Free Things To Do in Houston for the Whole Family

By Shea Serrano

Updated 12/01/17

  • 01 of 10

    Miller Outdoor Theatre

    Miller Outdoor Theater

    Miller Outdoor Theatre is a Houston staple for outdoor entertainment. While sitting in your choice of stadium seats or atop the big hill overlooking the amphitheater, enjoy free plays, musicals, children's performances and dance productions. Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome as well as food, drinks and even adult beverages — though glass containers are not allowed.

    Details

    6000 Hermann Park Dr.
    Houston, Texas 77030
    281-373-3386

  • 02 of 10

    Discovery Green Park

    Discovery Green
    James/Flickr

    This large urban green space located in the heart of Downtown Houston is the city's most recent and largest park addition. With over 12-acres of land, Discovery Green offers myriad ways to keep the entire family entertained this summer. State-of-the-art playgrounds, a model boat basin, an interactive splash pad and a rocking summer concert series are all sure to please. And the best part, it's all FREE.

    Details

    1500 McKinney
    Houston, Texas 77010
    713-400-7336

  • 03 of 10

    The Houston Zoo

    Houston Zoo
    Mike Fisher/Flickr

    The Houston Zoo has drawn quite the buzz as of late with the unveiling of the long-awaited Africa exhibit. In addition to this fascinating visual experience, the Houston Zoo is packed with over 4,500 animals housed in over 55 acres of land. Limited-time exhibits, often featuring animatronic creatures like giant bugs or dinosaurs, are crowd favorites. Tickets are free the first Tuesday of the month, September through May from noon until closing. 

    Details

    6200 Hermann Park Drive
    Houston, Texas 77030
    713-533-6500

     

  • 04 of 10

    Woodlands Town Center

    Woodlands Town Center
    Woodlands Town Center

    The Woodlands Town Center is a thousand-acre metropolitan area located in the heart of the suburb of The Woodlands. Stroll along Market Street, an open-air shopping utopia complete with vendors like Sur La Table, Anthropologie, J. Crew, Luke's Locker and more. Or stop by the central park area, and enjoy a free live musical performance.

    Details

    9595 Six Pines Drive
    The Woodlands, Texas 77380
    281-419-4774

    Continue to 5 of 10 below.
  • 05 of 10

    Buffalo Bayou Park

    Buffalo Bayou
    Patrick Feller/Flickr

    Buffalo Bayou Park, a favorite source of outdoor recreation for many Houstonians, begins near Katy, Texas and winds through Terry Hershey Park, Memorial Park, the Houston Arboretum and the neighborhood of River Oaks. The bayou offers 20 miles of hiking and biking trails, kayaking opportunities, and guided kayak tours — great fun for the entire family.

    Details

    1113 Vine Street Suite 200
    Houston, Texas 77002
    713-223-3500

  • 06 of 10

    Houston Museum of Natural Science

    Houston Museum of Natural Science
    Robyn Correll

    The Houston Museum of Natural Science is one of the nation's most well-developed museums. The four-floored building has thirteen permanent exhibits, which range from paleontology to space science to archaeology to a children’s discovery place. Special features of the museum include the Burke Baker Planetarium, Cockrell Butterfly Center, George Observatory, and IMAX Theater. HMNS’s permanent location was established in 1964. Admission is free for the permanent exhibits every Thursday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

    Details

    One Hermann Circle Drive
    Houston, Texas 77030
    713-639-4629

  • 07 of 10

    The Children's Museum

    Children's Museum of Houston
    sikeri/Flickr

    In 2011, Parents magazine voted The Children's Museum of Houston the best children's museum in the country. The venue houses 14 galleries of exhibits that provide a hands-on learning experience for kids aged birth to 12 years. Even moms and dads are sure to find something to pique their interest. This museum is free every Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

    Details

    1500 Binz Street
    Houston, Texas 77004
    713-535-7264

  • 08 of 10

    Houston Arboretum and Nature Center

    Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
    Beau/Flickr

    Located on the grounds of Memorial Park, the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center consists of 155 acres of natural environment. From their site: “Visitors can explore nature by walking on trails (totaling 5 miles) free of charge. Each summer children gain in-depth knowledge leading to a life-long appreciation of the natural world through week-long Discovery Classes.” Admission to the Houston Arboretum is free. 

    Details

    4501 Woodway Drive
    Houston, Texas 77024
    713-681-8433

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  • 09 of 10

    Jamail Skatepark

    Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark
    Ed Uthman/Flickr

    Jamail Skatepark is a fabulous new public skatepark near downtown Houston with 30,000 sq. ft of fun. Skaters of all levels are encouraged to work on their tricks – or learn how to just stay balanced. In the summer, kids ages 6-17 can take advantage of free skateboard classes as well. Helmets are required.

    Details

    103 Sabine Street
    Houston, Texas 77007
    713-222-5500

  • 10 of 10

    Art Car Museum

    Art Car Museum
    A Yee/Flickr

    What more can you say about Houston’s Art Car Museum? This collection of eclectic, unusual, and creative cars is all about fun. If you’ve missed Houston’s classic Art Car Parade in the spring, you’ll catch a glimpse of it here. It also features innovative art throughout the museum, so it’s not just about cars. The Art Car Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., and like several other ​museums in Houston, admission is always free. 

    Details

    140 Heights Boulevard
    Houston, Texas 77007
    713-926-6368