The Children's Museum of Houston makes learning cool with 14 interactive galleries. Exhibits include a building area that teaches kids about engineering and physics, an art hall that displays exhibitions from around the world and a replica of a city that lets children play the role of different professions and government officials. While the museum caters to children 12 and under, all ages are welcome. An adult must accompany kids under 16.
Children's Museum of Houston
1500 Binz
Houston, TX 77004
713-522-1138
cmhouston.org
Families can explore bird sanctuaries and wildlife habitats at the Houston Audubon. The venue offers programs geared for children based at the Sims Bayou Urban Nature Center on the Audubon's grounds. The 1.1-acre sanctuary contains gardens, a barn, a gazebo, a log cabin, a pond and wetland trails. Children 3 to 5 can participate in the Bayou Buddies program. The classes explain about native Texas animals such as armadillos and snakes and their habitats. Each session has a craft activity, a story, a snack, an outdoor activity and a natural history lesson. The Family Nature Explore Club caters to children 3 to 12, and includes crafts and games. Additionally, children 5 to 12 can attend summer nature camps at the Houston Audubon.
Houston Audubon
440 Wilchester Blvd.
Houston, TX 77079-7329
713-464-4900
houstonaudubon.org
Children who cheer for the Houston Astros baseball team can see where their heroes play by taking a tour of Minute Maid Park. The tour brings visitors into the Astros or the opposing team's dugout, the broadcasting booth, the press box, luxury suites and other areas. As a bonus, the stadium is built at Union Station, a historic train station. Children get to see a full-size, vintage locomotive that travels on 800 feet of track along the left field wall. The Minute Maid Park tour is available year-round.
Minute Maid Park
Houston Astros Baseball Club
Minute Maid Park
501 Crawford St.
Houston, TX 77002
713-259-8000
houston.astros.mlb.com
Space Center Houston is the visitors center of NASA's Johnson Space Center. Children can learn about astronauts and the solar system while daydreaming about outer space. A tram tour of the center takes visitors past the mission control center and space vehicles. Occasionally, you can spot astronauts in training. The Kids Space Place features interactive exhibits, including getting to command a space shuttle and seeing what it's like to live on a space station. Space artifacts, spacesuits and spacecraft like the Apollo 17 Command Module are also on display.
Space Center Houston
1601 NASA Parkway
Houston, TX 77058
281-244-2105
spacecenter.org
