Vicky Yip

Latest posts by Vicky

Hotel Pools Around Houston that Offer Day Passes for Families

Submitted by Vicky Yip on Fri, 07/15/2022 - 6:13pm

Enjoying the lazy river at a hotel in Houston. Photo courtesy of The Woodlands Resort, Facebook

Families getting ready to beat the Houston heat have some great options when it comes to Houston hotels with pool passes boasting cool, refreshing, and indulgent swimming pools. Though it’s always fun to plan overnight stays and weekend trips to a nearby hotel for a getaway, you don’t necessarily have to spend the night to enjoy a resort pool in Houston. Check out the Houston-area hotels below that offer day passes for their fabulous and luxurious pools, letting you bring the whole family for a chill day poolside.

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

Submitted by Vicky Yip on Fri, 10/22/2021 - 8:30am

Reaching for Butterflies at the Cockrell Butterfly Center at the Houston Museum of Natural Science

Located in the heart of Houston's Museum District, the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) is one of the most visited museums in the country, and a fun, educational trip for kids. This world-class museum consists of five floors of permanent halls full of awe-inspiring exhibits and a steady rotation of traveling special exhibits. Discover the tropical rainforest, reach back in time to when dinosaurs walked the Earth, blast forward to learn about the future of renewable energy, and explore space in the Burke Baker Planetarium. Plus, the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre was Houston’s first IMAX theatre offering 3D images, and the Cockrell Butterfly Center is a stunning, living exhibit that showcases hundreds of live butterflies in a naturalistic rainforest setting.

There is so much to see and do at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Take kids on an active learning adventure by visiting exhibits that are more likely to keep children's attention. Here, we’ve curated a few of the best things to do at Houston’s Museum of Natural Science with kids to help you plan your visit.

You can also save with the top attractions in Houston with Go City - Houston card. By purchasing this ticket, you receive admission to several Houston attractions at half the regular price: Space Center Houston, Downtown Aquarium, Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Houston Zoo or the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and the Kemah Boardwalk or the Children’s Museum Houston.

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

Submitted by Vicky Yip on Fri, 08/27/2021 - 8:27am

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

Hermann Park, in the heart of Houston near the Texas Medical Center and Rice University, is more than just the home of the Houston Zoo. The park stretches over 445-acres, and while it might seem intimidating to explore that much space with kids, we're here to guide you through the top places to see within this urban oasis. Spoiler alert: Your kids can go on a train, pedal boat, AND play in fountains all in one park.

Palace Social Unveils the Latest in Bowling, Arcade Games, and VR

Submitted by Vicky Yip on Fri, 08/13/2021 - 11:00am

The long-awaited indoor family-fun spot opened its doors this summer to cheers and applause! Palace Social sits on the site of a former bowling hangout in Bellaire, TX, not too far from Houston’s medical center. After the classic bowling alley was torn down, rumors that a new development would take its place swept the neighborhood. Bowling fans have been looking forward to the grand opening for years, and it was worth the wait.

The recently unveiled venue not only brings bowling back to the area, but adds a ton of fun new attractions like a video game arcade, virtual technology experiences, sports simulators, restaurant, two bars, a dessert bar, and more. It's also a great inside activity for when your kids outgrow Houston's indoor play spaces.

Best In-Person Coding Classes for Kids in Houston

Submitted by Vicky Yip on Sun, 08/08/2021 - 8:00am

Code Ninjas is a fun coding class near Houston.

Houston is a city of many different languages, so why not give your kid a chance to learn the language of computers by taking a coding class? We’ve rounded up 11 places offering in-person coding classes for kids in the Houston area. Many of these coding schools also offer virtual classes.

Learning how to code is a STEM skill that Houston kids can build upon as they grow up in a world run by technology. Coding skills are important for creating computer software, websites, apps, video games, and more. But it's not just a skill for future jobs: learning how to code helps kids exercise their logic, creativity, and problem-solving skills—traits that will be useful no matter what.

For more information on other types of enrichment classes, check out our local Class Listings or our list of other STEM classes in Houston. You can also find free coding for kids websites and apps.

Houstonopoly Pop-Up Gives Families a Chance to Explore Houston Indoors

Submitted by Vicky Yip on Thu, 06/17/2021 - 3:04pm

Play an oversized game of Monopoly with Houston game pieces at this pop-up.

After a year of playing board games at home with the kids, how about taking them out to play a life-sized one this summer instead? Houstonopoly, a limited-time pop-up event in the Rice Village, is a tribute to the classic game of Monopoly with a local twist. Filled with Houston references, this attraction allows families to walk around a giant Monopoly board and admire displays representing Bayou City landmarks.

Roll the dice, work your way around the colorful squares, and take plenty of pictures while visiting iconic Houston sights in an air-conditioned room. Given that Houston temperatures can soar in the summer, consider adding Houstonopoly to your list of indoor places to enjoy when it’s just too hot to play outside.

The Children’s Museum of Houston Is Reopened, Revamped, and Better Than Ever!

Submitted by Vicky Yip on Sun, 06/13/2021 - 1:00pm

After a year-long hiatus, the award-winning Children’s Museum of Houston has thrown open its doors to welcome back Houston families. The aptly nicknamed “Playground of the Mind” has reopened with a number of new exhibits and attractions like Sights Unseen and Heart and Seoul. Some family favorites have been updated as well, just in time for summer break!

A Journey through Houston Zoo’s New South America’s Pantanal with Kids

Submitted by Vicky Yip on Mon, 06/07/2021 - 1:02pm

Howler monkey. Photo courtesy of Houston Zoo

After years of construction, the Houston Zoo has completed its brand-new exhibit: South America’s Pantanal. Among its many pandemic modifications, the zoo has managed to unveil this stunning next phase of its big centennial transformation. The Houston Zoo has always been a family favorite, but there's even more to love now that it has brought Brazil’s tropical wetlands and its inhabitants right to our backyard!