Places With Entertainment for Kids in Houston, Texas

Whether your little one is a mini music lover or a budding drama enthusiast, the city of Houston, Texas, has much to offer. As the nation's fourth most densely populated city, Houston's many amenities include multiple professional performing arts companies, parks and more. From residents looking for a weekend activity to visitors in search of an exciting adventure, Houston's kids' entertainment venues will educate and entertain children from toddlers to teens.

Music for Kids

From Mozart to modern, Houston is home to an array of musical venues with programs specifically for children. The Houston Symphony (houstonsymphony.org) offers two separate concert series to entertain even the youngest of music lovers. The Wetherford Family Concerts includes pre- and post-concert activities such as junior musicians in the lobby along with themed concerts, such as the Music of Baseball or a Symphony Under the Sea for a family audience. For a no-cost option, the symphony's Sounds Like Fun series presents free children's music in community venues. Specific locations may vary by season and year, but some examples include St. Bernadette Catholic Church, KIPP Academy and Cypress Ridge High School.

Houston Children's Festival

As the country's largest festival for kids, the Houston Children's Festival has more than 300 activities ranging from visits from favorite actors and characters on networks such as Nickelodeon and Disney to music and dance performances. This annual event is a must-see for locals and visitors to the area. Held in the downtown area with events in Sam Houston Park, the downtown library and Tranquility Park, the Children's Festival provides entertainment for all. Along with the festive atmosphere and ever-present entertainment, the festival serves as a fund raising event for the Houston based Child Advocates, which helps children in the foster care system.

Drama for Kids

Houston boasts a number of children's theater venues. The Express Children's Theatre (expresstheatre.com) has been bringing the dramatic arts to the Houston area for more than 20 years with imaginative performances, classes and educational workshops. Other local children's theatres, or performance companies with programming for kids, include the Stages Repertory Theatre's Earlystages, (stagestheatre.com) and the Company OnStage's Children's Theatre (companyonstage.org).

Outdoor Venues

If you are looking for an outdoor event with entertainment for the kids, Houston offers a variety of options. The Miller Outdoor Theatre serves more than 430,000 visitors annually and is free of charge. Take in a live musical performance or family theater event at this Hermann Park attraction. If arts entertainment isn't what you are looking for, there are many other action-packed activities waiting for Houston's kids. The Houston Parks Department lands cover 38,992 acres and offer entertaining ideas from recreational sports to hiking and play areas. For organized events, check out the Discovery Green Conservancy in downtown Houston. This 12-acre park holds regular Toddler Tuesdays story times for little ones and Wiggle and Giggle Wednesdays with story times and movement activities featuring favorite characters such as Sponge Bob and more.