Free Thinking: Montrose050

What's free in the Montrose area for kids and families?

Art-lovers can spend some time browsing the galleries at The Menil Collection, where admission is always free and the exhibits rotate often. A brief stroll outside leads across the street to a simple little park, one square block, featuring nothing more than plenty of grass, a scatter of benches, and majestic, 100-year-old oak trees whose trunks kids love to climb and from whose low, swooping branches kids love to hang. The park is ideal for spreading out a picnic, throwing a Frisbee, kicking a ball, or just lounging with a book.

Rothko Chapel is on the other side of the park and offers further opportunity for peaceful strolling with its reflection pond, benches, and green space out front.

Just a couple of blocks north of Westheimer Road, Cherryhurst Park has a nice playground, handball court, and tennis court.

Local libraries are always a good way to while away an afternoon for free. The Freed-Montrose Branch offers storytimes for babies and toddlers on Monday and Tuesday mornings - and borrowing a pile of great kids' books is always an option. Walk past Kraftsmen Baking next door to the library, and at the far end of the parking lot, in front of the Black Labrador pub, the kids can engage in a game of giant chess on the outdoor board painted onto the ground.

Challenge the kids to a treasure hunt for loose change (who knows what's lurking under the sofa cushions and car seats?), then take the spoils to the Kroger store on Montrose Boulevard south of Westheimer Road - and pass some time magically turning change into bills in the Coinstar machine. And while you're at it, this is a perfect opportunity to introduce kids to the "rule of threes" by dividing the loot into three piles - one to save, one to donate, and one to spend!

Know of more free stuff, events, and activities for kids and families around Houston? Add a comment below and we'll get right on it!