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From sports and space to museums and parks, you’ll find plenty of fun things to do with kids in Houston.
Photo by Cathlin McCullough.
If you’re searching for family friendly things to do in Houston, what could be better than the twists, turns, and tunnels of Meow Wolf’s Radio Tave? You and your family are invited to become a part of a surreal experience: enter Radio Tave via ENTL Radio, from where you’ll be transported anywhere from a pool hall staffed by rats, a trippy arcade, or an interactive rave DJ set. While there’s plenty for people of all ages to love, Meow Wolf Houston’s music themes make it one of the most kid-friendly locations in our Houston City Guide.
We like to keep things a little mysterious around here, so we won’t give too much away. Each of our Meow Wolf locations has a different concept, but they all share a general otherworldly theme, encouraging visitors to tap into their childlike wonder and explore the world around them.
While you may find some easter eggs that highlight local spaces or link locations together if you visit more than one, our Houston immersive art location is based on a pretty simple scenario: When a well-loved community radio station gets hijacked into a strange realm, the team behind the broadcasts find a new audience, a world more wondrous than they ever imagined.
This isn’t your typical Houston art experience. Meow Wolf is great for a Houston trip with kids because we want them to touch things. Seriously, everything. Radio Tave is replete with instruments and sound machines for playing, games to check out, doors and drawers to rifle through. Some of those doors might even lead you to unexpected places – imagine if that secret passage you made up as a kid was actually real.. You and your kids will love immersing yourselves in the story of Radio Tave.
Please note that while Radio Tave is not intended to be a scary experience, some parts may be frightening or overwhelming to young guests. Meow Wolf locations offer sensory bags at our Guest Services Desk.
Tip #1: Visit Early in the Day
Creative energy tends to be at its best in the morning, and the crowds are lighter. Take your time to make sure you don’t miss any of these unique art experiences for kids in Texas.
Tip #2: Buy Meow Wolf Houston Tickets Ahead of Time
Meow Wolf visitors arrive at ticketed times – but once you’re in, there’s no time limit! Don’t waste time standing in line for tickets, buy them ahead of time so you can spend the maximum amount of hours enjoying the art.
Tip #3: Download the Meow Wolf App
The Psychic Sensor tool can help reveal fun new experiences during your visit to our Houston location.
Maybe your family isn’t exactly in a neon rave mood today, or maybe you’ve just leftMeow Wolf Houston and you’re looking for what’s next. Either way, there are plenty more kid-friendly activities in Houston to check out.
Wherever you’re taking your kids for the day, as a parent, you know you’ve gotta have the essentials. Here’s a quick list of things you might need to keep everyone in the family happy (and charged):
One of the best kid-friendly museums in Houston, the science museum boasts a huge collection of minerals, planetarium, IMAX theater, giant dinosaur skeleton, and of course, plenty of space-station models. It’s also home to the Butterfly Center, where kids and adults alike can interact with butterflies up close and personal. The Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife houses replicas of Texas wildlife in a realistic display, and the Wiess Energy Hall showcases some simulator rides where you can voyage into an oil well or back in time.
Let the kiddos lead the way at the museum made just for them! In fact, Parents magazine has rated the Children’s Museum of Houston the #1 children’s museum in the country. In FlowWorks, kids are encouraged to play with science and physics through, you guessed it, water. In Kidtropolis, the city for kids, they can choose jobs, earn money, and spend their “kid cash” in a bustling kid-conomy. There are plenty of other permanent exhibits, as well as rotating temporary installations inspired by the stuff kids love.
For an outdoor adventure, the Houston Zoo boasts a day of fun in nature. The zoo is home to more than 6,000 animals, from the new Galapagos Island exhibit to the African forest and beyond. At the John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo, you can ride a wildlife carousel, feed the beloved goats, and run and play on plenty of playgrounds and tunnels. For a whole-family experience, check out the giraffe feeding platform to give your favorite giants a snack. Depending on the season, you can also find family-friendly events like Houston Zoo Lights, Zoo Boo, and Camp Zoofari. The Zoo is a great option when you’re looking for things to do in Houston with toddlers, since there’s plenty of room for strollers!
This 12-acre park is a partnership between the City of Houston and Discovery Green Conservancy. Their mission is “to provide an uncommonly beautiful, urban green space in the heart of Houston that serves as a village green for our city…” For starters, Discovery Green is home to Houston’s only outdoor roller rink – a great way for skating parents and kids to bond while learning together. Weekly concerts, art installations, frequent festivals and even camps and classes make Discovery Green a great place for families to hang.
While you’re out and about on your kids day out in Houston, you’ll definitely need to stop for a bite. Here are a few Houston eats (conveniently located nearby Meow Wolf).
A classic American joint, Little Matt’s is a beloved staple and they’re sure to have something your kids will love. Especially if they love a classic Icee.
Complete with an entire playground area, Wakefield Crowbar offers plenty of food and drink options. They also host sand volleyball leagues and live entertainment.
A community space featuring a variety of food and drink vendors, The Stomping Grounds also provides a ton of green space for kids to run and play. Whether you’re feeling a Korean quesadilla, some delicious macarons, a bowl of pho or a cup of ice cream, there’s something for you here.
Keeping with the fun and funky, otherworldly vibes of Meow Wolf, Moon Tower Inn is a funky hot dog joint serving up unique sausages, burgers, and beverages for adults – with a kids menu for the little ones. You may catch some live music while you’re there, but either way your family is sure to enjoy the outdoor ambiance.
While Houston offers some public transit options including a bus service and METRO rail, the best way to get around the city is by car. If you’re local or have a rental car, it’s probably your best bet to drive to these locations. If not, you can check out public transit maps or utilise a rideshare service.
Meow Wolf Houston is great for kids! With its bright colors, interactive art exhibits, and games galore, it’s a great idea for a day out with your whole family.
While anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, Meow Wolf is an experience that can be one of the best interactive museums for families of all ages. Whether you have a little one who just loves to take in the bright colors, an older child with an active imagination, or you just want to take part in the immersive experience yourself, there’s something for everyone.
Some guests might feel overstimulated or overwhelmed while inside the exhibit. Children or those with sensory issues might benefit from having earplugs or noise-canceling headphones. You can always take a break in our bar area and reenter the exhibit if needed.
From Meow Wolf to the Children’s Museum, there are lots of fun activities for kids in Houston. For more ideas, scroll up to read about our favorite kids activities in H-town!
The Houston Zoo, Discovery Green, and Meow Wolf Radio Tave are a few great options for family outings in Houston! For more ideas, read our article above.
