Houston

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10 Cheap or Free Things to Do With Your Kids This July in Houston

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From a Houston mom who understands that summer is long, it's hot, and somehow your kids are hungry every 17 minutes.

And honestly, I’m tired of finding the same activities on every website. Parks, free days at the museum, - I mean have you been to these? It’s a nightmare. Parking alone will raise your blood pressure.

So, I’ve put together a list of things that I am actually interested in taking my kids to do this summer. I have a 5 year old, a 14 year old, and an 18 year old so I’m looking for variety!

1. Visit a Houston Splash Pad

Great for the 5 year old and it seems like these are everywhere.

Some family favorites include:

Pack towels, sunscreen, and snacks, and let the kids burn off some energy while you sit in the shade with a book.

2. Enjoy a Free Symphony Concert at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

One of the best-kept secrets in the Houston area is the number of free performances offered at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.

Throughout the summer, the venue hosts a variety of free family-friendly performances by the Houston Symphony. My kids of all ages enjoy this and so do the adults!

Bring:

  • A blanket

  • Lawn chairs

  • Snacks

And enjoy a beautiful evening outdoors without spending a dime.

Arrive early and let the kids run around before the performance starts. It's a great way to introduce children to live music without the cost of traditional concert tickets.

3. Free Bowling Programs

Many Houston-area bowling alleys offer free summer bowling programs for kids.

It's indoors, air-conditioned, screen-free and affordable.

Find one of the locations here.

4. Check Out Main Event's Summer Promotions

Speaking of bowling, if you've never looked into Main Event's summer offerings, it's worth checking out.

Depending on the promotion available, families may have access to:

  • Bowling

  • Arcade games

  • Laser tag

  • Gravity ropes

  • Other attractions

It's one of my favorite ways to entertain older kids and tweens when it's simply too hot to be outside.

5. Go Ice Skating

This might sound crazy in July, but that's exactly why it's perfect.

Houston has several ice rinks that offer public skating sessions throughout the summer and it’s usually right around $10-$15 a ticket.

Bonus: They'll probably sleep well that night.

6. Go Roller Skating

Looking for something active, affordable, and a little nostalgic?

Roller skating is a great family activity that gets everyone moving.

Many Houston-area rinks offer cheapskate Tuesdays where you can skate for as little as $5 a person.

7. Cheap movies!

8. Splashtown

Tickets are cheap this year at $25 each. It’s not exactly a free activity, but its not bad for a full day of fun!
You can pack a cooler and head out to the car to eat lunch to save even more.

9. Go Thrifting

The teens especially love this. Its indoors and cheap. What’s not to love? Give each kid $20 and set them free.

10. Volunteer Together

A few places that allow minors to volunteer:

Final Thoughts

As a mom, I've learned that kids don't actually need expensive entertainment every day.

What they remember most is spending time together. Let’s not forget the things you can do at home or nearby that we tend to take for granted.

Baking Cookies
Making a Craft
Re-Organizing Their Room
Building a Fort
Home Movie Night
Game Night
Water Gun Fight
Nerf Wars
Pool Days
Beach Days
Frozen Yogurt
Make popsicles

Those simple moments are often the ones that stick.

So if you're trying to survive July in Houston without spending a fortune, start with this list and see where the summer takes you.

And if the toys, crafts, pool gear, and summer chaos are starting to take over your house, give us a call. We’ll help you keep things on track with our organizing services.

Because summer should create memories, not more stress.

Hi, I’m Naomi!

Founder of Charming Spaces, professional organizer, wife, mom of three and passionate advocate for women.

I hope this blog is everything you’re looking for, but feel free to shoot us a message and follow us on Instagram!

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Charming Spaces Gives Back: The Beacon

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The Beacon Houston

At Charming Spaces, one of our core values is giving back to the Houston community we love. This month, our team had the privilege of volunteering at The Beacon, a nonprofit that provides essential services to Houston’s homeless population.

We were especially fortunate to have one of our team members—who also works at The Beacon two days a week—help coordinate this effort. The staff welcomed us with warmth, gave us a tour of their facility, and shared more about their mission. Their passion and dedication were inspiring, and it made us even more eager to roll up our sleeves and get to work.

“The Beacon is more than a meal. It’s a way out of homelessness.

Our organization meets the daily needs of hundreds of homeless men and women while also empowering them with housing case management, appropriate program referrals, and civil legal aid.”
— https://www.beaconhomeless.org/

Here’s a look at the spaces we worked on:

Tackling the Tech Mess

One office had become a drop zone for technology—cords, equipment, and devices awaiting the IT team’s weekly visits. While functional, it was an eyesore for those working in the space.

  • We relocated all tech items to a back office.

  • Stored everything neatly inside cabinets instead of leaving it in plain view.

This small change created a more peaceful professional workspace while still keeping the tech accessible.

Houston Beacon

Admin Kitchen

This kitchen was underutilized and cluttered with event supplies, office items, and cleaning products. The fridge sat right by the door, creating a barrier both visually and functionally.

  • We decluttered and brought in scattered office supplies from other areas.

  • Created clear “zones” for office use vs. kitchen use.

  • Moved the fridge to the opposite side of the room, opening up the entryway.

  • Relocated the coffee pot from a staff member’s office into the kitchen, making it the true coffee hub.

The staff was thrilled with the transformation and couldn’t wait to start using their new space!

Houston Beacon

Admin Office Cabinets

These cabinets, located right next to the printer, had become a catch-all for miscellaneous items.

  • We cleared out everything except paper, which made sense to keep by the printer.

  • We moved in volunteer appreciation supplies since the staff member who uses these supplies sits near this space.

  • All other office supplies were moved into the adjacent kitchen—the designated common area for shared storage.

houston beacon

Storage Closet

This closet housed a little bit of everything—party supplies, staff photos, day center materials, housing and client items.

  • We didn’t have time to fully organize, but we made huge progress!

  • Cleared out six bags of trash.

  • Sent out at least six wagons full of donations.

The transformation was dramatic, and staff now have a clearer, more functional space to build on. Plus we left them some totes to complete the organizing with our shared team member next week!

The Beacon Houston

The Beacon team truly rocked this project! They were so ready to declutter and refresh their spaces, and we were all impressed with their energy and efforts.

If you feel passionate about this cause, The Beacon’s current high needs are:

  • Scrubs

  • Towels

  • Sheets

  • Underwear

  • Socks

  • Shower supplies (full sizes preferred)

👉 You can donate directly to The Beacon here: https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/TheBeacon/Donate.html

And if you know of a Houston-area nonprofit that could benefit from organizing support, we’d love to help.

Please reach out to us at Naomi@Charming-spaces.com.

Hi, I’m Naomi!

Founder of Charming Spaces, professional organizer, wife, mom of three and passionate advocate for women.

I hope this blog is everything you’re looking for, but feel free to shoot us a message and follow us on Instagram!