Top 14 Things to Do for Kids in Houston This Month: January 2024

Discover your plans for family time this month with the best kid-friendly things to do in and around Houston for January 2024.

This month, take in all the experiences of the College Football National Championship, dash toward a finish line for sweet tooths, honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., plan a free day of family fun in Midtown, and more.

Do you know an event that could make the list? Drop us a line at events@365houston.com with a link to the official event details.

Top 14 Things To Do for Kids & Families in Houston This Month: January 2024

• Polar Palooza Snow Days at Children’s Museum Houston | Thursday, January 4 – All holiday season through Sunday, January 7, the Children’s Museum hosts snow days with real snow in the courtyard for a winter play day that so rarely comes to Houston. Stop by on Thursday evening for free admission to maximize your fun on a budget. $17 for ages 1 and up. 10am to 8pm (free from 5pm to 8pm).
• Kidz Bop in Concert at Shell Energy Stadium | Friday, January 5 | FREE – Part of the AT&T Playoff Playlist series, this first of three concerts at the Dynamo stadium helps build the hype toward the College Football National Championship held on Monday. Kidz Bop opens the concert series a night of pop and rock hits performed by stellar young singers. No tickets or wristbands required for this show. 6pm.
• College Football Playoff Fan Central at George R. Brown Convention Center | Friday, January 5 to Sunday, January 7 | FREE – With the College Football National Championship taking place on Monday, fans can get a free, family-friendly experience in Downtown with three days of games, clinics, guest appearances, autograph signings, special exhibits and more. Friday noon to 6pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm.
• 12th Annual Choco Loco Race at Sam Houston Park | Saturday, January 6 – The annual Downtown race offers one of the first ways to tackle that running resolution with delicious chocolate at the finish line. Available in Kids K, 5K and 10K lengths, the run culminates in a post-race celebration with hot cocoa, chocolate fountains, live music and family-friendly fun. $30 for Kids K; $55 for 5K; $65 for 10K. 7:30am.
• Japan Junction: Oshogatsu 2024 at Levy Park | Saturday, January 6 | FREE – This annual family-friendly event at the Greenway park offers immersion within Japanese culture, featuring live performances, traditional Japanese games, omikuji fortune telling, craft stations and food vendors. 11am to 2pm.
• Magical Winter Lights at Katy Mills | Ends Sunday, January 7 – The holiday fantasia comes to a close for the holiday season, featuring six million twinkling lights and displays, plus cutting-edge lantern art. Each display has a different theme, designed to delight. There’s a Christmas village, a space-themed labyrinth, ice sculptures, fossil collections and life-size dinos at Dinosaur Village, an undersea paradise, a tribute to Houston, and more. $25 and up. 5pm to 10pm; Friday & Saturday 5pm to 11pm.
• Galaxy Lights at Space Center Houston | Ends Sunday, January 7 – The cosmic spectacle wraps up at Space Center Houston, offering final opportunities to stroll through a twinkling wonderland of space-themed light installations, high-tech experiences, holiday treats and more in a one-of-a-kind event that can only be found in Space City. Tickets range from $19.95 to $27.95; free for ages 3 and under. Save $5 on each ticket when you use promo code 365XLIGHTS at checkout. 6pm to 10pm.

• 28th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at Children’s Museum Houston | Saturday, January 13 – Honor the legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with messages of unity, justice, and peace. Expect gospel music, a Peace March, and an “I Have a Dream” speech reenactment by Steve Scott. $17 for ages 1 and up. 10am to 6pm.
• 7th Annual Family Fun Day at MATCH | Sunday, January 14 | FREE – Bring the family out for some free family entertainment at the 7th Annual Family Fun Day. In addition to arts performances, kiddos will have the chance to have their face painted, hop into bounce houses, and enjoy balloon artists, stilt walkers and more, all afternoon long. 1pm to 5pm.
• 46th Annual Original MLK Jr. Day Parade & Festival in Downtown Houston | MLK Day, Monday, January 15 | FREE – Celebrate the legacy MLK with the 46th annual parade through Downtown. The procession starts at Lamar and Smith Streets. Stick around after the parade for a family festival at City Hall featuring multicultural musical performances, kid-friendly activities, art, craft vendors, food and more. 10am to 4pm.
• Houston Astros FanFest at Minute Maid Park | Saturday, January 20 – Gather with fellow fanatics at the annual Astros FanFest held at Minute Maid. You’ll have the chance to meet favorite players, alumni and broadcasters, plus take advantage of photo ops with the World Series trophies, play games and more. Vouchers are $1, you must claim a voucher online to enter. 11am to 4pm.
• Monster Jam at NRG Stadium | Saturday, January 20 & Sunday, January 21 – Marvel at the gravity-defying experience of monster trucks when Monster Jam arrives at NRG Stadium. See 12,000-pound monster trucks like Grave Digger soar through the air performing tricks with pulse-pounding roars. $20 and up. Saturday 6pm; Sunday 3pm.
• Houston Grand Opera presents Sing! Move! Play! at Levy Park | Saturday, January 27 | FREE – Introduce the littles to the magic of opera at the Greenway park. Learn about opera’s greatest hits through action-packed workshops filled with singing, rhythmic movement and creative play. Noon.
• Sloomoo Institute at MARQ-E Entertainment Center | Ongoing – Immerse yourself in a world of slime-tastic activities for a limited time in Houston. The experience is full of never-ending, hand-crafted slime, yummy scents, bright colors, and soothing ASMR delights. Don’t leave without getting slimed yourself. $39 and up. Time slots available from 10am to 6pm.

Don’t Miss Out on Tomorrow’s Fun!