Unspecified/General

In the Museum District just south of downtown Houston, the Children's Museum Houston is widely regarded as one of the finest children's museums in the United States. The museum was founded in April 1980 by a small group of dedicated parents and educators and has grown into a 90,000-square-foot facility that welcomes more than a million visitors each year, making it among the most heavily attended children's museums in the country. The museum's twelve permanent and rotating galleries are designed around the principle of play-based learning, with each space focused on a different topic and packed with interactive exhibits where children of various ages take the lead in exploring, experimenting and creating. The Power Play area is built around an enormous structure of climbing nets, slides and tunnels that doubles as a study in physics; the Invention Convention introduces engineering concepts through hands-on workshops; the EcoStation explores ecology through a series of outdoor and indoor science stations; and the Yalealab studio explores the connection between art and science. Particularly popular are the Kidtropolis, a child-scale city where younger visitors can play roles ranging from doctor and architect to grocer and journalist, and the Tot Spot, a dedicated area for toddlers and infants where parents and the smallest children can play together in safety. A bilingual programme called Para Los Niños, integrated throughout the museum, supports learning in both English and Spanish, reflecting Houston's diverse population. Beyond the permanent galleries, the museum hosts a busy calendar of special events including birthday parties, school field trips, summer camps and family festivals throughout the year. Free admission evenings on Thursdays and a robust scholarship programme broaden access for families across the city. Admission is reasonable, with combination passes for the surrounding Museum District attractions available at a small saving. A typical visit easily fills three or four hours, with the youngest visitors often happy to spend an entire day in a single gallery.

Type: Tourist Attraction

Address: 1500 Binz Street, Houston, TX, United States

Telephone: 713-522-1138

Website: cmhouston.org

Opening Date: 12/04/1980