Free Things To Do in Houston for the Whole Family

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.

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

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.

1500 McKinney
Houston, Texas 77010
713-400-7336

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. 

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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. 

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

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.

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

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. 

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