If you’re a Houston parent, keeping your children cool during the hot summer is likely a huge priority. More extended periods of direct sunlight and high humidity can harm children, who are more susceptible to heat-related illness and dehydration than adults. Not to mention the crankiness factor. Do you really want to hear your child complain about being hot all day?
Fortunately, indoor family activities can allow you and your kids to add a little variety to summer vacation while staying cool. We are lucky to live in a city with a great selection of kid-friendly museums, indoor play places, and arts and crafts centers.
So, when the family needs a break from the pool or the playground, beat the heat with a few of these indoor alternatives.
1. Sky Zone Sports
photo by Clintus McGintus
www.skyzone.com/houston/
Sky Zone offers kids the opportunity to release some energy. The indoor trampoline park features one area for children under 40 inches tall and one for everyone else. You’ll stay calm and active.
2. Johnson Space Center
photo by ilovebutter
www.spacecenter.org
Houston is home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, and what delight for Houston families! This is a good opportunity to educate kids about Houston’s history of involvement with NASA and spark an interest in science and technology. Attractions include a tour of the old Mission Control room, various games, and a launch simulation theater.
Kids 3 and under can visit for free, and the whole family will save money by purchasing tickets online. *Take note that the tram tour occurs outdoors, so you will definitely want to bring bottled water.
3. The Mad Potter
If your kids love arts and crafts, The Mad Potter is essential for indoor summer fun. There are 5 of these paint-your-own-pottery studios in Houston, each with a wide variety of pottery options–
from bowls and flowerpots to animal sculptures and lawn ornaments.
The Mad Potter is fun for kids and older family members alike, and they have many lower-priced specials every month, so check their calendar before you plan your trip.
4. The Museum of Natural History
photo by Daderot
The Museum of Natural History offers the whole family hours’ worth of educationally stimulating exhibits that will leave your kids with a sense of wonder about the world. Attractions include dinosaur skeleton reconstructions, a planetarium, and a personal favorite of ours, the Butterfly Center and Brown Hall of Entomology.
The museum opens its permanent exhibit rooms for free on Thursday afternoons.
5. The Children’s Museum
The Children’s Museum
www.cmhouston.org
A beloved Houston staple founded by a group of parents in 1980, The Children’s Museum has won many awards for its unique and fun family experience.
Have fun out there!
Be sure to keep a vigilant eye on your home’s lawn care during the summer, too. A broken sprinkler system is more than an inconvenience when temperatures rise above 90 degrees — It can put your landscaping at risk of damage.
We have your back if you need a trusted swimming pool contractor to add or repair existing features. And with more people traveling, our pest control experts can solve any pest issue that may arise from traveling in the summer.