Explore Houston this summer with your kids (Center, Moody: buy, schools)

[nana053]

I posted this to a local group, but I thought it might be helpful especially to newcomers to Houston who have kids

The Houston Children's Museum has a free family day from 5 PM to 8 PM every Thursday

The Houston Zoo has it's free day on the first Tuesday of each month from 2 PM until closing time (7 PM during the summer)

The Houston Museum of Fine Arts has free admission all day on Thursday courtesy of Shell. The MFAH, a collaborator in the Blue Star Museums program, is providing free admission for active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day of 2012. All free or discounted military tickets require identification to be presented in person, at time of purchase. $5 admission is applicable to reserves and retirees, including their spouses, of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, National Guard, and Coast Guard.

While the Houston Museum of Natural Science does not have free days, it does have a really nice Sugarland Branch and the Butterfly Garden while expensive is a wonderful experience.

The Houston Health Museum has free Thursday hours from 2 pm to 5 pm.

Discovery Green had over 400 events last year many of the free and open to the public. Here is their schedule for the summer
Events - Discovery Green Events Discovery Green

There are many nice parks including Memorial Park and Tranquility park which are nice for picnics.

If you want a great project for everyone including kids, you might want to look at the Butterfly Project from the Holocaust Museum.
The Butterfly Project
Individuals can participate as well as schools and teachers. There are teaching activities at the link.

While Space Center Houston is not inexpensive, they do have discounts if you buy your tickets online. In fact, if you buy between now and May 31, tickets are half price for early birds.
Space Center Houston - Ticket Prices

[houstonfan]

Thanks!

[laniec]

Also Moody Gardens gives free admission to one area for kids who bring in their report card with A/B grades.

[Texascrude]

In a related note, I avoid the Children's Museum on Thursdays from 5:00 to 8:00, and the zoo on the first Tuesday of each month from 2:00 until closing.