Being Savvy: Activities, things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Houston, TX

Want Fish? Try the Downtown Aquarium

by Rachel Mosteller

If you talk about going to see fish in Houston, someone is going to tell you about the Downtown Aquarium. It's the place you pass on I-45 with the big ferris wheel on the outside, overlooking the highway (and, I assume, choking down exhaust fumes). Kids will like it because there's fish (obviously), the tigers and a chance to touch the sting rays. They'll also like the rides-- the aquarium ... Read more >

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Lions, Tigers and Bears, OH MY! Armand Bayou Nature Center

by Rachel Mosteller

Sometimes, when you're driving around Houston, it is easy to feel that you live in a concrete jungle. The highways! The buildings! The cars! Is there anything natural around here?If you know where to look, yes there is. One of those hidden gems of Houston is Armand Bayou Nature Center in Pasadena. The Preserve has over 2,500 acres of marshes, wetland and prairie. So, what can your kids see ... Read more >

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Upcoming at the Houston Public Library

by Rachel Mosteller

For the longest time, I never visited a library. I'm not sure why; I guess I'll just assume I thought they were old and boring. WHO KNEW? Libraries totally rock. My local library has DVDs and CDs and really awesome shows for kids. If you live in Houston Proper, there's a huge library system for you, too.So, without further ado, here are some of the best of the best events for kids in the ... Read more >

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Helping in the Kitchen

by Rachel Mosteller

My daughter is 4-years-old and she loves to help me bake. (Her lack of interest in meals makes me think she's only in it for the beaters.) Every time I fire up the old Kitchen Aid mixer, I hear little feet running towards me, screaming "wait for me!"Typically, I measure out ingredients and hand them to her. It's a long process and she spends a lot of time waiting. Just the other day, I decided ... Read more >

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Houston Swim Lessons

by Rachel Mosteller

This has been The Summer of Swim in our house. I don't think I've ever spent so much time in the water as I have over the past few months. When you've got little ones and you have water, safety is always the most important thing.If you're considering swim lessons for your child, you're in luck. There are plenty of places in the Houston area that will teach your child to swim. I'd say "like a ... Read more >

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Backyard Water Fun!

by Rachel Mosteller

With both temperatures AND gas prices rising, the need to both cool off and stay close to home are as important as ever. As much as I love going to the pool, there are just times when I don't feel like packing snacks, the car and the kids just to go out for an hour or two. Those are the days when you have to bring the cool water to you!I'm not one to have tons of fancy toys at my house; ... Read more >

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Ahoy! Pirate Fun in Houston

by Rachel Mosteller

Blame it on Captain Jack Sparrow, but pirates are totally hot. Kids love them! Getting in on the action is the Children's Museum of Houston, which will be hosting pirate week very soon!The week of Sept. 18-24 is Sail Away With Books week at the Museum, where there will be all sorts of fun pirate activities for your little Buckaneer to try. There are a variety of pirate crafts to try and there's ... Read more >

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History Lesson: San Jacinto Monument

by Rachel Mosteller

When I was a little girl and we'd travel from Beaumont to Houston to visit grandparents, I remember seeing the San Jacinto monument far away in the distance. I always thought it looked so pretty and it seemed important, like the National Monument in DC. As many a middle school history lesson can tell, the Battle of San Jacinto occurred after Texas' loss at the Alamo. Long story short, the ... Read more >

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Cool Off in Local Pools

by Rachel Mosteller

I swear, I've spent about 90 percent of my time this summer in a pool. No wonder my bathing suit has started to fade! It is just so hot right now that there's no way you're getting me to do much else outside.One thing I've noticed about Houston: There's pools everywhere! Backyards, end of neighborhoods, YMCAs...you name it.I'm here to highlight a couple places to cool off for the afternoon. ... Read more >

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Fun for When the Weather is Bad

by Rachel Mosteller

While people in other parts of the country may not realize it, hurricanes (and hurricane season) are just another part of life for people who live in places like Texas. Even if there's not a hurricane brewing in the Gulf, we still have horribly hot (and long) summers that leave us indoors while the rest of the country is out frolicking. Well, that's what I'm imagining they're doing when I'm ... Read more >

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