Navigating the Wild West of after-school programs in Houston can be daunting, but it’s a good problem to have: there are just so many options. Your kiddo will always benefit from engaging in an extracurricular activity or two outside school hours, where they can expand their minds and make new friends.

No one has the time (or the money) to participate in everything that sounds cool, what with already demanding school schedules, a birthday party seemingly every week, not to mention you’ll be the one driving them there and picking them up. Think about your child’s interests and strengths—are they the next Lauren Anderson or the next José Altuve?—and focus on what best fits their needs right now. Chances are, they’ll try a program and want to do something completely different after two months anyway.

Here’s a taste of some of Houston’s best after-school and educational programs.

For little scientists

Want to double-down on your kid’s knowledge of school’s most important subjects? The Children’s Museum Houston has got you covered with its A’STEAM program, which stands for (you guessed it) Afterschool Science, Technology, Engineer, Arts, and Math. The museum has partnered with local YMCA locations to host all the program’s activities, which run weekly from October through May. Your little one can expect to engage in a variety of challenges and experiments that educate while also providing practical skills they can use in the real world. Contact your closest YMCA chapter for more details.

For little singers

So many educational programs in Houston aim to engage the community, and there’s no better example of this than Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus, based out of Second Ward in the East End. The bilingual choir is geared toward Spanish-speaking kids ages 4 to 12 and is tuition-free; however, children do have to audition to be accepted into the program. The singing education provided is developed with Latino and Hispanic musical traditions in mind, with a goal of fostering children’s identities while introducing them to the arts. The choir regularly performs at locations across Houston, and has a long-standing partnership with Houston Grand Opera, the Houston Symphony, and Alley Theatre. Segundo Barrio offers after-school instruction in addition to its chorus program, as well as summer camps.

For little readers

With all the effort the Harris County Public Library (HCPL) has put into proving it’s cool through its (excellent) TikTok videos, perhaps your youth will be more interested in spending time there. HCPL offers a great reading program for children called Book Buddies. Little Buddies, a.k.a. students in kindergarten through third grade, partner with Big Buddies, a.k.a. adults or teens, for one-on-one weekly reading sessions for 10 weeks. A number of public library branches across Harris County offer this program, which is available seasonally. Fall runs from September to November; if you miss it, check back in 2024.

For little writers

We’re biased, but writing and communication skills are essential for your child to learn. Writers in the Schools (WITS), which is partly funded by the Houston Arts Alliance, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. It aims to teach teenagers the craft of writing by partnering with schools and offering a slew of programs available to various ages and interests. On the first Friday of every month, WITS offers free poetry writing workshops at Discovery Green in the evenings. On second Saturdays, there’s an open mic night at Mercantile Montrose for poetry, spoken word, and singing. The Space City Slam Series is a free poetry competition where teens try out for the Meta-Four Houston team, WITS’s youth poetry slam program. Once your (not-so-)young one is out of school, the organization also offers a 10-month Emerging Writers Fellowship for those aged 19 to 24.

For little nature lovers

Don’t forget our great arboretum as a source of endless fun and education for kids and adults alike. The Tyke Hikes, which resume in September, happen on Monday mornings for kiddos aged 18 months to 4 years and combine education about all things nature with some light exercise. The Houston Arboretum also has school-break camps, as well as a ton of classes and events on the weekends for a variety of ages. Its Tiny Trekkers and Animal Tales programming will be back next summer.

For little artists

There are so many opportunities for children to engage with the arts in Houston. Art Studio on the Boulevard in the Heights is a great option for year-round programming. Fall classes run from September 11 through December 7, but if you miss this one, look out for openings to the 12-week program in 2024. The weekly classes vary widely in age target, from 2 to high schoolers, and teach different art mediums from acrylic and watercolor painting to print making, fiber arts, and clay work. And if you get FOMO from your child participating in the activities, the studio also offers adult classes.

For little polyglots

Knowing and learning another language works parts of the brain that wouldn’t get as much exercise otherwise. Plus, your little one will love being able to speak in a “secret language” you can’t understand. Crossing Borders offers year-round classes to toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarten students, as well as language immersion camps during spring break and in the summer. There’s also a remote learning program that can be timed for after-school hours. Crossing Borders teaches English as a second language, Spanish, French, Mandarin, and Arabic. 

For little athletes

Painting and learning a new language are fun and all, but getting out and moving your body is essential, too—especially for overactive children. Houston Parks and Recreation has a free youth tennis program that’s worth looking into, among many options for kid-friendly sports from softball to soccer. It’s offered year-round for kids ages 6 to 18 during after-school hours, dipping down to 4-year-olds in the summer. Lessons are held at various parks around Houston, and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.