A Houston Mom’s Guide to June 2016

Houston Moms Blog is so excited to introduce our newest series — a monthly guide to events and happenings in and around town. Keep an eye out for it on the first of each month, and then come back again and again as you plan fun outings and events for your family all month long!

I am so.flipping.excited to usher in summer. Yes, it’s HOT {hello, it’s Houston!}, but there are so many ways to beat the heat around here. My family is looking forward to late nights, sleeping in, and lazy days at the pool. And when we become tired of the chlorine, I can’t wait to hit up all that the Bayou City has to offer this month! Don’t forget to stay in the loop for our 2nd annual “Hoppin’ Around H-Town” play date series. For 10 straight weeks beginning June 9th, we will have a fun and unique experience for y’all – spanning all age groups with locations all around town. Definitely make sure you join our event group on Facebook to grab all the ins and outs of the play dates AND to stay on top of ticket sales. {Pssstt, these babies go FAST!} And once you have hopped and are in need of some great activities to do under your own roof, check out these creative ideas here and here too!

But now, without further adieu, our top events for June 2016 as we kick off the summer season…

A Houston Mom's Guide to June 2016 | Houston Moms Blog

June 2nd | 12pm – 3pm :: End of School Festival with Houston Museum of Natural Science – Sugar Land

Kick off the start of summer right! Head to Sugar Land’s Houston Museum of Natural Science for a fun afternoon full of pizza, activities, games, and crafts. Member tickets are $5, Adults $17.

June 2nd | 7:05pm ::  Teacher Appreciation Night with the Sugar Land Skeeters

The Skeeters want to say thank you to all of Houston’s wonderful educators. Simply present your valid teacher ID and receive two free general admission tickets. Even better? It’s also “Thirsty Thursday” which means $2 beer and sodas. Batter up!

June 3rd – 5th | Fri 1pm – 8pm; Sat/Sun 10pm – 7pm :: Discover the Dinosaurs

For the dino enthusiasts, this event at NRG Park {Hall B} is not to be missed! This is a hands-on exhibit where the dinosaurs come to life before your very eyes. Once you’ve observed these amazing creations {and touched them!}, make sure you check out all their other attractions including a dino dig, panning for fossils, inflatables, and even dinosaur rides! Ticket purchase is recommended in advance.

June 3rd – 4th | All Day Event :: Battle of the Firehouses BBQ Cook Off

Join the “Back the Brave” organization with this inaugural cook off at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds. Just $10 for general admission tickets and a whole day of fun and good eats. For your little chefs in the house, make sure to enter them in the Father & Son Hamburger Cook Off on Friday, June 3rd {ages 7-15}. All participants will receive a “cook off” apron as well.

June 4th | 8:30am – 5pm :: 2016 AIA SandCastle Competition in Galveston

What screams summer more than building sandcastles, right?!? AIA {American Institute of Architects} is celebrating thirty years of their annual event. Come on out, enjoy watching the building process, sipping drinks, delicious eats, bright sun {fingers crossed!}, and of course, sand for this fantastic feat of architecture. Don’t forget to cast your vote for your favorite from 1pm – 3pm!

June 4th| 8am – 10am :: National Fishing Day at Sea Center Texas

Make your way down to Lake Jackson’s Sea Center Texas for their National Fishing Day Youth Event. Open to youth 16 years and younger accompanied by an adult, kids will get to try their hand at angling the best catch of the day. Don’t forget to pack your sunscreen and lawn chair for this fun-filled morning, and definitely bring your lucky pole and live bait!

June 4th | 10am – 4pm :: Noah’s Ark Turns 20

Celebrate Noah’s Ark’s 20th Birthday Celebration at the Quillian Center, complete with throwback 1996 prices, inflatable slip ‘n slides, cake and ice cream, and more! Tickets are just $4 for adults and $2 for kids. Located conveniently off Westpark Drive, kick of your summer right with fun for the entire family. {PS – On the 20th day of each month, the 20th person swims for free!}

June 4th | 11am – 11pm :: Houston Fajita Festival

Head north to Humble for their Inaugural Fajita Festival, celebrating Mexican culture with entertainment, drinks, and of course, food! Fun to be had for the entire family including a playground for the kids, wrestling, jalapeno eating contest, art exhibits, and more.

June 4th | 6:30pm {activities}; 8pm {showtime} :: Jurassic World @ Discovery Green

Still jonesing for more dinosaurs? Head out to Discovery Green for a showing of the 4th installment of the hit franchise, Jurassic Park. Photo ops are available with T-Rex and the Jurassic Jeeps. Pack your blankets and lawn chairs and settle in for a night with the family. Parent bonus :: beer, wine, and concessions are available for purchase.

June 5th | 1pm :: Astros Youth Baseball Day

Head out to Minute Maid Park for Astros Youth Day in partnership with Spring-Klein Sports Association. Players who dress in uniform will be allowed to participate in a parade before game time. Who doesn’t love a day at the ballpark in the summer? Play ball!

June 8th – 10th | 11am :: James and the Giant Peach with Miller Outdoor Theatre

Theatre Under the Stars brings to life the junior version of this childhood classic this June. FREE tickets are available each day of the performances, 4 tickets per person over the age of 16. All tickets are under the covered area seating – hooray!

June 8th | 8pm :: Moonlight Movie at City Centre

Come hang with your favorite fish and his friends for a movie night under the stars featuring Finding Nemo. This completely free event kicks off at 8pm with popcorn for all, and showtime commences at 9pm. Enjoy a dinner out at one of City Centre’s amazing restaurants and then head on over to the central greenspace for the movie.

June 10th & 11th | 9am – 2pm :: 4th Annual Dog Days of Summer at the Houston Zoo

Learn more about the “painted dogs”, aka wild dogs of Africa, at the Houston zoo. There will be crafts for the kids as well as an opportunity to meet the new pack and interact with their keepers. Fun fact :: while domestic dogs and wolves in the U.S. have 5 toes on their forefeet, these painted dogs only have 4. Now that’s some water cooler talk.

June 11th | 10am – 5pm :: Ninja Turtles Appearance at The Children’s Museum of Houston

If your kids are as TMNT obsessed as mine, this will be a huge treat! These guys will be available for a meet ‘n greet for the littlest and biggest fans alike. Appearance is included in regular admission prices. Don’t forget your camera! {Hint :: members get in an hour early!}

June 11th & 12th | 11am – 7pm :: Pop Shop Houston Modern Crafts & Art Festival

Join our friends at Pop Shop America for this one of a kind festival featuring handmade goods, antiques, unique shopping, small bite tastings, and cocktails. Have the opportunity to interact with these incredibly talented artists and find gifts and treats you can enjoy for a lifetime. Bonus :: Kids 12 and under are FREE; Sunday is free after 4pm.

June 11th | 6pm – 8:30pm :: BBQ, Beer & Bingo at the Houston Arboretum

Did we have you at BBQ and beer?!? Yes, ma’am, enjoy a night out on the lawn with the Houston Arboretum while playing everyone’s favorite game, BINGO! Beer to be provided by St. Arnold’s Brewing Company with chances to win fabulous door prizes provided by Bering’s Hardware. For those non-beer drinkers, Katz coffee will distribute their famous iced coffee, perfect for those summer nights. Games begin promptly at 6:30pm.

June 16th | All Day :: James Coney Island $.93 Special

Is all that swimming making you hungry? Head to James Coney Island every 3rd Thursday of the month to grab their 93 CENT original coney dogs. Celebrating 93 years of service to the Houston area, this is a fabulous deal for our families. In case you were wondering, the original coney includes mustard, onions, and their top secret “coney sauce.” Yummy!

June 17th – 19th | Fri/Sat 10am – 10pm; Sun 10am – 6pm :: Houston Comicpalooza

Texas’s largest comic and pop culture event is back at George R. Brown Convention Center, and it is better than ever! Adults will enjoy the latest in cosplay, a literary conference, film festival, and stunt shows while the kids will love their special Kids Zone. Check out the Power Rangers, Superhero Storytime, sing-a-longs, and more. Visit their website for ticket information.

June 17th | 6 – 8pm :: Kendra Scott Gives Back {City Centre}

Okay, so not exactly a family-friendly event, but it definitely needs to be on our Houston momma’s list for a well deserved night out! Browse all of the gorgeous KS baubles while sipping refreshing champagne and nibbling on sweets. Even better? 20% of sales that evening will benefit the ALS Association of Texas. Win, win!

June 22nd – 24th | 1pm :: The Houston Summer Boat Show

Escape the summer heat and head to the 29th annual Houston Summer Boat Show at the NRG Center. Whether you are a serious buyer or dreaming of payday, this spectacle has something for everyone. Browse hundreds of booths, enjoy delicious eats and drinks, and of course, fun activities to be had for the kids.

June 24th | 10am – 5pm :: 80’s Day & Dive-in Movie with Wet ‘n Wild Splashtown

Celebrate a like totally epic decade with Wet ‘n Wild! Splash all day and then enjoy a showing of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. If you haven’t traveled north to this park in awhile, you will be shocked at the transformation from their multi-million dollar makeover, including an expanded kid’s area that is sure to delight your little ones.

June 24th | 9pm :: Friday Flicks on the Lawn

Break out the lawn chairs and blankets for a free movie under the stars at GreenStreet located off Fannin in downtown Houston. Grab a bite to eat at one of the nearby delicious restaurants and then head to catch the flick. Curious which movie? Let’s just say, “Show me the money!” Any guesses?

June 25th & 26th | Sat 10am – 7pm; Sun 11am – 5pm :: Texas Home & Garden Show Summer

You know and love the Texas Home and Garden Show every spring and fall. By popular demand they are bringing it back to NRG for the sweet summa’ time! You will find everything you need for your summer projects, home improvement, decor, Texas escapes, and more. Bonus :: Children under 14 are FREE.

Ongoing Activities in June…

June 2nd, 9th, & 16th | 2pm – 7pm :: Free Family Thursday at The Health Museum

Check out Houston’s most interactive learning center about the human body, health, and medical science for free every Thursday this month.

June 2nd, 9th, & 16th | 5pm – 8pm :: Free Family Night with The Children’s Museum of Houston

Let your mind come out and play Thursdays in June with The Children’s Museum!

June 12th – September 18th :: Kusuma: At the End of the Universe Exhibit, Museum of Fine Arts Houston

For audiences of all ages! Experience the sights, sounds, and feelings of this amazing installation.

June 1st, 8th – 10th, & 14th :: Houston Symphony’s Free Summer Concert Series

Check out their website for all location and time information. They will have selections from Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, and Pirates of the Caribbean to name a few. You won’t want to miss their breathtaking performances. Don’t forget to bring the kids early on select days for an “instrument petting zoo” as well!

June 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th :: Two for Tuesdays at the Houston Aquarium

Enjoy half-price access to everything at the Aquarium – simply print the coupon from the website for every 4 people in your group. {Offer valid through August 2016!}

Want more? Check out these helpful resources…

2016 Ultimate Guide to Summer Camps In & Around Houston

2016 Houston VBS Guide

Guide to Summer Reading Programs for Kids

60 Family-Friendly Houston Restaurants

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Meagan Clanahan
Meagan is a Dallas native who has lived in the Katy area for over a decade. She kicked a soccer ball all the way to Louisiana to attend college at her family’s alma mater of LSU, where she promptly fell in love with a Texas Aggie in Baton Rouge for an internship. After swimming back to Texas following Hurricane Katrina, Matt and Meagan fell in love with the Houston area and now couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Following several years of infertility, their miracle twins Ryan and Quinn were born in June of 2010. She believes there is nothing better than a chilled glass of Pinot Grigio, a large Sonic Diet Coke, sushi take-out, Girls Nights Out, and a mindless book to curl up with. Besides playing chauffeur and catering to the whims of her children, Meagan also is the Co-Owner of Houston Moms Blog. You can keep up with Meagan at The Clanahan Fam and on Instagram @meaganclanahan!

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