I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t utilize all of the fantastic kid offerings in Katy, Texas as much as I should. They truly do have it all out there—tons of indoor play spaces and some unique outdoor adventures that I am putting on my family’s to-do list! While they have plenty for smaller kids, what I like most about Katy is that many of the big attractions promise fun for your older children, or entire family, which can sometimes be a challenge to find. Grab your calendar, because it is time for you to pencil in a trip to this city just west of Houston.
FOR FUN
Giggles & Fun
Toddlers & Preschoolers
Where: 20117 Park Row Dr, Katy, TX
Giggles and Fun is an indoor play space designed for ages six and under, so it’s never overrun by big kids. You’ll find climbable play structures with slides, plus an imaginative play boutique, hardware store and grocery. You can’t bring in any outside food, so plan accordingly!
Where: 2020 Katy Hockley Cut Off Rd, Katy, TX
This play space (with a location in The Woodlands, too) is designed for kids of all-abilities to be able to play and work on their fine and gross motor skills through unique features like zip lines, trampolines, swings, and climbing structures. It’s a sensory-friendly environment, and one that every kid can enjoy. Open playtime is $12 an hour, but they do offer membership cards for multiple visits.
We’re counting the days until Katy’s very on-trend new play space and coffee shop opens to the public. You’ll be able to have a date with your mom friends and keep an eye on your entertained kiddo super easily here. Oh and, of course, get caffeinated. Follow their Facebook page for updates!
Elementary
Where: 511 South Mason Road, Katy, TX
If you want to blow your kid’s mind with more bounces houses than they have ever seen in one place, Monkey Joe’s is for you. This spot is focused on the under 12 set, with a designated toddler area, too. While the location is spacious, it’s still small enough for you to let the kids roam free while you comfortably keep an eye on them and use the Wifi.
Where: 5650 Kroger Dr, Fort Worth, TX
Altitude Trampoline Park offers a large main court for bouncing as well as a children’s court. You’ll also find basketball, extreme dodgeball, performance-climbing walls and battle beam features that every kid seems to love. It’s also a great spot to host your kid’s next birthday party!
Katya Horner
Where: 15020 Cinco Park Rd, Katy, TX
Visiting Exploration Park is worth the drive to Katy alone. They have slides, swings and seesaws, but what makes this park extra fun is the Imagination Playground, rope bridge, interactive rain cycle wall and sensory garden. Pack your lunch and enjoy the picnic pavilion.
Flickr/Roy Luck
Where: 3535 War Memorial St, Houston, TX
In the middle of Bear Creek Pioneers Park there is a small wildlife preserve and aviary for rescued and rehabilitating animals. The Wildlife Habitat is located near the park office just off North Eldridge Parkway. Nicknamed “Bear Creek Park Zoo” by the locals, much of their work focuses on rehabilitating birds. Visiting the zoo is a great time to talk to your children about conservation, and it’s totally free.
Where: 5611 Gardenia Ln, Katy, TX
Lovingly nicknamed “train park,” within Katy City Park, you’ll find Play Station Park. The green space is designed for kids with all abilities and has endless slides, ramps, and, of course, everything looks like trains. The flooring is rubber, so it cuts down on mud and helps with any tumbles.
Dewberry Farm
Where: 7705 Farm to Market 362, Brookshire, TX
For old school fun, no one does it better than Dewberry Farm right outside of Katy. This farm hosts seasonal attractions like a Trail of Lights at the holidays, and a pumpkin patch in the fall. Plus, there are dozens of attractions that are fun to visit year-round like a giant jumping pillow, train ride, slide mountain and carousel.
Where: 25757 Westheimer Pkwy, Katy, TX
Who doesn’t love a good retro skating rink? Kingdom and Wheels is a family-owned business, with open play everyday for skating and arcade games. And for the small ones who aren’t quite ready to strap on wheels, there is an indoor play structure just for them. Skate rental is only $2, so don’t let lack of your own gear stop you from rolling. Just be sure to bring your socks!
Whole family
Where: 5000 Katy Mills Cir, Katy, TX
Malls are for shopping, right? Not necessarily this one, with three indoor play spaces. First there’s Jump Street: a trampoline park priced by age. Then there’s Tilt Studio (great for older kids) with laser tag, black light mini golf, mini bowling lanes, and a Tilt-A-Whirl Ride. Did someone say Segway races? Segway Outback is just that. Sessions are short, but if you go during a weekday, it is a fun, off-beat adventure trying out their nine courses. Only catch is kids need to be over age 12. The Katy Mills Mall also has a carousel and a small, free play structure.
Where: 531 Mason Rd, Katy, TX
Alamo Drafthouse screens a number of new releases, but also shows older films and family movies that have long since left the theater. There is also an “Alamo for All” movie program for young families and guests with special needs. All shows that start before 2pm are sensory friendly with lights turned a bit up and sound turned a bit down. All ages are welcome and no one frowns upon moving around or some noise. It’s the perfect way to introduce your little ones to movies on the big screen. Plus, there’s the whole ordering food to your seat thing, which gets two-thumbs up from our fam.
Ben and Kelly Photography
Where: 1030 Memorial Brook Blvd, Houston, TX
Top Golf has been attracting kids and adults in droves since opening in Katy. The driving range is set up with “bays” that are rented by the hour. Each bay can accommodate up to six people and is $25 an hour. They provide the clubs and you can order food and drinks to your bay. The nachos, grilled “backyard” wings and craft beer queso are some of the top shareable menu items.
Where: 402 West Grand Parkway South, Katy, TX
Bust our your sweet bowling moves at Times Square Entertainment. Bowling is not the only thing they offer, you can also find laser tag, pool, and arcade games. Fridays and Saturdays feature glow bowling and like all good bowling alleys, it has a Sports Grill.
Where: 25410 Katy Mills Pkwy, Katy, TX
Our kids have recently developed a love for rock climbing (mostly thanks to discovering the joys of the auto-belay where they can jump off solo and soar to the ground). Momentum Indoor Climbing not only has a number of great climbs for kids during open sessions, but they feature a great Youth Program. Mo Mini focuses on the natural climbing ability for kids ages three to seven. As children age up, they offer various camps and youth teams. These sessions are much like classes and are a commitment, but if your kids love climbing it might be worth exploring their skills. If you love to climb yourself, but your kids are too little to start, they do have an onsite day care!
Redi-Rock International
Where: 555 Katy Fort Bend Rd, Katy, TX
Typhoon Texas has quickly become a staple of the Katy summer scene. If your children are over 42 inches and comfortable in the water, there’s no way you’ll be able to stop them from riding “The Mutton Buster” and the “Gunslinger” over and over again. They do have a splash area for smaller children as well as a few slides to please them, but this park is a better value for taller children. Sadly, no outside food is allowed, but they do have plenty of concessions. Typhoon Texas also offers some pretty fun activities at their “Winterfest.”
Where: 5597 Gardenia Ln, Katy, TX
For the outdoorsy among us, Mary Jo Peckham Park is a great place to try your hand at local fishing. You’ll find bass, catfish and sometimes local rainbow trout in their waters. Remember you need a fishing license before you go! If fishing isn’t your thing, they also have a whole park for roaming, a mini golf course, nearly a mile in trails, and a community center with a pool. All of these amenities are free, even the pool!
Where: 2225 Porter Road, Katy, TX
Hidden Lake is essentially an inflatable adventure park floating at the edge of a lake. There are slides, climbing structure and a rock wall. The lake is open to the public on select dates over the summer for $15 a person. This fee includes the rental of the life vest that all kids under the age of 13 must wear. Tip: Tuesdays are two-for-one entry and two-for-one deals on food.
TO EAT & SHOP
The La Centerra is Katy’s town center. While it is a big shopping hub (find Francesca’s, Ann Taylor Loft, White House Black Market and so on), the Heritage Square also offer family events like Mondays with Mommy, Holiday Tree Lightings and Gymboree playtimes. Check their event calendar so you don’t miss out on anything fun! All the events are free, but they also get crowded so arrive early.
On the third Saturday of every month, you can explore Katy Market Days. Think of it as a local flea market with food, local vendors, music, art and antiques. You can find everything from homemade soap and local honey to clothes and jewelry. They do a huge annual Christmas market day that includes lots of kids’ activities, too.
Yes, it goes in both spots because Katy Mills is packed with indoor fun for kids, but it’s also one of the best malls in the Houston area. There are excellent outlets, and you can shop clothes, shoes and accessories for everyone in your house at Neiman Marcus Last Call, Banana Republic, Carters, H&M and Gymboree.
Dish Society
Where: 23501 Cinco Ranch Boulevard, Katy, TX
Get your farm-to-table fix at this local favorite with a few locations around HTX. Dish Society is reliable for any meal at any time of day (and you can even get it delivered using Doordash or Favor!). A special treat for families is a weekend brunch, with nutella French toast bites for them and pork belly hash and mimosas for you.
The Original Marini’s Empanada House
Where: 3522 S Mason Rd, Katy, TX
We’re not sure why everyone with kids isn’t all over empanadas. There’s nothing better than a meal that fits right in your hand, and Marini’s are some of the best in town. The flavors (both sweet and savory) range from super simple ham and cheese all the way to eggplant parmigiana and buffalo chicken filled. Try to leave room for one of their dessert empanadas, too (good luck).
