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School's out

The ultimate Houston list of kid-friendly and family fun for spring break 2023

Holly Beretto
Mar 10, 2023 | 5:50 am

While much of Houston is headed to the Colorado slopes or beach towns for spring break, many are choosing to stay home and explore the city.

With that in mind, we're rounded up a list to beat boredom this spring break. From dinosaurs to shows to hands-on fun, to lagoons, wild animals, and spacey journeys, Houston boasts an array of activities to engage kids of every age.

We'll update this list, so save, bookmark, and check back for even more best bets for spring break.

Arts, crafts, and hands-on activities

Brazos Bookstore
The independent bookstore's spring break lineup blends storytelling and art history in an array of activities that include painting, printmaking and more.

Color Factory
Head to Upper Kirby for this vivid, immersive experience that takes guests into an explosion of colors. New for spring is the Colors in Bloom confetti room and a larger-than-life bluebonnet installation that pays homage to Texas' beloved blue state flower. During spring break, guests can create their own planers and take home wildflower seeds to grow.

Cooking Classes at Central Market
With options for children ages 7 to 9 or ages 10 to 12, little chefs can learn how to make a host of tasty dishes including classic fried chicken, pizza, breakfast favorites and more.

Dig World
This amusement park in Katy lets kids operate real construction equipment, picking up cones and testing their driving skill behind the wheel of a Caterpillar 263D3. Passes are offered in two-hour increments, which means plenty of time for fun.

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
Experiment with different materials, tools and techniques with a different focus every day of spring break. Artists of all levels will find ways to tap into their creativity to craft unique pieces they'll treasure forever.

Spring Break Camp at Main Street Theater
Campers ages 6 to 12 will create an original play, create their own costumes and props, and play theater games. Classes are offered daily during spring break from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Immersive activities, museums, and more

Children's Museum Houston
The ultimate kids' destination's Spring Break Destination Celebration runs from March 11 through 19, kicking off with a street festival and offering a variety of events daily. There's a bungee trampoline, Pi Day celebrations, human hamster balls and a host of other activities to keep kids enthralled.

Dinos Alive Exhibit

Get up close and personal, prehistoric style at this immersive experience. More than 80 life-sized dinosaurs, including the fearsome T-Rex, the shrub-eating Stegosaurus and others are on display, offering an incredible opportunity to see what life among these epic beasts was like.

Discovery Green
The downtown park has plenty of activities available during the break, nearly all of them free. There's a showing of Jurassic Park: World Dominion on May 16. There are mad scientist demonstrations and hands-on STEM fun. There's even an outdoor roller rink, where guest can skate for a fee. Check the park's extensive calendar for the most up-to-date listings.

Hermann Park
There's always something happening at Hermann Park, whether it's visiting the Houston Zoo and learning about animals, taking a ride on the train or the pedal boats, or exploring the McGovern Centennial Gardens. It's easy to spend a day (or more!) at the park's many attractions. Know that spring break means bigger crowds than usual, so arriving early to find parking, or riding METRO to get there, is advised.

Holocaust Museum Houston
Beginning with spring break, the museum will offer extended hours from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, lasting throughout the summer. The museum has several activities planned for spring break, such as survivor talks and story times.

Houston Museum of Natural Science
It's easy to spend a full day at this Hermann Park museum, between its permanent exhibits, IMAX theater and planetarium. But the big news for spring break is that the museum's beloved Cockrell Butterfly Center reopens on March 11 after extensive renovations. Explore the new rainforest conservatory and learn why these delicate creatures are an important part of our natural world and how to help preserve them.

Houston Zoo
The zoo offers extended hours during spring break, which means more time to visit the new cougar cubs, Shasta VII and Louie, as well as take in experiences like zookeeper talks, ride the Wildlife Carousel or feed a giraffe. The zoo highly recommends making reservations online ahead of time for the best experience.

The Lone Star Flight Museum
Fun really takes off at this museum dedicated to aviation and flight history. Multiple activities are planned over spring break, including making and flying paper airplanes, DC-3 and Howard 250 plane tours, testing drone skills and more.

Museum of Fine Arts Houston
Anyone who's wanted to feel like part of the art will love MFAH's grand-scale, immersive presentations, Pipilotti Rist: Pixel Forest and Worry Will Vanish, on view beginning March 12. These epic installations are created with thousands of LED lights and two-channel video production that gives visitors the experience of walking in a dream.

Space Center Houston
Blast off with spring break fun at Space Center Houston's Moon2Mars Festival, March 11 through 19. Celebrating NASA's Artemis Program, the event features virtual reality experiences, performances, and astronaut meet-and-greet opportunities. Music fest concerts include '80s pop icon Rick Springfield.

Stage and theatrical fun

Don't Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus The Musical

Main Street Theater for Youth offers this production based on the much-loved children's book by Mo Willems about an over-eager bird ready to step into the driver's seat. Playing at the MATCH, there are twice-daily shows during spring break. On March 15, there's a special Pigeon Party, including Pigeon's favorite food: hot dogs.

Free Shows at Miller Outdoor Theatre

Spring break coincides with the opening of Miller's 100th season as Houston's premiere destination for free arts programming. ON March 17, catch the energy and artistry of the Trinity Irish Dance Company and on March 18, get into the groove of the Roaring '20s with activities such as photo installations, live mural painting, Vaudeville performers and an evening show by the Hot Sardines. Pack a picnic, grab a spot on the hill and see why this is one of Houston's most-loved traditions.

Staycations

LagoonFest Texas
As CultureMap has regularly reported, LagoonFest Texas boasts more than 24 million gallons of water and kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, swimming, sailing, and other water fun at this mega park in Texas City. The park is open daily from 11 am to 7 pm for spring break, with a la carte options so kids and adults can choose their own water adventure.

Margaritaville Lake Resort
The whole family will find something to love at this Lake Conroe retreat. Book the resort's The Weather Is Here package to get 10 percent off the best room rates and a $50 resort credit. With amenities like the Fin City Arcade, mini golf, a pool and more, it'll be an experience to remember.

Marriott Marquis Houston
With its Texas-shaped, lazy river pool, this downtown destination is the perfect spot for families looking for fun without leaving town. Marriott’s Spring Break Package, which includes a $150 Total food and beverage credit, which can be used over one or two days, 20 percent off a spa service, access to Altitude Pool Deck and unlimited bike rentals. Rates start around $330 and a two-night minimum is required.

The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa

Houston’s regal, 27-acre playground is offering a spring break package that includes an in-room movie, stuffed animal, popcorn, and candy upon arrival, plus complimentary hotel self-parking and late check-out (if available).

While the kids frolic in the Houstonian Club's pools, Bungalow or Hideout, parents can enjoy date night at TRIBUTE restaurant, cocktails at The Bar Patio, massages at Trellis Spa, or work out at the club — with no resort fees.

Lagoonfest Texas kids moon jump

Photo courtesy of Lagoonfest Texas

Dive into spring break at Lagoonfest Texas.

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Here are the top 14 things to do in Houston this weekend

Craig Lindsey
Dec 31, 2025 | 4:30 pm
Steve Aoki
Steve Aoki/Facebook
See Steve Aoki in concert at NOHO in EaDo.

This weekend, it’ll be a brand new year. Although some may be partied out after New Year's Eve, some cool stuff will be happening.

Welcome 2026 with a festive brunch. Music from Nat King Cole and Steve Aoki will be played on Friday night. Saturday begins with a matcha pop-up and ends with a salute to goth/darkwave at Wonky Power. And, on Sunday, you can get in a fun run/walk and see the Thin White Duke on the big screen.

Thursday, January 1

The Union Kitchen presents New Year’s Day Brunch
The Union Kitchen is kicking off 2026 with a celebratory New Year’s Day brunch at all Houston-area locations. Customers will enjoy festive brunch sips, including $2.50 mimosas, $4 Bloody Marys, and $4 bellinis. Additionally, in true Southern tradition, the restaurant will offer cabbage, black-eyed peas, and cornbread — the classic good-luck trio for prosperity in the year ahead. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are encouraged. 10 am.

EZ’s Liquor Lounge presents New Year’s Day Hangover Brunch
For those who know they’ll be party-hopping this New Year’s Eve, here's a place to go and deal with that gnarly hangover the day after. The annual Hangover Brunch will feature fried chicken, biscuits, champagne specials, and caviar at cost. 11 am.

MKT Bar presents New Year's Day Brunch
While some people are known to eat black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day – for good luck and prosperity for the year ahead – head over to MKT Bar (located inside Phoenicia Specialty Foods' location downtown) and get their famous chicken and waffles for half-off. The Danielle Reich and Bruce Saunders Quintet will also be on the premises, performing some eclectic, jazz/pop numbers. Noon.

Friday, January 2

Punch Line Houston presents Sam Jay
Stand-up comic Sam Jay will be doing a two-night stint at Punch Line Houston this weekend. The Emmy-nominated former Saturday Night Live writer has been seen on HBO’s Pause with Sam Jay, a weekly late-night series on which she served as host and executive producer, as well as Bust Down, the Peacock sitcom she co-created and co-starred in. Recently, she did her solo show Sam Jay: We the People at the Edinburgh Festival and New York’s Lincoln Center Theater. 7 and 9:15 pm.

Houston Symphony presents "A Nat King Cole New Year"
The Jones Center for the Performing Arts will have an “Unforgettable” start to 2026 as Byron Stripling, Denzal Sinclaire, and the Houston Symphony Big Band perform the timeless hits of Nat King Cole, along with well-known songs by other jazz legends. The program will include songs like “Mona Lisa,” “Nature Boy,” “When I Fall in Love,” “Just One of Those Things,” and more. (We wonder if we’ll get Cole’s “The Christmas Song” one last time.) 7:30 pm (2 pm Sunday).

Theatre Southwest presents Murder on the Orient Express
Agatha Christie’s legendary, literary masterwork will be brought to the stage at Theatre Southwest. On a train traveling through Europe, a wealthy American tycoon is found dead in his compartment, the door locked from the inside. Enter world-famous detective Hercule Poirot, who must navigate a train full of suspects and solve the murder before the killer strikes again. Through Saturday, January 17. 8 pm (3 pm Sunday).

NOTO Houston presents Steve Aoki
Did you know that DJ/producer Steve Aoki invented the trend known as “caking”? That’s when he throws a huge cake out into the crowd while playing Autoerotique’s “Turn Up the Volume,” a song whose video features people getting splattered by exploding cakes. We bring this up because Aoki will be doing a late-night DJ set at NOTO Houston, and there’s a very good chance people in the crowd will get hit with a very delicious dessert. Stay in the back to avoid getting icing on your outfit. 10 pm.

Saturday, January 3

Kazzan Ramen & Bar and Tomo Matcha Pop-Up
Houston’s ramen scene is getting a green tea glow-up. Kazzan Ramen & Bar is teaming up with Tomo Matcha for a one-day pop-up this weekend. For the collaboration, guests who dine in at Kazzan Ramen will receive 20% off Tomo matcha, and customers who purchase a matcha drink will enjoy 20% off their meal. If you can’t make it, Tomo will also do a Sunday-afternoon pop-up at GLO Pilates. 11 am.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Resurrection
Bi Gan (whose Long Day’s Journey into Night screened at MFAH in 2018) directs this ambitious, 160-minute, sci-fi detective movie starring Chinese superstar Jackson Yee (Better Days) and actress Shu Qi (The Assassin). In a future where humanity has surrendered its ability to dream in exchange for immortality, an outcast finds illusion, nightmarish visions, and beauty in an intoxicating world of his own making. 2 pm.

Archway Gallery presents June Woest: "Weather Inside Out" opening reception
Archway Gallery will present an exhibit of new work by June Woest that captures the interplay between photography, sculpture, and AI. "Weather Inside Out" explores Woest’s experiences with the unpredictable nature of the weather by challenging the notion that we are helpless against it. Her works are an invitation to embrace change and find comfort in the unpredictable.Through Thursday, February 5. 5 pm.

Wonky Power presents Dia de los Darks
The first Dia de los Darks of the year kicks off this weekend, bringing a night powered by darkwave, goth, rock en español, and cumbia. Scheduled to perform are El Turko Sonidero, DJ Fredster and guitar-playing masked man Orpheus Von Doom. Expect haunting beats, immersive visual installations lighting up the night. A night market will be open late with art, fashion, and local vendors — giving attendees that dark underground vibe. 8 pm.

Sunday, January 4

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium presents Saint Arnold Social Fun Walk/Run
Saint Arnold Fun Runs are back for 2026. Close out the first weekend of 2026 by getting some exercise, taking a social run/walk, and purging yourself of everything 2025-related. Participants get a guided and marked, 3.5(ish)-mile run/walk with beer pacers, three tasty brews from Saint Arnold, a Saint Arnold pint glass, and a Texas tamale breakfast. Rain or shine. 8 am.

Cousins Maine Lobster at Car Spa
Get your car shining and your cravings satisfied all in one stop as Cousins Maine Lobster rolls its truck over to Car Spa this weekend. Whether you're cleaning up your ride or just passing through, swing by and sample such delicacies as Maine, Connecticut, and garlic butter lobster rolls, lobster tacos and quesadillas, lobster tots and lobster tails, lobster grilled cheese, creamy lobster bisque, clam chowder, whoopie pies, and more. 11 am.

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema LaCenterra presents The Man Who Fell to Earth
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema’s “Art Decade: Films of David Bowie 1973-1983” series begins with this 1976 sci-fi curio. The story of an alien (Bowie, of course) on an elaborate rescue mission provides the launching pad for Nicolas Roeg’s examination of alienation in contemporary life. The film’s hallucinatory vision was obscured in the American theatrical release, which deleted nearly 20 minutes of crucial scenes and details. This screening is of Roeg’s full, uncut version. Noon.

Steve Aoki in concert

Steve Aoki
Steve Aoki/Facebook

See Steve Aoki in concert at NOHO in EaDo.

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