People! We are at the finish line — here comes August! Honestly, way back in May when my kids got out of school, I wasn’t sure we were going to make it, at least sanely. But thanks to all of the amazing events that our city hosts on the daily, we’ve had a fabulous summer. And now I have mixed emotions about the end of summer days and lazy nights. Oh, but this appalling heat and humidity. We won’t miss you AT ALL. So onto August events…our city doesn’t disappoint for sure this month. Grab up your kiddos, pack some snacks, and head out to make memories in the last of the dog days of summer. {Although we know “summer” really hangs out until October, just roll with me on this one!}
Speaking of summer, anyone getting eaten up by these darn mosquitoes and biting gnats? I hear those spraying trucks in my neighborhood often, but it doesn’t seem like they are making a dent! Which is why Houston Moms Blog is thrilled to partner with our friends and sponsors over at Simply Soothing this month. We absolutely love that their products are DEET free and completely safe for both kids and pets. Oh, and you have to smell their Bug Soother repellent spray! Normally, the offensive odors put out by traditional bug sprays are enough for me to just risk some bites. But Bug Soother has an amazing aroma of vanilla and fresh lemon – you will love it, but the bugs won’t! Boom. And with kiddos starting up fall sports in a few short weeks, this is a must have for the ball park and soccer fields. So just for our loyal HMB readers, Simply Soothing is offering a super generous discount for your first purchase from their website. Simply enter HousMB in the promo code box to receive 20% off your entire purchase. Go now and stock up on Bug Soother, and make sure you check out all of their other amazing products as well! #scentofsummer
August 1st – September 5th | All Day :: 2016 Houston Restaurant Weeks
Think this annual Houston event is just for the adults? Think again! This Houston favorite just gets bigger and better every year! Channel your inner foodie and hit up restaurants from The Woodlands all the way to Galveston to experience delicious prix-fixe menus for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Prices range from $20 for lunch/brunch and $25-$45 for dinner. All donations from HRW go straight to the Houston Food Bank. Make sure to check the list of restaurants here and make reservations!
August 1st – August 14th | All Day :: LEGO Roadshow at Baybrook Mall
Where are our LEGO lovers at?! Head to Friendswood for this epic display of the nation’s most recognizable landmarks made out of thousands of LEGO bricks. They will also have “master builders” on hand who will amaze you with stunning visuals. For those 4 and older, make sure you hit them up on Aug. 4th – 6th to make and take your very own Jefferson Memorial for free {Noon – 4pm}.
August 2nd – 4th | 10am – 6pm :: Inkblot Art with the Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center
A super fun activity to do during the week before the kiddos head back to school. Stop by the Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center and have your child put their brain to work creating inkblot art. After they are finished with their masterpiece, they will get to use their creativity to interpret the results!
August 2nd | 10:45am :: Play Date with The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
A perfect play date for children up to 35 months of age and their caregiver at MFAH! You will sing songs, read books, enjoy activities and games. Admission to this play date is free with general admission purchase.
August 4th – 6th | 9am – 8pm :: Just Between Friends Consignment Sale
Grab your BFF and head down to the Fort Bend County Fair Grounds for this huge consignment event. Thousands of gently-loved items along with new ones will be sold over tax-free weekend. $2 admission on Thursday, but the rest of the weekend will be free! What a fabulous way to snag great deals on back-to-school clothes.
August 5th | 7 – 10pm :: Superhero Night with the Sugar Land Skeeters
Celebrate the super hero in your life with a baseball game and fireworks show! Nothing says summer and family like a baseball game at Constellation Field!
August 5th | 5 – 8pm :: Cool Nights with the Houston Zoo & Zoolympics
Join the Houston Zoo for their final Cool Night of the summer! In honor of the Summer Olympics, TXU presents “Zoolympics” where you can race like a cheetah, test your balance and strength, and gallop like a horse. Don’t forget to check out the 3 in 1 Sports Challenge {basketball, soccer, and football}, plus stay late for a showing of Kung Fu Panda at 8:30pm!
August 6th | 10am – 5pm :: Spider String Showdown with the Children’s Museum of Houston
Get tangled up with Spider-Man and the Children’s Museum for this one of a kind celebration of all things Spidey. Event includes character appearances, interactive displays, and craft time. Don’t forget to sign up on site from 10am to Noon to be able to participate in the spider string shootout. {First come, first serve, and must be 6-12 years old.}
August 6th | 10am – 2pm :: Kids 1st Saturday with the Breakfast Klub
Known around these parts as one of the best places to grab breakfast {can you say wings ‘n waffles?!?}, did you know that this restaurant hosts a kid-friendly play date every first Saturday of the month? After indulging in your catfish and grits, join them for face painting, arts and crafts, moonwalks, and live entertainment.
August 6th | Noon – 2pm :: MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Center Fashion Show at The Galleria
Strike a pose for a good cause with this 5th annual fashion show raising awareness to give cancer the boot. Preview the latest in children’s fashion as patients, their siblings, and caregivers strut down the runway in the season’s hottest looks. Don’t forget to stay around for a photo booth, face painting, balloon artists, and more – plus sign their enormous “Strike Through Cancer” wall.
August 13th | 6 – 10pm :: Katy Summer Tailgate
Celebrate the end of summer and back to school with this family-friendly festival in the heart of Katy. They will have a Kids Zone, vendor booths with tons of goodies, a restaurant row, and live music. Entry fee is either a bag of school supplies or backpack to benefit YMCA’s Operation Backpack organization.
August 18th | 2 – 4pm :: All About Birds at Houston Arboretum
Get in touch with nature this summer! This is a great event for your teens {13 and up} to learn more about birds, their ecological system, plus explore their habitats with a nature walk. $10 for members, $25 for non-members.
August 19th | 5 – 8pm :: City Park Skate Jam in Sugar Land
Hosted by the Imperial Recreation Center, they are back with their hit back to school bash, including FREE pizza, music, drinks, and plenty of entertainment.
August 19th | 7 – 10pm :: Star Wars Night with the Sugar Land Skeeters
Family-fun continues at Constellation Field with a Star Wars themed night and firework show. Dress up your fam bam and head out to Sugar Land to enjoy this top-rated baseball park. Worried that your kiddos can’t sit still in their seats? No worries – head towards first base to enjoy the Kid Zone Inflatable Zone. Sounds like an All-American evening to us!
August 20th & 21st | All Day {Check website for specific time info} :: Meet Marshall from Paw Patrol
Straight from Adventure Bay, everyone’s favorite patrol character Marshall will be on hand for a meet ‘n greet at Katy Mills Mall. Conveniently located at Tilt Studio, make sure to bring your camera for this once in a pup-time event and don’t miss the special giveaways on hand. Better yet, it’s FREE – how PAW-SOME!
August 21st | 11am – 5pm :: Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic and Lawn Games
Discovery Green is known for having wonderful and educational events for kids, and this one is no exception! Hang out on the lawn while you build your very own wooden fire truck craft. Plus, they will have a variety of lawn games to participate in for prizes.
August 27th | Noon – 8pm :: Pearland’s 5th Annual Wine and Food Festival
Of course, we had to throw in something for the adults as well! Grab a sitter and head out to Pearland’s Town Center for their epic wine festival featuring multiple Texas wineries, food vendors, and local craft and specialty items. Tickets start at just $30 and include tasting passes and a souvenir glass. Snag your spot here!
August 27th | 11:30am – 6pm :: Tomball Texas Music Festival
The Tomball Texas Music Festival features a variety of Texas sounds throughout the afternoon. And there’ll be food and merchandise vendors, a Kids Zone, and more – all with free admissions and parking!
August 27th | 7pm :: Sound of Music Sing-a-Long
Nothing beats this Julie Andrews’ classic! Bring the whole family out to Cynthia Wood Mitchell Pavilion for an evening under the stars and the music of one of America’s most beloved movies. Doh, a deer, a female deer…. Tickets range in price from $5 for lawn up to $15.
August 27th & 28th | Sat {10am – 5pm}; Sun {Noon – 5pm} :: Curious George Appearance at The Children’s Museum
Not only will your child love getting to meet Curious George, but they will also learn about the amazing tale of this 75 year old childhood favorite. Make sure you stop by and create your very own puppet as well as take a photo. Don’t forget your camera!
August 28th | Noon – 4pm :: Theater District Open House
Kick off the start of the fall performing arts season in Houston with this 23rd annual favorite event. Experience the magic and excitement of our theater district, watch live performances, meet cast members, and even go backstage. This one-day only opportunity is completely free!
Ongoing Activities in August…
August 5th, 12th, & 19th | 9:30am – Noon :: Summer History Fridays with Fort Bend Museum
Combine fun with education this summer, every Friday, at the Fort Bend Museum in Richmond. Walk through Texas History, all the way from the Pioneer days through World War II. Tickets are just $4 for members, $6 for non-members. Recommended for ages 5-12 although younger are certainly welcome.
August 9th, 16th, 23rd, & 30th :: 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.
Now through September 5th :: Summer of Spies, S.E.C.R.E.T. with the Children’s Museum of Houston
Engage your mind with this espionage-themed exhibit this summer. Kids 6 and up can register at headquarters to be official spies and take down the R.I.V.A.L.!
August 4th, 11th, 18th, & 25th | 11am – 2pm :: Summer Art Explorers at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Free Thursdays in July at MFAH! Explore your inner artist and try your hand at the various techniques shown in the museum.
August 4th, 11th, 18th, & 25th | 2 – 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.
Now – September 18th :: Kusuma: At the End of the Universe Exhibit at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
For audiences of all ages! Experience the sights, sounds, and feelings of this amazing installation.
Want more? Check out these helpful resources…
2016 Ultimate Guide to Summer Camps In & Around Houston
10 Kid-Friendly Stops for Houston Restaurant Weeks
The Ultimate Guide to Houston Photographers
60 Family-Friendly Houston Restaurants
A Compilation of Back to School Info & Tips
Now go enjoy your last few weeks of summer! But first, be sure to take advantage of that AMAZING discount from Bug Soother for 20% off your entire first purchase using the promo code HousMB. See ya later, mosquitoes!
