Children’s Museum Houston invites you to kick back and give your summer fun a supercharge! Be in on all the action during “Power Up! Summer,” happening June 3 to Aug. 19, 2023. Don’t miss out on electrifying exhibits and buzzworthy events including themed celebrations, live interactives and demonstrations, spotlight performances, and meet-and-greets all summer-long.

POWER UP! SUMMER PROGRAMMING:

Power Up: The Musical!

June 10 to Aug. 6

Come be a part of the game with the long-awaited return of our original summer musical production! Power Up: The Musical! Follows Ollie, a kid who spends time at home for summer break playing a retro-inspired video game. Ollie, playing as the character Pixel, must earn three power-ups to finish the game. However, the bosses of the game, Glitch and Spike, keep throwing new challenges their way. Pixel and Ollie need to figure out how to help one another level up—and unlock some unexpected achievements along the way. This daily interactive performance lasts approximately 20 min. and can be enjoyed by children of all ages.

Pikachu Powers into Summer

Saturday, June 3

Funded in part by City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance

Get energized when you hang out with Pikachu and Charmander during a Pokémon and video game inspired celebration.

• Pikachu and Charmander appearance, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Game truck, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (included with general admission)

Spider-verse Collision

Saturday, June 10

Funded in part by City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance

Get tangled in a web of excitement as the Spider-Man multiverse collides. Join forces with Peter Parker, Miles Morales and Spider-Gwen then show us your web shooter skills in the Spidey Web Sling Showdown.

• Peter Parker, Miles Morales and Spider-Gwen meet-and-greet, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

• Web-Sling Showdown at 1, 2 and 3 p.m.

• Peter Parker, Miles Morales and Spider-Gwen story times at 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.

• Spidey face painting at 11:30 a.m., 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, and 4:30 p.m.

Juneteenth Celebration

Juneteenth celebrates the day enslaved African Americans in Texas were told they were free. On June 19, 1865, Union general Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston and proclaimed freedom from slavery in the state. Children’s Museum Houston is proud to celebrate and honor this historic day with three days of interactive activities.

• Saturday, June 17

o Express Children’s Theater: Rhyme and Reason interactive live show about the vital contributions of African Americans to the social, political and cultural life of the United States, at 1 and 3 p.m.

o DJ Ferbidden dance party, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Sunday, June 18

o Ensemble Theater: Juneteenth performance at 2:30 p.m.

• Monday, June 19

o Ensemble Theatre: Juneteenth performance at 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.

Dino-mite Day!

Saturday, June 24

Funded in part by City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance

Unearth an exciting day of gargantuan proportions with walking dinosaurs. Don’t miss a prehistoric day of dino-mite fun as we dig up the past and learn about the clues prehistoric giants left us.

• Wild Dinosaurs Entertainment: Interactive dinosaur shows at 12:30, 2, 3 and 4 p.m.

• Dino art workshops at 11:30 a.m., 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, and 4:30 p.m.

• Fossil dig workshops at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30 p.m.

Guardians of the Galaxy Blast Off!

Saturday, July 1

Your favorite troop of quirky misfits is making an intergalactic stop at Children’s Museum Houston. Reach beyond the stars for an out-of-this-world Guardians of the Galaxy fan celebration.

• Star Lord and Gamora meet-and-greet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Save the Galaxy, Plant a Groot art workshop at 11 a.m., noon, 1, 2, 3, and 4 p.m.

• Film cannister rockets, at noon and 4 p.m.

Kidpendence Day

Tuesday, July 4

Funded in part by City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance

The stars and stripes will be in full effect as we celebrate our country’s 247th birthday. Before rockets glare and fireworks are in the air, exercise your right to be a kid for as long as possible with some good ole American fun. Don’t forget to wear your red, white, and blue to pay tribute to the land of the free and the home of the brave.

• Elephant Toothpaste patriotic elephant burst at 12:30 p.m.

• Interactive Captain America story time at 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.

• Mentos geyser salute, from 2 to 3 p.m.

Tanabata 七夕 Japanese Star Festival

Friday, July 7

In partnership with Consulate General of Japan in Houston

Funded in part by City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance

Join us in celebrating the Tanabata 七夕 Japanese Star Festival. As legend is told in Japanese culture, two star-crossed lovers, Vega and Altair, are separated by the Milky Way. They are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. This reunion marks the celebration of Tanabata (meaning the evening of the seventh).

Gamer’s Gambit (National Videogame Day)

Saturday, July 8

Funded in part by City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance

Beat the odds and test your gaming skills. Celebrate National Videogame Day by playing some of your favorite games.

• Game truck, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (included with general admission)

Kids in Charge – Driving the Future

Saturday, July 15

Sponsored by Chevron

What happens when kids are in charge? The possibilities are endless! Explore how innovation goes hand in hand with play, curiosity and experimentation as we explore the future of fuel. Kids rule!

I Scream for Ice Cream (National Ice Cream Day)

Sunday, July 16

Most people can juggle the Houston heat but not everyone can resist a mouthwatering ice cream. Children’s Museum Houston invites you to shake, rattle, and roll your way to a tasty, frozen treat.

Brain Power (World Brain Day)

Saturday, July 22

Funded in part by City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance

Shift your brain into overdrive and unleash your superhero smarts! Watch your mind muscles grow as you draw your favorite videogame character during a brain activity reading. Plus, beating summer boredom requires mental prowess; train your brain with therapy dogs and use your brain power to help you save the day!

• Brain activity reading with Dr. Pepe and UH students, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Therapy dogs, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Music therapy workshop with Soulliaa Rae (TBD)

• Mindful Yoga (TBD)

Magic and Mischief Managed

Saturday, July 29

Funded in part by City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance

Harry, Hermione and Ron are conjuring all fans to celebrate their appearance. You’re invited to a Muggles Bash (Muggle: the wizard term for non-magic folks) complete with tricks, spells and the same charm that made the Harry Potter movies a worldwide phenomenon. Join us for an action-packed, Harry Potter-inspired event!

• Harry Potter meet-and-greet (TBD)

• Jamie Salinas Magic Show at 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.

Ninja Turtles Turmoil

Saturday, Aug. 5

Cowabunga! Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMTN), will take a break from outsmarting villains to visit Children’s Museum Houston. Prepare for mutant mania as these watchmen rumble and tumble their way into the hearts of Houston’s coolest TMNT fans. Don’t forget your camera! TMNT costumes encouraged!

The Infinite Force

Saturday, Aug. 12

Funded in part by City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance

May the force be with you! Galaxies will collide when members of the 501 Legion pay a special visit to Children’s Museum Houston. and become part of an infinite intergalactic saga. Travel to a galaxy far, far away to meet with Star Wars-inspired characters.

• 501 Legion (TBD)

• Jedi spaceship workshop at 11 a.m., noon, 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m.

Rock the Roblox

Saturday, Aug. 19

Any experience imaginable can be created on Roblox! Roblox is the ultimate virtual universe which lets you create, share experiences, and be anything you can imagine. You’re invited to celebrate endless possibilities during a themed Roblox celebration at Children’s Museum Houston!

• Game truck (TBD)

SUMMER EXHIBIT HIGHLIGHTS:

PowerPlay – Completely refreshed!

Leap, jump, crawl and climb up Children's Museum Houston’s all-new PowerPlay. This fierce, extraordinary exhibit has just been renovated, but its innovative and interactive approach to children’s health and physical education remains at the core of it all! PowerPlay focuses on getting you active and making you aware exercise is fun and good for you! Check out the all-new adventure course as well as brand-new components including the bone-shaking Power Pop, the popular Dance Power, the mighty Power Grip and more! Don’t worry, the iconic PowerTower remains in place!

Shocks & Jolts – Newly opened!

Sponsored by OXY and The William Stamps Farish Fund

Just in time for summer! Get ready for a shock to your system with an electrifying exhibit like no other! This hands-on, bilingual (English/ Spanish) exhibit will provide you with the opportunity to explore the exciting topic of electricity and investigate its properties, generation, and uses. The exhibit will enable you to discover the illuminating field of electrostatics, examine the properties of electromagnetism, and build and test your own electrical circuits.

Yalálag: A Mountain Village in Mexico

You’re invited to an exotic trip south of the border to learn about the cultural attributes that give the people of Yalálag a unique take on life! Yalálag is an interactive display set in the backdrop of an Oaxacan mountain village. The exhibit explores the customs, daily life and heritage of modern-day people there. The realistic environments provide authentic opportunities for you to "step into" life in Yalálag and discover a culture that is unique but shares our social values. So, pack your bags and experience the day-to-day life of people from Villa Hidalgo Yalálag—a Zapotec village located in the Sierra Juárez Mountains of Oaxaca, México.

Power Science Lab – New location!

Power Science Lab (PSL) focuses on the roles biology and chemistry play in our own anatomy and physiology. Now in its new location within the Invention Convention exhibit, PSL’s 15-minute experiments follow the 5E model (engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate) allowing hands-on experience in a lab. Form hypotheses, complete experiments, develop conclusions and play the role of a scientist. You’re invited to engage your curiosity and observe the science within your world every day!

Maker Annex – New location!

Sponsored by Chevron

Children’s Museum Houston continues to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders at the Maker Annex. Now in its new 550-square foot location inside the Invention Convention exhibit, Houston’s children can expand their science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) knowledge and let their imaginations run wild. The Annex brings in actual professionals and would-be professionals to work with children and allow them to use tools only grownups are supposed to use; laser cutters, electronics, and even devices kids cannot find in most schools. Children make amazing pieces of work combining programming, animation, building and more!

FlowWorks – Freshly painted!

Fierce forces run wild and it’s up to you to tame them! Harness the power of water as FlowWorks bursts from the floodgates of our imagination into reality. FlowWorks makes a splash with a new shiny coat of paint, unleashing a tsunami of wet, wild fun. This state-of-the-art exhibit dives into the forces and properties of water through currents, vortices and rapids, exploring the fascinating concept of fluid dynamics! Dip your hands in and watch how whirlpools and rapids stir up. Harness water’s power through lock systems, boat building and dams and examine methods to store, release and manipulate water’s energy.

Newton Know-How – Now permanent by popular demand!

Come step into a world alive with action as you delve into force, friction, momentum, gravity, and speed in Newton Know-How! Now a permanent exhibit by popular demand, Newton Know-How provides you the opportunities for immersive exploration into the physics of force and motion. Whether a rocket scientist or a dancer, we are all governed by Newton’s laws of motion. But how well do you really understand these laws which cannot be broken? Thanks to Children’s Museum Houston, you can now engage in fun, interactive activities which will help you understand the physics associated with Newton’s laws of motion.

*Activities, events and times subject to change.