As a child, I spent countless hours at the Children’s Museumof Houston. I remember the Japanese village where children could dress in
period kimonos and write their names in traditional script. I filled
child-sized shopping carts to the brim in the grocery store. I even gave reports
in a pseudo news room with an On Air light blinking wildly. I loved that place!
On a recent trip to Houston, we decided to take our boys. Upon
arriving, I immediately knew it wasn’t the same small store-front style museum I
loved when I was their age. No, it was much better!
Still included was an updated and fabulously designed
mini-city (Kidtropolis) which housed not only a technologically advanced news
room and updated grocery store, but also offered a bank with ATM machines, a
bike shop, a diner, a vet’s office, a police and fire station, as well as an
art studio.
In each exhibit module, children could earn or spend play money,
dress up as workers, learn about city jobs and simply engage each other in
imaginary play.
The Museum also housed a two story fitness exhibit called Power Up which taught
children all about health and exercise through carefully designed video games,
interactive rock walls and a points system reward card which measured calories
burned and activities completed.
One of my personal favorites was the Invention Convention
exhibit where children could create and invent until the cows came home.
Through the use of wind tunnels, simple robotics, electronic switches, cranks
and cams, children had the opportunity to fully engage their minds and produce
their own unique discoveries.
I think my husband found his inner child at the FlowWorks
station outdoors. He and my boys were soaking wet by the end of the night. The
museum could literally charge an extra $3 a ticket for this exhibit (especially
in the summer). Hands-down it was their favorite!
With more than thirteen exhibit areas, as well as a
traveling exhibit section, the Children’s Museum of Houston doesn’t disappoint.
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm and Sunday from noon until 6pm,
the museum offers something for everyone. Admission is $9 per person with a
discount for seniors and military. On
Thursday evenings from 5pm until 8pm, the museum hosts a Family Free Night. I
do want to warn parents with children sensitive to noise and crowding to avoid
these nights as it can be quite overwhelming.
In addition to engaging
exhibits, the Children’s Museum of Houston also offers a variety of programming
throughout the year. Check their calendar before you visit. The museum also
partners with the City Pass program so if you are visiting the Houston area, be
sure to check and see what other family venues are available through that discounted
program.
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