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Indoor Summer Fun for Kids in Houston: Museums, Skydiving and More

The color factory "Thought bubbles" facility.

“Thought Bubbles” installation by Color Factory.

Courtesy of Color Factory

Keeping kids entertained during Houston’s hot summers can be difficult. Luckily, the city is home to plenty of indoor attractions that guarantee both fun and a break from the heat. Whether you’re looking for educational activities or exciting adventures, Houston has plenty to offer.

Houston's art museum ecosystem is growing with the launch of ARTECHOUSE's new permanent exhibition.

Houston’s art museum ecosystem is growing with the launch of ARTECHOUSE’s new permanent exhibition.

Courtesy of ARTECHOUSE

ARTECHOUSE Houston offers innovative digital art experiences that combine creativity and technology, providing an engaging environment for all ages to explore interactive installations and experience art in exciting ways.

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Details: $15 and up; artechouse.com

“Space Explorers: Infinity”

People are starting to take their first steps wearing their VR devices during the Space Explorers: The Infinite experience.

People are starting to take their first steps wearing their VR devices during the Space Explorers: The Infinite experience.

Karen Warren/Staff Photographer

“Space Explorers: The Infinite” offers a 60-minute journey in virtual and augmented reality to the International Space Station. With exclusive footage from the Emmy-winning film “Space Explorers: The ISS Experience,” participants can explore the ISS and view spacewalk scenes, providing a unique perspective on life on the planet. ‘space.

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Or: Silver Street Studios, 2000 Edwards

Details: $38 and up; infinite experience.world

Evan Mason of League City, Texas, looks into an aquarium at the Downtown Aquarium.

Evan Mason of League City, Texas, looks into an aquarium at the Downtown Aquarium.

James Nielsen/Chronicle

At the Downtown Aquarium, families can explore underwater worlds, meet white tigers at the Maharaja Temple, interact with stingrays, ride the Shark Voyage train through a 200,000-gallon shark tank, and dine in front of a aquarium 150,000 gallons at the Aquarium restaurant.

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Details: $23.99 to $25.99; aquariumrestaurants.com

FREE THINGS TO DO IN HOUSTON THIS SUMMER: Museums, concerts, outdoor movies and more

Houston Funplex offers bowling, rides, arcade games, go karts, roller skating and much more.

Houston Funplex offers bowling, rides, arcade games, go karts, roller skating and much more.

Tara Flannery/Houston Funplex

The indoor amusement center offers a wide range of entertainment options for all ages, including arcade games, go-kart racing, bowling, roller skating, an indoor Ferris wheel and much more.

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Details: Midweek specials start at $18.99; weekend packages start at $39.99; houstonfunplex.com ;

Kristin Zaccaria performs at the Black Hole Ball Pit at Color Factory Houston on Thursday, October 24, 2019, in Houston.

Kristin Zaccaria performs at the Black Hole Ball Pit at Color Factory Houston on Thursday, October 24, 2019, in Houston.

Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer

Color Factory offers exhibits that appeal to all five senses and feature a Houston-inspired color palette. This summer, the confetti room has a cactus theme and guests receive an ice cream cone at the end.

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Details: $29 and up; colorfactory.co

Thomas Rincon flies with flight instructor Rory Corrigan at iFLY Indoor Skydiving in Houston.

Thomas Rincon flies with flight instructor Rory Corrigan at iFLY Indoor Skydiving in Houston.

Houston Community Newspapers

Experience the thrill of free fall without leaving or boarding a plane. Both iFly locations in Houston and The Woodlands offer indoor skydiving in massive wind tunnels, similar to those used by skydiving professionals and the military.

Or: 9540 Katy Fwy and 26860 I-45, Oak Ridge North

Details: $104.99 and up; iflyworld.com

Siblings Shane, Justin and Erin Weinstock of Brooklyn, New York, visit a pop-up science station at Space Center Houston.

Siblings Shane, Justin and Erin Weinstock of Brooklyn, New York, visit a pop-up science station at Space Center Houston.

Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

Families can embark on an out-of-this-world adventure at Space Center Houston to learn about space exploration and experience simulated missions. The center features indoor exhibits, interactive exhibits and impressive artifacts that captivate visitors of all ages while providing a cool retreat from the summer heat.

Or: 1601 E. NASA Parkway

Details: $39.95 to $44.95; spacecenter.org

Children’s Museum of Houston

Becky Mansfield and her son Elijah perform at the Children's Museum in Houston.

Becky Mansfield and her son Elijah perform at the Children’s Museum in Houston.

Marie D. De Jesús/Staff Photographer

The Children’s Museum of Houston is a haven of interactive exhibits, educational workshops and hands-on activities that engage and entertain children of all ages. Kids can explore, learn and have fun at the PowerPlay exhibit, EcoStation, Kidtropolis and more.

Details: $17.95 and up; cmhouston.org

Houston Museum of Natural Science

James Allen of Dayton, Texas, lets a Blue Morpho butterfly perch on his finger at the Cockrell Butterfly Center at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

James Allen of Dayton, Texas, lets a Blue Morpho butterfly perch on his finger at the Cockrell Butterfly Center at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer

Families can explore the Houston Museum of Natural Science, discovering dinosaur skeletons, gems, minerals and planetarium shows. Don’t forget to visit “Sharks!” The Meg, The Monsters & The Myths,” “King Tut’s Tomb,” the Cockrell Butterfly Center and the Wortham Giant Screen Theater.

Details: $10 and more; hmns.org

Visitors to the Health Museum discover the 12-foot-tall beating heart in the Amazing Body Gallery

Visitors to the Health Museum discover the 12-foot-tall beating heart in the Amazing Body Gallery

Brett Coomer/Staff Photographer

At the Health Museum, families can learn about how the body works through interactive exhibits like BodyWorks and explore nutrition at the Health Ranger’s Food Science Lab. They can also learn about biology at the DeBakey Cell Lab and anatomy at the Amazing Body Pavilion. With activities for all ages, including the Texas Size Heart Model and the Yale Gallery of Human Anatomy, it’s a fun and educational destination to learn about health and wellness.

Details: $10 and more; thehealthmuseum.org

From the second floor, overlooking the different types of aircraft in one of the hangars, it offers an impressive display of what can be seen at the Lone Star Flight Museum.

From the second floor, overlooking the different types of aircraft in one of the hangars, it offers an impressive display of what can be seen at the Lone Star Flight Museum.

Robert Avery

Families visiting the Lone Star Flight Museum can experience historic aircraft displays, interactive exhibits, educational programs and flight simulators, making it ideal for aviation enthusiasts of all ages.

Or: 11551 Aerospace Avenue.

Details: $12 and up; lonestarflight.org