Houston Arboretum & Nature Center

Tyke Hikes
2026-12-14 09:30 - 10:15, 2026-12-14 10:30 - 11:15, 2026-12-21 09:30 - 10:15, 2026-12-21 10:30 - 11:15 (America/Chicago)
For children 18 months – 4 years

Encourage your child’s curiosity about nature and spend time with them exploring outdoors! Children with an adult companion can join a naturalist for a story reading, a simple nature or sensory development activity, and a stroller-friendly hike on the beautiful Arboretum trails. Arrive dressed in close-toed shoes and comfortable play clothes. Be prepared for the weather including hat, sunscreen, jackets, raincoat, or rain boots, as needed. Enjoy an interesting new nature experience each week with themes such as ponds, bones, senses, and leaves.

Select Mondays9:30 am-10:15 am10:30 am-11:15 am

pricing

Free for Family Tree Members and above (please have member card on hand)$7 per child for nonmembers, pay at the door.

No preregistration is necessary; however, attendance is limited to 20 children per session. Sign-up will take place in front of the Beautyberry Classroom. Doors will close 15 minutes after the class begins or once the session is full. Siblings who are not within the age range may attend but may not participate.

upcoming hikes

September 14, 21, 28October 5, 12, 26November 2, 9, 16December 7, 14, 21

TYKE HIKES EN ESPAÑOL!

Is your child wild about nature? The Arboretum is the natural place to celebrate a birthday.

Educator Workshop
2026-12-17 17:00 - 19:00
Free, registration requiredInstructor: Tiffany RitterAges 21+

All educators are welcome at our Educator Workshops; classroom teachers, outdoor educators, scout leaders, homeschool parents – anyone who wants to learn fun, hands-on ways to teach children about science and nature.

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is an approved CPE provider for Texas Education Association. Teachers who attend our workshops receive official CPE credits and proof of attendance for each workshop.

Please wear closed-toe shoes as we will be walking on trails.

2026 – Registration is coming soon

september 17

october 22

November 19

december 17

Space is limited, please only register if you plan to attend. If your plans change and you are no longer able to attend, email agreer@houstonarboretum.org

Sponsored By

Fourth Saturday Phenology Walk
2026-12-26 09:00 - 11:00, 2027-01-23 09:00 - 11:00, 2027-02-27 09:00 - 11:00, 2027-03-27 09:00 - 11:00, 2027-04-24 09:00 - 11:00, 2027-05-22 09:00 - 11:00, 2027-06-26 09:00 - 11:00, 2027-07-24 09:00 - 11:00 and 4 more dates
Fourth Saturday of the Month9:00 – 11:00 amFree, donations appreciatedAll ages, minors must be accompanied by an adult

Meet in front of the Nature Center building

Discover the hidden seasonal rhythms of nature firsthand on our guided Phenology Walks, where we track the life cycles of different plants across ecosystems, from the first spring bud burst to winter dormancy. You’ll learn how shifting weather patterns and climate change influence the timing of these important events in our local ecosystems and how you can become a community scientist, contributing vital data from your own backyard to a global research initiative.

These relaxing morning walks are led by scientists from Rice University and staff from the Arboretum. We welcome nature enthusiasts of all ages, however kids 12 years and younger must be accompanied by a guardian.

Learn more about the study of phenology and ways you can contribute at https://www.usanpn.org/nn

Community Science Partner

Second Saturday Bird Survey
2027-01-09 08:00 - 10:00, 2027-02-13 08:00 - 10:00, 2027-03-13 08:00 - 10:00, 2027-04-10 08:00 - 10:00, 2027-05-08 08:00 - 10:00, 2027-06-12 08:00 - 10:00, 2027-07-10 08:00 - 10:00, 2027-08-14 08:00 - 10:00 and 4 more dates
2nd Saturday of the month8:00 – 10:00 amFree, but donations appreciatedAll ages, minors must be accompanied by an adult

Work on your bird watching skills while helping the Arboretum monitor bird populations on a fun, relaxed morning walk. Join us on the second Saturday of each month in front of the Nature Center building for a two-hour bird survey led by Arboretum staff members Kelsey Low and Theo Ostler. We welcome all levels of bird watching skill and all ages (as long as you’re quiet) – but no dogs, please!

If you have binoculars of your own, please bring them. We have a limited number of binoculars available to borrow

60th Anniversary Alfresco Gala
2027-04-16 18:00 - 23:00
Join us on Friday, April 16, 2027 to celebrate 60 years of nature education and conservation at Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. This starlit evening of dining and dancing will take place amongst the Arboretum’s lush spring landscape, where guests can enjoy specialty cocktails, dinner service, and guided night hikes throughout the grounds.

Each year, the Alfresco Gala stands as the Arboretum’s most meaningful fundraising event, sustaining our efforts in nature education and conservation. Your support as an underwriter helps keep this mission thriving and allows our programs to spark curiosity and consideration for the natural world in future generations.

More information coming soon.
