Around Houston: Playgrounds, Public Parks & More for Families

Help the kiddos burn off some energy at more than 50 playgrounds, public parks and more in cities and communities Around Houston.

If your favorite kids are feeling cooped up, then maybe its time to check out cities and neighborhoods around Houston and the Gulf Coast region that are blanketed with public spaces to help tucker out the little tykes.

While some playgrounds and public spaces remain closed, others have partially or fully reopened with public safety considerations in mind. In most cases, these new guidelines for visiting are available by checking out their websites or social media.

We’ve compiled some of the region’s premier public parks and outdoor activities—from playgrounds and water parks to sports fields and serene picnic spots—that can be found in Brazosport, Clear Lake and the Bay Area, Baytown, Beaumont, Conroe, Deer Park, Galveston, Pearland, Port Arthur, Sugar Land, The Woodlands and Tomball.

Most importantly for the realities of 2020, there are ways to maintain social distancing or staying within your bubble while still escaping the house and finding ways to entertain the kiddos.

Of course, in the time of social distancing, it’s important for you to consider any health precautions before heading out. Our picks below may have certain requirements or restrictions at this moment and these things can change quickly, so be sure to check them out before visiting.

Playgrounds, Public Parks & More for Families Around Houston

While these public parks are great spots to visit with your family, there are plenty of other outdoor spaces to dig into. So be sure to check out our Around Houston guides on Nature and Beaches & Water Activities.

Clear Lake, Kemah, Nassau City, Seabrook

• Bay Area Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds – Head over to this on-the-water park for some family picnicking along the duck pond or in the Oasis garden, then channel some energy onto the nearby playground structures and sports fields or tennis courts. This public park also provides launch access for paddling that leads into Armand Bayou. Click here for more information.
• Clear Lake Park & Bay Area Museum | Public Parks, Playgrounds, History – Nearly 60 acres of park space provide families a chance to enjoy lakeside activities, clamber around the playground, take to various sports fields or take in the history of the region at the on-site Bay Area Museum, which features NASA memorabilia along with important archeological finds that belong to the Karankawa and Akokisa Native American tribes. Click here for more information.
• Frankie Carter Randolph Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds – In Friendswood, this public park spans more than 90 acres and hosts families and visitors of all ages and abilities. Here, guests can take advantage of tennis and volleyball courts, multi-purpose athletic fields, a two-mile nature trail, picnic areas, bustling barbecue pavilions and playgrounds. Click here for more information.

Baytown

• Geocaching in Baytown | Outdoors, Activities – Embark on a treasure hunt that spans the city of Baytown, with trinkets and prizes for unscrambling mystery phrases. Geocaching is a real-world, treasure hunting game where participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and attempt to find a hidden geocache (container) at the indicated location. Click here for more information and to obtain your Geocaching Passport.
• Pirates Bay Water Park | Water Parks, Swimming – This summer season waterpark is brimming with attractions for families to enjoy, including slide towers, a lazy river, a dumping bucket, the Flowrider surfing machine and other equipment that’s suitable for all ages. Click here for more information.
• Splash Parks Around Baytown | Playgrounds, Water Parks – The city of Baytown features six “spray parks” that offer kids a chance to cool down during the summer, as well as access to surrounding public parks that typically feature playground equipment, picnic pavilions and more. Click here for more information.

Beaumont

• Beautiful Mountain Skate Plaza | Public Parks, Sports – Grab a skateboard or bike and head to Beaumont’s skate plaza that features ledges, rails, banks, quarter pipes and multiple stair sets for your little one to nail their skate lines. Click here for more information.
• City Parks in Beaumont | Public Parks, Playgrounds – Scattered throughout the city of Beaumont, more than 40 public parks offer families the chance to enjoy some outdoor activities with playground structures, picnic pavilions, sports fields and other amenities. Click here to dive into the public and neighborhood parks on offer.
• Rotary Centennial Playground | Public Parks, Playgrounds, All-Abilities – This barrier-free playground is intended to serve children of all abilities, as well as younger children, allowing for spirited play without the limitations of conventional equipment and landscaping. Click here for more information.
• Tyrell Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds, Nature – A natural wonderland, Beaumont’s centerpiece public park spans hundreds of acres and includes playground equipment, picnic areas, basketball courts and walking trails, as well as access to scenic wetlands, Beaumont Botanical Gardens, and natural habitats for a wide variety of wildlife. Click here for more information.

Brazosport

• Quintana Beach County Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds – Along the shores of the Gulf Coast, this 52-acre beachfront park offers beach access as well as a playground, covered pavilions, a volleyball court, fishing pier and more. Click here for more information.
• Surfside Jetty County Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds – Located on the west end of Surfside Beach, this 15-acre beach park offers paved parking, a playground, restroom facilities, and covered pavilions for public use. Nearby boat ramps are free for public use, providing access to the beach, harbor channel and jetty. Click here for more information.
• Surfside Bird & Butterfly Trail | Trails, Nature – Just a few blocks from Surfside Jetty County Park, this 2.5 mile trail surrounds visitors with native plants and woodland, giving families a chance to duck into nature for a little wildlife spotting. Click here for more information.

Conroe

• Candy Cane Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds, Water Parks – This 24-acre park is Conroe’s most popular, with ADA-compliant playgrounds, a basketball court, tennis courts and access to the Conroe Recreation & Aquatic Center, as well as the Conroe Water Park, which features multiple towering water slides, a children’s wading pool and more. Click here for more information.
• Carl Barton Jr. Park | Public Parks, Sports, Playgrounds – On the south side of the TX-336 Loop, this 204-acre park complex offers multiple baseball, softball and soccer fields for your next family sports outing, as well as several miles of trails and play structures. Click here for more information.
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds – Near central Conroe, this public park features a splash pad for those hot summer days, play structures and swings, basketball courts and athletic fields, as well as covered pavilions and paved walking trails. Click here for more information.
• John Burge Park at Shadow Lakes | Public Parks, Playgrounds – In Northwest Conroe, this public park spans 39 acres and contains picnic areas, a playground, an eighteen-basket disc golf course and immersive native landscaping. Click here for more information.
• McDade Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds – Across nearly forty acres, this public park is packed with play structures for the little ones, fishing opportunities and horseshoe pits, alongside plenty of sports amenities for basketball, disc golf and sand volleyball. Click here for more information.
• Lake Conroe Park | Public Parks, Swimming – Sitting on the west shores of Lake Conroe, this 13-acre park offers covered pavilions, grills, picnic facilities and restrooms, as well as swimming areas and fishing piers for your next family outing. Admission is $2 per person; free for ages 5 and under, 65 and over. Click here for more information.

Deer Park

• Bayou Bend Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds – Located just off Center Street, this 8-acre park offers families a basketball court and disc golf course, as well as play structures, picnic shelters and multi-purpose open space. Click here for more information.
• Dow Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds, Sports – Spanning forty acres off East San Augustine Avenue, this centerpiece park space in Deer Park features walking trails, playground structures, a skate park, splash park and Dow Park Pool, walking trails and more. Click here for more information.

Galveston

• Bucket Brigade | Beaches, Tours – Head down to the family-friendly Stewart Beach and take in a free, 45 minute tour along the coastline, uncovering the creatures and features that make Galveston so unique. Click here for more information.
• Galveston Seawall Urban Park | Beaches, Public Parks – For more than ten miles, the seawall acts as a protective barrier against rising tides but also offers visitors a chance to enjoy a great variety of beachfront activities, including fishing and swimming, as well as taking in the colorful Seawall Interpretive Trail or ducking into the seawall’s many shops and attractions. Click here for more information.
• Schlitterbahn Galveston | Water Parks – Open year-round, this popular family destination offers dozens of rides and attractions, thrilling slides, water playgrounds, and more, as well as heated indoor areas through the colder months of the year. Click here for more information.
• Seawolf Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds, Tours – Located on Galveston’s Pelican Island, this public park features one of the Island’s most popular fishing piers, as well as picnic sites and playgrounds. Also on the grounds, a World War II submarine, the USS Cavalla, and a destroyer escort, the USS Stewart, can be seen and toured. Click here for more information.
• Tree Sculptures in Galveston | Outdoors, Tours – Dozens of beautiful, ornate tree sculptures, carved from the remains of damaged trees after Hurricane Ike, dot the Island, offering a chance for a self-guided tour that will take you through Galveston’s many neighborhoods and some public parks, as well. Click here for more information.

Pearland

• Centennial Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds – This spacious park near Broadway Street offers multiple tennis courts and basketball goals, a splash pad for little ones to cool off in the summer, play areas for toddlers and bigger kids, covered pavilions and more. Click here for more information.
• Delores Fenwick Nature Center | Educational, Animal Encounters – This hands-on nature center provides a chance for kids of all ages (not to mention adults) to learn about the region’s rich ecosystems, check out a freshwater aquarium and live animal exhibits, take to the outdoor pavilion and picnic areas and more. Click here for more information.
• El Franco Lee Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds, Sports – One of the largest parks in the Pearland area, the more than 360 acres of El Franco Lee Park are a popular destination for families looking to enjoy a day outdoors, with plenty of park amenities like covered pavilions, playgrounds, picnic areas, multi-purpose sports fields and courts, fishing ponds and more. Click here for more information.
• Independence Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds – A sprawling multi-tier playground highlights a freshly renovated park experience that invites visitors to enjoy shaded green space, sports facilities, and a new amphitheater which is primed for public events. Click here for more information.
• Tom Bass Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds, Sports – Off Cullen Boulevard, this public park boasts plenty of sporting opportunities, from golf and tennis to volleyball and more, along with a dog park, playground areas, fishing picnic pavilions and even a Ninja Warrior-style obstacle course. Click here for more information.

Port Arthur

• Doornbos Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds – Just northwest of Port Arthur in Nederland, this public park provides prime opportunities to check out ducks, geese and other native birds while the little ones take to the park’s play structures, swings, or lakefront activities. Click here for more information.
• Port Neches Spray Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds, Sports – This 27-acre park in neighboring Port Neches features a splash pad for those hot summer days, lighted tennis courts and horseshoe pits, a sand volleyball court, and Tugboat Island—a multi-tier wooden play structure. Click here for more information.

Sugar Land

• City Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds, Sports – This 21-acre community park offers lit sports facilities, a covered skate park, playground areas, picnic pavilions, bike trails and more. Click here for more information.
• Eldridge Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds – Near Eldridge Road and Airport Boulevard, this public park stretches across 43 acres, providing a wide variety of amenities such as covered pavilions, a large playground area, soccer fields and pond fishing. Click here for more information.
• First Colony Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds, Sports – Home to nine baseball fields, this community park also offers a universally-accessible playground structure, and areas for picnics and grilling. Click here for more information.
• Lost Creek Park & Oyster Creek Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds – Along both banks of Oyster Creek, these two parks serve a wide variety of community activities and are joined by the Oyster Creek Trail, which winds around Lost Creek Park and bridges into Oyster Creek Park. Together, the two park spaces provide multiple soccer fields, large playgrounds, picnic pavilions and scenic trails through beautifully landscaped environments. Click here for more information.
• Public Parks in Sugar Land | Public Parks, Playgrounds – Dozens of community parks dot the Sugar Land map, from more isolated neighborhood parks and splash pads to walking trails and scenic views. You can dig into the full list of Sugar Land’s public parks to find one nearest you. Click here for more information.

The Woodlands

• Alden Bridge Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds, Swimming – Across more than 13 acres, this public park provides several sports areas for soccer, tennis, volleyball and basketball, as well as play equipment for different age groups, picnic spaces and the Alden Bridge swimming pool. Click here for more information.
• Creekwood Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds, Swimming – Located in the Village of Panther Creek, this public park features play equipment for different age groups, theme slides, fishing, sports facilities and Creekwood Pool, which offers baby pool, diving board and swimming lanes. Click here for more information.
• Falconwing Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds, Swimming – In the Village of Indian Springs, this 10-acre public park space offers a variety of sports facilities, access to the Falconwing Pool, and playground structures suitable for different ages. Click here for more information.
• Harper’s Landing Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds, Swimming – With a dozen acres of park space, this community space provides age-appropriate playground equipment, picnic areas, the Harper’s Landing Pool, a dog park, and sports facilities for basketball, tennis and soccer. Click here for more information.
• Northshore Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds – On the northern banks of Lake Woodlands, this public park features play equipment for different age groups, volleyball courts, picnic areas, fishing access and more. Click here for more information.
• Rob Fleming Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds, Water Parks – This scenic public park offers spaces for fishing, picnics and age-appropriate play structures, as well as access to the Rob Fleming Aquatic Center which boasts water play structures, slides, a lazy river and more. Click here for more information.
• Shadowbend Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds, Swimming – Spanning a dozen acres, this public park contains playground structures for older and younger children, courts for basketball, tennis and volleyball, access to the Shadowbend Pool and more. Click here for more information.
• Tamarac Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds – This ADA-accessible public park features playground equipment for different age groups, fishing, sports facilities, picnic areas and more. Click here for more information.
• Terramont Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds, Sports – This park space along Branch Crossing Drive features tennis courts, playground structures, a disc golf course and more. Click here for more information.
• Town Green Park | Public Parks, Maze – Adjacent to Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and The Woodlands Waterway, this four-acre space is conveniently located near The Woodlands Mall and also provides easy access to the nearby Story Book Maze, a hedge labyrinth which includes oversized books with characters and stories from Aesop’s fables. Click here for more information.

Tomball

• Burroughs Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds – Spanning across more than 300 acres, this centerpiece public space in Tomball features a variety of sports facilities, a fishing lake, five playgrounds, nature trails and much more. Click here for more information.
• Jerry Matheson Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds, Swimming – This 10-acre city park features a large wooden playground for toddlers and older children, a swimming pool during the summer season, baseball fields and tennis courts. Click here for more information.
• Juergens Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds – This community park features extensive picnic and barbecue spaces, as well as three playgrounds, courts for basketball and volleyball, and more. Click here for more information.
• Spring Creek Park | Public Parks, Playgrounds – Across more than 100 acres, this park offers nature accessibility with camping and trails, as well as a public playground, basketball court, sand volleyball, fishing, archery range, picnic areas and more. Click here for more information.

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