As summer comes to an end, we are packing in family activities each week before we’re in back-to-school mode. August is probably the hottest month of the year in Houston, which means we have to get creative about how to keep the boys entertained! I’m sure many of you are in the same boat, so I’ve rounded up a list of activities to keep your kids busy over the next couple of weeks. Hopefully some of these are just as fun for you as they are for your little ones! We went to a wildlife park over the weekend and I loved it just as much as the boys! Read on below for 8 end-of-summer family activity ideas to try out this month.

 

1. Spend the Day at a Splash Park

Splash parks like the Gateway Fountain at Houston’s Discovery Green offer a fun and free way for your little ones to cool off in these scorching temperatures. If you visit this particular park, grab a refreshing beverage and lunch at Lake Cafe, which we recently mentioned in our kid-friendly restaurants guide. We also love the splash play area at Nottingham Park in West Houston.

2. Plan a Museum Day

Our boys absolutely love the Children’s Museum of Houston, and we also have a wonderful science museum with dinosaur skeletons (always a huge hit!). The Museum of Natural Science has a Panda IMAX right now, which sounds adorable! A museum day is a great way to spend most of the day out of the house but in the A/C. Plus, it’s educational and I always walk away with more knowledge on a subject as well!

 

3. Burn off Some Energy at an Indoor Playground

Indoor bounce houses like Pump It Up and Monkey Joe’s, and trampoline parks like Sky Zone are a great way for kids to get active without enduring the treacherous Texas sun. I have to say that FMK gets really into the trampoline park too, so it’s fun for the whole family!

4. Hang out at Your Local Pool

We love visiting our neighborhood pool for a day of low-key fun. I can keep an eye on the boys from the poolside and enjoy a fun summer read and a cool drink. Throw in a sack lunch (or order at the pool!) and you’ve got your day covered! P.S. – make sure to bring along some of our poolside essentials and your favorite sunscreen!

5. Have a Nature Adventure

This past weekend we went to the wildlife park near my parents’ house in Corsicana, and had an absolute blast! The boys loved feeding the animals and checking them off as we saw them on the interactive sheet. I think I had just as much fun as the boys did! We also love visiting our local aquarium and butterfly museum for interactive nature experiences.

 

Photo courtesy of Little Green Notebook

6. Cool Off at The Library or Your Favorite Bookstore

Check your local library’s website to find their summer story time hours — most have some! This is another educational (and free!) way to keep your kiddos entertained indoors. Encourage your little ones to peruse the kids’ section for something that sparks their interest (take-home entertainment 😉 ). Barnes & Noble also offers story times during the summer, as do smaller local bookstores, so be sure to check websites for times.

 

7. Grab a refreshing treat

Popsicles are a classic summer treat for a reason, and we love places like Steel City Pops that offer healthy alternatives to this cool dessert. It’s a cute, refreshing summer snack that will cool you and your little ones off from the inside out! Another healthy alternative to sugary desserts like ice cream is a juice or smoothie – a personal favorite of ours is Nekter Juice Bar here in Houston!

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8. Head to the Beach!

If you’re lucky enough to be driving distance from the beach, soak up the last days of summer by the water with your family. Houston nearby Galveston beaches aren’t necessarily the most beautiful, but it’s still nice to relax by the ocean while the kids splash around in the water. We make sure to lather on the sunscreen and pack umbrellas, extra water, and a cooler of snacks to keep everyone hydrated and happy.