Childhood is an adventurous time of discovery. And what better way to keep those sparkly eyes busy than with a journey through one of the many awesome museums in Houston? You’ll find plenty of kid-friendly places specifically made for tiny explorers, but we’ll give you some great family-friendly ones, too!
With interactive play, exciting hands-on exhibits for children, and unforgettable explorations on display, there’s no shortage of inspiration and knowledge waiting inside these places. So make sure to bookmark this page, because you never know when the kids might want to go somewhere new or explore some other educational venues.
Here are some of the best Museums for Kids in Houston, where learning meets fun! Explore the many options below and get the whole family ready for exciting learning experiences and family-friendly cultural attractions.
Educational Museums for Kids in Houston
1
1500 Binz St, Houston, TX 77004, USA
Children’s Museum Houston
The Children’s Museum of Houston is a 90,000 square foot playground for kids’ minds! Filled with interactive exhibits that allow kids to learn about science, history, culture, technology, and more through bilingual and interactive exhibitions, this museum is the go-to destination for children to learn and play for hours! If you were looking for toddler play zones in museums, their Tot Spot is for kids ages 3 and younger.2
5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Houston Museum of Natural Science
When it comes to places to explore and understand the past of our world, the Houston Museum of Natural Science is the ultimate destination in Houston. Both kids and adults will be amazed by the many exhibits and five floors of information. At the HMNS, you’ll go back in time and discover how dinosaurs lived, explore faraway worlds and galaxies, tropical rainforests, and so much more at one of the most important science museums in Houston.3
1515 Hermann Dr, Houston, TX 77004, USA
The Health Museum
The Health Museum teaches both kids and grown-ups everything there is to know about the human body. With exciting traveling exhibits, a journey through the whole body, real organ dissections, and more, kids and parents will have a wonderful time! They even offer family-friendly cultural attractions such as the family science labs, so you’re part of the learning experience as well!4
1601 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058, USA
Space Center Houston
The Space Center Houston is the home of NASA Mission Control, International Space Station Mission Control, and astronaut training. As one of the most engaging and educational museums for kids, Space Center Houston offers visitors more than 400 space artifacts, amazing exhibits, the world’s largest collection of moon rocks, and more! Kids and adults will have an amazing time as they are taken behind the scenes to see the NASA Johnson Space Center!5
2618 Broadway Avenue J, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
Galveston Children's Museum
Through dynamic exhibits promoting science, art, literacy, and maths, kids will be learning and having a great time at the Galveston Children’s Museum! The museum offers a unique and hands-on environment where children can investigate, create, and discover. It’s one of the best art and discovery museums in Houston!6
207 E Shore Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77380, USA
Play Street Museum
Play Street Museum is an interactive children’s museum and indoor play area with many locations throughout the state of Texas. Kids will find many interactive exhibits and activities in the educational play space, and adults can join in the play or relax while kids discover new worlds!7
4775 W Panther Creek Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77381, USA
The Woodlands Children's Museum
The Woodlands Children's Museum is ideal for children 7 years of age and under, a place where they can explore hands-on exhibits for children, discovering creative and imaginative play experiences.8
2403 Milam St, Houston, TX 77006, USA
Houston Fire Museum
The Houston Fire Museum has everything to entertain and educate future firefighters. From educational activities and programs to fun events and changing exhibits, kids will learn more about the history of Houston’s fire service and the importance of fire and life safety.9
11551 Aerospace Ave, Houston, TX 77034, USA
Lone Star Flight Museum
The Lone Star Flight Museum features 130,000 square feet of historic aircraft, hands-on exhibits for children, and a high-tech aviation learning center for the whole family. Visitors of all ages will have a great time admiring the amazing collections!10
140 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007, USA
Art Car Museum
At the Art Car Museum, kids will get to see the most imaginative, elaborate, and artfully constructed art cars, low riders, and art exhibitions. The whole family can enjoy this visual entertainment! This venue is one of the most popular museums for kids in Houston, especially for kids who love cars!11
1001 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005, USA
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
The Museum of Fine Arts Houston is the perfect place for kids to take their first steps into the art-learning world. This art museum features two gallery buildings, a sculpture garden, a cinema room, two art schools, and two libraries. The entire family can have a great day sharing at the Museum of Fine Arts.12
198 Kempner St, Sugar Land, TX 77498, USA
Fort Bend Children's Discovery Center
The Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center is a very special project of the Children’s Museum of Houston! Children will have a great time at this 12,000 square foot restored building full of exhibits geared for children ages birth to 12, including a real-life kid metropolis called Kidtropolis, where they can play pretend and use their imagination! Your little ones will never forget visiting this discovery center, it’s one of the most exciting Museums for kids in Houston!13
1 Hope Blvd, Galveston, TX 77554, USA
Moody Gardens
The Moody Gardens museum vibe is combined with plenty of fun activities! Watch and learn about marine animals at the Aquarium Pyramid, see 1,000 species of exotic plants from Africa, Asia, and America at the Rainforest Pyramid, enjoy exhibits, 3D Theater, a 4D Special FX Theater, and more! Moody Gardens is a great choice for a day of fun with family-friendly cultural attractions.14
7112 Newcastle St, Bellaire, TX 77401, USA
Nature Discovery Center
In this outdoor museum, families can connect with nature and explore prairie grasses, tall pecans, native understory, and wide lawns that are home to many animals. Through hands-on exhibits for children, they offer an interactive approach to learning that will awaken children’s natural curiosity!15
410 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002, USA
Downtown Aquarium
The Downtown Aquarium features exhibits, as you may find in a regular museum, of marine life and the amazing animals that live in the waters! The aquarium is a six-acre entertainment and dining complex, so families with kids will find tons to do apart from learning about marine life.16
4501 Woodway Dr, Houston, TX 77024, USA
Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
It is fair to say that the Houston Arboretum can also be considered an outdoor museum, as well as one of the best discovery museums in Houston. Kids and families will enjoy being educated about the natural environment at this 155-acre urban nature sanctuary. From walking a trail and attending Discovery Classes to enjoying the exhibits at the Discovery Room, kids will have a great time learning about the wildlife of the Arboretum.17
Armand Bayou Nature Center, 8500 Bay Area Blvd, Pasadena, TX 77507, USA
Armand Bayou Nature Center
If your family loves the outdoors, this is an amazing place to learn about nature while exploring 2500 acres of natural wetlands, forests, prairies, and attractions! Kids and families will have a unique time walking the 5 miles of hiking trails, visiting the Discovery Loop, and many other family-friendly activities!18
400 College Blvd, Clute, TX 77531, USA
Brazosport Museum of Natural Science
The Brazosport Museum of Natural Science reveals the wonders of nature and history for all visitors! Family-friendly cultural attractions include exploring the facilities, unique objects, repositories, exhibits, educational programs, and more.19
2602 Santa Fe Pl, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
Galveston Railroad Museum
The Galveston Railroad Museum features forty pieces of rolling stock, the largest collection of dining car china in the Southwest, and two amazing model railroad layouts. Kids will love taking a ride on the Harborside Express, which is an open-air caboose that travels one mile up Harborside Dr., then returns to the museum.Offering family fun almost everywhere you turn, Houston is a city to engage in many activities with your little ones. From indoor options such as laser tag or bowling to outdoor alternatives like exploring the best picnic spots and enjoying nature, you can trust there’s something fun for everyone.
