Summer Fun, Family Style

A constant question during the summer is, “What will we do today?”  There are the favorites like the Houston Zoo, the Children’s Museum, the local library and neighborhood parks.  But parents can also choose to stay home and do crafts, play in the pool or sprinkler and even make sure their kids get ahead with a little extra schoolwork.  Well that fills up about a week, right?  But don’t forget Houston has alternative “spaces” for family fun, which are close to home and offer a variety of activities to fill the long summer days. And if thinking outside the box sounds a like a daunting task, there are plenty of resources available to help spark some inspiration.  

“100+ Activities for Houston Kids,” written by local author Megan Salch, is one of my favorites. Megan, a busy mom, only features spots that she or one of her family members has visited before.  Broken down into months, all-year-round activities and restaurants, Megan suggests Buffalo Bayou Pontoon Boat Tours, a variety of different July 4th parades, summer programs at the Houston Symphony, activities at Discovery Green, downtown’s newest park, and more.  So, when the same ol’ spots fail to produce smiles, this is a great guide to help add some “fresh” to the family calendar.  In the restaurant section, which is filled with family-inspired anecdotes, parents will find pricing information, a list of “Kids Eat Free” nights, menu suggestions, kid-friendly ratings and more. Recently updated, it is a “must have” for busy Houston parents.              

When the kids are home from school, scheduling some alone time is another challenge for parents. But before you write off personal time as impossible, try dropping by the gym. Many provide onsite care at no additional charge while others allow the little tykes to come along, either way, moms and dads can get the time they need to stay happy and fit.

Offering a wide variety of unique options, The Motherhood Center on West Alabama is a wonderful little gem. Providing the resources that all parents need, mothers-to-be can sign-up for parenting preparation classes, support groups, pre-natal massage, yoga and even for a consultation with a lactation specialist at the center.  Additionally, starting this summer, they will debut their new online baby registry.  Carrying many hard-to-find and unique items, it is a one stop shop that offers you everything you need to transition from mommy-to-be to full-time Wonder Mom.

A comfortable, accepting environment to spend time with our children is precious.  In a classroom setting at the center, “Mommy (or Daddy) & Me” classes allow parents to interact with their children, providing them with the love and confidence they need to grow and develop.  Singing, manners, etiquette and yoga are among the many topics covered in the center’s classes. Yet, if what you crave is a break, no worries, because they’ve got that one covered too. Yoga, pilates and massage are just a few of the “adult-only” options available at the center, which also provides onsite babysitting at reasonable rates.

Your local YMCA also provides a wide variety of programs for families.  As a child, I remember playing soccer at the Y, but admittedly, their facilities have not always been the best.   Today, things have changed. So check out your neighborhood YMCA; it is well worth a visit and tour.  Some of the facilities have been recently remodeled and have beautiful new workout rooms and equipment. Others, like the downtown location, are still under construction but will debut their improvements soon.

With dozens of locations in Houston area, 7 of which are inside the loop, each facility has different offerings.  Some amenities, like free babysitting (with membership), after-school and summer care, swimming lessons and karate vary from location to location.  So drop in, pick-up the Program Guide or look online for more information. Decide what’s best for you; sign-up for a month-to-month membership or just for specific lessons and classes – either way it is a great value.

Let’s face it, before you know it, summer will be over. Make the most of the time your kids are at home and have fun! Here are few online resources to get you started.

Houston Zoo: HoustonZoo.org

Children’s Museum: CMHouston.org

Houston Public Library: HPL.Lib.TX.US/HPL-Locations

100+ Activities for Houston Kids by Megan Salch: TellYourTale.com/Guidebook.html

The Motherhood Center: MotherhoodCenter.com

YMCA: YMCAHouston.org