How to Visit Family-Friendly Houston Museums Without Spending a Dime

Houston is filled with family-friendly museums worth visiting, from interactive science and nature centers to children's museums, art museums, and more. Let your crew experience the local culture and find your favorites - all for free! We've scouted out the city's best truly free options that we think are worth a visit for the whole family, from your tiniest tots to teens and tweens.

What are the Best Kid-Friendly Always-Free Museums in Houston?

1. Houston Museum of African American Culture - Museum District

The exhibits, programs, and demonstrations are focused on educating and preserving African-American culture. HMAAC is open Wednesday through Saturday.

2. Houston Center for Photography - Museum District

The Houston Center for Photography galleries are open Wednesday through Sunday. If you have at least 5 people in your group, free group tours are available both in person and virtually on Wednesdays – Fridays from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, pending staff availability.

3. The Menil Collection - Museum District

The expansive Menil Collection in the Museum District is a free Houston treasure. In addition to the current exhibitions, visit the Menil for concerts and poetry readings, or just relax on the campus's green spaces.  

 
Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is always free, but parking is also free on Thursdays. Photo by Christine Mansfield

4. Houston Arboretum and Nature Center - Memorial Park

This gem offers hiking trails and activities for kids of all ages, including an amazing nature playscape. It's a great spot to visit on any day, as long as it isn't raining! Parking is free on Thursdays and $6 all other days.

5. Lawndale Art Center - Museum District

Not just a destination for gram-worthy photos, the Lawndale Art Center plays host to contemporary art from emerging and local artists.

6. Contemporary Arts Museum Houston - Museum District

For an interactive experience, pick up an art guide from the front desk for kid-friendly activities to do throughout the museum. The guide helps visitors of all ages engage with the artworks on a deeper level and make connections between the works and their own thoughts.

7. Houston Center for Contemporary Craft - Museum District

Check out the Center’s current exhibit, or head over to the center's Hands-On Houston event, a free, craft-making activity led by local guilds and artists on the first Saturday of every month. 

8. Houston Police Department Museum - Downtown

For kids interested in police work, the Houston Police Department Museum located in the HPD headquarters lobby offers historic exhibits and displays to explore. 

When are the Free Museum Days in Houston?

1. Children's Museum Houston - Museum District

Free admission: Free Family Night is every Thursday from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

Ages: Children's Museum Houston is ideal for kids ranging form tiny tots to pre-teens. 

Insider tip: Plan to spend the evening here, as there's so much to do and see! While not a requirement, we recommend you book your tickets in advance (available two days prior), as availability is very limited. Cafe on-site for some kid-friendly meals.

The outdoor area of Children's Museum Houston. Photo by Jessica Stautberg

2. The Health Museum - Museum District

Free admission: Free Family Thursday is every Thursday from 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm.

Ages: The Health Museum is one of the unique places that's ideal for kids of all ages - preschoolers are amazed with the larger-than-life exhibits and bigger kids love the interactive displays. 

Insider tips: With heavy hitters like the Children's Museum and Museum of Natural Science next door, this museum can often be overlooked. But it is well worth a Thursday afternoon trip with your budding scientist or hands-on tinkerer to explore the inner workings of the human body, perform real lab experiments, and learn about health and disease. The museum and cell lab are geared toward attendees at least seven years old. Tickets must be purchased in advance. 

See the Amazing Body Gallery for free on Thursday afternoons. Photo courtesy of The Health Museum

3. Holocaust Museum Houston - Museum District

Free admisson: Thursdays and certain holidays from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm (kids ages 18 and under are always free).

Ages: This museum is solemn and can feel heavy - while we don't discourage you from bringing smaller children, we think it will have the biggest impact on older children and teens. 

Insider tips: Dedicated to educating the public about the repercussions of prejudice and hatred, this museum is one that is sure to impact you for a lifetime. While the content may not be as light as other museums in the area, it's definitely one worth visiting to understand the impact of the Holocaust on the past, present, and future.

4. Houston Museum of Natural Science - Museum District

Free admission: Tuesdays from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Ages: This large museum has exhibits suited to visitors of all ages.

Insider tips: Discover the dinosaurs and more and save significantly on tickets. With over fifteen permanent exhibitions, the Houston Museum of Natural Science might be the best deal in the city. There are multiple places to grab food inside.

5. The Houston Zoo - Museum District

Free admission: Free general admission is available all day on the first Tuesday of each month.

Ages: The zoo is an all-ages attraction!

Insider tips: The Houston Zoo is a family favorite with a great cause. Visit to be inspired to take action to save wildlife and observe over 6,000 permanent animal residents. We love the Explore the Wild! natural playground just past the elephants. Online reservations are required for all non-member guests. Free parking available, but the lot can fill up fast on busy days so plan ahead. There are multiple cafes on-site, but for a fully free experience, feel free to pack a cooler and have a zoo picnic!

6. The Museum of Fine Arts Houston - Museum District

Free admission: All day on Thursdays (ages 12 and under are always free).

Ages: While little ones might like looking at the art for a bit, this museum is better suited to elementary age children and older. 

Insider tips: The MFAH is accessible and ready to be discovered by art enthusiasts of all ages and is the perfect place for budding Picassos to further their appreciation and understanding of both art and the art community. The ticketed exhibitions are separate from general admission and are not included in free Thursdays.

7. Czech Center Museum Houston - Museum District

Free admission: Every Thursday from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm (ages 5 and under are always free).

Ages: Ideal for school-age children.

Insider tips: Exhibits at this museum celebrate Czech and Slovak culture and aim to educate the public about people who left their nation in pursuit of freedom, as well as preserve the rich cultural history of the region. 

 
Galveston Children's Museum has a free admission day once a month. Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston

8. Galveston Children's Museum - Galveston

Free admission: The second Thursday of each month from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

Ages: Perfect for younger kids, from toddlers to elementary-age children.

Insider tips: Kids love exploring all that the Galveston Children's Museum has to offer, including plenty of hands-on exhibits and free play areas. 

Related: 10 ways to enjoy the Museum of Fine Arts-Houston with kids

Which Houston Museums are Best for Different Ages?

Toddlers and Preschoolers:

• Children's Museum Houston
• Galveston Children's Museum
• Houston Zoo

Elementary Kids:

• Houston Museum of Natural Science
• The Health Museum
• Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
• Houston Fire Museum

Tweens and Teens: 

• The Museum of Fine Arts Houston
• The Menil Collection
• Houston Center for Contemporary Craft

How to Make the Most of Free Museum Days

• Arrive early to avoid long lines
• Pre-plan your parking for museums that don't have their own free lots
• Bring snacks and water bottles (check policies!)
• Check in advance for free craft times, workshops, or story times
• Combine your visit with a nearby park or playground, or make time to play at one of the playspaces within the museum you visit
• Avoid school field trip hours to minimize large crowds
• For larger museums, pre-plan your route or prioritize must-see exhibits so you get to experience the top attractions on your list

Free Museum Days in Houston FAQ

Q: What museums are always free in Houston?

A: There are plenty of always-free museums in Houston, including The Menil Center, Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, Houston Museum of African American Culture, and more.

Q: When are museum free days in Houston?

A: Many Houston museums offer free days each week or month, like Thursdays or the first Tuesday of each month.

Q: Are free museums in Houston good for kids?

A: Absolutely! Our list of kid-friendly free museums in Houston includes plenty of spots with hands-on exhibits, activities, and play spaces. While many are perfect for all ages, others, like Holocaust Museum Houston and a few art museums are better suited to older children.

Q: Do I need tickets or reservations for free museum days?

A: It's a mixed bag, with some free museums requiring a reservation, others highly recommending a reservation, and a few that are walk-in friendly. Check in at least a few days before you plan to visit to see if a reservation is needed.

Q: What's the best time to visit free museums with kids?

A: Your best bet is to visit in the morning, when museums are typically less crowded. We recommend avoiding rainy weekends or midday when lines get long.