Crossing Borders International School has been helping Houston become bilingual since 2001. With a top notch and hands-on curriculum, children 18 months to 5 years old are immersed in a different language helping them become bilingual. Our curriculum is built in house and helps teachers add some of their culture into what the students learn. From math, science, arts & craft, reading, and writing, your child will enjoy a fun curriculum whilst immersed! Learn more here.
Family-Friendly Events for July 17-19
Quick housekeeping before the fun stuff …
The soccer tournament {the one we’re legally not allowed to name} wraps up this weekend. The watch parties and fan events have their own dedicated guide, so hop over there for all things fútbol, and stay here for everything else.
Friday, July 17
Houston World Series of Dog Shows
July 15-19 from 8am–6pm | NRG Center | Tickets here
One of the biggest dog shows in the country with breed judging, Meet the Breeds, Barn Hunt, flyball, and vendors galore… basically a theme park for dog-obsessed kids {and moms}.
CKC Houston Scrapbooking Show
July 17-18 | Lone Star Convention & Expo Center, Conroe | Tickets here
Creating Keepsakes brings its scrapbooking convention to Conroe … a little mom-time treat if the kids are covered.
Gold Ribbon Pickleball Classic
July 16-19 | The Pickleball Zone, Porter | Tickets here
Play pickleball for a cause! Proceeds fund pediatric cancer research and support families of kids in treatment.
The Story of the Lone Star State
July 17 from 9:30am-11:15am | Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center | Free
Young Audiences of Houston brings Texas history to life in a lively morning performance the kids will actually remember.
Sharing the Secrets of Puppetry Performance
July 17 from 10am-10:45am | Mercer Botanic Gardens | Free
Professional puppeteer Greg Ruhe shows off hand puppets, shadow puppets, marionettes, and puppets made from recycled materials … and the show ends with an eight-foot-tall surprise guest.
Dance & Puppet Party
July 17 from 3pm-3:45pm | Maud Smith Marks Branch Library, Katy | Free
Puppets, storytelling, and a dance party all rolled into one. A perfect Friday afternoon energy burner.
Summer Symphony Nights
July 17-18 at 8:30pm | Miller Outdoor Theatre | Free
The Houston Symphony plays under the stars with a different program each night {think Grieg and Beethoven on Friday, Korngold and Dvořák on Saturday}. Bring a blanket and claim your spot on the hill.
Saturday, July 18
13th Annual Ohana Surf Dogs Competition
July 18 from 8am-12pm | Galveston beach at 28th Street | Free
Dogs on surfboards, vendors on the sand, and every dollar raised supports shelter pets. Want your pup to compete? Register through Ohana Surf & Skate.
ENGINuity! Performance
July 18 from 11am-11:45am | Mercer Botanic Gardens | Free
A high-energy romp through motors, engines, and the inventors behind them, with original music, theatre, and dance sneaking in the STEM lessons.
Face Painting at Mercer
July 18 from 11am-3pm | Mercer Botanic Gardens | Free
Stick around after ENGINuity! and let the kids get their faces painted: two Mercer events, one car ride.
Summer Jam 2026
July 18 from 12pm-5pm | Moody Center for the Arts at Rice | Free
Art activities, a scavenger hunt, bubble play, an indoor farmer’s market, and blessed air conditioning.
Creative Theatre Workshop
July 18 from 1pm-2pm | Levy Park | Free
Kids build acting skills through improv, character creation, and collaborative storytelling… and walk away with a little extra confidence, too.
Pickle Palooza
July 18 from 2pm-8pm | Galveston Island Brewing | Free
Three years of pickle madness! 20+ pickled vendors, kids’ activities and face painting from 2-6pm, a pickle partner toss, a costume contest, and a pickle juice chugging contest for the brave grown-ups.
6th Annual Frida Fest
July 18 from 2pm-9pm | Karbach Brewing Co. | Free
Celebrate the art and legacy of Frida Kahlo with local artists and makers, live music, Frida-inspired photo ops, and Karbach food and beer {flower crowns strongly encouraged}.
A Very Merry Christmas in July
July 18 from 3pm-8pm | Pearland Columbus Hall | Free
Christmas gets a tropical twist with 60+ local vendors, free photos with Santa, Grinch sightings, train rides, a petting zoo, and face painting … and, yes, it’s pet friendly.
Houston Summer Fest
July 18 at 4pm | Azteca Fairgrounds | Tickets here
Live DJs, soccer games, food vendors, and a massive water balloon fight … plus a grand finale they’re keeping under wraps.
The Famous Market: A Market Story
July 18 from 4pm-9pm | Pearland Town Center | Free
An open-air evening market with a curated mix of local artisans, handmade goods, bites, and sweet treats.
Hip Hop Dance Workshop
July 18 from 7pm-8pm | Camden Park | Free
A free, family-friendly workshop where everyone learns new moves and burns off that last bit of Saturday energy.
Dance Fundamentals
July 18 from 7pm-8pm | Woodchase Park | Free
Breakdance basics plus balance, coordination, and body control … a sneaky-good confidence builder.
Sunday, July 19
New Caney Community Market
July 19 from 11am-3pm | Valley Ranch Town Center, New Caney | Free
This monthly market brings local produce, meat, honey, baked goods, and artisan finds to the north side.
The Art of Ice Cream
July 19 from 3pm-5pm | Nia Cultural Center, Galveston | Free
Celebrate National Ice Cream Day with arts and crafts, a working artist, and free scoops from Ben & Jerry’s.
Sunday Concert Series featuring The Pew Band
July 19 from 5pm-7pm | Discovery Green | Free
Bring a picnic blanket and wind down the weekend with a free downtown concert. And if you’re headed that way for the soccer tournament {the one we’re legally not allowed to name} watch party, our full guide is here.
Hip-Hop Dance Workshop
July 19 from 7pm-8pm | Camden Park | Free
Professional dancers lead this interactive workshop that scales from total beginner to seasoned mover.
ONGOING:
Bye Bye Birdie
July 3-19 | Crighton Theatre, Conroe | Tickets here
Rock legend Conrad Birdie gets drafted into the Army in this classic musical. It’s closing weekend, so this is the last call.
Clickbait: A Digital Obsession
Now through July 31 | Houston Museum of Natural Science | Tickets here
Ever try to explain algorithms or deepfakes to your 10-year-old and realize you’re not totally sure how it all works either? This new interactive exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science turns the invisible world of the internet into something your whole family can actually walk through. Kids create a digital identity, navigate a giant physical maze, step behind a giant projected face that reacts to their voice, and end the visit with a personalized highlight reel of their journey. Built for ages 8 to 98, it’s the rare exhibit that gives kids and parents real common ground to talk about screens, social media, and digital life without a single lecture involved.
Bat Chats with the Houston Area Bat Team
Fridays through Aug. 28 from 7:15pm-8:30pm | 105-B Sabine St., Houston {near Waugh Drive Bridge} | Free
Okay, this one is genuinely cool. Every Friday evening through late August, the Houston Area Bat Team sets up near Waugh Drive Bridge to talk all things bats … and then you actually get to watch the colony emerge at dusk. It’s free, it’s fascinating, and it’s the kind of only-in-Houston experience that makes for great summer memories. Bring bug spray, a picnic blanket, and prepare for the kids to be completely obsessed.
Saturday Stargazing
Saturdays | George Observatory, Brazos Bend State Park | Tickets here
Explore the night sky with deck and dome telescopes, constellation laser tours, and expert astronomers guiding the way {overcast evenings get a Cloudy Night Program instead}. Timed tickets must be purchased in advance and usually book up a couple weeks out, so plan ahead … and note that entry to Brazos Bend State Park is a separate pass.
Sandcastle Building Lessons
Saturdays through Sept. 5 | East Beach, 1923 Apffel Rd | Free
Take your beach day from “meh, a lumpy mound” to “wait, did you guys build that?!” Galveston’s free Sandcastle Days at East Beach bring in a pro sandcastle builder to teach families the real techniques {the kind that turn a bucket of sand into something Instagram-worthy}. Lessons happen three times throughout the day right by the water, no registration needed. Just show up with sunscreen, snacks, and a competitive streak {or, you know, just your kids}.
Intro to Mosaic Making
Saturdays through October | Smither Park | Tickets here
Veteran Smither Park artists teach you to create your own mosaic to take home in this 3-hour workshop for ages 12 and up.
Horizon at Avenida Houston
Through Sept. 7 | Avenida Houston | Free
Step inside this egg-shaped dome and gently rock the chair to activate a dreamy blend of light and sound … a rare moment of calm, downtown.
Bucket Brigade Beach Tours
Saturdays & Sundays from 9am-12:45pm (through Labor Day) | East Beach, Galveston | Free (but registration is encouraged)
These hands-on, 45-minute tours of the shoreline ecosystem run on the hour.
Ernesto Neto: SunForceOceanLife
Now through Sept. 7 | Museum of Fine Arts Houston | Tickets here
Engage with art like never before through hands-on exploration of this installation made especially for the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Returning to the Museum’s vast Cullinan Hall this spring and summer, Ernesto Neto: SunForceOceanLife is a soaring crochet installation that fills the space with spiraling color and movement. A major MFAH commission by renowned Brazilian artist Ernesto Neto, SunForceOceanLife suspends visitors some 12 feet in the air as they navigate an interior network of hand-woven passages.
Mythical Realms
Now thru Sept. 7 | Houston Zoo | Tickets here
If your kids love a little magic mixed with their animal adventures, the Houston Zoo’s new Mythical Realms event is going to feel extra special this spring break. Alongside the animals you already know and love, you’ll find larger-than-life mythical creature displays that bring a whole new layer of wonder to the zoo experience. It’s part zoo day, part fantasy adventure and a great way to make a familiar outing feel brand new. Plan ahead and give yourself time to explore both the real and the legendary. This one has “core memory” potential written all over it.
The Journey to End Cancer: From Cause to Cure
Now through Sept. 13 | The Health Museum | Tickets here
This exhibition is an innovative new science exhibition on cancer – exploring groundbreaking research, advanced medical technologies, and promising new therapies. Designed for both adults and children, this 5,000-square-foot exhibition is full of multimedia experiences, thought-provoking science interactives, dynamic animations, stunning data visualizations, and inspiring first-person videos to engage and empower exhibit-goers.
Blackwood Skyfarm Volunteer Day
Saturdays through Nov. 6 | POST Houston | Free
Want to blow your kids’ minds? Take them to a working farm on top of a building in downtown Houston. Blackwood Skyfarm sits on the roof of POST Houston and welcomes families to roll up their sleeves and help grow fresh produce alongside lead farmer August Stubler. No experience needed, no green thumb required, just curious kids and grownups ready to dig in. It’s hands-on learning, a little fresh air with a skyline view, and the kind of morning your kids will actually remember.
Made in Texas: 116 Years of Texas Aviation History
Now through Jan. 3 | Lone Star Flight Museum | Tickets here
Timed to the country’s 250th, this new exhibit celebrates Texas aviation with vintage aircraft, historic photos, and designer flight attendant artifacts from Emilio Pucci.
Undercurrents
Now through Jan. 24 | Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern | Tickets here
If you’ve never taken your kids to the Cistern, this is your sign. The cavernous underground space alone is worth the trip, but Rafael Lozano-Hemmer’s new installation turns it into something magical. Voices ripple through a glowing network of light, shifting and shimmering as visitors speak, listen, and add their own sounds to the mix. It’s the kind of art experience that pulls kids in instead of asking them to stand quietly and look. Bonus: the cool, echoey space is a welcome escape from the Houston heat.
Walking Tours Houston
Ongoing dates | Times and locations here
Explore iconic landmarks, stunning architecture, and fascinating stories from the city’s past. Walking tours of Downtown Houston, Historical Galveston and the Museum District will dazzle and interest all ages! Tip-based, pay what you wish.
Ready to give your little one the gift of a second language? Crossing Borders International School welcomes children 18 months to 5 years old into immersive English, Spanish, Mandarin, and French programs built around hands-on learning. Visit their website to schedule a tour and see it in action.
