Rebecca Matheson Ortiz

Rebecca Matheson Ortiz is a mom of two, a proud Aggie (2013—Whoop!), and a seasoned writer/editor with over a decade of experience. She’s the editor at Moose May and has worked with top publications like Vacations Magazine, Travel 50 & Beyond, and Where to Retire. Based in Houston, Rebecca loves exploring the city’s family-friendly gems with her kids. Writing for Mommy Poppins lets her share their favorite discoveries while staying on top of the latest hot spots.

Latest posts by Rebecca

Favorite Things to Do at Santa's Wonderland Near Houston

Submitted by Rebecca Matheso... on Thu, 12/15/2022 - 8:08am

Santa's Wonderland photo by Rebecca Matheson Ortiz

Round up the kids, pull on your cowboy boots, and get ready to celebrate the Christmas season Texas-style at Santa’s Wonderland in College Station, TX, just a short drive northwest of Houston. With attractions the whole family will love, from meeting Texas Santa to tubing down a hill of real snow, taking a ride along the famed Trail of Lights, and more, visiting this 130-acre Christmas park is sure to become a beloved family tradition.

Each year from mid-November through the end of December, families can participate in holiday merrymaking and make Texas Christmas magic come to life at Santa’s Wonderland. For more Christmas fun with the kiddos, check out our guides to the best Houston holiday events and attractions and light shows.

13 Top-Notch Montessori Preschools in Houston

Submitted by Rebecca Matheso... on Fri, 10/21/2022 - 11:51pm

Montessori preschools focus on hands-on learning. Photo courtesy of The Woodlands Montessori School

Looking for a great preschool in Houston? Here are some of our favorite Montessori preschools near Houston.

Founded by Italian educator and physician Maria Montessori in the early 1900s, the Montessori method is an educational approach that allows children to learn naturally and at their own pace through play. Independence is encouraged, even at a preschool level, so classrooms in Montessori schools are often scaled to size so that even small children can do things for themselves. These little ones are given free range of the space to learn through exploration as they participate in age-appropriate activities to develop self-discipline, responsibility, confidence, and a love of learning - as well as the ability to succeed academically.

When looking for preschools in Houston, many parents look for Montessori preschools because of the individualized focus on independence, play, and natural learning. We've rounded up 13 Montessori preschools near Houston to help you narrow down your search. Read on to learn about what these programs have to offer, and then browse the Houston Preschools Guide to find the perfect fit for your family.

Baby and Toddler Music Classes in Houston

Submitted by Rebecca Matheso... on Sun, 09/11/2022 - 12:19am

Baby music classes are a great way to bond and learn. Photo courtesy of Musik Garden

Babies love music. Because my daughter seemed so interested in music, I decided to enroll my 2-month-old daughter in a mommy and me music class in Houston. Her dad attended the class frequently as well, and we found that the baby and toddler music classes in Houston taught us playful ways to interact with her and ways to incorporate music into our lives at home. It was a hit with our family and was a great opportunity to meet other new parents with babies close in age to our daughter. There are lots of options for baby and toddler music classes In Houston and many offer a free demo class.

For more fun things to do with Houston babies, try our Best Parent-Child Classes or Baby Swimming Lessons.

Best Kids' Consignment Shops Near Houston

Submitted by Rebecca Matheso... on Sun, 08/21/2022 - 4:05pm

There are many kids consignment shops in Houston. Photo courtesy of Just Between Friends

It’s no secret that kids grow up fast. And with all that growing, it can start to feel like their closets are just revolving doors of clothing. You know what I mean—as soon as you buy the new shoes and clothes and get their closets organized, they grow right out of them and you have to start over again from scratch. This seemingly endless cycle can cost a small fortune and create boxes and boxes of clutter.

These kids consignment shops near Houston are a great solution to the problem! Many of these consignment shops in Houston offer mostly children's items. Save your money and make some, too, as you recycle your children’s gently used hand-me-downs and baby gear, upgrade their wardrobes, and clear out your attic. If you like the idea of consignment, but prefer to do it online, check out our guide to online consignment shops.

19 Best Dance Summer Camps Near Houston

Submitted by Rebecca Matheso... on Mon, 02/28/2022 - 7:34am

Students at Summer Dance Camp, West University Dance Centre/Houston Academy of Dance

Houston boasts top-notch dance summer camps to get kids up and moving. Whether you’re looking for a princess dance summer camp for your preschooler or a hip-hop day camp for teens, we have it all. Themed weeks and half-day options all offer a whole lot of fun along with quality instruction that will have your kiddos improving their dance skills.

For more summer dance camps near Houston, from options in the Loop to areas like The Woodlands and Katy, be sure to bookmark our Comprehensive Camp Guide and Directory where you can search for summer dance camps for kids by type, age, and town.

17 Fun Things to Do with Kids in Clear Lake and Webster

Submitted by Rebecca Matheso... on Sun, 01/23/2022 - 12:05am

Calling all space lovers! NASA’s Space Center Houston, photo by Rebecca Matheson Ortiz

Just south of Houston, the Clear Lake and Webster neighborhoods welcomes families into the Bay Area for fun activities, excellent parks, natural areas along Texas wetlands, and more. From boardwalks to a tasty ice creamery, we’ve rounded up some of the best kid-friendly places in this Houston's Clear Lake and Webster neighborhoods and its surrounding areas.

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 Mommy Poppins Travel Section.

12 Best Things To Do in Waco With Kids

Submitted by Rebecca Matheso... on Sun, 10/10/2021 - 8:19am

Waco Mammoth National Monument. Photo by Rebecca Matheson Ortiz.

Best known for Baylor University and home-reno duo Chip and Joanna Gaines, Waco offers top-notch family fun just three hours northwest of Houston, Texas. From quirky museums and a mammoth dig site to inland surfing and a zoo, we’ve hand-picked the 12 top things to do in Waco with kids the next time you're in Central Texas.

For more Lone Star State adventures and activities, see our handy list of the top things to do in Houston this fall or check out our Weekend Getaway Guide.

Best Theater and Acting Classes for Kids in Houston

Submitted by Rebecca Matheso... on Sun, 09/19/2021 - 2:08am

Drama Kid offers acting classes for kids in Houston.

It may not have the clout of Hollywood or Broadway, but Houston boasts a rich and diverse theater scene that offers many acting classes for kids. We’ve compiled this list of 13 acting programs that provide in-person theater and acting classes near Houston for toddlers, kids, and teenagers. Get your young star in on the action with acting and theater classes hosted by Houston's best actors, directors, and educators. Whether they’re destined for on-screen (or stage) greatness, or just greatness in general, acting classes can give your child the tools they’ll need to enhance their confidence, creativity, public speaking abilities, social skills, and so much more. Plus, you’ll get to see the limelight twinkling in your thespian’s eyes as they put their skills and hard work to the test during final productions.

For many, virtual and private lessons also are available. If you’d like to learn about other types of classes for kids in Houston, from cooking to coding and more, browse our directory of local Class Listings.

Rebecca Matheson Ortiz

Latest posts by Rebecca

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