It's the opening weekend of Zoo Lights! Photo courtesy of Houston Zoo
Zoo Lights, Astros Light Up the Park, and More Things to Do in Houston This Weekend with Kids
Let the kids get some energy out before sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner. Photo courtesy of the Houston Arboretum
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Let someone else cook Thanksgiving dinner this year. Photo courtesy of Bigstock
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Visit Froberg's Farm for fall festival fun, a pumpkin patch, and more. Photo courtesy the fall
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There are so many ways to see The Nutcracker in Houston this season. Photo courtesy of NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet
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It's time to get your annual picture with Santa, and we know just where to go. Photo courtesy of the Houston Galleria
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College Station is perhaps the closest Christmas town to Houston. Photo courtesy of Santa's Wonderland at College Station, Facebook
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Annual City of Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade! 2023 photo © Richard Carson
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See alligators in Beaumont, about 90 minutes from Houston. Photo courtesy of Gator Country Wildlife Adventure Park
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Christmas trains near Houston 2025. Photo courtesy of The Polar Express Train Ride at the Texas State Railroad
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With activities for all, Texas Ren Fest is the largest Renaissance-themed attraction in the county.
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Buffalo Bayou Park has trails, climbing structures, and skate park, slides, and more. Photo by Jessica Stautberg.
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There are plenty of choices for pumpkin patches near Houston. Photo courtesy of P6 Farms
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Free alligator education at Brazos Bend State Park. Photo by Sarah Banks.
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From pumpkins to corn mazes, there's loads of seasonal fun at local farms. Photo courtesy of P6 Farms
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Houston Fall festivals that are fun for the whole family. Photo by Jessica Stautberg
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Visit the Hall of Paleontology at the Museum of Natural Science. Photo courtesy of Visit Sugar Land.
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Help your Scout rack up the badges at these programs in Houston. Photo courtesy of Canva.
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Our favorite gymnastics gyms in Houston. Photo courtesy of Canva
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Palace Social has bowling and a restaurant in addition to arcade games. Photo courtesy of Palace Social
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The Mini classes at Goldfish Swim School are a great bonding experience for parent and child. Photo courtesy of the school
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Ready Go Amusement Arcade photo by author Elizabeth R.
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A crafting party at one of these venues or at home is the perfect celebration for a creative kid. Photo courtesy of Color Me Mine
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See aquatic life without a fee at Sea Center Texas. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
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Our top picks for your Houston bar/bat mitzvah. Photo by Juliano ASTC, courtesy of Pexels.
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These Houston ice cream shops have the best treats for kids. Photo by Kelly Patino, courtesy of Mommy Poppins.
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Pick your own flowers at one of these Houston farms. Photo courtesy Summer Skye Gardens
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Go for a nature walk in on of Houston's huge parks. Photo by Anthony Rathbun, courtesy of the Houston Arboretum.
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Discovery Green hosts free events like Arte en el Parque, where kids learn Spanish while making art. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green
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Levy Park in Houston has one of our favorite playgrounds. Photo courtesy of OJB Landscape Architecture
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NASA's Space Center is one of Houston's best science museums for kids. Photo by Pierce Ingram, courtesy of Travel Texas
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Firetruck Park in West University. Photo by Jessica Stautberg
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See animals up close at some of these farms near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
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Children's Museum Houston is free every Thursday evening. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum Houston
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City Park Skate Park near Houston. Photo courtesy of the Sugarland Texas Govt.
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Pleasure Pier in Galveston is a top attraction near Houston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
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John P. McGovern's state-of-the art playground is perfect for both younger and older children. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green.
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Baywatch Dolphin Tours are a fun, kid-friendly tour near Houston. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston
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Houston's Walking Stick Brewing Company has plenty of outdoor space. Photo courtesy of the Walking Stick Brewing Company
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Urban Air has quite a few trampoline parks near Houston. Photo courtesy of Urban Air Adventure Park
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Batting cage photo courtesy of the Bellaire Bats
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Houston has many kid-friendly museums, and not all are children's museums. Photo courtesy of the Children's Museum of Houston
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New to fishing? Try a Galveston fishing boat tour.
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The outdoor pool at the Moody Gardens Hotel, photo courtesy of Visit Galveston.
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One of our favorite petting zoos near Houston. Photo courtesy of Dewberry Farm
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Your little learner will love the variety of toddler classes in Houston. Photo courtesy of the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
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Climb with your kids at one of these indoor rock climbing gyms in Houston. Photo courtesy of Texas Rock Gym
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Bowling is a fun indoor activity to add to your list this summer. Photo courtesy of Palace Social
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Kids love the carousel on Kemah's boardwalk.
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Not-S0-Scary Halloween Events in Houston for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Malloween is a safe Halloween event for younger kids. Photo courtesy of sugarland.com
Malloween is a safe Halloween event for younger kids. Photo courtesy of sugarland.com
10/13/23 - By Elizabeth R

This October, Houston is jam-packed with fun Halloween events for kids, but if you have a toddler or preschooler in tow, you might prefer events with more fun treats than spooky tricks. Get your little ones' costumes on, because there are many awesome, not scary, Halloween events in Houston for toddlers and preschoolers.

For more Halloween ideas, don't forget to check out our top area Trunk or Treats, and our Houston Halloween Fun Guide.

Monster Mash Trick-or-Treat Stop photo courtesy of The Woodlands
Monster Mash Trick-or-Treat Stop photo courtesy of The Woodlands

Top Halloween Events in Houston for Toddlers in 2023

Zoo Boo at the Houston Zoo

Daily through Tue Oct 31, 2023 - Museum District
The Houston Zoo invites families to celebrate the spooky season with its beloved, month-long Zoo Boo event, running from September 26 through October 31. Little ghouls and goblins are encouraged to dress in their best costumes and enjoy a host of autumn-themed activities perfect for all ages. READ MORE

Halloween at the BOOseum at Children's Museum Houston

Tue Oct 10 -Tue Oct 31, 2023 - Museum District
This Halloween season, Children’s Museum Houston is brewing up a cauldron of frightful fun as it transforms into the BOOseum! Packed with spine-tingling excitement and eerie surprises, the museum offers a playful mix of spooky science, ghostly games, and creepy crawlers—perfect for young witches, wizards, and thrill-seekers of all ages. READ MORE

ArBOOretum at the Houston Arboretum

Sat Oct 14, 2023 - Memorial Park Area
Grab your costumes and get the kids together for the Arboretum’s biggest family event of the year! ArBOOretum features fun fall activities for all ages including live animals, pumpkin decorating, and Houston’s only Trick-or-Treat Nature Trail. Enjoy these fall classics and so much more! READ MORE

Nature Discovery Center's Pumpkin Patch Fall Festival

Sat Oct 14, 2023 - Sun Oct 15, 2023 - Bellaire Free
Pick out the perfect pumpkin and enjoy some fall fun at the Bellaire Nature Discovery Center's annual Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch. READ MORE

Tricks & Treats in the Park at Buffalo Run Park

Sat Oct 21, 2023 - Missouri City Free
Don't miss out on the spooky fun along the Tricks & Treats trail. There will be candy, games, costume contests, and so much more!  READ MORE

Halloween in the Hangar at Lone Star Flight Museum

Sat Oct 21, 2023 - Southeast Houston
Bring your Boo Crew for a Halloween adventure like no other! The hangars transform into a fright plan packed with trick-or-treating and spooky, family-friendly fun inside 130,000 square feet of air-conditioned space. READ MORE

Sea Center Spooktacular

Sun Oct 22, 2023 - Lake Jackson
Free
Join Sea Center Texas for the annual Halloween Spooktacular! READ MORE

The Great Pumpkin Hunt at Bellaire Town Square

Thu Oct 26, 2023 - Bellaire
Free
Don your Halloween best and hunt for toys, candy & prize-filled pumpkins. There will be music, prizes, face-painting, and more. READ MORE

The Learning Zoo Boo at the Zoo Toddler Time

Fri Oct 27, 2023 - Conroe
Bring little ones in costumes for some spooky, scaly fun at the zoo! Enjoy a reptile show, crafts & activities for preschoolers, and explore the tortoise feeding yard or petting zoo. READ MORE

Trick or Treat at Woodchase Park

Fri Oct 27, 2023 - Westchase District
Free
Enjoy candy stations, character photos, face painting, a game truck, balloon artists, a bounce house, a live DJ, games, food trucks, and more. READ MORE

M-K-T Hike, Bike & Fright Fest

Sat Oct 28, 2023 - Greater Heights
Free
Wear your spookiest attire and explore the free Trick-or-Treat Trail with over 30 stops for sweets and treats throughout M-K-T! READ MORE

Trick or Treat Trail featuring Monster Mash

Sun Oct 29, 2023 - The Woodlands
Free
Princesses, pirates, ghosts, and goblins are invited to don their costumes and enjoy a spooktacular celebration at the annual Trick or Treat Trail featuring Monster Mash.  READ MORE

13th Annual Halloween Trick-or-Treat at CityCentre

Mon Oct 30, 2023 - Memorial
Free
Little ghouls and boys are invited to the family-friendly destination for a fun and safe Halloween evening featuring a district-wide trick-or-treat and spooy tunes and Halloween performance in the Plaza. READ MORE

Pearland Trick-or-Treat Trail

Tue Oct 31, 2023 - Pearland
Free
Calling all ghosts and goblins!  Trick-or-treaters of all ages are invited out to this free community-wide event. READ MORE

SpookTacular Halloween Monster Mash Party at The Woodlands Children’s Museum

Tue Oct 31, 2023 - The Woodlands
​Wear costumes and join the museum for its annual SpookTacular Halloween Monster Mash Party.  This non-spooky event will be filled with child-friendly games and activities. READ MORE

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About the Author

Elizabeth R.
Elizabeth R. is a writer, editor, and mom. She shares all the fun things to do in Houston on social @mommypoppinshouston
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