Free Thinking: Museum District050

What's free in the Museum District for kids and families?

Bring a picnic and make a day of it at Hermann Park, where life is full of simple pleasures: rolling down the big grass hill; feeding the ducks around the reflection pool; strolling through the Japanese Garden; cooling off in the fountains; monkeying around on the playground; and splish-splashing in the sprayground.

Situated at the edge of Hermann Park, Miller Outdoor Theatre offers an entire season of free music, dance, and theatrical shows from March to November. And families can take advantage of free admission days at the Houston Zoo on several holidays throughout the year, including New Year's Day, the Fourth of July, the Friday after Thanksgiving, and more.

Free admission is standard at the Contemporary Arts Museum, the Holocaust Museum (appropriate for older kids, ages 10 and up), and the Museum of Fine Arts' sculpture garden, located across the street from the museum's Caroline Wiess Law Building, at Bissonnet Street and Montrose Boulevard.

The Museum of Fine Arts also offers free admission to its main exhibit halls all day every Thursday, while the Children's Museum is free on Thursday evenings from 5pm-8pm, and the Health Museum on Thursday afternoons from 2pm-5pm.

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!