Let’s face it — June, July, and August Houston heat can melt you down fast! ☀️🔥
If you don’t have a pool, no worries — we’ve got your guide to some HIP SUMMER FUN and COOL INDOOR ENTERTAINMENT right here. Whether you're dodging the sun or diving into a little air-conditioned adventure, these picks are perfect for families looking to beat the heat without the burnout.
This isn’t one of those overwhelming 100+ item lists — it’s a compact, curated collection of local gems, deals, and must-do summer experiences you may not have stumbled across yet.
PLEASE NOTE: As we find more cool stuff to do - we will add to this list!
Sign up for reminders on what's happening each week for kids' Downtown Houston and Pearland this Summer!
Without further ado...
Here’s what’s poppin’ for Summer ‘25! 🎉🍉
LED Kayaks at Discovery Green Photo by Melissa (Macaroni KID Downtown Houston) |
🔥 OUTDOOR LOCAL SUMMER PICKS AND FREEBIES 🔥 |
DOWNTOWN HOUSTON…
🌙 Pass on the high noon heat and opt for an evening family activity at FREE Summer Thursdays @ Houston Arboretum 7/17 and 8/14.
🌻 Summer Saturdays @ The Garden. Enjoy extended hours, Summer programs and evening cool down until 8pm at Houston Botanic Garden.
☀️ Bumper Boats and LED Kayaks: NOW-7/6/25 (EXTENDED THRU 9/1) 10am-10pm Tickets: $12. *the better deal is the package: Bumper Boat + Kayak rides are $20 as the bumper boats are only a 5min rental but the kayaks are more available with a min 30min ride/ Children under 12 need an adult to ride with them and there's life jackets required to wear for the littles. GO after sunset when they light up, it makes the average 30-60min wait more worth it - ends July 6th!
☀️ FREE Carousel rides every Tuesday @ The Commons - Hermann Park. You can easily make a day of visiting this park which features train rides, playground, splash area and much more.
🌙 EVERY DAY this Summer find some 🆓 BIG FUN @ Game On! Taking place at not 1, but 2, local parks: Market Square Park and Trebly Park. Find your family fun among oversized games and interactive activities. Note: this is a great filler if you’re spending a day Downtown and need an hour to kill in between adventures or before a dinner res…
☀️ For the kiddos that are still about learning while school is out, check out these 🆓 STEM Learning Labs happening end of June - Early August!
PEARLAND, MANVEL, ALVIN…
☀️ 2 Hot Tuesdays - $2 All Day Pool Access @ Bob S. Owen Pool in Alvin thru 8/5/25
☀️ If you’ve been saying you’ll do this activity as a family and have not, it’s time! Grab your Pear-Scape passport and hit the PearScape Trail after dinner on a weekday, once the sun is down for a unique scavenger hunt with 4-foot pear sculptures!
Blooming Wonders at Artechouse - Photo by Melissa (Macaroni KID Downtown Houston) |
| 🧊 KEEP COOL INSIDE WITH INDOOR SUMMER FUN 🧊 |
DOWNTOWN HOUSTON...
🫧 Floating World Exhibit: A.A.Murakami @ MFAH. Be sure to visit on Thursdays with all day access for only $10!
🌆 If you find yourself in the mood to get 95 city blocks, aka 6miles worth of steps in, THE TUNNEL brings that indoor cool-off air-conditioned option if you’re hopping around Downtown attractions! Get an active walk-on with kid-friendly restaurants in Houston’s “underground mall”. *Closed on weekends*
🐊 Extreme Animals Alive is a little splurge at $27-$35 to visit the special exhibit, but rumor has it some special discounts may be offered on random FREE Tuesday Museum admission days (5-8pm)!
🌸 Blooming Wonders with its larger-than-life floral landscapes and stunning digital dreamscapes take you on an immersive discovery of floral landscapes and interactive installations that sing back! Now - Labor Day
PEARLAND, MANVEL, ALVIN…
🛼 Check out this year’s Summer schedule @ Alvin Skate ‘N’ Party and follow our calendar for their special events!
🔨 Instead of hitting the big stores, go small and do some local DIY projects at McCoy’s in Alvin! Every month there’s a handy dandy event for the kids!
▶️ 90 Day Unlimited Play Summer Pass with all-access to the park and NO BLACKOUT DATES @ Urban Air Adventure Park Pearland
More deals below:
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🎳 Bowl FREE this Summer!
Dave & Buster’s @ Mar-Q Center: NOW-10/31/25 - 2 FREE games per day, per person
Delmar Lanes Houston: NOW-8/8/25 - 2 FREE games per day, per person
Emerald Bowl Houston: NOW-8/30/25 - 2 FREE games per day, per person
Main Event @ Webster: NOW-10/31/25 - 2 FREE games per day, per person + $10 arcade card for $5!
🎥 Summer Movie Camp is back on at AMC 6/23-8/13 with budget-friendly tickets every Monday and Wednesday to some of your favorite past animated films.
🍿 Mark your calendars; starting 7/9, AMC movie theatres are 50% off all day on Wednesdays! Catch a midweek flick, they want you back at the movie theaters, people!
Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse NOW-8/7/25 8 weeks of kid-approved movies!
Cinemark Memorial City Houston
🔨 Monthly Kid Workshops
Kids can learn basic DIY handyman skills, learn to follow instructions, and take home a project they made! The best part is you collect patches/badges for completing workshops and they add up to freebies and recognition!
LOWE'S
DIY-U Kids’ Workshops 10am-1pm Third Saturdays of every month for children ages 4 and up.
Coming soon to Manvel in late 2026!
Kids Workshops 9 am First Saturdays of every month for children ages 5-12.
 DIY-U Kids Workshop @ Lowe's Photo by Melissa (Macaroni KID Downtown Houston - Pearland - Manvel - Alvin) |
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Your local Macaroni KID is proudly published by a local Mom who independently curates
family events, fun activities, and family-focused businesses throughout
Downtown/Metro Houston and Pearland - Manvel - Alvin
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