The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, in partnership with REI, will offer free outdoor activities for parents and children to do together as a way to promote “Take a Child Outside” Week, a growing nationwide effort to encourage connecting children to the natural world and enjoying the outdoors in their local community.
Each weekday (September 24, 25, 28, 29 & 30) from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. parents and caregivers are invited to bring children to the Arboretum for a simple, fun outdoor activity to do together.
On Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27, families can stop by the Arboretum from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a family outdoor adventure to do together. See schedule below for details. Call 713-681-8433 or email for more information.
Schedule of Activities for "Take a Child Outside" Week
Thursday, September 24: 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Leafy Critters
Collect leaves off the ground in a designated area and use them to create animal shapes.
Friday, September 25: 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Shape Search
Go on a walk and seek out natural objects that are reminiscent of the shapes on our list.
Saturday, September 26: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. REI presents Leave no Trace
Learn to use the outdoors responsibly with fun hands on instruction and games.
Sunday, September 27: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Camo Lizard
Decorate a lizard so it camouflages with its environment. Then go on a walk and find different places for your “lizard” to hide.
Monday, September 28: 2:30-4:30 p.m. Feathery Friends
Learn about some of the common birds in Houston, go on a short walk looking for birds, and make a bird feeder to take home, so you can watch birds at home.
Tuesday, September 29: 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Wind Trackers
We'll use bubbles and pin wheels that we make to learn about the wind. Then, take your pin wheel on a walk to see where the wind is the best in the Arboretum.
Wednesday, September 30: 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Ponds & Puddles
Dip in a pond near the building and discover the living things that hide in our ponds and puddles.
The Arboretum has many ongoing programs that take kids outside to discover the wonders of nature. Be sure to check out these programs:
