Nature Centers

Enjoy the weather, the trails and the nature play area at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center!

Address: 4501 Woodway Dr, Houston, TX 77024

Now that it’s not boiling hot in Houston, we’re getting back out to the urban trails! Most recently we went to the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center!

Right now the Arboretum is restoring the land on the northern portion, but there is still plenty of space open to hike and play… including in the nature playground!

The play area has moved to the east of the Nature Center and parking lot… but still has the great elements that my kids love. There is a rope bridge, sandbox, tree stumps, rocks and blocks.

After we played we took off on the trails. There is an inner loop and and outer loop… with trails like spokes connecting them. It’s kind of like a wagon wheel… except it’s not round and wouldn’t roll! See the map HERE.

The trails were well maintained and flat. I had the baby in a carrier… but I could have used a jog stroller. We did the loops and some of the “spokes” and stopped at just about every bench for a water and snack break (because you can never have enough water or snacks).

To make the hike a little extra fun, we found some trees to cross a dry creek bed. (If you want a harder trail, where you have to climb over roots and ridges, try the Memorial Park trail next door.)

We saw a lot of families on the trails and we were not the only ones enjoying the nice weather. After making the loop and playing again at the playground, we went inside to the Discovery Room and the restrooms.

The Arboretum is free to visit and there is a free parking lot. On busy days, the parking lot will be full and you have to park at Memorial Park and walk over.

It was a great, cool, afternoon! Check out the pictures!

Find more Houston area parks:

Host Your Next Birthday Party at the Nature Discovery Center

by JillBJarvis.com Sponsored Post Leave a Comment

My 3rd child had never had a birthday party. Don’t get me wrong, we’d celebrate the heck out of his birthday, but never with a party.

But then he started school and started to ask how other kids knew to show up for birthday parties. For a while I just shrugged my shoulders but this year I decided it was time for him to invite his friends to his own birthday celebration.

The Nature Discovery Center invited us out for our 6 year old birthday party and it was so good that I’m afraid we will need to go back every single year!

We had the Scales and Tails party which included a program all about reptiles: snakes, lizards, and turtles. So not only was there a program where the kids could learn about, and touch, live animals and specimens, but we had a big pavilion, access to a full kitchen and to restrooms. Plus, this park has nature trails and playground.

The staff was helpful, the program instructor was funny and great with kids, my son loved his day… and it was easy for me. I just sent out the invite, set up a few tables and the rest was taken care of for us!

If you are thinking of a party at the Nature Discovery Center, here’s what you need to know:

There are three program options: Bunny Buddies, Join the Insect Club and Scales and Tails. There are also tours of the discovery rooms and nature walks.
Target ages are 2 to 9 (and vary by program).
Parties are 2 hours and there are 30 minutes to set up and clean up.
During our party, the kids played and ate pizza for 30 minutes, then we went into the house for the reptile show for 30 minutes, then we went on a nature walk for 20 minutes… and then we ate cake and played for 40 minutes.
You can bring in food and decorations… just no balloons. There is even a pinata hook on the tree… so they are ready for parties!
You have access to a full kitchen, right next to the pavilions. You can store store your cake and drinks in the refrigerators… or you can even use the stove to make dinner. Just make sure you have time to clean up!
There are 3 pavilions you can use. One has three big picnic tables. The other ones have one table.
There is a little “lemonade stand” next to the pavilions. When we saw this, my kids were determined to have lemonade to serve the guests.
The sinks and restrooms are right next to the party area.
Parking is available right next to the pavilions on the north side of the park… and more is available by the playground on the south side of the park.
During the reptile show, the instructor did a great job keeping the kids focused and entertained. My birthday boy got some special attention and even got to hold the snake (and everyone else got to touch it).
The kids also went on a nature walk through the newly renovated park. Learn about this park HERE!
After the party, the kids went to the playground and sandbox to play some more!

We had a really good time and will do it again. Check out the pictures below and learn all about the Nature Discovery Center parties HERE! Or find more birthday party venues HERE.

Naturally Wild Families: Botanical Dyeing at the Houston Arboretum – April 1, 2017

by Jill Jarvis Leave a Comment

Bark, berries, leaves, flowers, seeds, and roots can be used for all kinds of beautiful and fun crafts. At the Houston Arboretum, kids will use items found outdoors or in the produce department to naturally dye eggs, make their own recycled paper for greeting cards, and make botanical prints.

Each family that attend the Botanical Dyeing event will take home a dozen eggs, one greeting card per person, and one botanical print. (Wear an apron, or clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty!)

Saturday, April 1, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
$25 member / $50 nonmember – per family
Ages 6 and up
Notes: Pricing includes up to 4 family members, $5 per additional family member.

Get all the details HERE!

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center – Visiting Houston’s Parks, One Week at a Time!

by Jill Jarvis Leave a Comment

Address: 4501 Woodway Drive, Houston, TX 77024-7708
Hours: Trails are open 7:00-7:00pm Daily. Discovery Room, Nature Shop, Library are open Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00-4:00pm.

The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, located in Memorial Park, has 5 miles of trails, a nature center and playground… that is open for free every day of the year!

The Arboretum has something from everyone… some trails are long and challenging, some are meant for strollers and the youngest of kids. Learn all about the trails HERE.

The playground is small, but very very cool. It has a bridge, tunnel, logs for climbing, sandbox (or really, sand covering most of it) and a challenging rope bridge.

Houston Arboretum Playground Rope Bridge

The rope bridge is our favorite, with 3 ropes across 2 trees. The ropes have some slack and the kids have to work really hard to stay up-right as they cross the bridge.

Houston Arboretum Playground Bridge James

All the playstructures unique and a fun change from most brightly colored Houston playgrounds. The kids get to climb on stumps, crawl through tunnels, dig in the sand, get dirty and enjoy nature.

Houston Arboretum and Nature Center Crafts

Also at the Arboretum is the (air conditioned)Nature Center. The Discovery Room has (free) crafts, a library, interactive exhibits and an indoor scavenger hunt.

This is great for hot or wet (or our occasional cold) days! My kids could spend an hour just exploring this jam-packed discovery room. (Just note that during the week, this room could be booked by private groups… so call first if you have your heart set on this space.)

So head out and explore the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. Swing by to play on the playground or stay for hours as you explore the trails.