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

out and about in Houston 3-20-2009 - 3-22-2009

March 19, 2009

With the first day of Spring on Friday and Houston weather cooperating to provide gorgeous weather, it's a great weekend to get out and have fun!

The Oil Ranch is open! They've renovated the barn and have baby animals, too. Just northwest of downtown, the Oil Ranch is offering free sno-cones in March. Families can also enjoy pony rides, the dairy barn (even milking cows!), hay rides, more rides, and the new Turbo slide.The Oil ranch is open Friday 10 am-3pm and Saturday 10-5.

Let your child learn about the first day of spring and the Sun-Earth Day on the Vernal Equinox on Friday, March 20, at 1 p.m.at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

The Kemah Boardwalk---recovered from Hurricane Ike---is offering family fun and live entertainment all through this weekend.

Discovery Green is offering a host of fun activities through the weekend, including the Fresh Fridays music and Children's Discovery Series on Saturday. Click here for a list of all events and details. Don't miss the Houston Arts Alliance Showcase  performance of Native American dance and storytelling by the South Texas Indian Dancers!

The Houston Livestock and Rodeo is still going on, all weekend. It's the final weekend!

Free admission on Thursdays at the Children's Museum of Houston. If you can't make it tonight, check it out over the weekend and let your hcild play toy detective or enjoy the new play area that's just for smaller kids!

Special happenings for Spring Break at the Space Center Houston:

Spring Break 2009 is going to be bigger and better than ever before! Our all new lineup includes death-defying stunt shows from the incredible All American Dive Team, edge-of-your-seat live action Pirate's Duel shows, the exciting Jovan Cartoon Character Show starring Spongebob Squarepants, and more! Plus, test your treasure hunting skills in the all new exhibit called Treasure! It's going to be the best Spring Break party around so dive into excitement for Spring Break only at Space Center Houston!

Shows run daily March 14 - March 22

Dive Shows: 12:00, 2:00, 4:30. Location: Outside in the courtyard of the Zero-G restaurant.

Pirate Shows: 11:00, 1:00, 3:00. Location: Inside the Treasures exhibit.

The Jovan Cartoon Character Show starring Spongebob Squarepants & Patrick:  1:00, 3:00. Location: Inside the Zero-G restaurant.

Take your little ones and enjoy the CryBaby Matinee -- Babies Welcome! at the Angelika Friday and Saturday at 11:45. This weekend's feature is He's Just Not That Into You.

On Friday, the Clear Lake-Freeman branch library is offering:

Books Alive! Week - Toddler Open Gym
When: Friday, March 20, 2009 - 10:00 AM
Where: Clear Lake City-County Freeman Branch Library at Children's Activity Space

Toddlers and their parents can play bean bag toss, run through a tunnel, work puzzles and have fun with other activities. This program is designed for children 18 months to 3 years old. For more information, call 281-488-1906 or visit us at 16616 Diana Lane.

Borders at 3025 Kirby (and other Borders around Houston) is offering a special storytime, art projects, and more fun to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Check the Borders Web site to find the Border near you and call them to find out if they are offering the party!

Lakeshore Learning stores on Post Oak and in Friendswood (on I-45 South) are offering free kitemaking classes on Saturday from 11-3 as this week's fun craft activity.

Enjoy your weekend!

Storytimes

by Rachel Mosteller

November 11, 2008

Storytime is such an integral part of being a kid. They love having books read to them and it is good practice to learn to sit still in short periods of time to listen. But...where to go? There's a lot of places around Houston that have storytime; you just need to know where to look. I personally suggest the library; I enjoy it because there's no pressure to buy the books read...or something  Read more...

Upcoming at the Houston Public Library

by Rachel Mosteller

August 15, 2008

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...