Summer of Fun 2021. Take the kids and jump in the car to head to one of the following attractions this summer. Shake off the ‘I’m bored blues’ and make plans to visit at least one of these venues every week this summer. Most of you only have about 6 weeks of summer break left, so pick your top ten and see how many you can visit! Our HFM Kid Ambassadors started off with a SPLASH at Big River Water Park and Gator Bayou Adventure Park. If this is the first choice on your bucket list, plan on going early and spending the entire day! There is much to be seen and it is best visited with friends to join in on the fun!
Whether you want to hit up the slides all day or the adventure park, there is so much to do, our Kid Ambassadors had a hard time choosing!
Water park
What we loved is there really is a lot to choose from no matter what your age. For the little ones, under age 6, there are several areas to entertain your tots for hours. By far, Gator Splash has to be the most fun with over 300 water play areas, slides and sprayers to choose from. If they get bored there, head on over to Polliwog Puddle or Hatchling Hill for some very wet distractions!
For the older kids, the lazy river, wave pool and variety of slides were a hard choice to make. However, the consensus was the Pecos Plunge was the most fun with a fast ride from seven stories high! My fave was spiraling down Frio Falls from six stories up – love me the twisty ones!
Wild Isle
Looking for a challenge? Have you ever tried a floating obstacle course? It’s not as easy as you would think! Especially since you only have an hour to complete! Compete with your friends to see who makes the best time!
Dry Adventures
Need to dry off? Head over to the adventure side of the park for some archery, axe throwing, rock mining or one of the animal encounters! Visit with the gators or head over to the petting zoo. Whichever you choose, there is something for all ages and adventure types!
Aerial Adventures
Our Ambassadors opted for some high flying while they were at the park and hit up the ZipLines! I could definitely stay in this area all day so plan accordingly as most of these activities take up to an hour each.
Falcon Flight offers 3 different towers, Hawk’s Glide has you flying amongst the trees, The Eagle Challenge course has you tackling over 50 different activities, Raccoon Run for the younger set has 15+ activities to best and the ultimate Vultures Dive has you plummet seven stories as you free fall to the ground! Again – you can’t go wrong with any choice.
Although New Caney sounds really far, it’s only about 30 min from central Houston. So mark your calendars and make plans to head out this month. For only $34.99, spend the day in the fresh air, with friends making memories!
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Big River Water Park and Gator Bayou Adventure Park
23101 Hwy 242,
New Caney, TX 77357
www.bigriverswaterpark.com
Enjoy Houston area’s newest water and adventure parks with slides, lazy rivers, zip lines, nature center, great food & more.
NASA Space Center Houston
1601 E NASA Pkwy
Houston, TX 77058
www.spacecenter.org
Attractions include a tram tour, a Space Center Theater, Blast-Off Theater, The Feel of Space, Astronaut Gallery, Starship Gallery, and a Kids Space Place.
Downtown Aquarium Houston
410 Bagby St
Houston, TX 77002
www.aquariumrestaurants.com/dowtownaquariumhouston
A Ferris Wheel, Aquarium Adventure Exhibit, a carousel ride, lighthouse dive and a train ride. There are games and a water play area.
Moody Gardens
1 Hope Blvd
Galveston, TX 77554
www.moodygardens.com
Moody Gardens features a 10 story Rainforest Pyramid offers a tropical environment, it has the largest bat exhibit in the Southwest. Palm beach has a white sand beach and a blue lagoon that’s lots of fun for the kids.
Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden
900 Bissonnet St
Houston, TX 77005
www.mfah.org/visit/cullen-sculpture-garden
This free sculpture garden is located right outside the Houston Museum of Fine Arts.
Houston center for Contemporary Crafts
4848 S Main St
Houston, TX 77002
www.crafthouston.org
This summer, HCCC is offering two great options for Craft Camps, designed to encourage creativity, experimentation, and self-expression, while introducing kids (ages 5 – 8 and 9 – 12) to a variety of craft materials and processes. Choose from week-long virtual or in-person camps, based on your family’s comfort level. For in-person camps, HCCC has implemented COVID-19 safety guidelines and limited capacity to a maximum of 10 kids per session, so spaces will fill up fast! Learn more and register at www.crafthouston.org.
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
183 West Loop S
Houston, TX 77024
www.houstonaboretum.org
This free admission nature center has 5 miles of walking trails, an interpretive center that includes a Discovery room with hands-on activities and exhibits, a Nature Gift Shop, a Reference Library, and classrooms.
Discovery Green
1500 McKinney St
Houston, TX 77010
www.discoverygreen.com
Discovery Green offers an abundance of events and activities for the whole family all summer long.
Minute Maid Park Tours
501 Crawford St
Houston, TX 77002
www.houston.astros.mlb.com/hou/ballpark
Go behind the scenes of Houston’s favorite baseball team. Visit the Gift Shop and tour through the facility and lots more! The tour is about an hour and call the Tour Line at (713)-259-TOUR to confirm tour times and availability.
Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens
22306 Aldine Westfield Rd, Humble, TX 77338
www.hcp4.net/community/parks/mercer
An oasis of natural beauty along Cypress Creek. This living museum houses a large collection of native and cultivated plants and an abundance of animals. Enjoy a playground, a canoe launch, gardens, picnic area, tea room, a trail and visitor center.
Lone Star Flight Museum
11551 Aerospace Ave
Houston, TX 77034
www.lonestarflight.org
This museum houses over 40 historically-significant aircrafts and 1,500 artifacts that demonstrate the quantum leap in technology over the years.
artist boat
Artist Boat
2627 Avenue O
Galveston, TX 77550
www.artistboat.org
Experience nature in a new, creative way – on a guided kayak adventure!
Kemah Boardwalk
215 Kipp Ave
Kemah, TX 77565
www.kemahboardwalk.com
The boardwalk has several rides and restaurants to choose from. With concerts playing every Thursday night during the summer, a Ferris Wheel, a train and water fountain it’s a fun way for the family to spend a day.
Galveston Island Pleasure Pier
2501 Seawall Blvd
Galveston, TX 77550
www.pleasurepier.com
This pier offers fun roller coasters and other rides for all ages. Located right off the seawall in Galveston, they have plenty to enjoy for the whole family.
Angleton Recreation Center
1601 N Valderas St
Angleton, TX 77515
www.angleton.tx.us/157/Angleton-Recreation-Center
The natatorium includes a zero depth entry, an interactive play structure with water blasters, mini slides, water curtain, lazy river and giant tipping bucket of water. Swimmers can also enjoy a 26-foot slide which winds into a 4-foot pool.
MainEvent
Five Locations
www.mainevent.com
Eat. Bowl. Play.With state-of-the-art bowling, multi-level laser tag, over 100 games topped with handcrafted food and a full bar under one roof, Main Event is THE destination for FUN.
Houston for Contemporary Crafts
4848 S Main St
Houston, TX 77002
www.crafthouston.org
Indoor Rock Climbing at Texas Rock Gym
1526 Campbell Rd
Houston, TX 77055
www.texasrockgym.com
This gym has over 14,000 square feet of climbing walls, which includes 50 top-rope stations, 12 lead climbing anchors, and a huge bouldering cave. This is for ages 10+.
Bayou Wildlife Zoo
5050 FM517
Alvin, TX 77511
www.bayouwildlifezoo.com
This park includes a tram ride with experienced wildlife guides that will lead through 80 acres of natural wildlife. See and feed birds from all over the world, ride ponies and enjoy a petting zoo.
Hana and Arthur Ginzbarg Nature Discovery Center
7112 Newcastle St
Bellaire, TX 77401
naturediscoverycenter.org
Hands-on Discovery rooms are in the Historic Henshaw House.
Boat tours on Buffalo Bayou
Shepherd Drive to Sabine Street, between Allen Parkway and Memorial Drive
www.buffalobayou.org/boat-tours
On the second Saturday of each month, weather permitting, from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. enjoy a 30 minute bayou tour with the family.
Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Research Center in Galveston
4700 Avenue U
Galveston, Texas 77551
http://www.galvestonlab.sefsc.noaa.gov/seaturtles
Must call for tour appointments. It’s located on the Historic Fort Crockett on Galveston Island.
Miller Outdoor Theater
6000 Hermann Park Dr
Houston, TX 77030
www.milleroutdoortheater.com
Tons of free family events offered all summer.
Ice at The Galleria
5015 Westheimer
Houston, TX 77057
www.iceatthegalleria.com
Cool off inside this summer and have fun ice skating! Public skating available daily starting at $10+.
Showboat Drive-in
22422 Farm to Market 2920 Hockley, TX 77447
www.theshowboatdrivein.com
Offers double features Wednesday through Sunday, and there is a playground in front of the screen for children to play.
Noah’s Ark Pool & Waterpark at Quillian Recreation Center
10570 Westpark Dr
Houston, TX 77042
www.quilliancenter.org/index.php/events/swimming-pools
Includes two swimming pools, a basketball court, a picnic area, ball fields, a gymnasium, an indoor climbing wall, and so much more.
Sea Center Texas
302 Medical Dr
Lake Jackson, TX 77566
www.tpwd.texas.gov/fishing/sea-center-texas
This is a state-of-the-art fish hatchery and aquarium located on 75 acres in Lake Jackson.
George Observatory at Brazos Bend State Park
21901 FM 762 Rd
Damon, TX 77430
www.hmns.org/george-observatory
Home to the three domed telescopes and one of the largest telescopes in the nation is open to the public for viewing.
Schlitterbahn Waterpark
2109 Lockheed Rd
Galveston, TX 77554
www.schlitterbahn.com/galveston
With slides, a lazy river, a giant teetering bucket of water and several more attractions, this water park is full of fun for the whole family.
Splashway Waterpark & Campground
5211 Main Street
Sheridan, TX 77475
www.splashwaywaterpark.com
Stay & Play or go for the day! Enjoy the lazy river, speed racers, wave pools and you can stay the night and camp, fish and more!
Lake Somerville
10 miles NW of Brenham, TX
www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lake-somerville
Lake Somerville offers 11,460 acres of lake for fishing, boating, water skiing, sail boating, wind-surfing, jet-skiing and swimming. The shoreline offers space for picnics, camping, hunting & sightseeing. Sounds like a great summer of fun being outdoors.
Parasail in Galveston
1021 61st Street Suite 150
Galveston, TX 77551
www.galvestonparasail.com
Fly 400 ft over the Galveston water for only $90, your friends and family can ride along to watch for $45.
Bolivar Ferry
Texas 87
Port Bolivar, TX 77650
www.galveston.com/galvestonferry/
Be sure to check the website for times, but enjoy the ferry to Port Aransas.
iFly
9540 Katy Fwy
Houston, TX 77055
www.iflyworld.com
Experience the adrenaline rush of flying in Houston or in The Woodlands.
D-BAT
4310 Brittmoore Rd
Houston, TX 77041
www.dbatwesthouston.com
This state-of-the-art, 17,000 sq. foot facility includes Brand New Turf and Lighting. Come enjoy this batting cage 7 days a week for some sumemr fun.
Texas State Railroad
789 Park Rd
Palestine, TX 75801
www.texasstaterailroad.net
Enjoy their 4 hour leisurely train ride journeying through the relaxing Piney Woods. The ride includes a meal, adult beverage services, and a trip back in time.
Main Street Theater
2 Houston locations
Founded in 1975, Main Street Theater’s programming is aimed at entertaining both children and adults. Check out Julie B Jone’s show this month! Ticket giveaway** – How’s that for a summer of fun?
Phoenicia Specialty Foods
1001 Austin St, Houston 77010
Www.yumstop.com
Summer Classes for kids who love to cook through July! Classes where your little ones can bake, create & celebrate! Register at yummy@phoeniciafoods.com. Summer of Fun with a culinary twist – sounds yummy!
Kumon – Katy
Green Trails, 1655 S. Fry Rd, Katy 77450
Start your kids new school year off with confidence. Summer classes available in-person or virtual for Pre-K through High School. No matter where your child struggles, let Kumon get them on solid ground.
Painting with a Twist
6850-A FM 1960 East, Humble 77346
Budding artists? Just looking for something fun for the kids to do for an afternoon of summer if fun? Girls night out? Whatever your reason, Painting with a Twist is a great idea. Did you know they even have home kits?? Check out their site for upcoming events or hours to book your next party!
Moody Mansion
2618 Broadway Avenue J, Galveston 77550
Looking for something different to do this afternoon for some summer fun? Why not. Travel back in time and stroll through one of our very own time capsules? Revel in the splendor of days gone by as you enrich your mind. Can’t make it in person, take a virtual tour. Or, for just $34, the whole family can visit one of our local treasures! Make a day of it and visit all that Galveston has to offer.
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