Top 20+ Things To Do for Kids & Families in Houston This Month: May 2024

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

This month, families can experience magic at an al fresco performance of Beauty & the Beast, get the kiddos their first taste of opera with storytime in the park, and let the creative juices flow at an Art Car Bike Parade.

Check out these and more kid-friendly happenings this May.

Top 20+ Things To Do for Kids & Families in Houston This Month: May 2024

• Beauty & the Beast at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Wednesday, May 1 | FREE – The Panto Company USA presents the spell-bounding story of Belle, Beast, and the Enchanted Rose. Enjoy the laughter, stunning costumes, music, and magic at this free, all-are-welcome show. This is a non-ticketed performance. 11am.
• Calle Artística, an Art Auction by Students, for Students at Spring Street Studios | Wednesday, May 1 – Helping to support the visual and digital art programming for students of NewSpring, this student art auction features live music, food and wine while bidding on unique art creations by both students and professional local artists. $125; $50 for college students; $25 for high school students. 6pm to 8pm.
• Joy Fest at Jubilee | Saturday, May 4 | FREE – This new neighborhood in Hockley welcomes all to a family-friendly afternoon with food trucks and drink vendors, plus plenty of kids activities like a Ferris Wheel, inflatables, tie dye tile making, lawn games, face painting and more. You’ll also have a chance to tour eight wellness-centered homes being built in the community. 11am to 4pm.
• Sherlock Holmes & the Mystery of the Crown Jewel at MATCH | Saturdays, May 4 & May 11 – Recommended for second grade and up, families can join the mystery with the famed Sherlock Holmes and his friend, Doctor Watson. The original musical, based on the popular stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and performed by Main Street Theatre company, will lead the crowd on a goose chase from 221B Baker Street to the Tower of London. $18 and up. 10:30am and 1:30pm.
• Houston Grand Opera presents Storybook Opera at Levy Park | Saturdays, May 4 & May 18 | FREE – Held at Levy Park’s event pavilion, singers from the Houston Grand Opera will present an engaging storytime to introduce opera to students from pre-k through second grade. This month features Lula the Mighty Griot (May 4) and The Armadillo’s Dream (May 18). 11am.
• Houston Art Bike Parade & Festival at MacGregor Park | Saturday, May 11 | FREE – Community and youth programs from the Orange Show and Houston Parks Board come together for the return of the annual Art Bike Parade and festival, a day-long celebration of personal creativity, health and wellness, and artistry. The festival opens at 10am with music, community, and art activations, followed by the parade rollout at 10:15am, and ending with the awards ceremony and community activations from noon to 1pm. Anyone can participate. 10am to 1pm (9am parade lineup).

• Yaga’s Children’s Fund Wild Game & BBQ Cook-Off at Moody Gardens | Saturday, May 11 – The annual Wild Game and BBQ Cook-Off is back with good eats and good times for the entire family. Kick off the morning with a 5K Run Wild fun run ($39 registration), then enjoy a lineup of bbq, wild game bites, beer tasting, and live music. The family-friendly event benefits the Yaga’s Children’s Fund and its support of more than 25 Galveston County organizations. 10am to 5pm.
• Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets in Concert at Wortham Center | Saturday, May 11 – Kids of all ages can journey to the magical world of Hogwarts as Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets plays on the giant HD screen with the Houston Symphony orchestra performing John Williams’ iconic score alongside. $48.88 and up. 2:30pm and 7:30pm. 
• Mother’s Day Walk at Houston Botanic Garden | Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12 – Make memories at a special nature and nurture walk for Mother’s Day, designed to help families to unwind, be inspired and connect while enjoying the outdoors with captivating art installations, complimentary wellness treatments, and more. $25 and up; $15 and up for ages 4 to 17. An indulgent VIP experience is also available. 10am to 2pm.
• American Quarter Horse Races & Corgi Dog Races at Sam Houston Race Park | Saturday, May 11 – Some of the fastest corgi dogs in town hit the track at an evening of races that also feature American quarter horse action. $5; free for ages 5 and under. 6:30pm.
• Houston Greek Fest at St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church | Thursday, May 16 to Saturday, May 18 – The 25th anniversary Houston Greek Fest is a weekend-long celebration of Greek culture, with food, drink, and activities for the entire family. Fill up on gyros and baklava, tap your toes to traditional Greek music and dancing, enjoy carnival rides, games, and crafts, shop the Santorini market, and take tours of the beautiful St. Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church. $10; free for ages 10 and under. Times vary.
• 51st Pasadena Strawberry Festival at Pasadena Convention Center | Thursday, May 16 to Sunday, May 19 – The “World’s Largest Strawberry Shortcake,” a Kids Zone and Carnival, Strawberry Festival Parade, BBQ Cook-Off, and lineup of live music events are all a part of the fun at the Pasadena Strawberry Festival, held annually on the third weekend of May in a nod to Pasadena’s history as the “Strawberry Capital of the South.” $15; $5 for ages 6 to 10; free for ages 5 and under. Thursday night is free to all. Times vary.
• Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration at Children’s Museum Houston | Saturday, May 18 – Immerse the fam in a day of cultural celebration with a performance by Dance of Asia America and Silambam Houston, plus Polynesian crafts and dance activities, a storytime with Ruby’s Chinese New Year, and more. $17 for ages 1 and up. 9am to 5pm.
• Howey’s Water Safety Festival at Pearland Town Center | Saturday, May 18 | FREE – Houston Swim Club brings this first-ever fest to Pearland, helping kids and families understand year-round water safety and drowning prevention, along with crafts, games, prizes, music and dancing, and a visit by Howey the Dolphin. 10am to 4pm.
• iFest USA 2024 at Discovery Green | Saturday, May 18 | FREE – The annual celebration returns to Downtown with an evening promoting the cultural exchange between communities from around the world. Come by to enjoy live entertainment, international cuisine, art, fashion and more. 3:30pm to 9pm.

• Family Owl Prowl at Houston Arboretum & Nature Center | Saturday, May 18 – The Arboretum invites families on a nighttime adventure through its picturesque grounds. Guests can meet live owl ambassadors, learn fun facts about the birds, go on a moonlit hike to search for nocturnal animals, and enjoy light snacks and refreshments (including Saint Arnold beers for the grown-ups). $50; $20 for ages 5 to 12. 7pm to 9pm.
• Disney’s Newsies at Hobby Center | Tuesday, May 21 to Thursday, June 2 – Bring the kiddos to experience the extraordinary Tony Award–winning musical Newsies in its brand-new production by Theatre Under The Stars. The underdogs-to-heroes tale will entertain and inspire, with high-energy song and dance. $40 and up. Showtimes vary.
• Baby Shark’s Big Broadwave Tour at Sugar Land Financial Centre | Saturday, May 25 – Join Baby Shark and friends on an undersea adventure as you enjoy an interactive performance packed with catchy music, your favorite Baby Shark characters, and “tidal waves of laughter.” $42.50 and up. 2pm.
• Dancin’ in the Street… Motown & More Revue at Miller Outdoor Theatre | Thursday, May 23 to Saturday, May 25 | FREE – Head to the striking Miller Outdoor Theatre for a free, al fresco concert filled with soul. The weekend-long revue will showcase some of Houston’s hottest talent, performing R&B, soul and funk hits, including classics from the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s. Jam out to the tunes of Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Tina Turner, and more. 8:15pm.
• Comicpalooza at George R. Brown Convention Center | Friday, May 24 to Sunday, May 26 – Houston’s biggest pop culture festival returns for a fandom-filled weekend of comics, anime, cosplay, and more. Fans and collectors can enjoy celebrity guests including John Cena and Vivien Lyra Blair (a.k.a. Princess Leia on Disney’s Obi-Wan Kenobi), special attractions, family activities, shopping, live entertainment, and more. Weekend passes start at $105; $6 for ages 6 to 12; free for ages 5 and under. Single-day passes start at $50. Times vary.
• Screen on the Green: Wonka at Discovery Green | Saturday, May 25 | FREE – Downtown’s crown jewel park Discovery Green invites folks to a free showing of 2023 fantasy musical film Wonka, starring Timothée Chalamet. Blankets and chairs, as well as snacks and picnics are welcome (leave alcohol and glass containers at home). 7pm.
• Jurassic World: The Exhibition at Katy Mills | All month long – After touring cities around the world including London, Paris, Madrid, Seoul, and beyond, this dino-themed global sensation maintains its spring run in Houston. The family-friendly exhibit invites guests to walk through the iconic Jurassic World gate, get an up-close look at life-sized dinosaurs, and play with baby dinosaurs, including “Bumpy” from the popular animated series Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous on Netflix. $24 and up. Timed entry available daily.

Don’t Miss Out on Tomorrow’s Fun!