Houston’s passion for childhood learning was on full display on March 5 as more than 400 supporters gathered at River Oaks Country Club for the 2026 Friends and Families Luncheon, hosted by Children’s Museum Houston. The event raised a record-setting $237,000, making it the most successful luncheon in the Museum’s history.

Co-chaired by Lexi Sakowitz Marek and Natasha Stolte, the luncheon brought together a vibrant community of families, educators, and advocates dedicated to fostering playful learning experiences that nurture curiosity and confidence in children. Guests were guided through a celebration of community, family, and the transformative power of early childhood education.

The Museum highlighted its newest initiative, the Gallery of Wonder, the largest museum space in the nation dedicated exclusively to early learning. Designed for infants through age five, the gallery features five interconnected exhibits, early childhood educators on hand to engage families, and nearly two dozen dynamic programs that promote brain development, critical thinking, and cognitive growth. The space is expected to welcome more than 350,000 visitors annually.

Attendees enjoyed an elegant menu from River Oaks Country Club featuring a quinoa and vegetable salad, pecan-crusted chicken with whipped sweet potatoes and vegetables, and key lime pie with fresh seasonal berries. The setting was enhanced by floral centerpieces generously donated by Central Market, and guests departed with cookie favors courtesy of Village Bakery.

A lively raffle added excitement to the afternoon, with prizes including a SkinLuxe Facial and Dermaplane at SkinLab, a baby alpaca wool coat from HARA Concept, a $250 gift card from Le Mel Jewelry, an original painting by artist Kristen Sweek, a Toddler CAN Read gift basket, Pickle Ball Mahjong Tiles, and an exclusive private shopping event at A.L.C.

The luncheon welcomed a notable group of Houston supporters including Katie Arnoldy, Meredith Barker, Lauren Barrett, Kathryn Boeker, Bethany Buchanan, Alex Butt, Skye Chao, Allison Chavez, Julie Chen, Lauren Cox, Adrienne Crane, Narguess Fazel, Annabel Florescu, Devorah Krieger, Whitney Kuhn Lawson, Lacey Marek, Hayden Lasher, Amanda Pickering, Kat Pressly, Monica Radoff, Ashley Sloan, Mary Morgan Stevens, and many more.

Proceeds from the luncheon will advance Children’s Museum Houston’s mission to provide innovative, child-centered learning experiences that spark creativity, build confidence, and inspire a lifelong love of discovery in children across Greater Houston.