Issuu

SEPTEMBER 2026

VOLUME 38 ISSUE 9

When Your Child Suddenly Hates School Hates School

After-School Reset:: Creating a Routine That Works

Where Your $$ $$ Is Going This School Year

10 Twenty-Minute 10 Meals for Crazy School Nights

Parent Hack 20 minute reset 20 Sunday Nights

Grandparents++ Grandkids:: 15 15 Adventures They’ll ’

When Your

Child Suddenly

Where Your

Is Going This School Year

Parent Hack

minute reset

Sunday Nights

After

School Reset

Creating a Routine That Works

Twenty

Minute

Meals for Crazy School Nights

Grandparents Grandkids

Adventures They

+ After School‌ School Activity Guide After School

Activity Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS AFTERSCHOOL RESET c r e at i n g a r o u t i n e t h at w o r k s

IS YOUR CHILD OVERSCHEDULED 7 Signs to look for

SEPTEMBER SLUMP 10 when your child hates school GRANDPARENTS + GRANDKIDS

15 adventures in Houston PARENT HACK 14 20m Sunday reset WHATS FOR DINNER 16 20m meals for crazy nights FAMILY BUDGET RESET

where’s the $$ going MAKING FRIENDS IS HARD helping kids find their people

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

guide for busy parents CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE

with Houston kids BOOK BITES

must reads from Blue Willow CALENDAR OF EVENTS

events & activities this month HOUSTON WEEKEND

FREE HOUSTON

TEEN SCENE

Houston Family Magazine HoustonFamilyMagazine.com PUBLISHER/EDITOR KIMBERLY DAVIS GUERRA CREATIVE DIRECTOR CASEY JOHNSON ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE BEVERLY DAVIS LATESA GRUNDMANN PHOTOGRAPHER AMY GARRETT CONTRIBUTING WRITERS KATY O’BRIEN KIMBERLY GUERRA RH GUERA L GRUNDMANN VALERIE KOHLER

Houston Family Magazine 14781 Memorial Dr. #208, Houston TX 77079 Ph: 713.266.1885 hello@houstonfamilymagazine.com Houston Family Magazine is published monthly by Houston Family Magazine, LLC. We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all submitted material. Houston Family is 2020 by Houston Family Magazine,LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or whole without express permission is prohibited.

Afterschool Afterschool R E S E T

C rr ee aa tt ii nn g C g a a R Ro ou ut t ii n ne e th t h aa tt AA cc tt uu aa ll ll yy W Wo or rk ks s

By Kimberly Guerra

The f irst few weeks of school can feel deceptively manageable. Backpacks are n e w, p e n c i l s a r e s t i l l plentiful and everyone is trying hard to stick to the new routine. Then September arrives. Suddenly, there are lacrosse practices, forgotten assignments, permission slips, tests, laundry, dinner and a child a n n o u n c i n g at 8 : 4 7 p . m . t h at he needs poster board t o m o r r o w. We l c o m e b ac k t o r e a l l i fe . I n s t e ad o f t r y i n g t o c r e at e the perfect schedule, c r e at e a p r e d i c t a b l e r h y t h m your family can actually maintain.

Don’t Start with Homework Many kids have spent seven hours listening, concentrating, following directions and sitting still. Walking through the door and immediately hearing, “Get your homework done,” can be a recipe for resistance. Try giving kids 20 to 30 minutes to decompress first. Offer a snack, let them change clothes and give them a little freedom. The key is establishing when that break ends. “Relax until 4:15 and then we'll start homework” works much better than an open-ended afternoon of screens.

Create a Landing Zone Choose one location for backpacks, lunchboxes, shoes, sports equipment and school papers. It doesn't have to be Pinterest-worthy. Hooks, baskets and a charging station can accomplish more than an elaborate organization system nobody uses. Teach kids that coming home means unpacking the lunchbox, putting important papers in the designated spot and returning the backpack to its home.

Build Around Your Child Some children concentrate best immediately after their snack. Others need movement first. Instead of fighting your child's natural rhythm, experiment. A high-energy elementary student might need 20 minutes outside before tackling homework. A teenager may benefit from an hour to recharge before beginning evening work. The goal isn't to make every child follow the same schedule. It's to create one that consistently gets everything done.

Protect Dinner When You Can Houston families know the challenge of juggling school, work, traffic and extracurricular activities. Family dinner at 6 p.m. every night simply isn't realistic for everyone. But eating together doesn't have to mean an elaborate meal—or even dinner. If Tuesday night means eating sandwiches together at 8 p.m. after practice, it still counts. If breakfast is the meal your family can consistently share, protect breakfast. What matters is creating regular opportunities to connect.

Prepare for Tomorrow Tonight

Don't Overschedule Bedtime

Five minutes in the evening can save 20 frantic minutes the next morning.

One of the easiest ways to derail the next school day is to let the current one run too late.

Before bed: Put backpacks by the door. Check the calendar. Fill water bottles. Lay out clothes. Locate shoes. Make sure sports equipment is packed. Plug devices into their chargers. Older kids should gradually take responsibility for their own checklist.

Create a wind-down period before bedtime. Dim lights, stop homework when reasonably possible and get phones out of bedrooms. Teenagers may resist, but a 1 a.m. TikTok marathon isn't exactly preparation for first-period algebra.

Give Yourself Permission to Adjust The routine you imagined in August may not be the routine your family needs in September. That's okay. If every Wednesday is a disaster because three activities collide, something may need to change. If homework takes twice as long as expected every night, talk with the teacher. A good family routine isn't rigid. It's predictable enough to make children feel secure and flexible enough to survive real life.

Is Your Child Over Scheduled??

7 SIGNS IT MIGHT BE TIME TO CUT SOMETHING

By Katy O’ Brien Soccer. Dance. Piano. Scouts. Tutoring. Volleyball. Theater. Robotics. Houston parents have an incredible selection of activities available to their children. That's a good thing—until childhood begins to resemble an executive's calendar. Extracurricular activities can build confidence, friendships, discipline and skills. But more isn't necessarily better. Here are seven signs your family's schedule may need some breathing room.

1. Everyone Is Constantly Exhausted

2. Dinner Happens Almost Exclusively in the Car

3. Homework Has Become a Nightly Emergency

An occasional late night isn't a crisis. Chronic exhaustion is different. If children regularly struggle to wake up, fall asleep in the car between activities or spend weekends recovering from their weekdays, look at the schedule. Sleep shouldn't become the thing children sacrifice to fit everything else in.

Drive-through dinner occasionally? That's family life. But when your SUV becomes the family dining room five nights a week, there may simply be too much happening. Kids need unhurried time at home, too.

Extracurricular activities should complement school, not make schoolwork nearly impossible. If homework routinely begins at 9 p.m., something probably needs to give. Before automatically dropping the activity your child loves, however, look at the entire schedule. Sometimes reducing two lower-priority commitments solves the problem.

4. Your Child Doesn't Want to Go Anymore

5. There Is No Unstructured Time

There's an important distinction between “I don't feel like going to soccer today” and “I dread soccer every Tuesday.” Children shouldn't necessarily quit whenever something becomes difficult. Learning perseverance matters. But persistent dread deserves attention. Ask what changed. Is it the activity? Coach? Other kids? Pressure? Or simple exhaustion?

When was the last time your child had absolutely nothing scheduled? Boredom isn't an emergency. Free time gives kids an opportunity to create, explore, read, play, think and decide what they want to do without an adult organizing the experience. Try protecting at least one block of unscheduled time every weekend.

6. Your Family Is Fighting About the Schedule

7. You're More Invested Than Your Child

“Get your shoes!” “We're late!” “Where is your uniform?” “Eat in the car!” If this soundtrack plays every evening, pay attention. A busy season may temporarily require extra coordination, but family life shouldn't feel like a permanent race against the clock.

This one can sting. Sometimes parents become attached to the team, achievement or future possibilities long after a child has lost interest. Ask yourself: If scholarships, résumés and other parents disappeared from the equation, would I still insist my child continue?

What Should You Cut? Have each family member identify activities as: Love it. Like it. Could live without it. Protect the “love it” activities first. Then consider the real cost of each commitment—not just registration fees, but transportation, equipment, practices, weekend tournaments and family time. Childhood doesn't need to be maximized. Sometimes one less activity creates room for something kids need just as much: sleep, family dinners, neighborhood friends and an occasional Saturday morning with nowhere to be. HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2026 9

SEPTEMBER SLUMP: When Your Child Suddenly Hates School !! By Katy O’Brien

August often begins with optimism. New teacher. New clothes. New backpack. New year. Then September arrives and your previously enthusiastic child announces: “I hate school.” Before panicking—or launching into a lecture about how fortunate they are to receive an education—get curious. The first several weeks of school provide a honeymoon period. By September, academic expectations increase, friendship dynamics become clearer and the novelty disappears. A sudden change in attitude may simply be adjustment. But it can also be a clue. Start With Better Questions “How was school?” frequently produces one word: “Fine.” Try something more specific: “What was the hardest part of today?” “Who did you sit with at lunch?” “When were you happiest today?” “What class feels easiest right now?” “If you could change one thing about school, what would it be?” Then listen without immediately trying to solve the problem.

Look for Patterns

Check the Basics

One complaint about math doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem.

Before assuming something dramatic is happening, consider sleep, hunger and the schedule.

“I hate math” every Monday through Friday deserves more investigation.

Is your child going to bed late? Skipping breakfast? Spending hours at practice? Staying up with a phone?

Watch for patterns around particular classes, teachers, classmates, assignments or times of day.

An exhausted child can experience an ordinary school day as an unbearable one.

Also look at what happens physically. Frequent Sunday-night stomachaches or headaches before school can sometimes accompany stress and anxiety and deserve attention, particularly when they persist.

Know Wen to Seek More Help

Friendship Problems Can Look Like School Problems For many children—especially middle and high school students—“I hate school” may really mean “I don't know where I belong.” Friendships can shift dramatically at the beginning of a new school year. Don't dismiss the social side of school as less important than academics. For a child eating lunch alone, friendship may feel considerably more urgent than a science grade.

Persistent school refusal, significant changes in eating or sleeping, frequent unexplained physical complaints, panic, extreme withdrawal, bullying concerns or a dramatic change in behavior warrant more attention. Start with your child's teacher, school counselor and pediatrician as appropriate. Most importantly, make home the place where children can tell the truth. You don't have to agree that school is terrible. You simply want your child to know that when something feels terrible, you'll listen long enough to understand why.

Contact the Teacher Before Things Escalate Parents sometimes hesitate because they don't want to be “that parent.” You don't need to demand a conference after one bad afternoon. But if the same problem continues for a couple of weeks, send a short, collaborative message. “I'm noticing that Maya has become increasingly frustrated about reading. Are you seeing anything similar at school?” Teachers see a side of our children we don't.

HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2026 11

Granparents + grandkids

15 Ways to Make Memories in Houston By Kimberly Guerra

Grandparents Day falls on Sunday, September 13 this year, but one Sunday hardly seems sufficient for celebrating one of childhood's most important relationships. Whether grandparents live across town or are visiting Houston for the weekend, the best grandparentgrandchild adventures have one thing in common: plenty of time to talk, laugh and make memories.

1. Children's Museum Houston. September is Grandparents Month at the museum, making this an especially timely outing. 2. Houston Zoo. Let the grandkids choose the animals everyone has to see. 3. Houston Museum of Natural Science. Dinosaurs have a way of bridging generations. 4. Hermann Park. Walk, picnic or simply sit together. 5. Miller Outdoor Theatre. Pack snacks and enjoy a free performance. 6. Bake a family recipe. Even better: have Grandma or Grandpa explain where the recipe came from. 7. Create a family-history interview. Kids can record grandparents answering questions about childhood, school, first jobs and family traditions. 8. Look through old photographs. Children are fascinated by evidence that their parents and grandparents were once children, too. 9. Visit Galveston. Walk the Strand, see the water and let grandparents share memories if they grew up visiting the island. 10. Have an ice-cream date. No elaborate itinerary required. 11. Plant something together. A flower, herb or small tree becomes a living reminder of the day. 12. Teach each other something. Grandpa teaches chess; the grandchild teaches him a video game. 13. Attend a sporting event. Astros, Texans, Dynamo, Dash, college or high school—the team matters less than sharing the experience. 14. Write letters to each other. Actual paper. Actual envelopes. Save them. 15. Create a tradition. Pick one adventure to repeat every year. Children's Museum Houston is making this particularly easy in September. Throughout the month, one grandparent receives free admission with the purchase of one child's admission when tickets are purchased onsite. The museum is also holding a special Grandparents' Day celebration September 13. But the best Grandparents Day gift may not cost anything. Ask grandparents to tell the stories nobody has written down yet. Record the answers. Years from now, those voices and stories may become one of your family's most treasured possessions.

HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2026 13

parent hack parent hack Sunday night doesn't have to turn into a frantic search for clean uniforms, missing permission slips and something—anything—to pack for lunch Monday morning.

The 20 Minute Sunday Reset That Can Save Your Week

Set a timer for 20 minutes and get the entire family involved in a weekly reset. Minutes 1–5: Check the calendar. Look at school events, sports practices, appointments, tests, birthday parties and work commitments. Older kids should check their own school portals and activity schedules. Minutes 6–10: Outfit check. Make sure uniforms, practice clothes and anything needed for special school days are clean and ready. Younger children can choose Monday's outfit themselves. Minutes 11–15: Lunch and snack inventory. Don't make lunches yet. Simply make sure you have what you'll need. Wash fruit, portion a few snacks and fill water bottles. Minutes 16–18: Launch pad. Designate one place near the door for backpacks, shoes, sports bags, instruments and anything that needs to leave the house Monday morning. Minutes 19–20: Ask one question. “What do you need from me this week?” That last minute may be the most valuable one of all. It gives kids a chance to mention the science project they forgot to tell you about—or the friendship problem that's been bothering them. Twenty minutes won't make family life perfectly organized. It can, however, make Monday morning considerably less painful.

HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2026 15

What's for Dinner? 10 TwentyMinute Meals for Crazy School Nights By Kimberly Guerra

It's 5:45. One child needs to leave for practice at 6:30. Another has homework. Someone is hungry now, and ordering takeout for the third time this week isn't particularly appealing. You don't need another complicated recipe. You need dinner. Here are 10 school-night meals that can realistically get food on the table quickly.

1. Rotisserie Chicken Tacos

6. Mediterranean Pita Pockets

Shred a supermarket rotisserie chicken and warm it with taco seasoning and a splash of water. Set out tortillas, shredded cheese, lettuce, salsa and avocado.

Fill pita bread with prepared hummus, rotisserie chicken, cucumber, tomatoes and feta.

Kid job: Build the taco bar.

No stove required.

2. Pesto Chicken Pasta

Kid job: Stuff the pitas.

Cook your favorite pasta. Toss with prepared pesto, shredded rotisserie chicken and halved cherry tomatoes.

7. Tortellini Night

Serve with fruit.

Refrigerated cheese tortellini cooks in minutes. Add Parmesan. Kid job: Toss ingredients together.

Toss with marinara and baby spinach, top with Parmesan and serve with a bagged salad.

3. Breakfast-for-Dinner Quesadillas

Kid job: Make the salad.

Scramble eggs and place them inside tortillas with shredded cheese and cooked bacon or breakfast sausage.

8. BBQ Chicken Baked Potatoes

Fold and toast in a skillet.

Top with shredded chicken tossed in barbecue sauce, cheese and green onions.

Microwave russet potatoes until tender.

Serve with fruit. Kid job: Choose the toppings. Kid job: Sprinkle the cheese. 9. Personal Naan Pizzas 4. Sheet-Pan Nachos Spread tortilla chips on a baking sheet. Add black beans, shredded chicken and cheese.

Spread naan with pizza sauce and let everyone add mozzarella and their favorite toppings. Bake until bubbly.

Bake until melted and top with salsa, avocado, sour cream and chopped tomatoes.

Kid job: Make their own pizza.

Kid job: Build the nachos.

10. Snack-Board Dinner

5. Speedy Fried Rice

For the night when cooking simply isn't happening, make a balanced grazing board.

Heat frozen mixed vegetables in a skillet. Add leftover rice and scrambled eggs. Season with reduced-sodium soy sauce and a little sesame oil.

Include sliced turkey, cheese, whole-grain crackers, hummus, carrots, cucumber, grapes, berries and nuts if appropriate for your family.

Add leftover chicken or shrimp if you have it. Kids think it's fun. Kid job: Measure ingredients. Parents know it's actually dinner. The Real Secret: Keep Five Rescue Foods Every household needs emergency ingredients. Keep tortillas, eggs, pasta, shredded cheese and frozen vegetables available, then add rotisserie chicken or another easy protein when you shop. Dinner doesn't need to be impressive. On a Wednesday night in September, getting everyone fed and reasonably happy counts as a culinary victory.

FAMILY BUDGET RESET Where Is Your Money Really Going This School Year

By Kimberly Guerra

August gets blamed for back-to-school spending. September reveals the truth. The backpack and school supplies were only the beginning. Now come activity fees, uniforms, school lunches, sports equipment, tutoring, birthday parties, spirit nights, fundraisers, convenience meals and the endless stream of $10 and $20 expenses that somehow turn into hundreds. September is a good time for a family financial reset. Track Before You Cut For two weeks, record every school- and child-related expense. Don't judge it. Just record it. Create categories such as: School Food Sports/activities Clothing Entertainment Transportation Convenience Miscellaneous You may discover the big problem isn't soccer fees. It's four rushed takeout dinners every week because soccer changed your schedule.

Calculate the Real Cost of Activities A $150 registration fee isn't necessarily a $150 activity. Add uniforms, equipment, travel, tournament tournament fees, snacks and gas. This doesn't mean your child shouldn't participate. It simply allows you to compare activities accurately.

Give Every Child a Fun Budget Older kids especially can benefit benefit from a monthly discretionary budget. If your teenager has $75 for movies, coffee, snacks and outings, she begins making choices. Spend $25 today and there is $50 left. That's considerably more educational than Mom functioning as an unlimited ATM.

Watch Convenience Spending Busy families pay a premium for lack of time. Food delivery, drive-through meals, individually packaged snacks and last-minute purchases aren't inherently bad. The problem is frequency. Choose your convenience intentionally. Maybe Thursday is always takeout night because that's the family's impossible evening. Planning for it is different from accidentally ordering food four nights a week.

Create a School-Year Sinking Fund Look ahead. Halloween costumes are coming. Then Thanksgiving. Then Christmas. Then spring sports. Estimate those expenses now and begin setting aside a little every paycheck. Even $25 or $50 at a time can reduce the shock later.

Include the Kids Children don't need to carry adult financial stress, but they can understand limits. “We have $100 to spend on your birthday. Would you rather invite more friends to something inexpensive or take two friends somewhere special?” That's not deprivation. That's decision-making. A family budget isn't about saying no to everything. It's about making sure your money goes toward the things your family values most—instead of disappearing $14.73 at a time. HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2026 19

D D R R A A H H S S I I S S D D N N E E I I R R F F e G G l p o N N e I I P r K K i e h A A T d n M M i F s d i K g n i p l e H By L. Grundmann

We tell children, “Just be yourself.” That's lovely advice—unless you're 12 years old, standing alone in a cafeteria and wondering where you're supposed to sit. Friendships are one of the most important parts of childhood, and they don't always happen naturally. September can be especially difficult. By now, social groups have begun forming, and children who haven't found their place may start feeling as though everyone else has. Parents can't manufacture friendship. But we can make it easier for connection to happen.

Don't Minimize It If your child says, “Nobody likes me,” resist immediately responding, “Of course they do!” Instead try: “That sounds really lonely. What happened today?” You aren't agreeing that nobody likes your child. You're making it safe to explain what happened.

Look for One Friend, Not Ten

Watch for Exclusion and Bullying

Children don't need to become the most popular kid in school.

Not every friendship disappointment is bullying.

One genuine friendship can completely change a child's experience. Ask teachers which classmates your child seems comfortable around. Then create an easy opportunity for those children to spend time together outside school.

Kids change groups. Friends argue. Feelings get hurt. Bullying involves repeated aggressive behavior and a power imbalance and deserves adult intervention. If you suspect something more serious is happening, document what your child reports and contact the school.

Use Activities Strategically Make Home a Safe Place Clubs, sports, theater, robotics, art and volunteering give children something valuable: repeated contact with people who already share an interest.

Perhaps most importantly, don't make your child's social life a measure of his worth. Some kids have huge friend groups.

A child who struggles socially at school may thrive in a smaller environment centered around something he loves.

Others have two close friends. Some need considerably more alone time.

Teach Friendship Skills The goal isn't popularity. We sometimes assume children instinctively know how to make friends.

It's helping children find relationships where they can relax, belong and be themselves.

Many don't. Practice simple skills:

Finding “your people” can take time—even for adults.

Ask a question.

Our kids deserve permission to take their time, too.

Remember something the other person told you. Invite someone to join you. Give a genuine compliment. Listen instead of waiting to talk. These are learnable skills. Don't Become the Social Director Forever For younger children, arranging playdates is normal. As kids grow, shift responsibility gradually. Instead of texting another parent yourself, encourage your middle schooler to invite the friend. Teenagers need opportunities to build social independence.

THE ULTIMATE LIST OF

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES GYMNASTICS, TUMBLING & NINJA Discover Gymnastics 713) 680-0045 747 N. Shepherd Dr., Suite 400, Houston, TX 77007 discovergymnastics.com Recreational and competitive gymnastics, tumbling and rhythmic gymnastics programs for children. Cypress Academy of Gymnastics (281) 469-4599 11707 Huffmeister Rd., B, Houston, TX 77065 cypressacademy.com Recreational gymnastics, tumbling, competitive programs and ninja-style activities. The Little Gym of Houston Heights 1501 W. 18th St., Houston, TX 77008 713-909-3642 thelittlegym.com Gymnastics and movement-based classes for younger children. The Little Gym also operates additional locations throughout Greater Houston.

DANCE & BALLET

River Oaks Dance - River Oaks 3641 Westheimer Rd., Unit C, Houston, TX 77027 281-840-0372 riveroaksdance.com Children's ballet, creative movement and dance instruction. Frame Dance 2426 Bartlett St., Suites D & E, Houston, TX 77098 346-708-1555 framedance.org Ballet, modern dance and creative movement programs for children and teens. Karina's School of Dance 2626A Sutherland St., Houston, TX 77023 713-892-5763 Youth dance instruction ranging from introductory classes for young children through more advanced training Hunter Dance Center 747 N. Shepherd Dr., Suite 100, Houston, TX 77007 832-962-8982 hunterdancecenter.com Dance, aerial, creative movement and performing-arts instruction.

MARTIAL ARTS & SELF-DEFENSE

SOCCER & YOUTH SPORTS

Premier Martial Arts River Oaks 2055 Westheimer Rd., Suite 160, Houston, TX 77098 713-581-8075

Soccer Shots Houston Programs held at numerous Houston-area schools, parks and facilities 281-995-7208 Website: Soccer Shots Houston

Martial arts and self-defense programs emphasizing confidence, discipline and fitness. Premier Martial Arts Houston Heights 2401 N. Shepherd Dr., Suite 125, Houston, TX 77008 713-300-2421

Developmental soccer programs primarily geared toward younger children.

Age-grouped martial-arts instruction for children through teens.

i9 Sports Cy-Fair and NW Houston, TX Multiple Cy-Fair, Cypress and Northwest Houston facilities 281-807-7788 Website: i9 Sports

Bam Bam Martial Arts Houston 4007 Bellaire Blvd. II, Houston, TX 77025 281-516-5594 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and martial-arts instruction with an emphasis on confidence, respect and discipline.

SWIMMING

Youth leagues and clinics that can include soccer, basketball, flag football, baseball/T-ball and volleyball.

Pengu Swim School - Houston Central 984 Wakefield Dr., Houston, TX 77018 713-688-2400 Pengu Swim School

Houston Parks and Recreation Department 2999 S. Wayside Dr., Houston, TX 77023 832-394-8805 Houston Parks Youth Sports & Recreation

Indoor, year-round swim instruction focused on water safety and progressive swimming skills.

Offers free and low-cost youth programs at community centers around Houston, including soccer, basketball, tennis, swimming, baseball and flag football. Its free After-School Enrichment Program for ages 6–13 runs September 3, 2026 through May 7, 2027.

Emler Swim School of Houston-Meyerland 9929 S. Post Oak Rd., Houston, TX 77096 832-968-7946 Emler Swim School

FENCING Year-round indoor swimming instruction from beginning water safety through advanced stroke development. Blue Legend Swim School Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Memorial and Cypress area locations 832-598-6666 Blue Legend Swim School

Space City Fencing Academy 4007 EE Bellaire Blvd., Houston, TX 77025 832-778-8745 spacecityfencing.com Recreational and competitive fencing for children, teens and adults. Additional programs operate in Pearland and the Sugar Land/Missouri City area.

Swim instruction and skill development at several Greater Houston locations. HORSEBACK RIDING Bailey Oaks Farms 7220 County Rd. 128, Alvin, TX 77511 281-756-7254 Bailey Oaks Farms English horseback-riding instruction with beginner through advanced riding and hunter/jumper development.

Alliance Fencing Academy 1117 Upland Dr., Houston, TX 77043 713-410-6655 alliance-fencing-academy.com Programs: Beginner through competitive fencing for ages 5 and up, including youth classes, private lessons, homeschool programming, open fencing and seasonal camps. Alliance was founded in 2004 by former U.S. Olympic and National Coach Andrey Geva and currently serves more than 400 members across Houston, Katy and The Woodlands.

HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2026 23

ART & CREATIVE CLASSES

STEM, CODING & ROBOTICS

Glassell Jr. School 5100 Montrose Blvd., Houston, TX 77006 713-639-7700 Glassell School of Art

Code Ninjas 5709 Woodway Dr., Suite G, Houston, TX 77057 832-777-3662 Code Ninjas

Museum-connected studio-art classes and workshops for children and teens.

Game-based coding and STEM instruction, primarily for children ages 5–14.

Colors Are Magic 709 Studewood St., Houston, TX 77007 713-924-7065 Colors Are Magic

iCode Memorial - West Houston 14520 Memorial Dr., Suite B, Houston, TX 77079 832-713-7744 iCode Memorial

After-school and Saturday art classes for children using a variety of materials and techniques.

Instructor-led coding, robotics, game development and STEM programs for kids and teens.

Zhang YaoWu Art School 6515 Corporate Dr., Suite M1, Houston, TX 77036 713-909-0030 Zhang Yaowu Art Center Structured drawing, painting, ceramics and visualarts instruction for children and teens. Cordovan Art School Seven Houston-area locations 281-645-6580 Cordovan Art School Art classes, workshops and camps for children and teens at multiple Greater Houston studios. MUSIC & INSTRUMENT LESSONS Prelude Music Classes for Children 3701 W. Alabama St., # 210, Houston, TX 77027 832-803-7701 Prelude Music Classes for Children Music Together-based instruction for babies through school-age children, including Rhythm Kids for ages 4–9. Vivaldi Music Academy West University, Bellaire, Memorial & Sugar Land 346-330-2646 Vivaldi Music Academy Private lessons in piano, violin, guitar, cello, drums, voice and other instruments, plus early-childhood music programming. The academy has multiple Greater Houston locations. CHESS Texas Chess Center 4007 Bellaire Blvd., Suite HH, Houston, TX 77025 469-498-7296 Youth chess instruction, private coaching, camps, open play and tournament opportunities.

Mad Science of Houston Programs held at participating Houston-area schools and locations 713-663-7623 Mad Science Houston Hands-on science enrichment and after-school programs. Mad Science is among the established STEM programs used by Houstonarea schools. THEATER & MUSICAL THEATER HITS Theatre 311 W. 18th St., Houston, TX 77008 713-861-7408 hitstheatre.org Theater education and performance programs for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Humphrey's School Of Musical Theatre 800 Bagby St., Houston, TX 77002 713-558-8801 TUTS Humphreys School of Musical Theatre Theatre Under The Stars' education program offering year-round acting, singing, dance and musical-theater instruction. Alley Theatre Education Programs 615 Texas Ave., Houston, TX 77002 713-220-5700 Alley Theatre Education Youth theater, acting and educational programming from one of Houston's major professional theaters.

COOKING Lettuce Cook Houston Mobile/in-home and participating Houston-area school locations 832-303-9458 Website: Lettuce Cook Houston Hands-on children's cooking instruction, private classes and school-based after-school cooking clubs.

FULL AFTER-SCHOOL CARE & MULTI-ACTIVITY PROGRAMS YMCA of Greater Houston Approximately 200 after-school sites across 23 Houston-area school districts 713-659-5566 YMCA of Greater Houston After-school care combining homework assistance, snacks, physical activity, enrichment and social development. Financial assistance may be available.

FOREIGN LANGUAGES Language Kids World 1245 Heights Blvd., Houston, TX 77008; programs offered throughout Greater Houston 281-565-1388 Language Kids World

Kidventure Programs offered at participating schools throughout Greater Houston Kidventure After School After-school programs combining academics, sports, creative activities and social-emotional development.

Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, French and American Sign Language programs for children. The organization operates after-school programs at schools throughout Houston, Bellaire, Memorial, Meyerland, Sugar Land, Katy, Pearland, The Woodlands, Spring, Kingwood, Clear Lake and other communities.

Houston Parks and Recreation Department 2999 S. Wayside Dr., Houston, TX 77023; programs at participating community centers 832-395-7131 / 832-395-7135 / 832-395-7296 HPARD After-School Programs

TUTORING & ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT

The city's FREE After-School Enrichment Program serves children ages 6–13 and includes arts and crafts, fitness, nature activities, instructional sports and games. For the 2026–27 school year, the program runs September 3 through May 7 at participating community centers.

General Academic 2427 Bartlett St., Houston, TX 77098 713-838-7774 Website: General Academic One-on-one tutoring, executive-function coaching and standardized-test preparation, including ISEE, SAT, ACT and PSAT. Mathnasium Numerous Greater Houston locations Mathnasium After-school math instruction and enrichment for elementary through high-school students. Parents can use the location finder to identify the nearest center. Kumon Numerous Greater Houston locations Kumon

ADAPTIVE & INCLUSIVE ACTIVITIES Evelyn Rubenstein JCC of Houston 5601 S. Braeswood Blvd., Houston, TX 77096 713-729-3200 Evelyn Rubenstein JCC Offers youth recreation and adaptive programming; published resources have included gymnastics, basketball and soccer opportunities for children who benefit from adaptive programming. YMCA of Greater Houston Adaptive Programs Various Greater Houston YMCA locations 713-659-5566 YMCA Adaptive Sports Adaptive sports programming can include basketball, soccer, baseball, flag football and aquatics.

Math and reading enrichment programs with centers throughout the Houston metropolitan area. HFM PARENT TIP Before committing to an entire semester, ask whether the program offers a free or discounted trial class. Also ask about registration fees, equipment or costume costs, make-up policies, withdrawal requirements and sibling discounts. For programs located at schools, enrollment may be restricted to students attending that campus. HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2026 25

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month With Houston Kids By R.H. Guerra

Hispanic Heritage Month runs September 15 through October 15, giving Houston families an extraordinary opportunity to explore history, music, art, traditions and stories that have helped shape both our city and our country. And in Houston, families don't have to look very far. The key is moving beyond simply eating a favorite food and calling it a cultural lesson. Start With the Story Hispanic Heritage Month begins in the middle of September for a reason. September 15 marks independence anniversaries for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates its independence September 16, followed by Chile September 18. For younger children, keep the history simple. Locate the countries on a map. Look at their flags. Find children's books written by Latino authors. Older kids can research an influential Hispanic American and present three things the rest of the family probably doesn't know.

Experience the Culture Children's Museum Houston is offering special Hispanic Heritage programming this year beginning in September. Its September 19 celebration includes bilingual storytelling, Aztec dance, mariachi, ballet folklórico, Latin rhythms and hands-on activities such as papel picado. Discovery Green also has México en el Corazón scheduled for September 26. Experiencing music and dance live can give children a completely different connection to culture than reading about it on a worksheet.

Explore Through Food—But Dig Deeper Yes, absolutely eat. Houston offers an extraordinary opportunity to explore cuisines connected to Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. But make dinner an exploration. Where did the dish originate? What ingredients are important? Is it associated with a holiday or region? Let children choose a country, find a dish and help prepare it.

Bring Spanish Into Everyday Life You don't need to be fluent. Choose five Spanish words every week and use them at home. Listen to Spanish-language music. Watch a familiar children's movie with Spanish audio or subtitles. If grandparents or relatives speak Spanish, encourage kids to ask them to teach favorite expressions.

Talk About Houston Hispanic culture isn't something children need to travel elsewhere to discover. It's woven throughout Houston. Explore murals. Visit cultural events. Listen to Tejano music. Talk about local leaders, artists, business owners and families. The purpose of Hispanic Heritage Month isn't to squeeze an enormous collection of cultures into a four-week celebration. It's to open a door. Walk through it with your children—and keep exploring after October 15.

HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2026 27

Book Bites

www.bluewillowbookshop.com

Planting Seeds Of Kindness by Rose Bunting (Cottage Door Press) A mother mouse teaches her child an important lesson: "Little seeds of kindness, planted all day through, grow in hearts like flowers, all because of you!" How To Be A Pirate by Isaac Fitzgerald (Bloomsbury Publishing) As Grandpa shares each tattoo, CeCe discovers that there are all kinds of ways to be a pirate--Be BRAVE! Be QUICK! Be INDEPENDENT! And FUN!--and most of all, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. I Forgive Alex: A Simple Story Of Understanding by Kerascoet (Random House Studio) When an energetic child inadvertently upsets one of his classmates, everyone is reminded that it is important to learn that taking responsibility for a mistake and forgiveness are equally important. Quiet Is Strength by Mary Rand Hess (Rocky Pond Books) Quiet is strength. It's as strong as a monarch butterfly in migration. As important as a whisper and a promise. As deep as a listener, still . . . and sincere. The Faraway Forest: Wally’s Route by Debbie Fong (Chronicle Books) Along with packages, Wally, the Faraway Forest's mail carrier, delivers kindness and a helping hand. But can he and Bo win over their grumpiest neighbor, the cantankerous Mr. Sternbill? After School Kindness Crew by Goldie Hawn and Lin Oliver (Penguin Workshop) Join classmates Tony, Mia, and River as they create the After-School Kindness Crew, bringing joy to those around them, with laughs, adventures, and brain breaks along the way. Shermy & Shake And the Not So New Kid by Kirby Larson (Candlewick Press) When the teacher asks Shermy to be a school mate for the new kid, Shermy is surprised when the new kid turns out to be Shake--Shermy's summer friend from out of town. Whale Eyes by James Robinson (Penguin Workshop) An illustrated memoir for middle-grade readers inspired by the viral, Emmy-nominated short film “Whale Eyes.” Told through an experimental mix of intimate anecdotes. What Can I Say?: A Kid's Guide to Super-Useful Social Skills to Help You Get Along and Express Yourself; Speak Up, Speak Out, Talk about Hard Things by Catherine Newman (Storey Publishing) A timely how-to book to teach kids communication and social skills. Must reads from the experts at Blue Willow Bookshop Stop by in person for story time, book clubs and author events. Check out their monthly calendar for up to minute dates.

HOUSTON FAMILY MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2026 29

Galveston Island

July 26 Calendar of Events

JANUARY 2025

DIY Dairy

Did you know that you can make fresh cheese and butter easily in your own kitchen? Join us to learn how to make queso fresco-style cheese and home“churned” butter! We’ll explore a little cooking chemistry and experiment with adding flavors from herbs and spices. All ages, minors must be accompanied by an adult. $37 member / $52 nonmember. 3-5pm. www.houstonarboretum.org Discovery Room Hours Please come inside to visit our Discovery Rooms and see our Ambassador Animals, read a book from our nature library, touch and examine some of our natural history specimens, pick up a scavenger hunt and more! All ages. 10am-3pm. Free. Various days throughout the month. www.naturediscoverycenter.org Family Storytime and Craft Join us for a cross-generational literacy experience! Family Storytime features a story followed by a craft that accompanies the reading. All craft supplies are included as a part of this free program. Ages 5 yo and under. 10a. Free. Every Tuesday. www.levyparkhouston.org Learn Wild! Home School Programs Dino’s Alive: Blast from the Past (Family Session) Learn Wild Family Session and Science Session are sold separately as independent programs. Participants can purchase programs individually or both programs for a full day of learning. All ages. $18. 9:30am-12:30pm. www.moodygardens.com

Nocturnal Houston Restaurant After Hours at The Bryan Weeks Our first Thursdays is now on Houston’s most anticipated foodie Wednesdays twice a month! To kick off event of the year begins augustd 1st the new Wednesday social, music and and runs through September 7th, wine series listen to the lively sounds of 2026. That’s 38 days of delicious Galveston's Swack and Jack! meals and super deals raising Adult. 4-7 pm. Free. Also September necessary funds for the Houston Food 15. Bank. An extensive list of the most www.thebryanmuseum.org popular restaurants will participate and serve specially priced, multiJapan Junction course prix fixe menus for brunch In Japan, people often hang Teru Teru ($25), lunch ($25), or dinner ($39 or Bozu, a traditional handmade $55), available for dine-in and takedecoration believed to bring good out. weather. Usually made from tissue All ages. Till Sept 7. paper or cloth, these cheerful little houstonrestaurantweeks.com figures are displayed near windows or doors to wish for sunshine. Join us for a kamishibai reading of “Okeya no Ten Nobori” or “The Tubmaker Who Flew to the Sky,” a whimsical tale featuring a sleepy thunder god, Kaminari-sama, whose storms bring rainy weather. Buffalo Bayou Wellness Walk After the story, make your own Teru Join Buffalo Bayou Partnership on a Teru Bozu out of craft paper to chase free Wellness Walk led by Laura away the rain and Kaminari-sama and Conely, founder of Urban Paths. invite sunny skies! Anyone and everyone is invited to All ages. 4:30pm. Free. walk through the paths of Buffalo www.levypark.com Bayou Park while discussing topics including mental and physical health After Hours at The Bryan as well as the benefits of being Our first Thursdays is now on exposed to nature. Wednesdays twice a month! To kick off All ages. Free. 6:30-8pm. Every the new Wednesday social, music and Wednesday. wine series listen to the lively sounds of www.buffalobayou.org Galveston's Swack and Jack! Adult. 4-7 pm. Free. Also September 15. Blossom Brigade Come out and volunteer with Mercer www.thebryanmuseum.org staff to support pollinators in the Nature Story Time gardens and local community. This Preschoolers and their caregivers join weekly team of volunteers harvests us on Wednesday afternoons for seeds from the garden, then nature stories, live animals, touchable processes the seeds to prepare for specimens, and a simple craft. community giveaways. Work varies from indoor to outdoor depending on Ages 2-5. 4-5pm. Free. Every Wednesday, through Sept 16. seasonal needs. www.naturediscoverycenter.org Ages 16+. 9-11am. Free. Every Wednesday. www.pct3.com/MBG

Sep 2026

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Esplanade at Navigation Market Brought to you by the East End District, the East End Farmers Market is open every Sunday from 10am to 2pm on the Navigation Esplanade in front of the historic original Ninfa’s Restaurant. Unique among Houston’s farmers markets, the East End Farmers Market blends sights and sounds, cuisine and culture to create an experience that is rooted in one of Houston’s most historic communities. Visit the East End Farmers Market to sample fresh garden fruits and vegetables, locally produced farm and dairy products, prepared foods, and unique handcrafted wares. All ages. 10am-2pm. Free. Every Sunday eastendhouston.com/market/

Story Time with Ms. Maria

Since 2016, Maria has led an independent storytime program in communities and public forums, sparking a lifelong love of reading in children from infancy through their early years. Her dynamic, hour-long sessions blend songs, storytelling, and crafts—transforming reading into an engaging, joy-filled experience for young audiences. All ages. 10-11am. Free. www.centralgreenpark.com Blue Herring (Mystery Book Club) The Blue Herring (Mystery) Book Club meets the first Thursday of each month at 11:00 a.m. Anyone is welcome-no RSVP needed. This month's book is listed below. Adults. 11a. Free. www.bluewillowbookshop.com Animal Tales Join us for a weekly story time featuring some of our favorite animals! Each week we will read a nature-themed book, observe biofacts and/or live animals, and then venture out on the trails for a selfguided hike. Ages 18mo-3yo. $5 member / $7 nonmember (per child, per class). 9:30-11:30am, 2 classes. Mondays through September 3. Each child must be accompanied by their guardian. Siblings are welcome to attend but must be registered to participate. www.houstonarboretum.org

Kingwood Farmers Market Kingwood Farmers Market is held every week in the picturesque Town Center Park located behind the shops on the Southwest corner of Kingwood Drive and West Lake Houston. All ages. 2-6 pm. Free. Every Thursday. www.kwdfarmersmarket.com

Movie Night on the Lawn: Legally Blonde

MFAH Playdate Through play and experimentation in programs like MFAH Playdate, toddlers have their first experience with art. This event encourages children 4 and younger, with their adult caregivers, to join a Museum educator for a multi-sensory experience in the galleries. Participants sing songs, listen to storybooks, and join in fun games and activities, all while being introduced to ideas and themes found in the art on view at the MFAH. Ages 4-. 11:30am-12:30pm. $10/person.

Sound Healing Meditation

Come by POST for Movie Night on the Lawn! For this edition on our rooftop Step into a deeper stillness inside the spacious and tranquil Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern. park, Skylawn, we'll be showing 'Legally Blonde'. Grab some delicious Offered in collaboration with UNIONisCREATION™, this meditation and sound experience invites guests food and beverages from POST into a space of resonance, restoration, and inner Market and enjoy the movie. alignment. Through gentle vibrations of singing All ages. 8-10pm. Free. bowls, wind chimes, and a gong, along with guided www.posthtx.com awareness, participants are supported in reconnecting Central Green Park body and mind. This series is more than meditation – Movie Night in Helix Hall | it is a practice of listening, feeling, and returning to Paddington in Peru center within one of Houston’s most iconic, immersive Join us in Helix Hall at the TMC3 spaces. Each session unfolds as a shared moment of Collaborative Building for a bear-y fun evening with Paddington in Peru, reflection, connection, and sound-guided stillness. rated PG. Enjoy fresh popcorn and a Guests should bring their own cushions or mats. No variety of candies as Paddington food or drinks are allowed inside the Cistern. embarks on a new adventure far from Ages 9+. 6pm. $20. Select Saturdays and Sundays. home. We kindly request that you www.buffalobayou.org arrive 10-15 minutes early to find your seat before the movie begins. Coffee and Cars 6:00 p.m. | Doors Open and Come out and enjoy an amazing display of machines Concessions are Available at POST! For this edition of the iconic Coffee and Cars 6:30 p.m. meet, we will be hosted in our East Parking Lot with www.helixpark.com hundreds of luxury and exotic vehicles. In addition to a featured section of curated cars, they are also Happy Hour Friday bringing back an open section for anyone to come Happy Hour happens on Fridays! display their incredible machines! Meet your friends at the MFAH for the All ages. 9am-12pm. Free. best night of the week. Explore the campus, visit the galleries, and get a www.posthtx.com drink at the bar. Adult. 5-8 pm. Free with museum admission. Every Friday through October 28. www.mfah.org

Gulfstock 2026 Bring your friends, bring your family, bring your dancing shoes, and get ready for a full day of peace, love, music, and community! Get ready for an incredible lineup of live music all day long, featuring talented local and regional artists, food, fun, and an Galveston Island Wine Festival unforgettable festival atmosphere! And when the sun Sip by the Sea this Labor Day goes down.. The Fab 5 will take the stage at 9:00 PM Weekend. Celebrate Labor Day and keep the party going until midnight with an weekend with bold wines, coastal charm, and unforgettable bites at the amazing show packed with classic hits, crowd Galveston Island Wine Festival. Sip, favorites, and nonstop energy! savor, and celebrate as the Galveston All ages. 10am-10pm. Free. Island Wine Festival returns with www.gulfstockgtx.com curated tastings, chef-led pairings, and Gulf-front flair. Join fellow wine lovers for a long weekend of flavor and festivity. Adult. Friday 6-10pm. Saturday 58pm. Sunday 5-7pm. www.moodygardens.com/event/gal veston-wine-festival

houston weekend houston weekend You don't need theme-park tickets or an expensive road trip to create a great family Saturday. Here's an easy Houston adventure designed to keep a family of four around—or well under—$100.

$100-orLess Family Saturday in Houston

9:00 A.M. — Go Wild in the City Start at Houston Arboretum & Nature Center - 610 Entrance. Explore the trails, look for turtles and birds and let younger kids burn off some energy in nature. Admission to the Arboretum is free, although parking fees may apply. Budget: $0 admission + parking 11:30 A.M. — Picnic Time Instead of spending $60 or more on restaurant lunch, pack sandwiches, fruit, chips and drinks from home. Houston's parks become considerably more enjoyable once September starts hinting that summer may eventually end. Budget: About $15–$20 1:00 P.M. — Let the Kids Take Over Head to Levy Park in Upper Kirby. Kids can enjoy the playground and open spaces while parents get a chance to relax. Bring a Frisbee, cards or a favorite outdoor game. Budget: FREE 4:00 P.M. — Head Downtown Finish the afternoon exploring POST Houston. Walk around the enormous former post office and head upstairs to take in the downtown skyline from the rooftop. Give each child a predetermined treat budget rather than letting food-hall temptation destroy your $100 challenge. Treat budget: $20–$30

The Challenge:

6:00 P.M. — Dinner With a View—or Head Home If you've stayed under budget, use what's left for an inexpensive dinner. Otherwise, declare victory and head home for pizza and movie night. Give the kids the $100 budget at the beginning of the day and let them help track the spending. Sneak in a little real-world math while you're having fun. Estimated family total: $40–$90, depending on parking, treats and dinner.

Sep 2026 Beginning Birding If you have always wanted to get into bird watching but you have never picked up a pair of binoculars, this class is for you! Join us for an introduction to birding, including how to choose binoculars and where to find them, how to read a field guide, and where to find birds in Houston. Weather permitting, we’ll also go out on the trails to practice real birding basics. Ages 12+. $22 member / $37 nonmember (per person). 9:30-11:30am. www.houstonarboretum.org

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Edible Wild Plants For most of human existence, the wilds supplied all our food and medicine. Join Dr. Mark “Merriwether” Vorderbruggen as he teaches you what your ancestors knew. This plant walkabout will give you hands-on (as well as nose, fingers, and taste bud) guidance on how to properly identify and utilize the wonderful wild plants of the Houston/East Texas region. Ages 16+, minors must be accompanied by an adult. $100 member / $125 nonmember (per person). 9:30FREE Sandcastle Building Lessons 11:30am. Attention sandcastle builders! Galveston is www.houstonarboretum.org hosting a free, family-friendly event to help beachgoers create spectacular sandcastles A First-Ever Drone Show Over Moody with guidance from a pro. Gardens Visitors to East Beach can participate in Created by Sky Wonder Pyrotechnics, “Sandcastle Days” to receive free the production runs more than 10 sandcastle-building lessons from a minutes and puts hundreds of professional sandcastle builder. The illuminated drones into the sky above lessons will take place at 11AM, 1PM, and Offatts Bayou, choreographed into 3PM. Lessons are by the water’s edge, designs pulled straight from the straight down from the East Beach property itself — the attractions, the Pavilion. Registration is not required. marine life and the icons guests already All ages. Various Times. Free. know. Because the display sits high www.visitgalveston.com above the pyramids, it's visible throughout Moody Gardens, so you Young Audiences of Houston don't need a reserved seat or a special Young Audiences of Houston offers family ticket line to catch it. Wherever you friendly, live art experiences perfect for a happen to be standing at 9 p.m. Sunday, wide variety of ages. These interactive look up. A few tips if you want the best workshops and performances last between possible view. Arrive well before 9 p.m. 60 and 90 minutes and involve YAH artists — Sunday evening is the busiest stretch and ensembles, crossing genres of dance, of the weekend, and parking fills up fast visual arts, theater, music, and literary arts. once the Wine Festival crowd arrives. All ages. 1 pm. Free. Every Sunday. Open sightlines matter more than www.levyparkhouston.org proximity with a drone show, so anywhere with a clear stretch of sky above the pyramids works, and the lawn Buffalo Bayou Cruise areas near the water tend to be the most comfortable place to settle in. Bring a blanket or a folding chair if you'd Look back at Houston’s history while rather not stand. cruising Buffalo Bayou on a 90-minute tour All ages. 9pm. Free. with a local historian. Your guide will share www.moodygardens.com stories of the Allen brothers and provide historical information about the people, Galveston's Own Farmers Market places, and events along the bayou that Galveston's Own Farmers Market helped shape Houston. (GOFM), operated by Groundswell, is an Ages 4+. 5-6:30pm. Ages 4-12 $32, ages inclusive and vibrant marketplace 12+ $40. Every Saturday and Sept 6. featuring locally grown produce, farm www.buffalobayou.org products, prepared foods, value-added foods and handmade artisan goods. Little Explorers GOFM connects people to good food & Encourage your child’s curiosity about one another as a lively community nature and spend time with them exploring space, a crucial component of the local outdoors! Children 18 months to 4 years, food economy & a small-business with an adult companion, can join a supporter. Live music, family-friendly Naturalist for a story reading, a simple activities, free community resources & nature or sensory development activity, fresh food are all found at Galveston's and a stroller-friendly hike on the beautiful Own Farmers Market Arboretum trails. Enjoy an interesting new All ages. 9am-12pm. Free. Every nature experience each week with themes Sunday. such as flowers, shapes, and butterflies! www.groundswellgalveston.com/mar 2-4yo. 9:30am-12pm. 2 classes. Member ket $10, non-member $12 non-member. $7 / person. www.houstonarboretum.org

Galveston

Family Zone Through play and experimentation in programs like MFAH Playdate, toddlers have their first experience with art. This event encourages children 4 and younger, with their adult caregivers, to join a Museum educator for a multi-sensory experience in the galleries. Participants sing songs, listen to storybooks, and join in fun games and activities, all while being introduced to ideas and themes found in the art on view at the MFAH. Ages 12-. 11:30am-12:30pm. $10/person. Also Sept 20. www.mfah.org

Labor Day Foam Party

Bring out the kiddos for our family-fun event Labor Day Foam Party on Skylawn, our rooftop park! We'll have multiple Foam Machines, family-friendly music and more. See you there All age. 11am-2pm. Free. www.posthtx.com Meet the Mowers Houston Arboretum Members are the G.O.A.T! Join us on the Event Lawn for this Membersonly appreciation event is designed as a relaxed, drop-in experience. Members can observe the goats while enjoying the Trail Mix Grazing Station, a self-serve snack station with assorted trail mix ingredients, and informal engagement with staff and volunteers. All ages. Members only. Free. 10am-12pm. www.houstonarboretum.org

Gentle Yoga Flow

Sep 2026 I'm With the Banned Book Club Banned Books Book Club, I'm With the Banned, meets the second Tuesday of each month at 11:00 a.m. This month's book is listed below. Adults. Free. 11 am. www.bluewillowbookshop.com Gentle Yoga and Sound Bowl Healing Strengthen your body, relax your mind, and find your center with this dynamic flow yoga and sound. The class is led by Farida Meguid with crystal sound bowls played by Saumil Manek. Adult. 6:30-7:30pm. Free. Every Tuesday. www.discoverygreen.com

Hatchlings

Babies in nature? Babies ARE nature! Babies who spend time outside are stronger, healthier, more confident, and better sleepers. Learn how to support your Hatchlings as they develop motor skills, test physical limits, cultivate their sense of wonder, and get messy in a safe place to try new things. Hatchlings will engage in outdoor nature play in this unique opportunity to interact, explore, and bond with their caregivers in the natural world. This program will be held outdoors and will include loose parts and messy play with natural sensory elements such as sand, mud, grass, sticks, leaves, and water. Ages 0-18mo. $12 member / $15 nonmember, Per child/caregiver pair, per class. 10-11am. Also the 16th & 23rd. www.houstonarboretum.org Bumper Boats And Cruiser Boats Grab your best bud and race over to Discovery Green, because for a limited time only we’re offering Bumper Boats. The boat basin at Discovery Green will be home to motorized bumper cars ready for you to spin, twirl and steer into oncoming vessels. No previous captaining experience necessary! The perfect way to explore Kinder Lake in the middle of downtown Houston. Take a leisurely cruise under the shaded canopy in these electric-powered boats. Whether you’re bumping around with friends or gliding through the water in style, it’s the ultimate way to cool off and have a blast in the heart of downtown Houston! All ages. 10am-11pm. $12/bumper boat, $25/cruise boat. Through September. Please see website for restrictions. www.discoverygreen.com

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Inner-Space Camp: Connecting Mind, Body, & Spirit Join Dr. Jei Pearcey and learn to find balance within your body by using sound, scent, and somatic tracking in the beauty of Mercer’s garden. This new program is ideal for adults who wish to find inner peace from daily stressors, ADHD, depression, chronic pain, and anxiety. Bring a yoga mat or towel. Meet in front of the Mercer Visitor Center and walk to the grass lawn next to the Prehistoric Garden. Registration not required. Ages 18+. 8-10am. Free. www.pct3.com/MBG

JIn Person: Storytime

Join us at the shop for story time every Thursday! We read stories, sing songs, and do an art activity. The themes change weekly. This story time is great for toddlers and preschoolers. Toddlers. 9:30a. Free. Every Thursday. www.bluewillowbookshop.com Line Dance Night Whose ready to boot scoot and boogy!? Attend our Free Line Dance classes every 2nd Thursday of the month! Come on out for a night of fun, bring some friends or come alone and make some new ones. The lessons will include all different types and genres of line dances. See you there! All ages. 7-8pm. Free. www.posthtx.com A Good Yarn A Good Yarn audiobook and yarn crafts club meets on the second Thursday of every month. We will select a book that is in paperback AND audiobook for discussion. Please continue to bring your yarn/craft projects to work on together! Adults. Free. 7-8pm. www.bluewillowbookshop.com Seeds & Senses Bring your child out to dig into garden themed sensory play, make new friends, and enjoy hands-on activities that support early learning curiosity and fine motor development. Ages 1-3. 9-11am or 2-4pm. Free. www.pct3.com/MBG

Beyond Bees

Join us for a buzzing good time on a walking tour where you’ll meet colonies of carpenter bees and honeybees - guided by a master beekeeper. Perfect for curious kiddos and grown-ups alike...get ready to discover the amazing world of bees and learn how you can make a difference. Meet in front of the Mercer Visitor Center. Ages 5+. 8:30-10am. Free. www.pct3.com/MBG Undercurrents Experience Rafael Lozano-Hemmer’s Undercurrents, an immersive chamber of voices, light, and memories within the cavernous Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern, leading to an audiovisual representation of communication across time, space, and relationships. Visitors are invited to speak, listen, and reflect as voices are carried through a glowing network of light, creating a living, ever-changing environment shaped by those who enter. All ages. Adult $15, youth 12-17 $12. 10am-5pm. Through Jan 24, 2027 buffalobayou.org

Second Saturday Bird Survey

Work on your bird watching skills while helping the Arboretum monitor bird populations on a fun, relaxed morning walk. Join us on the second Saturday of each month in the courtyard behind the building for a two-hour bird survey led by Arboretum staff members, Kelsey Low and Theo Ostler. We welcome all levels of bird watching skill and all of the Bayou ages (as long as you’re quiet) – but noSpirits Boat Tour dogs, please! If you have binoculars of your own, please bring them. We have a limited number of binoculars available to borrow. All ages, minors must be accompanied by an adult. Free. 8-10am. www.houstonarboretum.org

free houston free houston

1. Visit the Houston Zoo for Free — September 1 Start the month with one of Houston's best family bargains: free admission to the Houston Zoo on Tuesday, September 1. Families can explore favorites including the Galápagos Islands, African Forest, Texas Wetlands and Children's Zoo without paying general admission. There is one important catch: advance online reservations are required for non-members, and tickets can go quickly. Special attractions such as giraffe feeding and the carousel cost extra.

5 Free 2. Catch a Free Show at Miller Outdoor Theatre Pack a picnic and head to Hermann Park for one of Houston's great family traditions. Miller Outdoor Family Theatre performances are always free. September 2, Sounds and Stories from Space City introduces children to classical instruments Adventures On through Peter and the Wolf before taking them on a musical trip into space. On September 15, families can celebrate Mexican culture at El Grito at Miller, featuring Mariachi Herencia de México. Covered seating may require a free ticket for some performances, but seating on the hill remains to Put on free. Your 3. Free Family Night at Children's Museum Houston — September 10 Children's Museum Houston hosts ExxonMobil Second Thursday Free Family Night from 5–8 p.m. on 10. Kids can explore the museum's hands-on exhibits while parents enjoy one of September September Houston's best museum deals: no admission charge. The museum also begins a special Free Family Night series celebrating Hispanic Heritage on Calendar September 17. 4. Screen on the Green — September 19 Grab the lawn chairs and blankets and head downtown to Discovery Green for a free outdoor showing of Selena from 7–9 p.m. on September 19. Make an evening of it: Discovery Green's Flea by Night is also scheduled that day, so families can browse local vendors before settling in for the movie.

HFM Tip:

5. Create Something at Discovery Green September brings several free creative opportunities to the downtown park. Young writers can join Writers in the Schools for a free drop-in writing workshop September 12. Families can also check out the Fantastic Animals installation beginning September 15, with related artist workshops scheduled during the month. Keep a blanket, refillable water bottles, bug spray and a few snacks permanently packed in the car. When Houston offers a free outdoor event, you'll already be ready to go.

Sep 2026

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Going Batty Did you know that bats are the pollinators of the tequila agave? Enjoy a delicious tequila popsicle as you listen to a local bat expert discuss the important role of bats in our ecosystem as pest control, seed dispersers, and pollinators. Then go on a bat hike and use special detectors to listen to bat sonar over the Arboretum. Ages 21+. 6-8pm. $37 member / $52 nonmember, per person. www.houstonarboretum.org

Tyke Hikes

Froggy Night Huston Botanical Hop on over for a wet, wild night! Enjoy Garden refreshments (frog-themed snacks, coffee, and Saint Arnold Brewing Company beer) while you learn all about the strange and wonderful world of frogs, from their croaking courtship to their mysterious metamorphosis. Weather permitting, we’ll also go for a hike to search for frogs and other nocturnal creatures. Ages 21+. 7-9pm. $37 member / $52 nonmember. www.houstonarboretum.org

Encourage your child’s curiosity about nature and spend time with them exploring outdoors! Children with an adult companion can join a naturalist for a story reading, a simple nature or sensory development activity, and a stroller-friendly hike on the beautiful Arboretum trails. Arrive dressed in close-toed shoes and comfortable play clothes. Be prepared for the weather Fantastic Animals including hat, sunscreen, jackets, This fall Discovery Green hosts eight, 20-foot tall American Heritage Girls raincoat, or rain boots, as needed. sculptures depicting fantastic creatures from the Workshops - Freshwater and Enjoy an interesting new nature spirit world as imagined through Mexican magical Marine Biology experience each week with themes realism. Designed and created by Mexican artists and During the Freshwater and Marine such as ponds, bones, senses, and Biology badge workshop, leaves artisans these brightly colored animals represent the Pioneers/Patriots will take a deep Ages 18mo-4yo. 9:30-11:15am. Free powerful animal guardian spirits of Mesoamerican dive into the biology, geography, and member / $7 nonmember. Also the 21st folklore. even cultural significance of the water & 28th. All ages. 6am-11pm. Free. of the world! This badge includes an www.houstonarboretum.org www.discoverygreen.com Aquarium tour, behind the scenes, and movie. Made In Texas All ages. 10am-4pm. $35/person. This exhibition features photographs, www.moodygardens.org designer flight attendant artifacts Coffee Cake Book Club created through the years by River Oaks Mercantile renowned fashion designer Emilio It’s almost Wednesday! Stop in for Pucci, and aircraft from LSFM’s fresh fruit, must have pantry finds, collection, celebrating the incredible Coffee Cake Book Club meets the third Wednesday cold press juices, dinner & dessert, people, planes, and companies that home goods, accessories and much have affected aviation in the Lone Star of each month at 11:00 a.m. Anyone is welcome, and no RSVP is required. This months book – We more. State. Are All Completely Beside Ourselves: A Novel. All ages. 11am-3pm. Free. 4200 All ages. Adult $18, youth $15, child Adults. 11am. Free. Westheimer Rd $12, 4- free. 10am-5pm. www.bluewillowbookshop.com www.popshopspaces.com lonestarflight.org

Little Artists

Families are invited to join an exciting art adventure at the Museum. Activities include a storybook circle, making art projects in the studio, and visiting the galleries with an MFAH teaching artist. Ages 3-5. 1-2:30 pm. $10 / person www.mfah.org Zumba by Tiny Fitness Join the party and sweat with Tiny Fitness to rhythms from around the world! This hour-long Zumba fitness class will have you grooving, shaking, and toning to salsa, hip hop, samba, and bhangra beats – and so many more. Open to all fitness levels, no equipment needed. Always move to your own beat and consult your health team before beginning or modifying your exercise program. Ages 16+. 9-10am. Free. www.levyparkhouston.org

Ready! Set! Pedal! Bike Freedom Academy Bike Freedom is the premier bike riding program for Polywogs ages 2 through adults, offering both dynamic group sessions and personalized private lessons. Guided by passionate coaches, our engaging classes teach essential biking skills, build confidence and Experience nature with your little one character, and ensure everyone can experience the (ages 0 to 2)! Through a mix of joy, freedom, and lifelong benefits of cycling! stories, live animal encounters, All ages. 5:30 – 6:30 pm. $65 / person. sensory play, trail exploration, and www.bikefreedomacademy.com more, we hope to ignite a lifelong love of the outdoors in your little pollywogs! While some activities will Edible Wildscapes be structured, our sessions will also incorporate time for unstructured experiences that are critical in developing curious kids. Join Blackwood Educational Land Institute and Ages 0-2. 10-11am. Members $5, Nature Discovery Center for a walk in the wild non-member $10. Also September where we will learn about edible plants growing 17th. right in our backyard. We will offer a sample of www.naturediscoverycenter.org yaupon tea as well as some herbal infused water. There are so many plants and herbs growing all around us that have medicinal benefits, come learn with us. This is part of Blackwood’s Food as Medicine Series. All ages. 6:30-8:30pm. Adult $10, children free. www.naturediscoverycenter.org

Sep 2026 Salsa y Bachata Night Join our free monthly Salsa Night, which includes Salsa, Bachata, and other Latin dance styles. We're curating a special evening with Latin dance lessons, social dancing, and tasty beverages. Class and music will be by Jocelyn Munoz (@SalsaMamihtx). This night will be perfect for a Girls Night Out or a Date Night so bring your friends, colleagues, and family to a night of lessons, dance performances, and dancing at POST! Adult. Salsa 7-8pm, Bachata 8-9pm, Social dancing 9-10pm. Free. www.posthtx.com Sunset Poetry with Undercurrents: Martha Serpas Enjoy an evening of poetry and immersive art, presented in conjunction with Undercurrents by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer in the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern. The night begins with a poetry reading by one of the acclaimed writers who contributed to the installation and drinks on the terrace. Then, descend into the Cistern for a unique opportunity to experience Undercurrents with the writers. Adult. 6:30-7:30pm. $15. www.buffalobayou.org Free Walking Tour Houston Houston's only walking tour! In this group tour, you will dive into the history, architecture, and uniquely Texan ambience of the fourth biggest city in the United States: a modern-day melting pot of cultures with an old fashioned past that is all its own. From the oldest building in Houston to the tallest skyscraper in the city, we'll go on a journey through Houston's history and architecture. Wander through the city's Historic District and see some masterworks of Art Deco architecture of the early 20th century and discuss street art and murals of today. We'll sneak a ride on Houston's modern tramline (for free!) and travel between the city's Historic District and its ultramodern Skyline District. We will walk for approximately 2 miles. Note that this tour is not wheelchair accessible. Ages 5+. 11am. Free. Every Friday. walkingtourshouston.com Art Encounters Looking for a new art experience? Art Encounters programs, led by artists and inspired by art at the MFAH, focus on creating community. The way you participate is up to you. Take an active role, or simply observe. Open to all ages. Supplies are provided. All ages. 6-8pm. Free, with admission. www.mfah.org

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Movie Night on the Lawn: Nacho Libre

Come by POST for Movie Night on the Lawn! For this edition on our rooftop park, Skylawn, we'll be showing 'Nacho Libre'.Grab some delicious food and beverages from POST Market and enjoy the movie. All ages. 8-10pm. Free. www.posthtx.com Come From Away Nominated for seven Tony Awards, including “Best Musical,” this inspiring true story proves that everyday acts of kindness are heroic in themselves. On the morning of September 11, 2001, 7,000 travelers suddenly find their flights rerouted to Gander, Newfoundland, doubling the tiny town’s population overnight. A moment of fear and uncertainty soon becomes an extraordinary story of generosity, hospitality, and human connection. As the townsfolk open their hearts and homes to the stranded passengers from all over the world, once-strangers become friends that shine light even through the darkest moments. All ages. Various Times. $49+.Throught October 18. stageshouston.com

Nature Walking Tour Learn about native plants and the insects that pollinate them along Buffalo Bayou! Follow along this discovery tour of Houston’s historic waterway ecosystem with Nancy Greig, founding director of the Cockrell Butterfly Center (now retired). An avid natural historian “jack of all trades”, she has particular interest in plants and insects, but birds, mammals, herpetofauna, and fish are all on her radar. At home she keeps busy with a butterfly garden, honey bee hives, and purple martin houses. Ages 12+. 9-10:30amm. Ages 12+ $5, 12- free. www.buffalobayou.org Go Bananas! The Houston Botanic Garden’s popular Go Bananas! festival falls on the last Summer Saturday of 2026, so the festivities move to the late afternoon and early evening. This fun and family friendly annual event draws attention to the many varieties of edible and ornamental Musa(banana) — the world’s largest herb! — in the Garden’s living plant collections. During Go Bananas, attendees can sample different banana varieties, shop a festive market featuring local vendors, visit with the Garden’s horticulturists to learn tips for growing bananas at home, and even purchase a plant(s) from the Garden’s collection. The day features activities for every age and interest. The banana bread baking competition — featuring curated entries from local bakeries judged by a panel of previously selected judges — returns, and neighborhood Tex-Mex restaurant Maria Rita’s will be back selling adult beverages. All ages. Adult $20, child $12. 4-8pm. www.hbg.org

Sprinkler Day School may have started, but here in Texas our summer heat is not quite over yet. Bring your children Galveston Sandcastle to the Center to cool off with a favorite summer Festival pastime – running through sprinklers! The Center’s front lawn, Pecan Grove, will be set up with sprinklers and kiddie pools of water and water toys for a refreshing morning of water play! Your child Every summer in Galveston, experience 25+ teams competing to may bring water toys of their own (we won’t have enough for everyone) but note that we will not be win the prestigious Golden Bucket responsible for lost or broken toys. Award. The Galveston Sandcastle Festival is Kids should bring or wear their bathing suit and should bring a towel and a change of clothes. Don’t a two-day beach event featuring forget your sunscreen and a refillable water bottle. one of the largest amateur Some kids may prefer wearing water shoes on wet sandcastle competitions in the grass. This is a FREE event. Adult supervision is world. More than 25 teams required at all times. This is NOT a drop-off event. transform the sand into towering All ages. 1-3pm. Free. sculptures using only sand and water. The festival also includes live www.naturediscoverycenter.org music, local food trucks, art vendors, Mess Makers a kid zone, and hands-on lessons Messy, sensory play is an important part of child with professional sandcastle development. Together with Ms. Mo and our NDC builders. All ages. Adult $25, 12- $10. 10am- volunteers, you will explore and create with all kinds of messy things. We will make works of art as well 6pm. 20th for viewing. as just good old messy fun with a mix of natural and www.visitgalveston.com man-made materials. After we make messes Tough Broads Out at together, you’ll go home clean! Looking for a program Night Book Club with a little more nature lesson, but still a chance for some hands-on messy play? Give our *NEW* Naturally Messy classes a try this fall. Ages 3-7. 10-11:15 am or 1-2:15pm. Member $22, non-member $27.

teen scene teen scene

The days when you could announce “We're going to the children's museum!” and receive cheers from the back seat may be over.

5 Houston Outings Your Teen Might Actually Agree to Do With You

That doesn't mean family outings have to end. You may simply need to change the definition of a family outing. 1. Let Them Photograph Houston Take your teen downtown and challenge everyone to capture their five best Houston photos. The skyline, murals, architecture and rooftop views around downtown give them plenty of material. Bonus: Don't complain when they spend 20 minutes getting exactly one picture. 2. See Selena Under the Stars Discovery Green is showing Selena during Screen on the Green on September 19 from 7–9 p.m. Bring blankets, grab dinner nearby and resist the urge to turn it into a structured “family activity.” Sometimes simply hanging out together is enough. 3. Give Them the Dinner Budget Head somewhere with multiple food choices—such as POST Houston—and give your teen the budget. Their assignment: decide where everyone eats while staying under the limit. Decision-making power makes almost anything more appealing to teenagers. 4. Explore Houston After Dark Pick an evening and become tourists in your own city. Walk around downtown, photograph the skyline, find dessert and explore somewhere you don't normally visit. The rule: your teen chooses at least one stop. 5. Let Them Bring Someone Here's perhaps the easiest way to turn a reluctant teenager into an enthusiastic participant: “Want to bring a friend?” Whether you're heading to a concert, festival, park or movie, allowing teens to include a friend can completely change their attitude. THE PARENT RULE: Don't spend the entire outing trying to force conversation. Give teenagers some space. The best conversations often happen in the car on the way home.

Sep 2026

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Screen on the Green featuring Selena Enjoy a family movie under the stars in the city’s coolest park. Bring a blanket or camping chairs and snacks or a picnic. Please leave alcohol and glass containers at home. Food, beer and wine are also available for purchase at The Grove Market & Park Provisions. Costumes or PJs are strongly encouraged! Arrive early for games and activities. All ages. 7-9pm. Free. www.discoverygreen.com

Farmers Market on Navigation Brought to you by the East End District, the East End Farmers Market is open every Sunday from 10am to 2pm on the Navigation Esplanade (2600 Navigation Blvd.) in front of the historic original Ninfa’s Restaurant. Unique among Houston’s farmers markets, the East End Farmers Market blends sights and sounds, cuisine and culture to create an experience that is rooted in one of Houston’s most historic communities. Visit the East End Farmers Market to sample fresh Fantastic Animals: Artist garden fruits and vegetables, locally Workshops – Papier Mache Masks produced farm and dairy products, Mexican papier-mâché artist and folk- prepared foods, and unique art creator, Irving Mondragón Laguna handcrafted wares. teaches the techniques he uses to All ages. 10am-2pm. Free. create Mexican popular art. eastendhouston.com/market/ Participants will gain experience with these easy-to use materials and walk Houston Jazz Festival: away with their very own hand-made The NOLA Resistance object. Quintet All ages. 2-4pm. Free.

Rooted in the timeless spirit of New Night at the MFAH On this special evening, the Museum Orleans -the birthplace of jazz -The NOLA Resistance Quintet carries is yours. Enjoy a cocktail, live music, art making, and open galleries across forward the legacy of icons like all three of the main campus buildings. Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, and Sidney Bechet, while pushing To celebrate two remarkable installations of contemporary jewelry their sound into bold, modern —The Jewelry of Dorothea Prühl and directions. Each member is a seasoned veteran, having performed Going Underground: The Jewels of Bernhard Schobinger—add your own with legends. “flair” to this Night at the MFAH event All ages. 7:30pm. Free. www.milleroutdoortheatre.com and wear your boldest fashion-

forward outfit. Adults (21+). 6-9pm www.mfah.org

Reading Camp with Ms. Najia Ms. Najia will guide the little ones through phonics, word recognition, and stimulating book discussions. It’s a wonderful opportunity for The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks children to learn and grow while having fun, and we can’t wait to see everyone there! The show, co-written by Hanks and 7-. 10-11am. Free. Chris Riley, tells the stories of the www.centralgreenpark.com Apollo missions, reflecting their gripping journeys at a spectacular Tough Broads Out at scale. Newly filmed interviews Night Book Clubt between Hanks and astronauts of the current Artemis program will grant an insight into the return of Tough Broads Out at Night book crewed surface missions to the club meets every fourth Tuesday of moon. the month at 7pm at Blue Willow All ages. 10 am-5 pm. $24.95+. Bookshop. www.spacecenter.org Adults. Free. 7-9pm. www.bluewillowbookshop.com

Fourth Saturday Phenology Walk Discover the hidden seasonal rhythms of nature firsthand on our guided Phenology Walks, where we track the life cycles of different plants across ecosystems, from the first spring bud burst to winter dormancy. You’ll learn how shifting weather patterns and climate change influence the timing of these important events in our local ecosystems and how you can become a community scientist, contributing vital data from your own backyard to a global research initiative. These relaxing morning walks are led by scientists from Rice University and staff from the Arboretum. We welcome nature enthusiasts of all ages, however kids 12 years and younger must be accompanied by a guardian. All ages, 12- must be accompanied by an adult. Free. www.houstonarboretum.org

Tai Chi

All fitness levels are welcome in this free fitness series at Discovery Green presented by UTHealth Houston. Registration is requested on site. Bring a towel and water, as well as a mat for yoga classes. Adulte. 6:30-7:30pm. Free. www.discoverygreen.com Music! Stories! OPERA! Music-Stories-Opera is a lively hour-long program invites students to step into the world of opera—not just as spectators, but as active participants. Through a mix of live performance, storytelling, and interactive games, they’ll discover how singers use music and voice to express emotion and bring characters to life. All ages. 11am. Free. www.milleroutdoortheatre.com

Tai Chi

All fitness levels are welcome in this free fitness series at Discovery Green presented by UTHealth Houston. Registration is requested on site. Bring a towel and water, as well as a mat for yoga classes. Adult. 6:30-7:30pm. Free. www.discoverygreen.com Purpose When their son arrives home with an unexpected guest in tow, the influential Jasper family of Chicago finds itself at the center of a gathering unlike any other. As old assumptions are challenged and long-held secrets begin to surface, each family member is drawn into a journey of self-discovery, examining their beliefs, relationships, and the legacy they hope to leave behind. Adults. Various dates/times. $85. ensemblehouston.com

Sep 2026

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

NOW EXHIBITING

Houston Museum Houston Museum of of Natural Natural Science Science

Houston Museum of Natural Science www.hmns.org Hours: 9am-5pm Mon-Sun $35 adult, $27 children 3-11, senior 62+ and college students FREE every Thursday 2-5pm Clickbait Clickbait is an interactive exhibit where you play through 18 installations, make choices, and watch the system build a profile of you. See how the internet sees you — a physical, playful, surprising look at AI, ads, algorithms, social media, deepfakes, online identity, and the data trail we create every day. Special Exhibit

The Health Museum www.thehealthmuseum.org

Museum Fine Arts Houston www.mfah.org

Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10am-5pm., Thurs. 10am-6pm., Sun. 12-5pm $10 adult, $8 senior 65+, free for children under 2 FREE on Thursdays 2-6 pm

Hours: Various times, Wed-Sun $24 adult, $20 children 13-18, senior 65+, children 12- free. FREE every Thursday 11am-2pm

The Journey to End Cancer: From Cause to Cure Designed for both adults and children, this 5,000square-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 exhibitgoers. Permanent Exhibit

Special Exhibit

The Fatherhood Effect his year’s Healing Arts exhibition, The Fatherhood Effect, positions fatherhood as a public health approach to healthier living. By elevating local stories and lived experiences, the exhibition invites reflection on how fatherhood has evolved over the past three decades—and how meaningful, engaged fatherhood contributes to healthier children, stronger families, and more connected communities. Special Exhibit

Dead Sea Scrolls: The Exhibition

The Menil Collection menil.org

Step back in time and experience one of history’s greatest archaeological discoveries at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The Dead Sea Scrolls brings ancient manuscripts, rare artifacts, and fascinating insights into the origins of biblical texts to life. Explore the stories, culture, and history of the people who lived over 2,000 years ago. Special Exhibit

Hours: Wed. -Sun. 11am-7pm. Free Admission.

Extreme Animals Alive Explore the unique adaptations that make Earth’s creatures fearless and fascinating, beautiful and bold.

Modern and Contemporary Art The Menil Collection’s modern and contemporary holdings highlight a vast array of movements, materials, and styles, spanning the late 19th century to the present. Special Exhibit through Fall 2026.

Picasso–Klee–Matisse: Masterpieces from the Museum Berggruen Highlighting the careers of Pablo Picasso and Paul Klee, as well as Henri Matisse’s signature cut-outs, Alberto Giacometti’s haunting sculptures, and the works of Georges Braque and Paul Cezanne, this exhibition explores the relationship of famed gallerist and collector Heinz Berggruen with the artistic community of postwar Paris and beyond. Assembled thematically, the collection reflects an intimate, personal approach to the European avant-garde that shines new light on titans of the 20th-century art world. Special Exhibit through September 13, 2026. Ernesto Neto: SunForceOceanLife 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 handwoven passages. Special Exhibit Through September 13.

save the save the date date Houston may still feel like summer, but October's family calendar is right around the corner. Before September disappears, start making plans for these fall favorites.

October Is Coming: 5 Things Houston Parents Should Plan Now

1. Halloween at the BOO!seum

Children's Museum Houston transforms into the BOO!seum throughout October, with Halloweenthemed programming, activities and special appearances planned from October 1–31. This is an easy one to put on the family calendar now—especially if your kids want multiple opportunities to wear their costumes.

2. Free Houston Zoo Day — October 6

The next Houston Zoo Free Day is Tuesday, October 6. Non-members need advance reservations, and availability isn't guaranteed, so don't wait until October 6 to decide you'd like to go.

3. Toddler Tuesdays Return to Discovery Green

Parents of little ones should circle Tuesdays in October. Discovery Green currently has Toddler Tuesday scheduled from October 6 through October 27. Pair the outing with a picnic and you've got an inexpensive weekday adventure.

4. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Under the Stars — October 17

Older kids and teens may appreciate this one. Discovery Green's October Screen on the Green is scheduled for October 17 from 7–9 p.m., featuring Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Bring lawn chairs or blankets and turn it into an inexpensive fall family movie night downtown.

5. Scream on the Green — October 30

One of Discovery Green's signature Halloween traditions returns October 30. Put it on the calendar now before Halloween week becomes a blur of school parties, costumes, candy and competing events.

AND START THINKING ABOUT…

Pumpkin patches, corn mazes, fall festivals, Halloween events and Día de los Muertos celebrations will fill weekends quickly once October arrives. September is the time to decide which events are family must-dos and which ones you're perfectly happy to skip. Because the secret to enjoying fall with kids isn't doing everything. It's making time for the things your family will actually remember.

The Hobby Centre

CENTER STAGE SEP26

ROMEO AND JULIET Alley Theatre September 25 through October 11, 2026 Set in timeless Verona, two starcrossed souls defy the forces that seek to keep them apart. This production of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy shows how each generation reinvents what it means to love and risk everything for it. Discover why this tale continues to inspire artists, dreamers, and lovers. Adult. Various dates/times. $54+. www.alleytheatre.org MISS DEE’S KITCHEN “YOU CAN’T MAKE HIM LOVE YOU” Zilkha Hall September 5, 2026 Meet Miss Dee, the Queen of the Hood—rocking her housecoat, smoking a cigarette, pushing her oxygen tank, and keeping everybody laughing with her unfiltered mouth! When her hood friends gather in Miss Dee’s kitchen, secrets spill, gossip flies, and drama unfolds. Add in her nosy mama Sugapie, a murder mystery surrounding Frankie J’s wife, the neighborhood sidepiece Sweetbaby, and Reverend Theodore Bucky, “The Funky Preacher, “Crow” The meanest man on the planet & Bougie “Blu” and you’ve got a show you won’t forget! Adult. $89.99+. 8pm. www.thehobbycenter.org

THE MUSIC MAN Sarofim Hall September 15-27, 2026

THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN The Grand 1894 Opera House September 25, 2026

Meredith Willson’s six-time Tony Cady Heron may have grown up on an Award®-winning beloved musical African savanna, but nothing prepared her comedy The Music Man marches into for the wild and vicious ways of her Houston with laughter, heart, and all strange new home: suburban Illinois. How the music you love. Following the will this naïve newbie rise to the top of the fast-talking traveling salesman Harold popularity pecking order? By taking on Hill as he cons the people of River The Plastics, a trio of lionized frenemies City, Iowa, into buying instruments led by the charming but ruthless Regina and uniforms for a boys’ band that he George. But when Cady and her friends vows to organize. Featuring songs devise a "Revenge Party" to end Regina’s such as “Seventy-Six Trombones,” reign, she learns the hard way that you “Trouble,” “’Till There Was You,” can’t cross a Queen Bee without getting “Pick-a-Little,” and “Gary, Indiana,” stung. Rated: PG-13 The Music Man is a classic musical to be shared with every generation. All ages. $45+. 7pm. All ages. $46+. Various times. www.thegrand.com www.thehobbycentre.org AMERICAN REVIVAL THE SOUND OF MUSIC The Grand 1894 Opera House Sarofim Hall September 28, 2026 September 29-October 4, 2026 American Revival is a traveling festival of For 65 years, THE SOUND OF MUSIC hope created by filmmaker Nicholas Ma, has been one of our “favorite things.” bringing together music, storytelling, and With its timeless story and irresistibly community to explore why and how we charming score, this Rodgers & matter to one another — even in a time Hammerstein classic isn’t just meant when we can feel more divided than ever. to be enjoyed – it’s meant to be shared. Now, a critically acclaimed All ages. $45+. 7pm. North American tour brings the www.thegrand.com cherished musical to stages across the country to teach a new generation DRUNK PIRATES to sing. THE EMERALD THEATER All ages. $55+. Various Times. Aug 1-9, 2026 www.thehobbycentre.org The stage is set in a hidden venue. Five BUCKETS N BOARDS professional actors gather as members of The Grand 1894 Opera House The Drunk Shakespeare Society, and one September 29, 2026 of them downs five shots of whiskey before attempting a leading role in a A wildly entertaining blend of Shakespearean classic. percussion, comedy, tap dancing, and What follows is 90 minutes of comedy, inventive music-making, Buckets N chaos, and quick-thinking improvisation Boards delivers nonstop laughs and while the four sober actors fight to keep high-energy audience interaction. the script on track. No two performances Featuring Matthew Levingston and are ever the same. It all comes down to Gareth Sever. who’s drinking and what they’re drinking. All ages. 10am. www.thegrand.com

All ages. $25+. Various times. drunkshakespeare.com

The Woodlands

CENTER STAGE SEP26

THE HISTORY OF SALSA: THE MUSICAL Zilkha Hall September 12, 2026

MUSIC EXPLORERS: HOMESCHOOL ADVENTURE Cynthia Woods Mitchell September 15, 2026

Join us at The Pavilion for a new, Through electrifying music, spectacular dance, and compelling hands-on music learning experience storytelling, audiences will journey created for homeschool families! Children will explore and discover through the artists, songs, and defining moments that transformed how instruments work at the interactive Instrument Petting Zoo, salsa into an international create music-inspired crafts and phenomenon. From its Afroexperience live musical Caribbean roots to the concert stages of the world, this production performances by DACAMERA of honors the pioneers whose artistry Houston.Be sure to stop by the booths of some local music schools united cultures, inspired who will be there to showcase their generations, and forever changed programs and help inspire the next the history of Latin music. generation of musicians! Adult. $60+. 7pm. All ages. Free. 10:30am-2:30pm. www.thehobbycenter.org www.woodlandscenter.org WHEN INSTRUMENTS ROAMED BABYMETAL THE EARTH Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion September 25, 2026 September 9, 2026 Japanese kawaii metal band formed Nothing captures the imagination in Tokyo in 2010. It consists of like dinosaurs. The near-mythical Suzuka Nakamoto as "Su-metal" creatures that walked the earth (lead vocals, dancing), Moa Kikuchi as long, long ago inspired the first drawings on cave walls, legendary "Moametal" (backing vocals, dancing), dragon stories, some of the greatest and Momoko Okazaki as "Momometal" (backing vocals, movie music ever — and now a dancing). The band is produced by Houston Symphony show even Kobametal from the talent agency bigger than the Patagotitan Amuse Inc. Their vocals are backed by mayorum Titanosaur. In other instrumentation performed by a words, this is a big deal. group of session musicians known as This show is for kiddos who love T- the "Kami Band". Rexes and Triceratops, for grownups who love to get a little Jurassic, All ages. $24+. 7:20pm and for classical music lovers who www.woodlandscenter.org are already thinking about their favorite compositions about mythical creatures. All ages. 7:30pm. Free. www.woodlandscenter.org

DEAD SYMPHONY: THE MUSIC OF GRATEFUL DEAD AND MORE Cynthia Woods Mitchell September 9, 2026 Some music isn’t just meant to be played. It’s meant to be felt, stretched, explored, and lived in. Dead Symphony brings the free-flowing, improvisational spirit of jam bands like Grateful Dead and Phish into a new dimension — performed by the incredible local musicians of the Woodlands Symphony Orchestra, led by Darryl Bayer. This isn’t a note-for-note recreation. It’s a reinterpretation — where symphonic textures meet extended grooves,where melodies evolve, and where every song has a life of its own. Expect swirling soundscapes, unexpected turns, and the kind of musical journey that rewards you for leaning in and letting go. Whether you’re a longtime jam-band devotee or just curious what happens when orchestral musicians tap into that same exploratory energy, Dead Symphony is a night built for discovery. All ages. Free. 7:30pm www.woodlandscenter.org HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON IN CONCERT Jones Hall September 5 & 6, 2026 DreamWorks’ How To Train Your Dragon is a captivating and original story about a young Viking named Hiccup, who defies tradition when he befriends one of his deadliest foes – a ferocious dragon he calls Toothless. Together, these unlikely heroes must fight against all odds to save both their worlds. All ages. $35+. 7pm & 2:30pm houstonsymphony.org

Sep26 HFM