With temperatures soaring, it’s time to find some indoor fun. For me, it’s the perfect time to explore Houston’s immersive art scene. Designed with both kids and adults in mind, these interactive exhibits will provide a much needed cool escape that’s fun for the whole family.
The Color Factory
The Color Factory was my family’s first experience with immersive art, and we’ve been hooked ever since. This installation in Upper Kirby houses multiple rooms with art exhibits designed to let out your inner child. After starting with a sweet treat and getting a glimpse of the many shades of Houston, your kids will tear into the “Float on Air” room, chasing giant bounce balls as they shoot up to the ceiling.
This is just the first of many interactive spaces. As you make your way through, you’ll be invited to play with confetti, create pictures with a life-size Lite Brite, get your groove on in a silent disco, and dive head-first into the biggest ball pit you’ve ever seen. The built-in staged photo ops will capture all the fun you’re having and email you a direct link at the end of your visit, which concludes with a tiny perfect ice cream cone.
Seismique
Claiming itself to be “the art experience of tomorrow”, Seismique in Katy in a wonky, high tech experience that you and your kids will love exploring. It’s got an alien landscape in UV, hands-on activities, and a walk-through shower room. I admit to staring on somewhat horrified as my five year old son raced into it on his own, but he managed to make it through while staying dry. The highlight for my kids was the net climbing maze where they spent 30 min trying to reach the top and finding new holes to fall through. For even more fun, add on a session at The Rinque, Seismique’s in-house roller rink. With all the cool displays and rooms to explore, Seismique is the perfect place to take a break from the searing Houston heat.
Museum of Illusions
A tour of the puzzles, illusions, and mind-boggling photo ops in this Galleria spot will leave you questioning what you see and saying, “Wait, what?” Fake-scale a building, get dizzy in the vortex tunnel, or create a full body 3D sculpture with a life size pin art display. You and your kids will have a blast at the Museum of Illusions where nothing is quite as it seems, except the happy smiles on your kids’ faces while they try to figure out each optical illusion.
TFTI Interactive Photos
While you’re in the Galleria, visit TFTI, Houston’s own selfie museum. Its 18+ rooms are designed for the most unique of photo shoots. It’s sure to be a hit with older kids and really anyone that likes to see themselves in pictures. Stage a pillow fight, float in space, or face an infinite you in the Mirror Room. No matter your favorite pose, TFTI has something for everyone.
Sloomoo Institute
Every kid loves slime, and at the Sloomoo Institute in Katy your kids can squish, stretch, squeeze, and otherwise explore the gooey stuff in dozens of colors, textures, and scents. While I won’t blame you for thinking that the best part of this exhibit is that it’s not inside your house, I’m confident you’ll find more to love than the lack of clean up. Where else can you stick your hands into over 25 vats of slime? Or fling a blob of slime at your kids head with a sling shot? Or take a peak inside the slime kitchen? 
Sloomoo has this and more, including getting doused from head to toe in the unforgettable Sloomoo Falls. Each ticket includes a trip to their DIY bar where you can create your own slime with your choice of texture, color, and scent. If you need more slime fun to take home, the Sloomoo gift shop has many crafts, activities, and slime of all kinds. Be sure to book your tickets in advance as prices go up as you get closer to each time slot.
The Infinite
When I first moved to Houston it was the beginning of a long career at NASA Johnson Space Center. Working for the International Space Station Program Office, I was privileged to be a part of a dedicated team working towards the most inspiring of missions – learning to live and work in space. After 18 years behind the scenes, The Infinite allowed me to get on-board the vehicle I’d dedicated my career to.
The experience is 100% virtual, with each participant donning their own headset. Your group will be tagged so you can recognize each other inside the virtual space, where you get a firsthand look at life both inside and outside of the Space Station. Hear the astronauts describe their favorite Earth views while gazing with them through the Cupola windows. Get up close with them conducting science while standing inside the Japanese Kibo module. Watch them prepare for a spacewalk while peering into the Airlock. And then step outside with them while watching the Earth spin below you. Every Houstonian (ages 8 & up) should visit this truly unique experience and see the incredible work being done in our city.
This summer, beat the heat in Houston and have truly unique experiences at one or all of these local immersive art locations!
