August Activities for the Houston Area

August in Houston is one of those weird shoulder months – it still feels like summer, but the kids will be back in school soon (if they aren’t already). We hope that you’ve had a wonderful summer full of adventure. But just because school is back in session doesn’t mean that the fun has to end! Houston is still brimming with fun to be had, year-round. We’ve put together a round-up of fun and unique activities from all over the Houston area that you can entertain the family with all August long. But check the dates and make a plan – some of these activities are short‑lived!

August-Only Adventures

Just like summer, these activities are short-lived. Make sure to experience them while there is still time!

Are you familiar with the other Houston-area baseball team? The Sugarland Skeeters are a triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, which means you can see up-and-coming Astros stars before they ever make it to the Big League. With some tickets as low as $8 and Friday night Fireworks for games on 8/13 and 8/20, watching the Skeeters play sounds like a fun and inexpensive way to spend a family Friday night! 

Pirate’s Bay water park in Baytown is hosting Pirate Party Nights on Thursdays. Thursday, 8/5 is a Float Night party and the last event of the season on 8/12 is a Shark Tale/Jaws double-feature “dive in” movie night. Admission is only $5 and the party starts at 7:30. Learn more on the Pirate’s Bay website.

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to wake up in the world of Dr. Suess, now is your chance! Ending on 8/15, the Dr. Seuss Experience at the George R. Brown Convention Center is an “awe-inspiring journey through nine different Dr. Seuss books.” The interactive exhibits include games, rides, characters, and more. Get your tickets before it’s gone.

If you’re looking for a fun activity for just the adults, the Downtown District in Houston is showing free movies in Market Square Park on Wednesday evenings. (While not strictly “adult-only” the movie titles are definitely geared toward adults.) The last 2 showings of the season are Psycho on 8/13 and An American in Paris on 8/25. Showings start at 8:30 and you should bring your own blankets or lawn chairs. Market Square Park is at 301 Milam St. in Houston. 

The Houston chapter of the American Institute of Architects hosts a yearly Sandcastle Competition as a fundraiser for the ArCH Foundation. Teams work non-stop for 5 hours competing in categories such as Traditional Castle, Architectural Icon, Kidtastic: Nursery Rhymes, Texas Pride, Pop Culture: Video Games, Go for the Gold, Animal Kingdom as well as Public Favorite, Greatest Feat of Structural Ingenuity, Best Team T-shirt Design, Best Team Signage, and Best Costume. This year’s event will be held on 8/21 on East Beach in Galveston. The beach opens to the public for viewing at 9:00am, with public favorite voting starting at 1:00p and the official awards ceremony at 4:30.

Year-Round Fun

While fun to do during the summer, these activities are permanent or year-round. If you can’t get to them this month, make a note to take part sometime in the near future. 

Have you ever been to a drive-in movie? The Moonstruck Drive-in in Houston plays first run movies that you can enjoy from the comfort of your car. Entry is $30 per car, and they have concessions, a bar, and even food trucks on Saturdays. Shows are rain or shine.

Houston is full of amazing artists, galleries, and museums, but this new spot is unique even for us! Seismique is a new interactive art experience on Hwy 6 in the Westchase District. The venue features 40,000 square feet of immersive art exhibits to explore. The space features 40 unique galleries featuring extra-terrestrial beings, artificial intelligence, immersive experiences, gamification, and dazzling displays of light, color, sound, and natural elements. 12 of the galleries feature Houston-based artists.

Enjoy the glory of nature from under a full moon! Baytown Nature Center offers Full Moon Hikes all year. The full moon in August is on Saturday, 8/21 and the hike will begin at 8:00 at the Baytown Nature Center Visitor’s Center. Hikes are 1.5 miles and are recommended for ages 5 and up. Hikes are free, but you can register in advance.

Located in New Caney, Big River is a water park – and so much more! The water park features the biggest lazy river in the Houston area, but it also houses a wave pool, splash pad, water play structure, 6 big slides, and 5 smaller slides. In addition, Big River features a floating obstacle adventure course, an aerial park with climbing walls and zip lines, and a host of other activities including ax throwing, archery, and a petting zoo. There’s more than enough to wear out kids of all ages!

What’s the first activity on your list? Did we leave any must-do’s off the list? Whatever you choose to do, we hope you enjoy these last days of summer and live them to the fullest! Make sure to wear your sunscreen and stay hydrated. And of course, no matter what the weather or time of year, you can count on your Best Neighbors to be here if you need us.