Rachael Cherry

Latest posts by Rachael Cherry

Guided Hikes for Houston Toddlers and Preschoolers

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Thu, 02/01/2018 - 1:18pm

Explore your environment at Tyke Hikes/Photo courtesy of Houston Arboretum & Nature Center

Hiking around Houston and its surrounding areas is one of our favorite active pastimes; there's just nothing quite like exploring the great outdoors with your little ones and watching as they discover new things happening in their environment. Our city is full of great trails to tackle with the kids in tow, however sometimes having a guide lead the way is the best option for budding explorers and naturalists. We rounded up four of the best options for getting out and about in nature with your toddlers and preschoolers, turning hiking into an activity that is both educational and fun.

Houston's Newest Indoor Playground Makes Us Say 'Hooray'

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Mon, 01/22/2018 - 10:54pm

Every mom can agree that having a good go-to indoor playspace can be a lifesaver when you need to get out of the house, but not necessarily outdoors. However, as the mom of two kids that fall into very different categories on the developmental spectrum, it is surprisingly hard to find playspaces that cater to both of my kids' age groups within the same space. More commonly, there are two entirely separate areas for the babies/young toddlers and the older toddlers/little kids, making it impossible to keep an eye on both kids if I let my youngest play. Houston's newest indoor playground just opened in Katy, and it did not disappoint. Read on to get the inside scoop on Hooray.

Discover the Houston Museum of Natural Science's Latest Makeover

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Fri, 01/05/2018 - 9:00am

A 3-D look at Houston as Energy City/Photo courtesy of Houston Museum of Natural Science

In November 2017 the Wiess Energy Hall reopened its doors after undergoing a massive renovation. The previous version of the exhibit covered 8,500 square feet and was home to several classic attractions, like the popular Geovater and the Energy Jukebox. The new and improved exhibit, however, is more than triple in size, and now spans 30,000 square feet of interactive, hands-on learning and fun. Over the holidays we got a chance to check it out, and it did not disappoint.

Family Friendly New Year's Eve Fun in Houston

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Mon, 12/25/2017 - 8:55pm

While typically considered a holiday largely for adults, ringing in the new year isn't solely for the 18-and-up age group. In fact, Houston has quite a few festivities lined up for kids and the whole family on New Year's Eve. Whether it's making a special trip down to Kemah Boardwalk to watch fireworks over the water, or heading to the ever-popular Children's Museum of Houston to enjoy a more traditional balloon drop and "Noon" Year's countdown, there's something for everyone on this list of family-friendly New Year's Eve activities.

Christmas Light Trail at Dewberry Farm

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Sun, 12/24/2017 - 3:30pm

Dewberry Farm is an easy favorite when it comes to planning fall activities, and once the holiday season hits it becomes a choose-n-cut Christmas tree chopping destination. However, this year the farm has added another layer of holiday cheer to the festivities: the brand new Trail of Lights and Christmas Village, touting it as a "Christmas Adventure as Big as Texas!" Christmas lights become a bigger and bigger deal each year as our kids get older, and when we had the opportunity to check out the Trail of Lights I knew it was a holiday activity we had to add to our list.

Spoiler: it was a BIG hit... dare I say... (drum roll...) as big as Texas?

11 Fun Things to Do on Christmas Eve With Kids in Houston

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Mon, 12/11/2017 - 9:49am

Christmas Eve is my favorite day of the Christmas season. I know a lot of people have holiday traditions that they enjoy throughout the month of December, like seeing a favorite play or visiting the same Santa for photos each year, while others have special activities reserved for Christmas Day, like enjoying a meal out with family or driving around to see the holiday lights and displays one last time. But to me, there's always been something magical about the night before Christmas. Growing up, that was the day we opened all of our presents from family members, attended the candlelight church service, and listened to Christmas carols while sipping hot chocolate and eating holiday treats, so I guess it's no surprise that I find myself wanting to make the day just as special in our house now that I have my own family. Luckily, there is no shortage of fun things to do with the kids on Christmas Eve.

Exploring the Missouri City Edible Trail

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Tue, 09/26/2017 - 3:16pm

At first glance, the entrance to this trailhead in Southwest Houston looks like any other. The unassuming concrete pathway stretches out in front of you, shaded by trees and running parallel to Oyster Creek. It could be a million other trails, and if you didn't know what you were looking for you might assume it was just that. But a short ways down the path from our start in the dirt parking lot is a sign that tells visitors just how unique this pathway really is: "Welcome to the Missouri City Edible Arbor Trail."

Insider's Guide to Exploring Katy, Texas with Kids

Submitted by Rachael Cherry on Mon, 09/25/2017 - 11:38am

It's no secret that there are no shortage of things to do in Houston. The city is known for being richly diverse in both its people and its activities, and that includes the surrounding cities and towns. A straight shot down I-10 West will take you to Katy - a city that mixes quaint, small town charm with bustling big city sophistication. Read on for the best things to do in Katy, TX with your kids!