Looking for something that’ll get the kids excited this Thanksgiving break? Your family adventure just landed right in your backyard! The Great Gobbler Fest is rolling into Children’s Museum Houston and Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center with a week of non-stop action that’ll have your little ones gobbling with joy.
This isn’t your average museum visit – we’re talking real live turkey pardons, Santa sightings, K-Pop singalongs and pumpkins smashing to bits! From November 24-30, these award-winning kid havens transform into Thanksgiving wonderlands packed with the kind of hands-on fun that’ll make screen time seem boring.
Why This Beats Staying Home
Let’s face it – after the big meal, cabin fever sets in fast. Instead of another day of video games and boredom, imagine your kids crafting turkey costumes, dancing to DJs, building catapults, and even meeting Santa as he makes his grand entrance for the holiday season.
The best part? These activities are designed for the whole family to enjoy together. Make slime, create ornaments, roll dice in turkey games – it’s memory-making magic that’ll have everyone talking long after the leftovers are gone.
Don’t Miss These Headliners
Mark your calendar for these can’t-miss moments:
At Children’s Museum Houston, Tuesday’s Turkey Pardon and Parade (Nov. 25) puts kids front and center as a real live turkey gets officially pardoned by the Kids’ Committee. Your little ones can join the “turkey parade” in costumes they make themselves!
Looking for Instagram gold? Friday (Nov. 28) brings “Elfie Selfies with Santa” as the big guy makes his first appearance of the season with a special performance by The Ensemble Theatre.
Pop culture fans will flip for Saturday’s events. In Houston, it’s all about “Wicked” with character appearances, sing-alongs and slime experiments inspired by the blockbuster movie. Meanwhile, Fort Bend goes K-Pop with “Gonna Be Golden K-Pop Demon Hunters” celebrations featuring cosplay heroes, magpie crafts, and golden slime-making.
Day-By-Day Fun Guide
Children’s Museum Houston Events:
Monday, Nov. 24 – Turkey Jam
- Shake your tail feathers with DJ games
- Make your own paper-bag turkey costume
- Enjoy bilingual story times that’ll get the whole family giggling
Tuesday, Nov. 25 – Turkey Pardon and Parade
- Meet a real live turkey before its official pardon
- Join the parade of pint-sized “turkeys” in homemade costumes
- Enjoy Zumbini family dance fun
- Create gobbler hats and wobbling paper toys
Wednesday, Nov. 26 – Pumpkin Chunkin’
- Watch pumpkins drop and burst in spectacular science shows
- Build your own miniature catapults
- Make mini pumpkin pudding pies
- Create colorful pumpkin art to take home
Thursday, Nov. 27 – Museum closed for Thanksgiving
Friday, Nov. 28 – Changing of the Seasons and Elfie Selfies
- Meet Santa during his grand entrance
- Watch The Ensemble Theatre performance
- Take holiday photos with Santa and his helpers
Saturday, Nov. 29 – Wickedly Good Appearances
- Meet Glinda and Elphaba-inspired characters
- Join “Wicked” movie-themed sing-alongs
- Take magical photo opportunities
- Create “wicked cool” crafts and slime experiments
Sunday, Nov. 30 – Seasons of Sharing and Caring
- Create no-sew blankets for those in need
- Make lunch bags, bookmarks, and cards for donation
- Learn about giving back while having fun
Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center Events:
Wednesday, Nov. 26 – Turkey Jam
- Line dance with a DJ
- Decorate festive pumpkins
- Create your own paper-bag turkey costumes
Thursday, Nov. 27 – Discovery Center closed for Thanksgiving
Friday, Nov. 28 – Changing of the Seasons
- Meet Santa and his elf for story time
- Create your own holiday ornaments
- Take home a handmade decoration
Saturday, Nov. 29 – K-Pop Demon Hunters Celebration
- Sing along to favorite K-Pop hits
- Meet cosplay heroes for photos
- Craft your own magpie or tiger stuffie
- Make shimmering Golden Slime in STEM activities
Sunday, Nov. 30 – Gobble Up the Fun
- Craft hilarious turkey leg hats
- Create hands-on turkey crafts
- Play the Turkey Roll dice game
- Make traditional corn husk dolls
Award-Winning Adventures Right Here in Texas
Don’t take our word for it – Children’s Museum Houston has racked up serious hardware, including the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service and multiple “Best Children’s Museum” awards. Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center consistently ranks among Sugar Land’s top attractions.
So what are you waiting for? Pack up the kids and head to either location for Thanksgiving week fun that’ll have them talking all the way to Christmas! This is exactly the kind of Texas-sized adventure that creates childhood memories to last a lifetime.
For the full schedule of events, visit www.cmhouston.org or www.childrensdiscoveryfb.org. Both locations are closed Thanksgiving Day but open every other day of the festival week.
Details You’ll Need
🦃 Children’s Museum Houston
📍1500 Binz St., Houston, TX 77004
📅 Nov. 24–30 (Closed Thanksgiving Day)
🌐 cmhouston.org | ☎️ (713) 522-1138
🦃 Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center
📍198 Kempner St., Sugar Land, TX 77498
📅 Nov. 26–30 (Closed Thanksgiving Day)
🌐 childrensdiscoveryfb.org | ☎️ (832) 742-2800
