Thank you for subscribing to the Houston Family
Fun newsletter. This issue features an article on 12 great activities for your family this holiday season. The article was first
published in this month's issue of The Buzz magazine, written by yours truly. Enjoy!
Nothing says holidays like spending time with your family and friends. Spice up your
holiday season and kick up your heels with any of these area festivities.
1. Kick off the holidays at the Home Sweet
Home Gingerbread Bash on December 2 from 5 to 7 pm at the Children’s Museum of Houston. While children explore holiday activities and
museum exhibits, adults check out gingerbread houses created by local chefs. Each gingerbread house will be auctioned off with the highest bidders
adding the tasteful masterpieces to their home décor. Visit www.cmhouston.org for details.
2. Uncle Moishy and the Mitzvah Men are coming from
New York to entertain the kids with traditional Jewish songs and sing-a-longs. Celebrate the first night of Chanukah on December 4 at UOS
Goldberg Montessori. For information or to buy tickets, call 713-723-3856.
3. Enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas at Sam Houston
Park as The Heritage Society presents the 45th Annual Candlelight Tour - The Sights and Sounds of the Holidays, on Friday and
Saturday, December 7 and 8, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. Stroll along paths lit by glowing candlelight and tour historic homes traditionally decorated for
the holiday season. Discover Christmas Past with storytellers, carolers, and crafters. Explore Santa’s Workshop where children can make crafts
and have their picture taken with St. Nicholas himself. Visit www.heritagesociety.org for more information.
4. Snow in Houston? You bet. Visit the
Houston Museum of Natural Science on Saturday, December 8 to play in 80,000 pounds of snow in Snow Flurry. After you’ve made
a few snow angels and snow balls, warm up with a holiday IMAX® flick and pet a real reindeer. See www.hmns.org for details.
5. Ring in the holidays with the 2008
Christmas Lane Boat Parade and more than 100 brightly decorated power and sailboats that will traverse the Clear Lake channel from the South
Shore Harbour Marina and the Nassau Bay Lagoon to Galveston Bay. It’s a unique way to ring in the holidays with colorful lights reflecting on
the water. Get an early start on the 6 pm start on December 8 to reserve your spectator spot. Event details are available at www.visitbayareahouston.com.
6. Embrace the cold by gliding on the ice. No, not
on our city streets. Head to the Polar Ice Galleria within the Galleria Mall or Ice Skate USA, the rink at Memorial
City Mall. You’ll get some exercise and stay cool. Check out www.polaricegalleria.com and
www.skatememorialcity.com.
7. Who can resist bundling up in the car and driving
through town to look at holiday lights? Some favorites include the animated lights along Main Street in downtown. Stroll through the historic Heights
for Lights in the Heights, which kicks off Saturday, December 8, 6 to 9 pm. The festive lights continue throughout the season. Visit
www.woodland-heights.org for details.
8. Be dazzled by Houston’s theatrical talent.
Enjoy one of many shows from “The Shoemaker and the Christmas Elves” and “A Wonderful
Life”—both at the Hobby Center—to “Santa’s Magic Timepiece” at UpStage Theatre in
the Heights. For more information and tickets, call the Hobby Center at 713-315-7575 and Upstage Theatre at 713-838-7191.
9. A candlelight Christmas awaits your family at
Washington on the Brazos State Historical Site in Washington (about an hour drive northwest of Houston). From 1 to 8 pm on December
10, hear stories of Christmas customs and traditions celebrated in 19th-century Texas. Enjoy music, carols, buggy rides, and arts and crafts to take
home. Visit www.birthplaceoftexas.com for details.
10. On your return to Houston from Washington on the
Brazos, or when you’re ready for a festive drive out of town, stop at Santa’s Wonderland on Highway 6 in College
Station. Allow about an hour to drive through the vehicle tour, which includes moving displays, nativity scenes, Texas A&M adornment, and more.
Holiday shopping, outdoor movies, caroling, and hay rides are available in Santa’s Town. Visit www.santas-wonderland.com for details.
11. Celebrate the season with the Houston
Public Library. Learn about traditions and customs different from your own as the Library honors Hannukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. Programs
and events are held at 36 locations citywide.
12. Monet, Renoir, and your youngster? Enjoy Winter
Camp between December 17 and 21 or the Pop-in & Play Studio at Art Mix Learning Center. Learn about famous artists
and where the masterpieces now reside. Unleash the artist in your youngster and let them create their own art with paint, clay, and collage
materials. Visit www.artmixlearning.com for more
information.
I hope you and your family enjoy the holidays together.
Don't forget to check out my book 100+ Activities for Houston
Kids for more fun throughout the year.
Happy Holidays!
Megan F. Salch
The Kids Activity Queen
www.TellYourTale.com/Kids
