A Houston Mom’s Guide to September 2016

September, September! Let’s shout it from the rooftops! Kids are back in school, routines are getting somewhat normalized, and FALL weather is on the horizon. So let’s start retiring our flip flops…errrr, maybe not yet. It IS Houston after all! But our warm fall days don’t stop our great town from pulling out all the stops this month! From festivals to family movie nights, there is something for every family.

And honestly, I can’t think of anything more seasonal than our very generous sponsors for this month’s event guide – the Houston Symphony!  Each fall, the Houston Symphony kicks off their 4-concert Family Series which offers a mix of fun, thematic orchestral music to engage and entertain young audiences. Each 50-minute concert is held at Jones Hall on Saturday mornings with two start times: 10:00 am or 11:30 am. This season, Associate Conductor Robert Franz will lead all four programs, and their fun-loving leader is always in character – as you should be too!  Our family has been privileged to be in attendance at their family-friendly event series throughout years past, and my kids’ favorite part? The pre- and post-concert activities, including their fantastic Instrument Petting Zoo, young musician performances in the Jones lobby, as well as craft and musical activities. It doesn’t get more entertaining {or educational!} than this, so mark your calendars now for their upcoming events — and don’t miss their subscriber option which saves you up to 30% off the price of single tickets too!

OCTOBER 15, 2016 :: A MAGIC CARPET RIDE

DECEMBER 3, 2016 :: 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

FEBRUARY 18, 2017 :: MARDI GRAS MENAGERIE!

APRIL 29, 2017 :: DR. SEUSS AT THE SYMPHONYWITH MUSIC FROM GREEN EGGS & HAM

Now, are you ready for all things FALL in Houston? Let’s go! {Now, if only the weather would cooperate!}

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

September 3rd | 5 – 7pm :: Jurassic Extreme at Sugar Land Town Square

Join in the Dino-mite fun at Sugar Land Town Square with this extreme event! Think HUGE life-like dinosaurs that roar and put you right back in Jurassic Times. After the event, take in all that the Sugar Land Town Square has to offer in the way of family-friendly restaurants and shopping!

September 3rd & 4th | 6 – 9pm :: Labor Day Celebration in The Woodlands

Two great evenings of Labor Day celebrations in The Woodlands, featuring live music and fireworks each evening. Plenty of children’s activities and strolling entertainment. *Weather Permitting*

September 5th | 10am – 5pm :: Labor Day at Rienzi with Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Celebrate your day off with MFAH on the beautiful grounds of Rienzi. Family-friendly storytelling, tours of the gardens, lessons from the docents, and more. Adult admission is $10 and children 12 and younger are free.

September 8th | 6:30 – 9pm :: Bingo Bash at The Houston Arboretum

Join members of the Houston Arboretum’s young professionals group for an evening of bingo, pizza, and beer – yes please! Great prizes including brewery tours, pint glasses, and more. Due to space considerations, advance registration is required! Go here to sign up!

September 9th – 11th | Fri {3 – 8pm}; Sat {10am – 7pm}; Sun {10am – 6pm} :: Amazing Houston Comic Con

Head to the George R. Brown Convention center for 3 days of epic fun with the best of the comic book world. Tons of costumes, interactive displays, video games, food, and more. For a super family-friendly day, make sure you stop by on Sunday for their very special Kids’ Day, featuring Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, My Little Ponies, and a costume parade at 3pm.

September 10th | 10am – 6pm {check website for showtimes} :: Fiestas Patrias at the Children’s Museum of Houston

The Children’s Museum commemorates Mexico’s fight for independence with music, live reeanctments, and dance. Don’t forget to check out their ongoing events in September including grasshopper lifecycles, sand art, Mexican flag art, and insect impressions.

September 10th | 12:30 – 2:30pm :: Creation Station – Back to School Bento Boxes

Learn about the history of these carefully crafted boxes at the Asia Society Texas Center, and then have the opportunity to make your own paper bento box! No real food will be used, but how fun to make a little trip to a restaurant after to really make it come alive.

September 10th | 1 – 3pm :: Naturally Wild Families at the Houston Arboretum :: Geocaching 

A fabulous event for ages 6 and up! Learn the basics of Geocaching, how to use GPS, and then go out into the wilds of the arboretum looking for geocaches. Make sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen for this adventurous afternoon. Prices start at $25 per family {member} or $50 per family {non-member}. Recommended to register online in advance here.

September 10th | 7:30 – 9:30pm :: Movie Under the Stars at Sugar Land Town Center

Bring out the family and the force for a free movie night in Sugar Land watching Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Don’t forget your lawn chairs and blankets!

September 10th & 11th | {check website for times} :: Friends of the Houston Public Library Sale at The Health Museum

What better way to support back to school reading AND the Houston Public Library system than through this amazing sale? Deals are to be had – we’re talking $1, $2, and $3 books, people! And as an added bonus, you get free admission to both the sale and The Health Museum. Education and sales?! Yes, please.

September 11th | 7pm :: First Texans Home Game vs Chicago Bears

A September monthly guide just wouldn’t be complete without mentioning JJ and crew taking on the Bears in the first home game at NRG for the 2016 season. Bulls on parade! Check out some amazing and simple tailgating recipes to bring to the big game — or make them at home for your own amazing “tailgate.”

September 13th | 7 – 8:30pm :: Family Movie Night at Baybrook Mall

Houston families can’t seem to get enough of the movie Zootopia, so catch it again on the lawn in Friendswood! Showing will be right across from Maggiano’s, so grab a bite first then line up the lawnchairs to take in this adorable and though-provoking family movie.

September 15th | 5:30 – 8pm :: Fireflies & Food Trucks at No Label Brewery

This highly anticipated Katy event sells out every year! Come on out for specialty brews and premier food trucks, all to benefit Inspiring Imagination grants. Live music and delectable food makes this a perfect adult night out! Buy your tickets.

September 17th | Noon – 7:30pm :: Sam Houston Race Park Food Truck Festival

SHRP presents it’s first ever Food Truck Festival with Houston’s fave food trucks, along with live music and family-friendly activities. Featured trucks range from everything waffles, Mexican, pitas, confectionaries, and more. Tickets are just $15, and kids under 12 get in FREE.

September 17th | 10am – 6pm :: Mid-Autumn Fest at The Children’s Museum of Houston

Explore the Vietnamese and Asian culture as they celebrate the mid-Autumn Fest and the joys of the harvest at the Children’s Museum. There will be a live performance, a lantern parade, story time, photo booth, and moon cake tasting. Check the website for various show and activity times.

September 18th | 11am – 5pm :: Lowe’s Build & Grow plus Lawn Games at Discovery Green

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.

September 24th | All Day :: Blessington Farms Grand Re-Opening

After the devastating floods in the Simonton/Fulshear area, our friends at Blessington Farms are ready to open their doors! Whether you’re just planning a family trip to pick berries and take fall pics or thinking about a birthday party/field trip, this is a HOT spot. Enjoy all the picnic amenities, petting zoo, train ride, and more. Check their website daily for open hours based on weather conditions.

September 25th | 10am – 4pm :: Monarch Madness Butterfly Festival 2016

Brazos Bend State Park has reopened since the floods and is ready for this family-friendly festival. Entrance to the park is $8, but the festival will be free. Make sure to load down with water as you take in the beauty of these majestic butterflies.

September 25th | 1 – 5pm :: The Woodlands BBQ Festival 

Benefiting the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, this Houston favorite returns this year with celebrated pit-masters, plenty of food, cold beer, music, and more. All of the BBQ joints will offer 2oz samples of their culinary hits to each guest. Children 6 and under are free of charge, and VIP admission is available.

September 30th | 7:30pm :: 2016 Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions

Who’s having Olympics withdrawal? If that’s you, then this performance at the Toyota Center featuring members of the 2012 and 2016 US Olympic Gymnastics Team is not to be missed! See the amazing athletes dazzle with breathtaking skills combined with modern performance art. Grab your tickets now!


Ongoing Activities in September

September 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th | 5 -8pm :: Free Family Nights at Children’s Museum of Houston

Now through September 5th | All Day :: 2016 Houston Restaurant Weeks

Last week for 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!


Want more? Check out these helpful resources…

2016 Pumpkin Patch Round-Up

School Lunch Ideas {That Aren’t PB&J!}

10 Kid-Friendly Stops for Houston Restaurant Weeks

The Ultimate Guide to Houston Photographers

Top 10 {Easy & Healthy!} Back to School Dinners

Simple Tailgating Recipes

Even More Back to School Info & Tips


Are you ready to take advantage of all that September in Houston has to offer?  Us too!  But first, don’t forget to mark your calendars for the Houston Symphony’s upcoming Family Series, and be sure to subscribe so that you can save up to 30% off the price of single tickets too!

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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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