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

Out and About in Houston weekend of May 29-31, 2009

May 29, 2009

There is this fabulous---I mean fabulous---Web site I've gotten so addicted to I check it daily, and even subscribed to its email and Twitter feeds.

What's that great?

Houston on the Cheap!

This week I learned about doga, Yoga for your dog, and every Friday I wait eagerly for their list of awesome fun free weekend activities!

This weekend there is free bouncing, free dance performances at Miller OutdoorTheater, and more.

So thanks to Houston on the Cheap for pointers to this awesome group of FREE activities:

Bouncing Fun — Don’t miss KIDPALOOZA when BounceU is open for FREE high-energy fun Friday, May 29, from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.  Free family-friendly activities include inflatable games, a new 10-ft. rock climbing with dual slide, gigantic 24-ft. slide, obstacle course, dodgeball court, and boxing ring.  Lots of giveaways and the Chick-fil-A cow on site!  BounceU Houston West, 14900 Westheimer Rd., 281-497-8222

Outdoor music — Ritmo Latino: Child prodigy-turned-pro Esperanza Spalding performs  on the acoustical bass Friday, May 29, 8 p.m. at Miller Outdoor Theater.  Her multi-lingual voice and bass talent have earned her spots on TV’s David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel Live.  Reserved seats are available Friday at the box office from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.  Miller Outdoor is located in Hermann Park at 100 Concert Dr.

Outdoor Dance — East Meets West VII features classical to contemporary dances  Saturday, May 30, 8 p.m. at Miller Outdoor Theater. Dance of Asian America, a local Chinese dance company, features award-winning dancers from China and local dancers.  The stunning costumes and dancer flexibility are exciting elements of the evening.  Four additional local dance companies represent the West.  Miller Outdoor Theater, 100 Concert Dr.

Beads and More — Love all things beads?  Then don’t miss the Houston Bead Market on Saturday, May 30 (10 a.m. - 5 p.m. ) and Sunday, May 31 (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.).  Not only is there FREE admission but there are beading classes and shopping galore including gemstones, glass, pearls, seed beeds, buttons, and more!  Houston Bead Market is located in Stafford at The Stafford Centre, 10505 Cash Road, 903-240-7198.

Hurricane Prep Workshop — This family-friendly event  features 2009 Hurricane Preview, interactive demonstrations, informative sessions, Kids Zone, Ask a Meterologist, and more.  Remebering Ike: 2009 Hurricane Workshop takes place May 30 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at George R. Brown Convention Center. Free lunch for the first 2,500 attendees.  More details on my blog post here.

Discovery Green — It’s “Calling All Bigs and Littles” Day at the Park on May 30 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.  The whole community is invited to this free event with live entertainment and fun activities.  Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston is hosting this outdoor fun at Discovery Green as a chance to reconnect former Bigs and Littles as well as recruit new volunteers.  Be a part of the human checkers game on the giant game board! Other weekly Discovery Green FREE weekend events include Yoga in the Park, Young Writers Workshop, Hip2BFit Fun Club, Saturday Children’s Discovery Series, and Sundays in the Park with Miss Leslie and her Juke-Jointers!  Details on all events here… Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney downtown

Summer Pool Party — YMCAs in Houston and Montgomery Country are hosting a FREE  community pool party and open house Saturday, May 30, at area locations.  The day will include swimming, food, games for the kids, and lots of fun in the sun.   The event is part of YMCA Cool Days program, sponsored by Reliant Energy.  Times vary by location — check here for your closest YMCA.

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.

Love to Dance? Well, You'll Love Disco!

by Rachel Mosteller

June 11, 2008

From the time they first are capable of standing, it seems as if little ones are ready to bounce to the beat. There's nothing cuter than seeing a small child bounce up and down while hearing music play. Well, actually, there is something cuter. How about an entire room full of children bouncing up and down? That's what you'll see at Baby Loves Disco . Held at Rich's nightclub in Houston, kids  Read more...