Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in houston, TX

Fun for Families in Houston weekend August 6 - 9, 2009

August 06, 2009

The indoor where it's air conditioned and lots of neat things to see and do version. . .

Children's Museum of Houston

www.cmhouston.org
(713) 522-1138

MindFest WonderWeek challenges kids challenge to fuse technology, art and science through fun, engineering activities.

Holocaust Museum Houston

www.hmh.org
(713) 942-8000

Houston Museum-Natural Science

www.hmns.org
(713) 639-4629

All weekend continues the Terra Cotta warriors exhibit.

Menil Collection Bookstore

www.menil.org  (713) 535-3180

FREE admission: Film Screening in Memory of Merce Cunningham and Robert Rauschenberg
Friday, August 7, 2009 8 p.m.

The Menil Collection, ARTPIX, Microcinema International, and Society for the Performing Arts present an evening of filmed performances of Merce Cunningham Dance Company at a program in memory of Merce Cunningham & Robert Rauschenberg.

The Menil screenings of Split Sides (2003) and Interscape (2000) use archival footage made by Charles Atlas to document Cunningham’s work as dancer and choreographer. Just published on DVD by Houston’s ARTPIX, Split Sides has original scores by Radiohead and Sigur Rós. Robert Rauschenberg designed both sets and costumes for Interscape.

The film will be screened on the Menil's front lawn.

Museum of Printing History

www.printingmuseum.org
(713) 522-4652

Great for children, "In our galleries and working studios, we demonstrate the traditional processes of stone lithography, letterpress printing, papermaking, and bookbinding." Many interesting exhibits right now.

Museum of Fine Arts Houston: Bayou Bend Collection

www.mfah.org
(713) 639-7750

Summer Storytime Tour
Friday, August 7, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Summer Creation Station: Majestic Mountains
Friday, August 7, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Summer Storytime Tour
Friday, August 7, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Lawndale Art & Performance Center

www.lawndaleartcenter.org
(713) 528-5858

All weekend: The Big Show -- The Big Show is Lawndale Art Center’s annual open-call, juried exhibition. It has been an important venue through which emerging and under-represented Houston area artists gain exposure since the show’s conception in 1984.

Buffalo Soldier National Museum & Heritage Center

www.buffalosoldiermuseum.com
(713) 942-8920
Saturday, August 8 from 1-3 p.m. Summer Lecture Series

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston

www.camh.org
(713) 284-8250

Czech Center Museum Houston

www.czechcenter.org
(713) 528-2060

Beginners Children’s Czech language class. Eight weekly sessions Saturday mornings 10:30 to 1:30 a.m. Donation $30.00.

The Health Museum

www.thehealthmuseum.org
(713) 521-1515

Friday: Planet You -- World Premiere Friday, August 7!
Journey into a world you've never seen before...at least quite like this!  Be one of the first in Houston to see Planet You 3D, the newest 3D film at the McGovern Theater, at the world premiere Friday, August 7.  Take a 3D microscopic adventure into the alien landscape of your own skin and find out all about the creepy, crawly things that live on us - dust mites, lice and ticks!

Houston Center for Photography

www.hcponline.org
(713) 529-4755

Digital Camera Basics on  Saturday Aug 8 with Kristy Peet
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
more info

The John C. Freeman Weather Museum

www.weathermuseum.org
(713) 529-3076

The Rothko Chapel

www.rothkochapel.org
(713) 524-9839

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft

www.crafthouston.org
(713) 529-4848

Out and About in Houston weekend of 7-9 to 7-12-2009

July 09, 2009

This week it's been about bringing culture to your kids. Here are some fun weekend events for this weekend that let you do just that:

Friday, July 10th

AFA (American Festival for the Arts) presents AFA Solo Voice Recitals. Outstanding young vocalists will perform a variety of opera arias, art songs and song from the popular repertory. Check their site for more performances!

Saturday, July 11th

30th Annual ArtHouston Image gallery -- Houston Art Dealers Association

Calling all art enthusiasts to take part in the 30th Annual ArtHouston opening Saturday, July 11th. The main purpose behind ArtHouston is to exhibit emerging, mid-career and well-known artists in order to display diverse talent. 37 participating galleries will be open to showcase these local, national and International artists.

3rd Annual Frida Festival (Frida Festival©)

Come celebrate the life and legacy of Frida Kahlo at the 3rd Annual Frida Festival on Saturday, July 11, 2009 at East End Urban Market located on 716 Telephone Road.

This year’s FREE family festival from 2pm to 6pm will feature a children’s art show with students from the Flor de Canto program at Talento Billingue de Houston, Frida look-alike contest, piñata, arts & crafts activities, DJ, dance groups, and poetry. Artist Butter de la Garza aka Reverend Butter will create an ice sculpture.

Sunday, July 12th

Aurora Picture Show -- Popcorn Kids Workshop with The Story Pirates

Aurora Picture Show presents a Popcorn Kids Workshop with The Story Pirates, Sunday, July 12th 1-2pm. Location: Aurora Video Library, 1524 Sul Ross. Sunday the Striking Viking Story Pirates will present a special workshop at the Aurora office for 12 children where they will bring a story to life right before the kids’ very eyes! Snacks provided.

All weekend (and beyond)

The River Performing and Visual Arts Center

The River Performing and Viusal Arts Center Fine Arts Recitals (Fridays) June 19-August 7, 2009 iinvite you to attend our 2009 Summer Camp Recitals!

MECA's 1st Annual Storytelling from an Immigration Nation

July 3-July 31, 2009

The Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA) presents MECA's 1st Annual Storytelling from an Immigration Nation. This event features a Visual art show and also spoken word performance.

Bringing culture to your young children in fun and tasty ways!

July 06, 2009

We all like to add some diversity and culture to our lives, but what's the best way to bring it to young children? The challenge is to make it interesting, engaging, and age-appropriate. To find out the best way to bring culture to young kids, I turned to two local talented ladies, Carrie Pacini and Marla Trevino, who are experts in inspiring life and culture through food, parties, and travel. They co-founded OPMOM to share their ideas, inspiration, experiences, recipes, and more.

Ideas for introducing your heritage or another heritage to young children

Carrie Pacini suggests reaching out to children using their own interests, particularly through language, food and music.

"I have found the children love learning about other countries and traditions through learning new words, trying different cuisines, and dancing," said Pacini, a mother to two young children and entertainment connoisseur, "Dancing has brought out cultures from Spain, India, Italy, and Czech Republic. Even if you can't travel to find culture you can create a window of it in your home."

Houston offers a wide variety of multi-cultural festivals that are family-friendly. Many, such as the Chinese Culture through Dance, include dancing or are centered around dancing. My own children are fascinated by any kind of dancing, and even just watching a few dances from So You Think You Can Dance has prompted them to ask about dance styles from India (Bollywood) and Spain (tango). Our family has also enjoyed the local Greek festival, where the children are exposed to a mini-taste of a complete culture, from food, to music, drinks, singing, dancing, and more.

You can find links and information about Houston festivals at this site on Thursdays. Another good source is ArtsHound.com, which specializes in information and schedules for the arts and performing arts, from poetry, to theater, and dance and cultural events. You can specially select events for kids and families.

Pacini also suggests themed holidays, "We have always celebrated Christmas with different cultures and the children love it. Every year they pick a country and we buy an ornament that represents that country and make the traditional meal. So far we have celebrated Germany, England, France, and Belgium. We haven't picked one out for 2009 but I am hoping for Spain!"

It's easy to make holidays and festivals fun, but convincing children to try new foods might pose a challenge. Pacini has an idea for that, too.

Best methods for introducing children to food that is foreign to them

The best path to success is simple: accentuate the familiar to children.

"Find similarities that you can pull from that doesn't make it so foreign to them. So try to think of what it is that they like and find that common thread in other cuisines. For example we eat a ton of pasta because we are Italian but I can serve the kids an Indian Rice dish in a sauce with Nan and they love it," said Pacini.

Work in the familiar, such as, "Quesadillas are like grilled cheese, except with yummy tortillas." Also, consider your child's preferences and work the new ethnic food around that. If your child doesn't prefer spicy food, but does like chicken, consider letting them sample Chinese orange chicken. If you're at a restaurant, see if the waiter has a suggestion, and don't be afraid to ask if they can customize. For example, my children love quesadillas, but don't prefer the meat inside, so we ask for that on the side, instead.

Many foreign foods, including the familiar such as quesadillas, are easy to make, and that's the point: keep it simple. Kids often want food quickly, and they frequently prefer it to be simple enough that they can break down the ingredients in their minds without a struggle. Remember they have developing taste buds. It's okay if they don't like it the first time; leave the door open for future tries because their tastes do change.

Feel free to offer new tastes at snack time, too. Pacini has some delicious suggestions for "cultural" snacks, "I find the children love dipping pita or veggies in Hummus which is a big hit. The kids love Brie and blue cheese, Crepes, and thimble pasta which is called D'itallini, a childhood favorite. All kids who come to our house love this dish and always surprise their parents by polishing the bowl off. We also love serving Nutella and brie sandwiches, Panini's with veggies melted in a good cheese. We have also introduced our children to Sushi by getting them used to California rolls and they love it!"

Serve interesting lessons with and around the snack, such as:

• Language - "Did you know that Hummus is an Arabic word for chickpeas?"
• Music - Consider playing some music from the region while the kids eat. Talk about what sounds different and familiar in the music, and what you do and don't like about it.
• Art - Try an art project that incorporates cultural elements---much Middle-Eastern art uses patterns or simple line drawings that can inspire children. The Houston Museum of Fine Art has a nice collection of ethnic art---you might even like to take a field trip!
• Social Studies - Show a map of the Middle-East and point out places such as Lebanon and Palestine, areas where hummus originated.
• Stories - Tell a funny story about the food and history. Hummus carries a story that my kids would love: the famous Roman orator, Cicero, was named for an ancestor who had a wart on his nose shaped like a chickpea. Grossology is always a big hit with kids.

You and your children might feel more comfortable initially trying new ethnic foods at home, but when you're ready, Pacini said, "I think great ethnic restaurants for kids would be Italian, French, Spanish (tapas), Mexican, Middle Eastern, Indian, and German."

Many ethnic restuarants display culturally specific art, play native music, and some, if you're lucky, are owned by people originally from a foreign place. Interesting culture and diverse ethnic experiences are frequently all around us. If you make a point to notice, you can use it as a great teaching moment with your kids. At home, small but fun things that appeal to children, such as art, music, food and language offer a wide open door to show kids the broad and fascinating world beyond their own borders. That's one of the greatest gifts you can give a child.

Out and About in Houston weekend of June 18 - 21, 2009

June 18, 2009

It's Father's Day this Sunday, so what kind of fun can your family have this weekend? Plenty!

Kids are FREE! all summer at Astros games starting June 23. Why not present Dad with a gift of tickets to a game? Hint: if you get tickets for Thursday, June 25, the first 10,000 fans get free retro t-shirts!

On Father's Day at Bayou Bend, all dads are free! Everyone else is just $5 per person. As an MFA bonus, this summer AGES 18 and under admitted FREE on Saturday & Sunday with a Houston Public Library PowerCard or any public library card (see number 5 for details).

On Friday, the Children's Museum of Houston is celebrating Juneteenth, and on Saturday kids can make a fun gift for dad, such as a tie or photo frame. Sunday includes more craft-making and a super fun Father's Day celebration. They've got special events this weekend:

• Spotlight Performance:  Kunama Mtendaji.  This exciting storyteller and musician will perform tales related to African and African American History.
  Saturday, June 20:  2 p.m.
• Target 2 Sunday Performance: Mariachi Houston.  Enjoy the traditional sounds of Mexico with this group of young and talented performers.
  Sunday, June 21:  2 p.m.

Discovery Green has a full lineup of good times for families, with special Dad events, including, on Saturday, a 7 pm live music by POP STARS: Dads Who Rock followed by 8:30pm film screening of "The Best of Children's Film Festival Seattle 2009."

On Friday:

• Fireworks Friday on the Kemah Boardwalk at 9:30pm    
• Gulf Coast Juneteenth at the Miller Outdoor Theatre at 7:30pm    

On Saturday:

• Summer Symphony Nights at the Miller Outdoor Theatre at 8:30pm  
• Come, Blow Your Horn at the Houston Family Arts Center at 8:00pm  
• World Beat Music Festival at Hermann Square at 12:00pm  
• Dynamo vs Real Salt Lake at Robertson Stadium at 7:30pm

out and about in Houston weekend of 3/27-3/29/2009

March 26, 2009

This weekend is the famous Bayou City Art festival in Memorial Park!

Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park
March 27-29, 2009 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. all three days
Admission is $10 for adults and free for children 12 and under.
City ordinance prohibits bringing pets.

The annual, juried, fine art event boasts a stress-free outdoor gallery brimming with 300 artists working in 19 artistic media. Adding to the festive outdoor gallery are wine cafés, an interactive Creative Zone for children, restaurants, Broadway in Houston’s Broadway Café, and a performing arts stage with on-going multicultural musical and dance entertainment presented by The Houston Arts Alliance.

For more information about the Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park, please visit the Web site.

Fun all weekend...

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Jones Hall - 615 Louisiana Street, Houston, TX 77002

One of our all-time favorite dance troupes comes to Houston this weekend (Fri-Sat 8pm; Sun 2pm), with performances by Grammy Award-winning female a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock. The performance is suitable for ages 5 and up, and tickets range from $22-$58. For more informaiton: 713.632.8113. www.spahouston.org/grouplounge

Tomball German Heritage Festival
Old Downtown Tomball - W Main Street & N Cherry Street, Tomball, TX 77375

Catch the spirit of Germany (for free!) at Tomball's 9th Annual German Heritage Festival. Fri 6pm-10pm; Sat 10am-10pm; Sun 10am-6pm all ages can enjoy the live music, ethnic food, street vendors, arts and crafts, fireworks, a carnival, pony rides, a petting zoo, and more. For more information:  www.tomballsistercity.org/festival.htm

Friday and Saturday only...

Cry Baby Matinee
Angelika Film Center - 510 Texas Avenue, Houston, TX 77002

First-run, grown-up films are featured for parents with their little ones. Lights are kept dimmed, the sound is turned down, and baby changing tables are available. Matinees are run at 11:45, and adult tickets are $6.25. Children under 5 are free.  For more information: 713.225.1470. www.angelikafilmcenter.com/houston/events.asp.

Saturday only...

The Reluctant Dragon
Main Street Theater at Chelsea Market - 4617 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, TX 77006

This sweet play is good for children 3 and up. Shows are at 1:00pm and 4:00pm. Tickets cost $10 for children and students; $12 for adults; group rates (10 or more) available.For more information: www.mainstreettheater.com

Play synopsis: Once upon a time there lived a boy who befriended a lonely dragon who hated such dragonly things as fighting knights and breathing fire. Nonetheless, the simple-minded villagers in the local town beg a fierce knight - St. George himself -- to slay the dragon, even though he was doing them no harm. Just when it seems hopeless, the resourceful boy finds a solution that changes the hearts and minds of the entire village in this touching adventure by renowned author Kenneth Grahame (The Wind in the Willows). 

Kid's Market Day - Bayou City Farmers' Market
Bayou City Farmers' Market, 3000 Richmond Avenue, Houston, TX 77098

Note: Bring cash for purchases.

From 8-noon all ages can enjoy the Urban Harvest's Bayou City Farmers Market Fourth Annual Kid's Market Day. Kid's Market Day offers children of all ages the opportunity to see where their food really comes from. Students who have participated in Urban Harvest's School and Youth gardening programs will bring their produce to sell at the farmers market. Vendors will bring animals and equipment from their farms to show kids what farming is really like. Kid-friendly activities will include seed planting, face painting, scavenger hunt, raw vegetable tasting and egg dyeing using natural colors. Live music and a cooking demonstration will also be featured. For more information:  www.urbanharvest.org.

Tall Tales

by Rachel Mosteller

September 25, 2008

One of the wonders I have about childhood is how there are certain stories that are passed down through generations for new children to enjoy. No, I'm not speaking of the latest hit TV show or movie, but of "tall tales" or even fables. If you want to introduce your child to some tall tales, head on down to the Children's Museum of Houston for Tall Tales WonderWeek. Your little ones can learn  Read more...