Exploring Houston with Children

Rating:
Summary: You just might learn something!
Review: As the author of "Offbeat Houston", I'm always looking for interesting and fun places to see in Houston. "Exploring Houston with Children" is packed with lots of great places to go and fascinating things to see. If you're looking for ways to entertain and educate the kids, you'll find lots of great ideas here. There are many suggestions on integrating the featured attractions into lesson plans, and the resources, photos and web listings provide plenty of additional information. The kids will have fun while learning and, who knows, you just might learn a thing or two yourself!

Rating:
Summary: You just might learn something!
Review: As the author of "Offbeat Houston", I'm always looking for interesting and fun places to see in Houston. "Exploring Houston with Children" is packed with lots of great places to go and fascinating things to see. If you're looking for ways to entertain and educate the kids, you'll find lots of great ideas here. There are many suggestions on integrating the featured attractions into lesson plans, and the resources, photos and web listings provide plenty of additional information. The kids will have fun while learning and, who knows, you just might learn a thing or two yourself!

Rating:
Summary: This native Houstonian learned something new!
Review: Even though I have lived my whole life in Houston, I often find myself at a loss when I'm trying to think of fun things to do with my kids. This book has been a valuable resource, providing me with information on educational activities, parks, playgrounds, and so forth.

My in-laws are about to come into town from South Africa, and I will be relying heavily on this book as we plan out outings with the kids.

Rating:
Summary: This native Houstonian learned something new!
Review: Even though I have lived my whole life in Houston, I often find myself at a loss when I'm trying to think of fun things to do with my kids. This book has been a valuable resource, providing me with information on educational activities, parks, playgrounds, and so forth.

My in-laws are about to come into town from South Africa, and I will be relying heavily on this book as we plan out outings with the kids.

Rating:
Summary: Exploring is the Most Fun!
Review: Simmons and Galit explored the 4th largest city in the United States, and found lots and lots of fun stuff to do with kids. They researched and interviewed and spent a lot of time gathering so much information that you couldn't possibly get to it all in one summer.

This book is a must for finding the perfect summer or all-year-round activities for your school-age children. It's great for the big kids too, because even if you've lived in Houston all your life, like I have, you didn't know about some of this great stuff!

I was surprised to find so much great information on the space program and astronomy, in general, in and around the Houston area; and I was happy to find so much to do "In your own Backyard," on a shoestring budget.

This is a great bargain in the investment of your kids' childhoods and futures. I wish we had a book like this when I was growing up.

Rating:
Summary: This book is packed with information and fun to read!
Review: This book is a FANTASTIC RESOURCE for deciding what to do with kids in Houston. Teachers, home schoolers, and group leaders will be especially pleased with the wide-ranging activities and creative ideas described by authors Simmons and Galit. This book shows that learning and having fun go hand-in-hand and is brimming with suggestions for both.

The layout is attractive and friendly. The information is easy to find and fun to read. The informal style and excellent graphics and photos will make you want to cozy up on the couch with the kids while you're deciding on the next adventure. With chapter titles like "Blast off into Space" and "Bugs, Bats, and Butterflies!" the kids will be reading right along with you.

In addition to all the day trips described, lots of attention is given to creative pursuits such as journal writing and scrap book keeping. Phone numbers and web site addresses are clearly called out. There's a ton of information here, all of it useful. Don't be put off by the price; you'll get your money's worth. This book will save you hours of phone calls and research.

Rating:
Summary: Visiting Made Easy
Review: This is a wonderful resource to have for showing Houston to out of town guests. Visitors can tell you what they would like to see,and there is no guess work left for the host. It is a great book to have on hand for young or old visitors. I have also given the book to families with children and grandchildren.

Rating:
Summary: Great Guide for Teachers, Too
Review: This is Deborah Frontiera, Jasper Frontiera's wife speaking in this review. As a kindergarten teacher in Houston, ISD, who is in charge of planning field trips for the grade level, I am always on the look out for good resources. Elaine Galit and Vikk Simmon's book, Exploring Houston With Children, is one of the best, most complete, easy to use resources I have seen in a long time. Everything I need is right there all in one place and neatly organized.