By Lisa Russell
Houston is a fantastic place to visit with children. There are so many opportunities to explore and discover. Whether you're visiting for the day or just for the weekend, you're sure to find something interesting to do with children, all year round.
Children's Museum of Houston
This interactive and air-conditioned museum lets kids physically explore 14 bilingual and multi-disciplinary attractions like the Building Zone, CyberChase, EcoStation, Flow Works, Matter Factory, Kidtropolis and more. Each exhibit allows children to climb, touch, feel, investigate and explore for increased scientific understanding and to spark enthusiasm and interest.
Children's Museum of Houston
1500 Binz
Houston, Texas 77004
(713) 522-1138
www.cmhouston.org
Houston Zoo
At the Houston Zoo, kids can see elephants, big cats, exotic birds and reptiles, mammals large and small as well as marine life. Best of all, though, the Houston Zoo has special programs where kids can sign up for twilight tours and breakfast with the animals. They also have a big cat training window and vet-for-a-day program.
Houston Zoo
1513 N Macgregor Dr
Houston, Texas 77030-1603
(713) 533-6500
www.houstonzoo.org
Tour the Blue Bell Creamery
At the Blue Bell Creameries production facility just outside of Houston, families can see how ice cream is made. A short video about the ice cream making process and a guided tour of the facility are available for ice cream fans all year round. Tours last 45 minutes and include a scoop of ice cream. Tours run Monday-Friday. As of 2009, the tour price is $3 per person. There are no reservations for groups under 15 people, it's on a first-come, first-served basis and space fills up fast.
Blue Bell Creameries LP
1101 S Blue Bell Rd
Brenham, Texas 77833-4413
(979) 836-7977
www.bluebell.com
Old Mac Donald's Farm
Old Mac Donald's Farm bills itself as "A Children's Paradise" with good reason. Not only does this 15-acre park offer seasonal swimming, pumpkin patch and fishing, but it also has year-round educational and entertaining attractions. Features include several themed playgrounds, picnic areas, a duck pond, a hay barn, 12 petting zoo barns, train rides and pony rides. Bags of animal feed are available for purchase and you're welcome to bring your own bread for the ducks and geese. As of 2009, admission for everyone over 18 months is $7 per person. They do not accept checks or credit cards, so bring cash.
Old Mac Donald's Farm
3203 FM 1960 Rd E
Humble, Texas 77338-5323
(281) 446-4001
www.oldmacdonaldshumble.com
About the Author:
Lisa Russell is an entrepreneur and writer from Washington State, with a professional background in education, cosmetology and the restaurant industry. She's been published in regional parenting publications, homeschooling publications and has published over 10,000 articles online since 1999. She studied Early Childhood Education at Antelope Valley College.
