Discover your plans for family time this month with the 16 best kid-friendly things to do in and around Houston for January 2026.
Get your family calendar ready—January 2026 is packed with kid-friendly adventures around Houston, from twinkling light shows and ice skating to musicals, bubble-filled theater, and hands-on science.
There’s something to spark curiosity, get moving, and make memories for kids of all ages. Here’s how families can make the most of Houston this month:
Here’s where to find the family-friendly magic in Houston this month.
Top 16 Things To Do for Kids & Families in Houston This Month: January 2025
Events are not ranked but are listed in chronological order, by start date and time and then by end date and time.
New Year’s Day Family Celebration at Wakefield Crowbar | New Year’s Day, Thursday, January 1 | FREE – The Garden Oaks bar hosts its annual family-friendly New Year’s celebration with a ball drop at noon, Legacy Man blading through to perform some tunes, college bowl games on big screens, and free play on the playground and giant sandbox. 11am to 3pm. Learn more.
Bumper Cars on Ice at Discovery Green | Friday, January 2 to Monday, February 16 – Glide, spin, and bump your way across an icy rink at Discovery Green’s Bumper Cars on Ice, where kids—and adults—can drive battery-powered bumper cars on an ice surface. Ice skating still available during select hours and days. Must be at least 42 inches tall. $20 for a 7-minute ride; times vary. Learn more.
Holiday in the Gardens at Moody Gardens | Through Sunday January 3 – Galveston’s Moody Gardens is in its final days of being a holiday wonderland with over 2 million sparkling lights, a mile‑long illuminated trail, and animated scenes set to festive music. Walk through Ice Land—a tent filled with massive ice sculptures—glide across the outdoor rink, zoom down the arctic slide, ride the kiddie train, or catch a holiday 3D/4D film. There’s also a Holiday Fantasy: North Pole’s Got Talent acrobatic show, special dining, and a cornucopia of family fun. Get tickets.
Magical Winter Lights at Fort Bend County Fairgrounds | Through Sunday, January 4 – One of the city’s most popular attractions—a lit-up wonderland filled with millions of lights, dazzling lantern sculptures, interactive displays for the whole family—winds up its 11th year in Greater Houston at the end of New Year’s weekend. $25; $18 ages 3 to 12 and 65+; free for ages 2 and under. Gates open at 5pm, closing times vary. Get tickets.
Disney’s Beauty & the Beast at The Hobby Center | Tuesday, January 6 to Sunday, January 18 – Step into a tale as old as time when the Broadway tour brings the Tony-winning show home (the original Broadway show was worked out in collaboration with TUTS on the Sarofim stage back in the ’90s). Belle, the Beast, Mrs. Potts, Lumiere and all your favorite characters to life onstage with magical sets, unforgettable songs like “Be Our Guest” and “Gaston,” and family‑friendly enchantment for kids of all ages. $82+. Get tickets.
Houston Symphony: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert at Jones Hall | Friday, January 9 & Saturday, January 10 – Kids, and their parents, can experience the thrilling finale to the original Star Wars trilogy, with the symphony playing John Williams’ entire epic score live to picture. See Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and the rebels embark on a mission to save Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, and confront Darth Vader and his evil Emperor. Times vary. $41+. Get tickets.
Discover Nature Together Scavenger Hunts at Houston Arboretum & Nature Center | Saturday, January 17 | FREE – Explore the trails with the family during a winter botany scavenger hunt, spotting evergreens, winter wildlife, and learning to identify trees without their leaves. Donations welcome. 2pm. Learn more.
Family Fun Day 2026 at MATCH | Sunday, January 18 | FREE – Bring the whole crew to Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston for a free afternoon of kid‑friendly activities and performances. Expect live music, dance, and theater, plus face painting, balloon art, bounce houses, stilt walkers, and chalk art spread across the venue’s theaters and outdoor breezeway. Food trucks and concessions will be on site. 1pm to 5pm. Learn more.
MLK Unity Parade in Downtown | Monday, January 19 | FREE – Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at the first ever edition of the united MLK Grande Parade and the Black Heritage Society’s original parade. In keeping with the historic merge, the parade’s theme is “Embracing the Oneness in Humanity,” highlighting unity, equality, and community. The parade route starts at Lamar and Smith streets and ends at Dallas and Smith. 10am to 1pm. Learn more.
Galveston Museum Weekend | Friday, January 23 to Sunday, January 25 – Head to the island for an easy, educational family outing during Galveston Museum Weekend and save, when more than a dozen local museums offer free or discounted admission all weekend. Families can visit three or more participating spots to earn a Galveston coloring book and enter to win a one‑night stay with VIP attraction passes. Cost varies by museum, with free entry, BOGO, and discount offers. Places, prices, and times vary. Learn more.
Astros FanFest at Daikin Park | Saturday, January 24 – Get ready for baseball season at Astros FanFest, the family-friendly event packed with autograph sessions, games, live entertainment, and photo ops with championship trophies. Admission is just $2 benefiting the Astros Foundation, making it an easy win for kids who want to explore the ballpark and soak up pre-season excitement. Season ticket holder presale begins Monday, January 5, with public tickets on sale Wednesday, January 7. 11am to 4pm. $2. Get tickets.
Houston Grand Opera’s Hansel & Gretel at Wortham Center | Friday, January 30 to Sunday, February 15 – Embark on a magical journey into the classic Brothers Grimm fairytale at HGO’s family‑friendly opera. The show features Humperdinck’s enchanting score and whimsical production perfect for introducing kids to the wonder of opera, as the siblings wander through a mysterious forest and encounter the gingerbread‑topped house of a not‑so‑friendly witch in a story full of adventure and imagination. $62+. Get tickets.
Hot Chocolate Run Houston at Sam Houston Park | Saturday, January 31 – Ages 8 and older can sign up for the morning run in Downtown, a fun road event with 5K, 10K (ages 10+), and 10-miler (ages 12+) options that ends in a tasty celebration. Runners and walkers of all levels get race swag, like a a jacket and finisher medal, and can enjoy hot chocolate, chocolate fondue, and dippables at the post-race party. 7:15am to 8:15am start times. $49+. Register.
Performing Arts Houston: Gazillion Bubble Show at Jones Hall | Saturday, January 31 to Sunday, February 1 – New York’s longest‑running off‑Broadway hit comes to Jones Hall for a high-energy, family-friendly show filled with dazzling bubbles, lasers, and music. Designed for audiences of all ages and running about 75 minutes with no intermission, it’s a magical, unforgettable way to introduce little ones to live theater. Times vary. $35+. Get tickets.
Ice at Discovery Green | Daily | Ongoing – Every holiday season, Houston’s downtown 12-acre park transforms into a winter wonderland with an outdoor ice-skating rink on Kinder Lake. Skaters of all ages can enjoy themed nights like Kids Skate Free Thursdays, DJ Skate Saturdays, and Sundays with Santa, plus special nights for families with young children and skaters with physical or developmental disabilities. $18 (including skate rental. Get tickets.
Pop Air – Art Is Inflatable at Balloon Museum Houston in EaDo | Daily | Ongoing – The immersive exhibition celebrating air, art, and creativity spans over 65,000 square feet, with features luminous installations and interactive works by 14 international artists, inviting visitors of all ages to play, explore, and connect with adventures from inflatable giants to VR and AR rooms. Times vary. $39+; $35+ ages 4 to 12; $29+ ages 13 to 17. Get tickets.
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