Elizabeth R.

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

Latest posts by Elizabeth

Best Things to Do in Bellaire with Kids

Submitted by Elizabeth R on Sun, 01/14/2024 - 9:45am

Palace Social in Bellaire has a bowling alley, arcade, and VR rides. Photo courtesy of Palace Social

Bellaire is located just minutes from Houston’s downtown, straddling the loop in the southwest part of town, and it makes for a fun day trip or quick visit for a meal or recreation. The compact city is a mere 3.5 square miles, but its small footprint packs in a lot of family-friendly activities and events.

From playgrounds and pools to indoor activities and kid-friendly restaurants, read on for some of the best things to do with kids in Bellaire.

If you’d like to explore options for more local adventures, check out our 100 Things To Do With Houston Kids Before They Grow Up post and the Visitors Guide.

Mega-Sized Indoor Action Park Slick City Now Open at Katy Mills Mall

Submitted by Elizabeth R on Tue, 12/19/2023 - 7:18am

Slick City is a massive action park now open in the Katy Mills Mall. Photo courtesy of the Slick City Katy Facebook page

Slick City, which is billed as the world’s largest indoor waterless slide park, has opened a new location in the Houston area–and there's a good chance your family is going to have a blast at the Katy Mills Mall action park.

The unique theme park is just the third Slick City location nationwide, and it's designed for all ages. The Katy location features 66,000 square feet of indoor sliding experiences, go-karts, and a sports court park.

We were invited to check it out, and my oldest child called it “the most fun we’ve ever had,” so, needless to say, it was a big hit with the kids. As a bonus, the adults had a lot of fun, too!

Read on to get the scoop on this awesome new experience, and find more fun places to play indoors on our list of the Top Indoor Play Spaces in Houston.

Houston Botanic Garden's New Light Show Will Illuminate Your Holidays

Submitted by Elizabeth R on Thu, 12/07/2023 - 6:43am

"Radiant Nature," at the Houston Botanic Garden, features huge lantern installations that make for great photo ops.

"Radiant Nature," the new holiday light show at the Houston Botanic Garden, offers an enchanting after-dark experience. The botanic garden has been transformed into an illuminated wonderland featuring dozens of Chinese lantern installations, and the installation will remain in place through late February, following Chinese New Year.

We think it’s an amazing place for your whole family to check out. Read on to learn what to expect from your visit.

Don't forget to check out our list of Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows for more wonderous light shows to explore in Houston this holiday season.

Not-S0-Scary Halloween Events in Houston for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Submitted by Elizabeth R on Fri, 10/13/2023 - 12:00pm

Malloween is a safe Halloween event for younger kids. Photo courtesy of sugarland.com

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.

Best Things to Do in The Houston Heights with Kids

Submitted by Elizabeth R on Sun, 10/08/2023 - 8:26pm

MKT has great family-friendly restaurants! Photo courtesy of @mendocinofarms and MKT

Looking for things to do with kids in the Houston Heights? Here's the scoop on kid-friendly activities in The Heights neighborhood.

The Houston Heights, located just northwest of Downtown, is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Houston. Known for its Victorian Houses along Heights Boulevard and quirky stores, it’s also home to many family-friendly events and activities. From playgrounds and museums to indoor activities and kid-friendly restaurants, we’ve rounded up some of the best things to do with kids in The Heights.

If you’d like to explore options for more local adventures, check out our 100 Things To Do With Houston Kids Before They Grow Up post and the Visitors Guide.

Museum of Illusions Houston Will Blow your Mind

Submitted by Elizabeth R on Tue, 09/26/2023 - 8:16am

Museum of Illusions Houston. Photo courtesy of the author

Children see magic because they look for it. Houston kids won’t have to look far, because the Museum of Illusions has opened a location in the Galleria. My family loves immersive experiences, and with over 60 different exhibits, this museum is like no other venue we have seen.

The Museum of Illusions Houston packs a lot into a small space including optical illusions, visual tricks, and hands-on interactive displays. They even have something called a vortex tunnel that still has us questioning reality. Needless to say, my kids' minds were blown.

We think it will blow your minds as well. But before heading out, read on to learn what to expect from your visit. And don't forget to check out our list of Best Museums in Houston for Kids and Families and our Children's Museums and Exhibits Guide for Houston for more museums to explore.

Awesome Cooking Classes and Camps for Kids in Houston

Submitted by Elizabeth R on Sun, 09/10/2023 - 9:25am

Build independence in the kitchen! Photo courtesy of Cook N Grow

Cooking classes for kids are flourishing in Houston, a foodie hotspot. Not only do children's cooking lessons teach them how to cook, but little chefs get a boost of confidence when they finally make the perfect grilled cheese, omelet, or chocolate chip cookie. Even better, it may encourage them to make their own snacks!

To find more enrichment classes for kids around Houston, visit our Guide to Classes for Houston Kids—or get some culinary inspiration from our Kid-Friendly Houston Restaurants Guide! In the summer, you can find cooking camps and more in our Houston Summer Camp Guide.

The Houston Toy Museum: Where Everyone Can Be A Kid

Submitted by Elizabeth R on Tue, 08/29/2023 - 12:02pm

Houston Toy Museum, located in The Heights. Photo by Nan Ross.

“Hi, my name is Teddy Ruxpin.”

If those words mean anything to you, then we have a place you owe it to yourself (or at least your childhood self) to visit. It’s a place for you to forget about your worries for a few minutes and dig up some good ol’ nostalgic happiness you buried long ago. And the best part is that your kids will love it too.

The Houston Toy Museum, located on historic 19th Street in the Heights, is a two-story 1940s building filled with charm, and literally thousands of toys. We’re talking Ninja Turtles, Rainbow Brights, GI-Joes, My Little Ponies, Rockem Sockem Robots, and Barbies just to name a few… in one display area. Even that little monkey with clapping cymbals was there, watching our every move.

We think it’s a fun place for your whole family to go check out. But first, read on to learn what to expect from your visit. And don't forget to check out our list of Best Museums in Houston for Kids and Families for more museums to explore.

Elizabeth R.

Latest posts by Elizabeth

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