Explore the Best Science Museums in Houston for Kids: Educational Fun for All Ages | Mommy Poppins

Houston is the perfect destination for science lovers and is home to some of the best fun museums for children that blend hands-on science with play. From toddlers to tweens, the city’s museums are just some of Houston’s attractions that offer incredible experiences tailored to young minds. From space enthusiasts to curious kids who love discovering how things work, aspiring marine biologists, and more – there’s a museum for everyone. Among all the Houston museums for toddlers or older kids, we’ve got you covered with the top 10 spots and hidden gems that make science fun!

Top Science Museums in Houston for Kids

1. NASA Space Center Houston – Clear Lake 

Tourists travel from all over the world to visit Space Center Houston, so there’s no surprise it’s in our list of best science museums in Houston. Whether your kids love traveling in a tram to tour mission control, staring in awe at the enormous Saturn V space rocket, or enjoying the interactive science exhibits for kids about upcoming missions to Mars, this museum is a winner for all ages. The café has been revamped in recent years to a food court with a range of offers to please every kid’s tastes. Note that you need to pay for parking in addition to your entry tickets, and early arrival will help you avoid the crowds and guarantee getting on a tram tour.

 

Houston Museum of Natural Science is five floors of science-learning. Photo by Alexander Hatley via Flickr 2.0

2. Houston Museum of Natural Science – Museum District 

Kids who love space will also be delighted by the Burke Baker planetarium at HMNS, where 20-minute presentations cover topics such as the solar system, aliens, and time-travel. However, this five-floor museum also has a massive range of other interactive exhibits, including the child-favorites Matter and Motion with a Periodic Table of Elements “dance floor” and a whole floor of enormous dinosaur-skeleton displays. The museum has a convenient parking garage on-site, or you can use the free parking lots around Hermann Park and walk to the museum. Sandwiches and snacks are available at Periodic Table, and kids favorites such as chicken tenders and hot dogs are available at Elements Grill. Alternatively, if the weather is good, head out to Hermann park with your own picnic. The museum offers free general admission on a first-come, first-served basis from 5 p.m.- 8 p.m. on Tuesdays. 

3. Health Museum – Museum District 

Embark on an extraordinary walking tour through the human body to discover how your major organs function. For an additional charge, older kids 7 & up will enjoy donning a lab coat, goggles, and gloves and travel through experiment stations about cells. There are no dining options on-site, so why not check out our restaurant guide and pick somewhere nearby? Free Family Thursday is every Thursday from 2:00 pm-6:00 pm (tickets must be reserved online).

 

Lone Star Flight Museum is great for toddlers and bigger kids. Photo courtesy of the Lone Star Flight Museum

4. Lone Star Flight Museum – Clear Lake

If your kids love planes and finding out how things work, they will enjoy the flight academy at Lone Star Flight Museum, which has 27 interactive exhibits demonstrating how planes fly. You can touch airplane building materials, see how wind tunnels work, and understand the important effects of weather on flight. Kids ages 1-4 will love the Boeing Toddler Terminal, which includes STEM stations with moving gears, a bead maze, and more. Once you’ve absorbed all the science, you can tour the huge hangars with many planes. With free parking and a coffee shop, you’ll be set up for a fun day out.

5. Children’s Museum Houston – Museum District

The Children’s Museum is always near the top of the Best Museums in Houston for Kids and Families. If you’ve visited, you will know that alongside the fun areas like the play shops at Kidtropolis, science is top of the museum’s agenda. Kids ages 0-3 will love the Tot Spot and Newton Know-How play areas, while older children 4 & up will immerse themselves in the periodic table of elements in the Matter Factory and build cars and more in Invention Convention. Take a towel and a change of clothes if you are heading outdoors to FlowWorks to explore waves and hydropower! The museum has a café and a parking garage across the road. Free Family Night is every Thursday from 5:00 pm-8:00 pm and it is recommended to reserve tickets online. 

6. Houston Arboretum & Nature Center – Memorial

If your kids are interested in the natural sciences, then a trip to Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is one of the great Free Activities for Families in Houston. The Nature Center, open 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily, offers the opportunity to delve into the life of a wetland, seek out woodland animals, navigate through the underground of the prairie, discover the inhabitants of the savanna, and trace the path of the bayou as it winds across the floor. Science doesn’t need to be all indoors! The grounds and trails are open from 7 a.m. to dusk. Tyke hikes for children 18 months to 4 years take place on many Mondays and allow young kids to learn more about the science of nature. Parking is free on Thursday and costs $6 per vehicle on other days, with the money supporting the upkeep of the center.

 

The Houston Aquarium is located downtown. Photo by Jaime Hudson for Travel Texas

7. Houston Aquarium – Downtown 

Learn about all the underwater creatures at Houston Aquarium, home to over 300 species from around the world. Educational activities for kids in Houston include the Discovery Zone, with electric eels and seahorses along with interactive monitors to learn more about coral reefs and the deep ocean. Educational programs for 6 – 12-year-olds allow kids to be a marine biologist or zoologist for the day. The restaurant is its own wonder, with huge tanks to keep the kids entertained while they wait for their food. After enjoying the aquarium, you can relax in the mini amusement park, which includes a carousel and a train that rides through a shark tank!

Hidden Gems: Lesser-Known Science Museums

8. Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum – Galveston

As Houston is a center for the oil and gas industry, it’s great that this unique facility allows visitors to learn more while aboard a retired jack-up drilling rig. Kids will visit the three levels of the museum, featuring exhibits and models that explain offshore drilling and production. Additionally, your family can tour two exterior areas of the drilling rig. There is no café in the museum, but you can head into Galveston to enjoy many food choices and further fun activities. Children ages 6 & under are free.

9. Sloomoo Institute – Katy

Sloomoo Institute brings slime to life in an immersive 8,000-square-foot space filled with hands-on experiments and sensory fun. Highlights include a glossy 150-foot DIY slime bar where you design your own slime and Slimey Mirrors, a dayglow room where you’ll transform into a slime creature. Blending art and STEM, the experience features an EEG machine showing your brain “on slime,” and a glow-in-the-dark slime cove. For the ultimate thrill, with an upgraded ticket, guests can suit up and get slimed! Check opening days and hours before you go, as they’re routinely open Thursday-Sunday.

10. Houston Museum of Natural Science – Sugar Land and Brazos Bend State Park

You don’t need to be in the center of Houston to visit Houston Museum of Natural Science! The museum has two satellite locations in Sugar Land and Brazos Bend State Park.

Especially suitable for younger kids due to its more manageable size, HMNS at Sugar Land is one of the Top Things To Do in Sugar Land with Kids. There are plenty of interactive science exhibits for kids on technology, space, dinosaurs, and the fundamental principles of physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering. The Dig Pit provides hands-on fossil searching for children ages 3 – 11. Parking is free and HMNS members can access the Sugar Land location at no extra cost.

The George Observatory, located in Brazos Bend State Park, is a must-visit for older kids fascinated by space and astronomy. Home to one of the largest telescopes in the U.S. open to the public, it offers breathtaking views of planets, stars, and galaxies. Families can enjoy hands-on exhibits and stargazing events. It’s the perfect place to spark curiosity and explore the wonders of the universe! If you arrive early, take advantage of the state park and the opportunity to Get Up Close with Alligators.

Take Your Kids on a Science Adventure in HOUSTON

Exploring Houston’s science museums is a fantastic way to ignite curiosity and inspire a love for learning in children of all ages. With so many interactive exhibits and hands-on activities, there’s something for every young scientist to enjoy. Make unforgettable memories while discovering the wonders of science together!

Plan Your Next Family Science Adventure Today!

Each museum offers unique experiences that blend education with excitement, making learning feel like an adventure. Remember to plan your visit around your child’s interests, whether it’s dinosaurs, space exploration, or the marvels of technology. Be sure to visit each museum’s website to explore the latest exhibits, check operating hours, and find ticket details before planning your trip. If you can’t get out and about, why not check out our Guide to Science Experiments for Kids and Fun STEM activities. Get ready to embark on a science-filled adventure!

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