With more than 150 different museums in Houston—from transportation-themed spots and the epic Children’s Museum to the hidden treasures—we have no shortage of choices to seek out a bit of culture. That being said, the phrases “art museum” and “small children” don’t always conjure up visions of tranquil days. So, instead of trying to conquer the entire museum district or every gallery of the MFAH, we have focused on these smaller, kid-friendly art museums. I figure the more we practice going to museums when they’re little, the better patrons my kids will become as they get older.
The Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC) is a smaller museum with some great features for families. In addition to the gallery space, there are offices for artists in residence. On a few of our visits, we have been lucky enough to catch an artist at work. They have always been gracious with the kids, answering questions and showing off their work. On the first Saturday of the each month from 11am to 3pm, they feature free craft activities and open houses with the Hands-On Houston events. Past projects have included dyeing fabrics, decorating a sun-catcher and making a macramé style bracelet. We love how kid friendly the museum and artists are. It is one of the reasons we keep coming back.
Kid-friendly bonus: HCCC has a small garden that grows plants that can be used as natural dyes. It’s the perfect spot for a snack in between museum visits.
