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The 1940 Air Terminal Museum is a fascinating look into the golden age of
American commercial aviation. Visit the restored, 1940 Art Deco-style terminal and imagine “The Aviator” himself strolling the corridors. Exhibits include a working Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar N31G, first operated by the USAF in 1942. The Children’s Dream of Flight Gallery will captivate your grandkids with its vintage aviation toys, play table and reading library.
Info: Admission: adults $2, 12 and under $1, U.S. military, law enforcement, firefighters, and their families free
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10AM-5PM, Sunday 1PM-5PM;
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Planes
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The A.D. Players, led by renowned actress, director and author Jeannette Clift George, is America’s oldest professional Christian theater. They perform shows at several Houston locations, but the children’s theater (which performs year-round) is located at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. While the plays do not always have explicitly religious themes, they are positive, thoughtful and sometimes silly stories that you and your grandchildren will appreciate. Especially nice are the post-play discussions: the actors come out to talk with the kids in the audience about the story. Theater workshops are also available for ages 5+.
Info: Admission: $7-$11; class fees vary
Hours: show times and classes vary;
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Age: Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Live Performances
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The center for youth hockey and figure skating in north Houston, the Aerodrome is also available for public skating at different times during the week. Share ice skating with your grandchildren for the first time or watch them zip around the ice like pros. You won’t find many other places in town this cold during the summer! “Stick and Puck” drop-in sessions are held at various times each month for hockey players of all ages to work on skills.
Info: Admission: sessions start at $7, skate rentals $3
Hours: open skate hours vary;
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Age: Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Fun & Games
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Alkek Velodrome
19008 Saums Rd. in Cullen Park
Houston, TX 77084
(281) 646-7790
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What’s a velodrome? It’s an outdoor cycling track designed for racing at high speeds. Six different national championship events have been held here, as well as the 1988 Olympic Trials. It can be hard to get track time because it’s the only velodrome in Texas, and many pro training sessions are held here. On Tuesday and Thursday nights, you and your grandkids can rent bicycles and participate in a track training session. You’ll feel like Lance Armstrong (without the French countryside).
Info: Admission: training session $10; bike rental $5
Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 6PM-8PM;
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Age: Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Outdoor Fun
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Amazon Grill
5114 Kirby Drive
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 552-5888
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Amazon Grill is a concept created by Michael Cordua, the Houston restaurateur behind grown-up favorites Churrascos and Americas. Here, the surprising flavors of South America blend with Tex-Mex themes to create food the whole family will love. The casual atmosphere is great for grandkids of all ages. Order up some “tabletop s’mores,” and you can help them perfect their marshmallow-roasting technique right at the table (Kids too young to play with fire will love the cotton candy).
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11AM-11PM, Saturday 11AM-11PM, Sunday 11AM-9PM;
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Kid Friendly Eats
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Alvin's Bayou Wildlife Park is an incredible way to experience a safari just miles from downtown Houston. The 80-acre park is home to 400 different animals from five continents. There are over 40 species, including zebras, water buffalo, emus, ostriches, giraffes, camels and rhinos. The warm Texas prairie is home sweet home for these creatures, which you and your grandkids can see and even feed during guided tram rides. If the kids want even more interaction, they can go on a pony ride and visit the petting zoo on site.
Info: Admission: ages 12+ $11, 3-11 $6, 3 and under free
Hours: March-August 10AM-4PM, September-February 10AM-3PM, closed Monday;
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Animals & Nature
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Beck’s Prime is lauded by local magazines and newspapers on a regular basis for having the best hamburgers in town. This location is the best by far, merely because of the atmosphere. Pick a mild spring or fall day (summer, if you dare) and enjoy your meal on the spacious wooden deck. Shaded by the largest live oak in Harris County, the patio is a woodland oasis in the midst of one of Houston’s busiest streets. Don’t forget to share a milkshake with your grandkids—that is, if you have any room left!
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11AM-10PM, Friday 11AM-11PM, Saturday 11AM-11PM;
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Kid Friendly Eats
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There’s a reason why the president has Blue Bell ice cream express-mailed to the White House. The stuff is legendary, and you and your grandkids can experience the magic (and taste the ice cream) on a Blue Bell Creamery tour. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2007, the creamery recently received a Texas Historical Marker. If you go in spring, the bluebonnets on Highway 290 are breathtaking and make the drive worthwile.
Info: Admission: adults $3, ages 6-14 and seniors $2, 6 & under free
Hours: 45 minute tours start at 10AM, 11AM, 1PM, 1:30PM, 2PM, 2:30PM weekdays only;
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Local Unique
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The Bolivar Ferry is a fun, free way for you and your grandkids to view Galveston Bay. The best part? It’s only an 18-minute ride: enough time to enjoy the sights and sounds of the water without getting boring. The short journey from Galveston Island to the Bolivar Peninsula gives you an excellent view of the freighters entering the Houston Ship Channel. Once you reach the other side, you can visit Crystal Beach, a popular area destination.
Info: Admission: free
Hours: daily 24 hours;
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Planes
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Just a short drive southwest from downtown Houston, Brazos Bend State Park is an urban nature lover’s dream. Take your grandkids fishing from one of the six lakes, and then spend the night camping out under the stars. Explore one of the many nature trails and keep your eyes peeled for alligators, many of which call the park home. The kids will enjoy seeing the freshwater aquarium and live snake exhibit at the nature center.
Info: Admission: ages 13+ $4; ages 12 and under free
Hours: Monday-Thursday 8AM-10PM, Friday-Sunday 7AM-10PM;
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Age: Toddler, Child, Pre-teen, Teen
Outdoor Fun
