's Museum Houston

Birthday party places near Houston include arcades, escape rooms, climbing gyms, and more. Photo courtesy of The Main Event

Teen Birthday Party Ideas in Houston: 10 Cool Party Places for Teens and Tweens

There are a variety of fishing lakes near Houston to fish with your kids. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife

Fishing Lakes Near Houston and More Kid-Friendly Places To Go Fishing

SwimJim offers baby swim classes in Houston. Photo courtesy of SwimJim Baby Swim School, Facebook

Baby Swimming Classes in Houston: Swimming Lessons for Babies and Toddlers

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

Fun Things to Do in Lake Livingston State Park with Kids

Get building at Dig World TX near Houston.

Dig World TX is Construction-Themed Heaven for Little Builders

Kids eat Free at Dickey's on Sundays with each adult purchase of $10 or more. Photo courtesy of Dickey's

13 Kid-Friendly Barbecue Restaurants in Houston

The St. Regis in Uptown is one of Houston's best family-friendly resorts.

Best Family-Friendly Spa Resorts And Hotels Near Houston

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

Texas Hill Country with Kids: Where to Go, Eat, and Stay

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.

Best Tex-Mex Restaurants in Houston with FREE Ice Cream

Explore the 21 miles of trails around the park, of varying lengths and difficulty to suit your family’s needs.

20 Things to Do in Huntsville State Park with Kids

Kids can learn about Robotics at the Houston Space Center. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Ortiz.

Top Attractions in Houston for Kids and Families: Museums, Theme Parks, & More

Birthday Venues Near Houston That Won't Break the Bank

Samuel Sykes, owner of Trill Taco, photo courtesy of Samuel Sykes

10 Black-Owned Restaurants Near Houston to Try with Kids

Calling all space lovers! NASA’s Space Center Houston, photo by Rebecca Matheson Ortiz

17 Fun Things to Do with Kids in Clear Lake and Webster

Toddlers can enjoy playing with the foam block structures at Exploration Park. Photo courtesy of Exploration Park

Best Houston Playgrounds and Parks for Toddlers

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

Best Things to Do at the Houston Museum of Natural Science with Kids

Kids walk a nature trail at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. Photo courtesy of the Houston Arboretum

11 Amazing Kid-Friendly Hiking Trails in Houston

Horseback riding is a favorite kid activity in Conroe

20 Things To Do in Conroe with Kids

Up Close with Alligators Near Houston: Gator Experiences for Every Budget

Walking inside Hermann Park's Japanese Garden. Photo courtesy of Vicky Li Yip.

Hermann Park Beginner’s Guide: Exploring Houston’s Hermann Park with Kids

Building sandcastles at Port Aransas Beach.

Top 15 Things to Do in Corpus Christi with Kids

13 Places to Host a First Birthday Party Near Houston

Kids learn and play at the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden at the Dallas Arboretum. Photo courtesy the Dallas Arboretum

25 Best Things To Do in Dallas, Texas with Kids

Explore the amazing parks in Pearland. Photo courtesy of Pearland Parks and Recreation

Top 10 Things to Do in Pearland, TX with Kids

Make it an unforgettable family getaway from Houston by hiking Enchanted Rock. Photo courtesy Passport to Texas.

GUIDE

Houston Day Trips and Family Getaways Guide

Photo courtesy of Schlitterbahn Waterparks

20 Top Things To Do in Galveston with Kids

Back to School Bash is happening this weekend in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum Houston

Back to School Events and More Things To Do in Houston this Weekend with Kids

50 Free Things To Do in Houston This Summer With Kids

The Houston Museum of Natural Science is free every Thursday! Photo courtesy of Levy Park

6/2/23 - By Rachael Cherry

Free things to do with kids make the hot summers in Houston so much more fun. While we try to fill our days with as many engaging and entertaining activities as possible, it's so much sweeter if those activities are free. Luckily, there are a lot of amazing, free summer activities in Houston. To help other families save a buck without sacrificing any fun, here's a bucket list of 50 FREE summer activities in Houston that we'll be checking out in 2023.

We have sections on free festivals, free movies, free outdoor activities, free music and theater events, and free indoor activities. Make sure you also check our event calendar every day for even more family-friendly fun around Houston, and our Ultimate Houston Kids Summer Vacation Guide for more things to do in Houston all summer long.