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Teen performers. Photo courtesy of CircEsteem
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Chicago has so many things to do with little kids. Photo courtesy of Aster Hall, Chicago
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Chicago has many great swim schools in the area. Photo courtesy of Lakeside Swim School
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The Skydeck at Willis Tower has spectacular views spanning four states.
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State parks near Chicago offer more than just hiking. Photo courtesy of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources
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Obstacle courses and climbing gyms provide indoor fun for big kids. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Boulders
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Climb and play all day no matter the weather, at Present Place. Photo courtesy of Present Place
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The Chicago Skydeck offers kids a great view of the city. Photo courtesy of the 360 Chicago Skydeck
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Free activities for kids in Chicago include the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is always free. Photo courtesy of the museum via Facebook
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Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago. Photo by @zoblue, Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
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Awesome Free Things To Do in Houston This Summer With Kids

The Houston Museum of Natural Science holds free events in Levy Park. Photo courtesy of Levy Park
The Houston Museum of Natural Science holds free events in Levy Park. Photo courtesy of Levy Park
5/26/24 - By Rachael Cherry

Free things to do with kids make the hot summers in Houston so much more fun. To help other families save a buck without sacrificing any fun, here's a bucket list of FREE summer events in Houston that we'll be checking out in 2024. Check it out when you've exhausted our list of 100 Free Outdoor Games and Activities for Kids.

We have sections on free festivals, free movies, free outdoor activities, free music and theater events, and free indoor activities. Make sure you also check our event calendar every day for even more family-friendly fun around Houston, and our Ultimate Houston Kids Summer Vacation Guide for more things to do in Houston all summer long.

More Free Summer Fun in Houston

Free Concerts | Free Outdoor Movies | Free Summer Festivals

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There are free family storytime and crafts at Levy Park. Photo courtesy of the park
There are free family storytime and crafts at Levy Park. Photo courtesy of the park

Free Outdoor Activities for Kids and Families this Summer in Houston

Family Storytime & a Craft at Levy Park

Every Tuesday - Upper Kirby
Brings the kids to an outdoor family storytime at Levy Park every Tuesday, then take part in a hands-on craft after the story.  READ MORE

Nature Storytime at Nature Discovery Center

Every Wednesday - Bellaire
Come enjoy nature stories, examining natural history specimens, and touching and/or observing live animals. READ MORE

Children's Bingo at Woodchase Park

Every Tuesday & Thursday - Westchase District
Join Woodchase Park staff for a fun game of bingo. READ MORE

Kids Activities at the Houston Farmers Market

Every Wednesday - The Heights
Enjoy a full lineup of fun for kids every Wednesday morning at the Houston Farmers Market. READ MORE

Tomball Kids Club

Select Fridays - Tomball
Tomball Kids Club is a free summer program for kids ages 5 to 12, offering fun educational activities for participating children. READ MORE

Storytime in the Garden at the Houston Botanic Garden

Third Friday of each month - Southeast Houston
Join the team from the Park Place Regional Library for a story time at the Houston Botanic Garden for kids of all ages. READ MORE

HALS Public Ride Day at Zube Park

Third Saturday of each month - Hockley
Every third Saturday of the month (and some special Sundays as well), enjoy free train rides at Zube Park. READ MORE

Summer Species: Butterfly Walk in Buffalo Bayou Park

Third Saturday of each month - Downtown
Learn about local butterfly species, life cycle, and habitat on this discovery tour of Buffalo Bayou with Nancy Greig, founding director of the Cockrell Butterfly Center.  READ MORE

Houston Museum of Natural Science at Levy Park

Select Sundays - Upper Kirby
The Houston Museum of Natural Science comes to Levy Park to offer an opportunity to learn firsthand from Museum experts. Encounter real specimens and artifacts from the museum collection in an intimate, educational atmosphere. READ MORE
Have Hands-on fun at Hands-On Houston . Photo courtesy of Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
Have Hands-on fun at Hands-On Houston . Photo courtesy of Houston Center for Contemporary Craft

Free Indoor Activities & Events in Houston for Kids and Families this Summer

Summer Community Celebration at Contemporary Arts Museum Houston

Museum District
Sat July 27, 2024
Spend a summer afternoon indoors and explore CAMH’s current exhibitions, Theaster Gates: The Gift and The Renege and Olivia Erlanger: If Today Were Tomorrow, through a variety of hands-on activities at the Museum! READ MORE

Free Tuesdays at Houston Museum of Natural Science

Every Tuesday - Museum District
Make your way through all of the permanent exhibits at Houston Museum for Natural Science for free on Thursdays. READ MORE

Free Thursdays at The Holocaust Museum Houston

Every Thursday - Museum District
Take advantage of free admission to the Holocaust Museum on Thursdays to learn about the dangers of prejudice and hatred in society. READ MORE

Free Family Night at The Children's Museum of Houston

Every Thursday - Museum District
It's a night of FREE family fun at the Children's Museum of Houston every Thursday evening from 5-8 p.m.  READ MORE

Free admission evening at the Health Museum

Every Thursday - Museum District
Explore The Health museum for free every Thursday from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm.  READ MORE

Free Thursdays admission at Asia Society Texas

Every Thursday - Museum District
Enjoy general admission at no cost during special 12 – 7 p.m. hours on Thursdays. READ MORE

Free admission afternoon at Buffalo Soldiers National Museum

Every Thursday - Midtown
Enjoy a free afternoon exploring the Buffalo Soldier's Museum.  READ MORE

Summer Break at MFAH

Every Thursday in June and July - Museum District
Head to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston every Thursday during June and July to create fun summer memories. READ MORE
Check out Juneteenth Family Fun Day! Photo courtesy of Emancipation Park
Check out Juneteenth Family Fun Day! Photo courtesy of Emancipation Park

Free Festivals in Houston for Kids and Families this Summer

The Toy Canvas, Summer Exhibition Opening Event At The Pearl Fincher Museum

Spring
Saturday, Jun 1, 2024
Join the opening of the summer exhibition: The Toy Canvas, Artists at Play at the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts and enjoy family-friendly programming throughout the day. READ MORE

Families With Pride at Discovery Green

Downtown
Saturday, June 1, 2024
Enjoy the annual Families With Pride event, a free celebration of family and togetherness at Discovery Green that's dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ children, families, and allies as part of Houston's Pride Month festivities.  READ MORE

Juneteenth Jubilee at Sienna

Missouri City
Saturday, June 15, 2024
Come out for music, food, children’s activities, and more at the Sienna Juneteenth Jubilee.  READ MORE

Juneteenth Family Fun Day at Emancipation Park

Third Ward
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
This family-focused event will include fun family activations, a vendor market, food trucks, a live DJ, a mobile gaming trailer, and much more! READ MORE

Rainbow on the Green at Discovery Green

Downtown
Friday, June 28, 2024
This free, family-friendly Pride event will feature an evening of all-star performances and entertainment. READ MORE

Fourth of July in The Woodlands

The Woodlands
Wednesday & Thursday, July 3 & 4, 2024
Celebrate the Fourth of July in The Woodlands with a spectacular lineup of events providing entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. READ MORE

Shell's Freedom over Texas

Downtown
Thursday, July 4, 2024
This year’s Freedom Over Texas is an event filled with six-hours of festivities, tradition, and live concert stages, along Allen Parkway. Freedom Over Texas will feature local, regional, and national entertainment and will be capped off with a musically choreographed, “Texas-sized” fireworks finale. READ MORE

Houston Shakespeare Festival at Miller Outdoor Theatre

Museum District
Thursday, August 1, 2024 through Friday, Aug 9, 2024
The University of Houston presents two of Shakespeare's famous works, Romeo & Juliet and A Midsummer's Night Dream on the Miller Outdoor Theater stage for the annual Houston Shakespeare Festival.  READ MORE
Summer Symphony Nights at Miller Outdoor Theatre photo by Adam Baker via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Summer Symphony Nights at Miller Outdoor Theatre photo by Adam Baker via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Free Music & Theater Events in Houston for Kids and Families this Summer

Warner Bros. Discovery Presents: Bugs Bunny at the Symphony at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

The Woodlands
Tuesday, Jun 18, 2024
While your favorite Looney Tunes tickle your funny bone on the big screen, hear the Houston Symphony play the fantastical mixture of classical and modern symphony pieces that originally scored these iconic cartoons - live! READ MORE

Jack and The Beanstalk Hip Hop Produced by Ensemble Theater at Miller Outdoor Theatre

Museum District
Tuesday & Wednesday, June 18 & 19, 2024
Enjoy this new, upbeat version of Jack and the Beanstalk performed by Ensemble Theater. READ MORE

Star Spangled Salute at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

The Woodlands
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Star-Spangled Salute is back for another year, with energy, exuberance, and excitement in every patriotically packed moment performed by the Houston Symphony. READ MORE

Summer Symphony Nights at Miller Outdoor Theatre

Museum District
Fridays & Saturdays, July 12, 13, 19 & 20, 2024
Join your Houston Symphony for fun-filled evenings of world-class music during Summer Symphony Nights. READ MORE

Rock the Dock at Kemah Boardwalk

Kemah
Thursdays through August 15, 2024
Kick back and relax to live music on the boardwalk every Thursday. READ MORE

Pearland Concerts in the Park

Pearland
Fridays through the end of June
Come out and relax to the tunes of a live band every Friday night during the months of May and June. READ MORE

Friendswood Concerts in the Park

Friendswood
Fridays through end of June
Spend Friday evenings in the summer enjoying an evening of live music at the Stevenson Park Gazebo.   READ MORE

Live Music in the Plaza at CityCentre

Memorial
Fridays and Saturdays Through June
Bring the whole family to enjoy live music in the plaza every weekend.  READ MORE

Houston Grand Opera Storybook Opera at Levy Park

Upper Kirby
First and 3rd Saturdays in June and July
Storytelling as you’ve never heard it before takes center stage as an opera singer presents an engaging and enjoyable introduction to opera for students Pre-K – 2. READ MORE

Waterway Nights at Waterway Square

The Woodlands
Saturdays in June
Listen to live music by local and regional performers in the picturesque setting of Waterway Square at Waterway Nights. READ MORE
Catch a movie on a warm summer night at Screen on the Green. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green.
Catch a movie on a warm summer night at Screen on the Green. Photo courtesy of Discovery Green.

Free Movies in Houston for Kids and Families This Summer

Movies in the Park at Dow Park

Deer Park
Saturday, June 1, 2024
Enjoy movies, themed activities, crafts, and games at the Movie in the Park series at Dow Park. READ MORE

Movies Under the Stars at Trebly Park

Downtown
Saturdays June 21 & July 19, 2024
Pull out your lawn blanket to enjoy a free movie screening on the lawn of Downtown's Trebly Park. READ MORE

Screen on the Green at Discovery Green

Downtown
Saturday, June 22, 2024
Enjoy a family movie under the stars in the city’s coolest park.  READ MORE

Movie Night in Helix Park

Med Center
Thursday, Jul 18, 2024
Join for movie night and relax and enjoy freshly popped popcorn, various candies, and an assortment of drinks while watching “The Parent Trap.”  READ MORE

Movies on the Square at Sugar Land Town Square

Sugar Land
Saturday, July 27th, 2024
Bring a blanket to relax and enjoy a free movie screening on the Square. READ MORE

Summer Movie Nights at Woodchase Park

Westchase
Every other Friday through Friday, July 19, 2024
Spend an evening under the stars and enjoy games, food trucks, and a movie at Woodchase Park.  READ MORE

Movies on the Lawn at Baybrook Mall

Friendswood
Every Thursday until the end of August
Gather your tribe, stock up on snacks, and head to The Lawn at Baybrook Mall every Thursday this summer for free outdoor movie night! READ MORE

Movies in the Park at Stevenson Park

Kingswood
Every Friday through Aug 2, 2024
Enjoy movies in the park at Stevenson Park Gazebo every Friday night from July 12th to August 2nd. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Children's Museum of Houston