Outdoor Activities
In addition to area parks, these outdoor activities are always free. Most are in or are within a short drive from Southwest Houston, unless otherwise noted. And as always, check before going for schedules and fee changes.
Centennial Gardens at Hermann Park. This new addition to the already gorgeous Hermann Park features stunning gardens, walkways, and a large winding hill that kids will love!
Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. This Memorial Park-area center includes a hands-on Discovery Room, as well as five miles of hiking trails. Guided tours are available on weekends.
Nature Discovery Center. This outdoor center is located in Bellaire's Russ Pitman Park and is filled with interactive exhibits. Free story times also available.
Miller Outdoor Theatre. This theatre, located in Houston's Hermann Park, maintains a diverse schedule of performances, many of which are child friendly.
Discovery Green. Houston's eco-friendly park has a complete schedule of activities, including exercise classes, performances, arts and crafts, and a schedule of child-friendly activities.
Williams Tower Waterwall, located near the Galleria.Sam Houston Boat Tour. This is a boat tour of the Houston Ship Channel.
Road Trips.
These activities will require some planning and some driving time. Check with the sites, and plan accordingly.
Brazos Bend State Park, located 26 miles south of Houston in Needville, this park offers a nature center and a very real view of alligators. Not completely free, entry is $7 for adults, and free for children under 12.
Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens (pictured). Located in Humble, this park offers a very nice park, nature trails, and a botanical garden. 
Houston Area Live Steamers. On the third Saturday of each month, March through November, Houston Area Live Steamers offer rides to the public for free at Zube Park. Please note that Zube Park is in Hockley, TX. Check for specific run times.
Indoor Activities
Lowe's Home Improvement stores offer weekend Build and Grow Clinics. The workshops are offered on select Saturdays and last one hour. All locations.
Home Depot offers weekend kids workshops on the first Saturday of each month, between 9am and noon, for ages 5-12. All locations.
Lakeshore Learning. The teacher supply chain hosts weekly craft workshops for children ages 3 and up. All locations.
Michael's Craft Stores. Periodically, Michael's hosts free craft and store events are available at all locations. Check your nearest store's event calendar for upcoming store events.
Bass Pro Shops has seasonal crafts and activities at their stores. When you're able to catch one of their craft days, it's a real treat!(During our visit there last fall, we roasted marshmallows!). If you're willing to take a drive, there are two Houston-area locations - in Katy and Pearland.
Barnes and Noble. Most locations hold regular story time events. Schedules and themes vary by location, so be sure to check your nearest location for story time opportunities.
Blue Willow Bookshop. This locally-owned bookshop in West Houston hosts a weekly story time and periodic book signings by authors. Other locally-owned shops that offer storytimes are Brazos Bookstore, Fundamentally Toys and Tomfoolery Toys and Books.
Houston Public Library. Free storytimes, crafts, activities, video games, and so much more! Times vary by branch.
Many Chick-fil-A locations have free activities for families, including craft nights and movie nights. Check with your nearest location for event schedules.
Houston Civic Symphony. The Civic Symphony is a community orchestra that performs FREE concerts in various locations several times per year. Most of their shows are free. Check their site for a complete schedule.
The Art Car Museum is dedicated to contemporary art, with an emphasis on art cars. The museum closes periodically to set up for new exhibitions, so check ahead before you go.
The observation deck at the JP Morgan Chase tower, which offers the highest public view of Houston from the Sky Lobby on the 60th floor. The Sky Lobby is open to the public during the working hours of 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.
There is also a free observation deck on the 58th floor of Wells Fargo Plaza, also downtown
Free Admission
Free days and hours are subject to change. As always, be sure to check with the site to ensure that listed days and times are current.
The Children's Museum of Houston - Thursday evenings from 5-8pm. www.cmhouston.org.
The Museum of Health and Medical Science. Thursday afternoons, 2-5pm. Extra fee required for special exhibitions. www.mhms.org.
The Houston Zoo. First Tuesday of the month, September - May, 12pm - closing.www.houstonzoo.org.
The Houston Museum of Natural Science. Thursdays after 2pm. www.hmns.org
The Museum of Fine Arts. Every Thursday, all day. www.mfah.org
Free family days at Bayou Bend are the third Sunday of each month, September - May.www.mfah.org/bayoubend
African American Library at the Gregory School (includes museum). Always free.
