10 activities can help make summer memories with grandchildren
Living in Houston, whether your grandchildren live five blocks away or five states over, there is great variety of activities to share with grandchildren, whether they’re visiting for a day, week or a month. Here are a few inexpensive ideas (and we’ve just scratched the surface: 1.
Houston Children’s Museum — Whether you visit for a few hours or all day, there’s always something wonderful happening for kids of all ages at this amazing museum. Interactive exhibits in the fields of science, history and the arts include an ecology station, hydropower simulation and building zone. Free Family Nights are on Thursdays from 5-8 p.m. www.cmhouston.org
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Miller Outdoor Theatre — Enjoy the great outdoors and a picnic while watching free musical, theatrical and dance performances. This summer’s acts include The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Alice in Wonderland, and Sounds Like Fun, an instrumental “petting zoo” hosted by the Houston Symphony. Stadium and lawn seating available. http:// milleroutdoortheatre.com 3.
Every Wednesday from June 17 to Aug. 15, participating AMC theaters will offer $1 tickets for showings of a selection of movies rated G and PG. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and shows begin at 10 a.m. Attend Summer Movie Camp at the Deerbrook, First Colony, Katy Mills, Gulf Pointe and Willowbrook locations. Movie titles include Space Chimps, Kung Fu Panda and Horton Hears a Who. www.amctheatres.com 4.
Want a close-up look at our beautiful Minute Maid Park in downtown Houston? Then, take a tour. Tourists may visit press boxes, dugouts and luxury suites. Be one of the first to arrive and enjoy the view of batting practice from Diamond Club seats. Tours are offered daily and last approximately one hour. http://houston.astros.mlb.com/ index.jsp?c_id=hou 5.
Discover hours of fun at downtown Houston’s Discovery Green, a 12acre park located in the heart of downtown Houston. Visitors always enjoy the interactive water fountain, model boat basin and playground. Several dining options are available, and the park offers free children’s performances on Saturdays at noon. www.discoverygreen.com 6.
You will be welcomed with open arms to the Houston Museum of Natural History at Hermann Park. Where else can you find a butterfly center, planetarium, exhibits and a giant-screen theater in one place? Admission to exhibits is free on Thursdays, 2-5 p.m. Warning: The museum is usually super-crowded on weekends and weekday mornings. Also, expect your visit to last two-plus hours. http://www.hmns. org/visit/hours-andpricing 7.
Houston’s Public Libraries, and libraries in the suburbs, always offer so many programs, at no cost and tailored for kids and families. If there are no programs scheduled when you can visit (and this is rare, especially in the summer), enjoy listening to your early readers read aloud, read aloud to toddlers and for older children, help establish the library habit in their lives. For more information, go to http:// houston.kidsoutandabout.com/content/ libraries-houston-area or houstonlibrary.org. 8.
Take the day off and drive to the beach in Galveston. Visit many new attractions, or just enjoy the sand and surf. 9.
The Houston Zoo is a must-see for kids of all ages, and be prepared to learn about the animals, their habits and more facts from zookeepers. It’s well worth the trip — and what kid doesn’t love animals? www.houstonzoo.org 10.
Tour the Houston Ship Channel — Sam Houston Boat Tours offer free, 90-minute cruise aboard the Port of Houston Authority’s public charter boat. Reservations are required for this free boat tour. Scheduled tours are 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Sunday and Thursday offer just the 2:30 p.m. tour. Call 713-670-2416 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to make a reservation at least 24 hours in advance. Port of Houston Authority, 111 East Loop North.