The Houston Pumpkin Festival is in full swing at Discovery Green in Downtown all weekend, with rides, a 30-foot slide and a hay maze. Over in the Museum District, Zoo Boo is on at the Houston Zoo, and Friday night the zoo stays open late with its Spooky Forest. Add a bayou boat ride and a marigold festival on Sunday, and it is a very full fall weekend.
Houston Pumpkin Festival
Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010
Friday, Oct 9 through Sunday, Oct 11, 10am to 11pm
Bumper boats, a carousel, a 30-foot slide, the Jumpkin' Pumpkin bounce, a hay maze and a sunflower walk, all in the middle of Downtown. Tickets are $28 and kids 3 and under get in free.
Zoo Boo
Houston Zoo, 6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030
Friday, Oct 9, 9am to 9pm; Saturday, Oct 10 and Sunday, Oct 11, 9am to 5pm
Walk through the Pumpkin Lantern Tunnel and the new Tangled Web Trail. Friday is a late night, with the Spooky Forest opening at 5pm, glowing pumpkins and s'mores by the fire. Included with zoo admission.
Monarchs & Marigolds
Houston Botanic Garden, 1 Botanic Ln, Houston, TX 77017
Sunday, Oct 11, 9am to 4pm
Thousands of marigolds, live mariachi and folklorico dance, family crafts and a talk on monarch migration. A beautiful way to celebrate Día de los Muertos season.
Buffalo Bayou Cruise Boat Tour
Buffalo Bayou Partnership, 1005 Commerce St, Houston, TX 77002
Friday, Oct 9; Saturday, Oct 10; and Sunday, Oct 11, 5pm to 7pm
See Downtown from the water on a boat ride along Buffalo Bayou. A fun way to show the kids a different side of the city.
Spookie Fudge Stripes Safari
Houston Zoo, 6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030
All weekend during zoo hours
A scavenger hunt around the zoo: follow the clues, look for stripes and scan QR codes along the way. It is included with zoo admission, so pair it with Zoo Boo.
Writing Workshops with Writers in the Schools
Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010
Saturday, Oct 10, 11am to 12pm
Young storytellers can get creative at a writing workshop in the park. A nice break between pumpkin festival rides.
Spanish Day Camp
Language Kids World, 1245 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77008
Friday, Oct 9, 8am to 9am
Spanish immersion with games and discovery in the Heights. A fun way for kids to pick up a new language.
Houston SPCA Adoption Live!
Houston SPCA, 7007 Old Katy Rd, Houston, TX 77024
Friday, Oct 9, 11am to 11:15am
A quick live look at adoptable pets from the Houston SPCA. Animal-loving kids will want to meet every one of them.
Halloween at the BOO!seum
Children's Museum of Houston, 1500 Binz St, Houston, TX 77004
Friday, Oct 9 through Sunday, Oct 11, 9am to 5pm
The Children's Museum is all decked out for Halloween, and Saturday is Grosstopia, a bug-themed day kids will love (and parents will squirm through).
Kids Crafts w/ Peachie
110 N Milby St, Houston, TX 77003
Saturday, Oct 10, 11am to 2pm
A FREE craft session in EaDo with Peachie, The Stress Free Unicorn. Supplies are included, so just show up and create.
FAQ
What are the best fall events for kids in Houston this weekend?
The Houston Pumpkin Festival at Discovery Green, Zoo Boo at the Houston Zoo and Monarchs & Marigolds at the Houston Botanic Garden on Sunday are the big ones.
What is free to do with kids in Downtown Houston this weekend?
Kids Crafts w/ Peachie in EaDo on Saturday is FREE, with all supplies included.
Are there indoor options if it rains?
Yes. Halloween at the BOO!seum at the Children's Museum of Houston is indoors all weekend.
Find even more family fun on our full calendar: https://downtownhouston.macaronikid.com/events
