Things to Do in River Oaks with Kids

1. Pumpkin Park

This neighborhood gem, built in 1938 and currently undergoing a multi-million dollar upgrade, is one of our weekly haunts. My daughter could spend hours swinging or pretending to drive Cinderella's pumpkin coach. In addition to the playground, you'll find tennis courts, plenty of picnic tables, and lots of shade.  At the entrance, be sure to fill out a card for the whimsical wishing tree or grab a book from the little lending library.  

2. Rienzi

If you've read any of my other articles, you know that I frequently wax poetic about the Rienzi. It's a mansion-turned-museum nestled in the heart of River Oaks. And although it seems an unlikely place that kids would enjoy, you'll be pleasantly surprised to find otherwise.  Visit the museum on any Monday holiday or during spring break for a kid-friendly day of arts, crafts, and storytime. Or check out Rienzi and Bayou Bend together on Family Day for loads of games and activities.  

3. ​River Oaks Christmas Lights

During the month of December, River Oaks is a spectacular sight to behold. Pack up the kids, fill your Stanley with hot chocolate, and enjoy driving through a winter wonderland.  For even more of a Norman Rockwell-experience, hire a carriage or hay ride!

Swinging away at River Oaks/Pumpkin Park.​   

4. River Oaks Theatre

Pop into this River Oaks landmark for an indie-flick or midnight showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Stepping into the theater feels like stepping back into time. Art deco marquee sign, red upholstered seats, and best of all, the upstairs "lounge" serving beer, wine and cocktails (that you can take into the show!). The theater opened in 1939, and despite developer-led efforts to tear it down in 2006, it still stands. Take the kiddos to a seasonal showing of their favorite holiday movies for a family night at the cinema! 

5. Bayou Bend

Take your little ones on a stroll the property's 14 acres of lush gardens and on an exploration of American art at Bayou Bend. Flowering trees and bold azalea blooms stun in spring and summer, making this a must-visit Houston destination for all ages. Walk the trails and explore the more than 2,500 objects on display, from furnishings and paintings to sculptures, textiles, and more in the 28-room colonial revival home.

6. Azalea Trail

During one weekend in March, grab your stroller and take a walking tour of the neighborhood's vibrant flowers during the Azalea Trail. In addition to Rienzi and Bayou Bend, usually four to five private homes are featured on the tour. Tickets to see this colorful spectacle can be purchased at area retailers and at the event. 

7. The Mad Potter River Oaks

Exercise that creative muscle at The Mad Potter River Oaks, a Houston-original pottery painting studio where everyone, from preschoolers to grownups, can enjoy picking out their perfect piece of pottery to paint. Pick your colors and create a masterpiece, from fun animals, piggy banks, and decor pieces to dishes you can use every day. The pieces are glazed and fired, so their beautiful designs will last!

8. River Oaks Shopping

When it comes down to it, River Oaks is known for its shopping and its mansions, so don't skip out on hitting the shops, whether you're window shopping or stocking up on darling children's clothing. Two of our favorite baby and kid stores in the River Oaks neighborhood are the Itsy Bitsy Boutique, known for its darling upscale clothing, and Kuhl-Linscomb, a venerable purveyor of home and beauty products that also touts an expansive and well-curated children's section.

Kid-Friendly Restaurants in River Oaks

9. Mia's Table

This casual Upper Kirby eatery from famed-Houston restaurateur Johnny Carrabba is a must. On any given day, you'll find the patio filled with families and Little League teams. The chicken strips might be some of the best in the city - and the kids' meal includes a generous serving of them, too. Sub mashed potatoes (don't forget the jalapeno gravy) and green beans for the fries. Kids and adults alike will be delighted with the free self-serve ice cream. Parking in the lot is limited but there's a garage across the street. 

10. Pondicheri 

Pondicheri is one of Houston's top breakfast and brunch (really, anytime) spots, IMHO. Their menu is described as a take on Indian street food. I haven't traveled to India, so I can't verify that, but the flavorful dishes with gluten-free options keep my family coming back. We usually opt for the morning oats - a perfectly cooked bowl of steel cut oats, sprinkled with jaggery and cinnamon and topped with fruit and granola, or the morning thali with an extra fried egg (from the menu: "our rendition of a traditional sampling with lamb keema, uppma, coconut salad, morning oats, carrot paratha, fried egg & potato cake"). The coffee is strong, but if you feel like changing things up, try their masala chai. And don't leave without a bag of goodies from their Bake Lab upstairs. Personal favorites include the mint basil cookie, cloud cookie, and chai pie.  

Devouring an ice cream sundae at Avalon Diner.
 

11. River Oaks Donuts 

No morning playdate at Pumpkin or Levy Park is complete without a box of donuts and kolaches from this convenient drive-thru spot. Located on Westheimer (also across from Pumpkin Park), River Oaks Donuts' menu boasts not only the traditional options like glazed and with sprinkles, but the latest croissant-hybrid, novelty toppings such as Fruity Pebbles and Cap'n Crunch, and personal favorite, Nutella-filled donut holes. Their Prasek's sausage and cheese kolaches are standouts as well. Have a birthday or special celebration coming up? Their whimsical alphabet donuts (24-hour advance notice required) are a delicious way to spell out your sentiments.  

12. ​Avalon Diner

Some things never change, and in the case of Avalon Diner, that's a good thing. This River Oaks institution has been serving classic American food since it opened in 1938. Think omelets with crispy hash browns, fluffy pancakes, and thick chocolate milkshakes. Open early, only for breakfast, lunch, and, of course, an afternoon snack of french fries and ice cream sundaes.  

13. Tiny Boxwoods and Tiny's Milk and Cookies

An H-Town favorite, Tiny Boxwoods in River Oaks is a casual restaurant known for serving up delicious bites with garden views. The food is fabulous for parents and most little ones enjoy the kid-friendly choices like pizza. But the real draw for families isn't the house sourdough or the espresso rubbed ribeye -- it's the little building just down the block: Tiny's Milk and Cookies. After lunch or dinner (or a visit to Pumpkin Park - it's right across the street!), walk up to the little window and order a creamy scoop of their homemade ice ceam in flavors like Milk and Cookies, Birthday Cake, and Mint Choclate Chip (my personal favorite - they use fresh mint leaves!) with a freshly baked cookie or pastry.

Kid-Friendly Hotels Near River Oaks

14. The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston

Located just across 610 from the River Oaks neighborhood, The Post Oak has a fabulous reputation and a great program for youngsters. Your family can enjoy a pool and fire pits, as well as special programs for little ones, like the Camp Post Oak Experience, which turns your room into a "wilderness wonderland." The hotel also hosts Saturday story times and a gelato happy hour that dishes up complimentary scoops to hotel guests between the ages of 2 and 10.

15. Holiday Inn Express Houston - Galleria Area

Situated near 610 on the River Oaks side, this hotel offers easy access to some of Houston's hottest neighborhoods. There's a heated pool overlooking the city for year-round dips. Free breakfast sweetens the deal at this kid-friendly hotel. 

16. The St. Regis Houston

The closest accommodations to River Oaks, the luxury St. Regis hotel is family-friendly and sits just blocks away from the district. A heated pool and cabanas offer the perfect place to splash with your tots or teens before enjoying a spot of afternoon tea. 

All photos by the author