Sarah Banks

Latest posts by Sarah Banks

Top 10 Stroller Hikes in Houston and the Suburbs

Submitted by Sarah Banks on Fri, 01/28/2022 - 2:51pm

Fresh air is one of the best antidotes to a grumpy toddler or baby. Photo courtesy of Bigstock

Fresh air is one of the best antidotes to a grumpy toddler or baby. Entertain them, distract them, and tire them out with a trip to one of these great stroller hikes in Houston and the surrounding area. Even if your toddler can start off walking, these flat, surfaced trails mean you can push along the stroller for when they run out of steam. Sit your kiddo in their seat and get yourself some exercise at the same time.

Houston is blessed with many parks and paths that provide visual stimulation with rivers, trees, wildlife, and more. Many of them have playgrounds, bathrooms and refreshments to make it an easy and fun trip out. Here's our guide to some of the best trails you can hike in the Houston area. And if you're into parks with playgrounds, don't forget to check out our Best Houston Playgrounds and Parks for Toddlers.

Top 10 Kid-Friendly Things that Opened in Houston in 2021

Submitted by Sarah Banks on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 11:59am

Explore Seismique and wander through forty galaxies, enjoying the interactive and immersive art. Photo courtesy of the museum

In 2021, Houston saw some exciting openings for new activities, restaurants, and things to do for kids all over the city. Whether your kids love entertainment centers, art, nature, science, or just a great donut, we have the list of the 10 best new kid-friendly things and places that opened or upgraded in 2021 in Houston.

Winter Day Trips Near Houston: Family Fun In Every Direction

Submitted by Sarah Banks on Fri, 12/17/2021 - 11:55am

Head to the historic town of Brenham, founded in 1844. Photo of the Christmas Stroll and Lighted Parade courtesy of cityofbrenham.org

Although we may miss having snow at Christmas in Houston, one of the benefits is that the weather is great for a winter day trip to outdoor and indoor attractions. You shouldn’t have to worry whether the roads will be clear of snow or need to pack thermal sweaters! We’ve drawn up a list of family-fun-filled winter day trips that can help you get out of the house and make festive memories. Plus, these destinations are all less than two hours from Houston by car, so you shouldn’t have too many cries of “are we there yet?” Read on for details of trips North, South, East, and West of Houston. Whichever direction you want to head in, we have a fun destination!

Check out our car games to have fun even while you drive. For ideas closer to home, don’t forget our Winter Activities Guide.

All timings are approximate and by car from the center of Houston.

Top 10 Christmas Towns in Texas to Light Up Your Holiday Season

Submitted by Sarah Banks on Sun, 10/24/2021 - 8:04am

Photo courtesy of Santa's Wonderland at College Station, Facebook

This year, make your children’s holiday season spectacular with a visit to somewhere full of Christmas cheer—without leaving Texas. We may not always have real snow, but we have enough Santa's villlages and Christmas towns in Texas to celebrate in style.

Venture somewhere new and let your kids’ faces light up with the magical sights, tastes, and sounds of Christmas towns in Texas that go all-out to celebrate the season. Read on to find out more about the best Christmas towns in North, South, East, West, and Central Texas. These towns go all out to celebrate the season:the hardest part will be choosing the right one for your family.

For more holiday and Christmas ideas for kids, check out our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Activities for Houston Families.

20 Things To Do in Conroe with Kids

Submitted by Sarah Banks on Sun, 09/26/2021 - 6:15pm

Horseback riding is a favorite kid activity in Conroe

Looking for a kid-friendly day trip or weekend away? Try Conroe, a city with plenty of fun things to do with kids and located just an hour north of Houston, not far from The Woodlands. With a huge lake and a national forest, Conroe excels in outdoor activities, but there are also some great indoor options if you hit bad weather.

Here are our favorite things to do in Conroe with kids, from the best parks for stunning scenery to the best places to catch a show.

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

Submitted by Sarah Banks on Fri, 09/10/2021 - 8:00am

Did you know that there are an estimated 500,000 or more alligators in Texas? And did you know that alligators love fruit and can climb trees? Your kids can learn these facts and more about alligators at several fun gator experiences and organized alligator attractions in Houston and beyond. Getting up close with an alligator is definitely a jaw-dropping activity that will WOW your kids, so we've included gator activities for every budget—from the local Brazos Bend State Park to Gator Country Adventure Park to a Louisiana gator roadtrip.

Top 15 Things to Do in Corpus Christi with Kids

Submitted by Sarah Banks on Sun, 08/22/2021 - 10:37am

Building sandcastles at Port Aransas Beach.

At just over three hours from Houston, Corpus Christi is a fantastic destination for a weekend getaway. With over 70 miles of Gulf Coast seashore, you can easily find an uncrowded beach for you and your kids. There’s something about sun, sea, and sand that relaxes the whole family, but if you get tired of the outdoors, there are plenty of indoor things to do in Corpus Christi with kids, too. We’ve selected our favorite things to do in Corpus Christi to make planning your trip a breeze. When you’re not enjoying the natural beauty of the area, you can visit some of the city’s top attractions, such as the enormous aircraft carrier USS Lexington or the state aquarium of Texas!

Looking for beach time closer to Houston? Check out our guide to Galveston. For more weekend trip ideas, check out our Houston getaways guide. And for ideas on travel with your kids across the US, click on our Family Travel Guide.