By Sarah Snyder
You can entertain kids in
Houston at attractions such as the Houston Zoo and the Children's Museum of Houston, which are nationally ranked for their quality. The Johnson Space Center is a must-see, and you should also check out one of entertainer Beyonce Knowles' favorite childhood stops, SplashTown.
Space Center Houston
Undoubtedly the biggest draw for Houstonians of all ages, the Johnson Space Center's visitors center is an unearthly experience. Sit in a simulator and follow commands from mission control to land your shuttle and take a tour of behind-the-scenes space operations at work. A gallery shows spacesuits from all eras and portraits of every American astronaut who's ever been into space. A playscape offers children a place to burn off energy, and stations provide them with a way to experience space life, including walking without gravity and constructing rockets.
Space Center Houston
1601 NASA Pkwy.
Houston, TX 77058
281-244-2100
spacecenter.org
Houston Zoo
Ranked as one of the Top 10 zoos by Parents magazine, drop in on this Hermann Park attraction to scope out a wide array of wildlife. The zoo is praised for its multitude of hands-on exhibits and presentation and the zoo's appreciation and care of the animals. The zoo boasts 4,500 animals on 55 acres of lush land. Open every day of the year except for Christmas and children one and younger get in free. While there is a cafe, a grill and several food kiosks available to visitors, it's been a longstanding tradition to allow patrons to bring their own food and drinks, with the exception of glass, alcohol and plastic straws.
The Houston Zoo
6200 Golf Course Dr.
Houston, TX 77030
713-533-6500
houstonzoo.org
SplashTown
This recommendation comes directly from entertainer Beyonce Knowles, who never shies away from her Houston pride. She fondly remembers childhood trips to SplashTown, and the hot Texas sun makes this selection a no-brainer. This wild water wonderland includes rides and swimming facilities for parents and children. There's even a birthday party venue, an ice cream shop and a restaurant. With rides and slides called Tornado, Thunder Run and Texas Freefall, there are plenty of ways for kids to earn a badge of courage. The Wild Wave pool offers fun and relaxation for parents and children of all ages.
SplashTown Park
21300 I-45 North
Spring, TX 77373
281-355-3300
Children's Museum of Houston
One of the top of its kind in the nation and a great destination for families on a budget, the Children's Museum of Houston is an excellent choice. The whimsical design of the complex houses 90,000 square feet of fun and excitement for children ages 12 and younger. Permanent exhibits take children through tsunami madness, a miniature city, a hands-on experiment with their own bodies and a thrilling cyberchase to catch bad guys. This just scratches the surface of enriching activities that will be fun and interesting for parents as well.
Children's Museum of Houston
1500 Binz
Houston, TX 77004
713-522-1138
cmhouston.org
About the Author:
Sarah Snyder is a San Antonio-based freelancer with more than 10 years of journalism experience. Her work has appeared in Bloomberg, the "San Antonio Express-News" and the "Daily Texan." She received a Bachelor of Arts in news and public affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.
