‍Children’s Museum Houston scores big with month-long global soccer celebration packed with science, culture and team spirit!

June 9 to July 6

Save $2 on admission by showing up in soccer jersey or showing printed/mobile ticket from soccer match!

Extended Summer Hours 5 to 8 p.m. on June 5, July 3 and Aug. 7

Sponsored by Chevron

HOUSTON, TX (May 20, 2026) – This summer, the world isn’t just coming to Houston.  It’s coming to play at Children's Museum Houston! Families are invited to lace up their sneakers, bring their team spirit, and get ready to score big during “Kick It Off, Houston!,” a month-long celebration of world soccer bursting with action-packed activities, cultural experiences, creative challenges, and larger-than-life fun from June 9 through July 6, 2026.

From engineering challenges and creativity workshops to global celebrations and scientific discoveries, this summer at Children's Museum Houston proves that play truly is the world’s universal language.  This all-star lineup transforms the Museum into a playful training ground where science meets sportsmanship, creativity meets competition, and every child gets a chance to shine. From robotic soccer matches and reaction-time challenges to global music, storytelling, engineering activities, and dance-worthy celebrations, the Museum is ready to help families kick boredom to the sidelines.

To make the celebration even more of a “goal-getter,” from June 13 to July 5, 2026, wear a soccer jersey or show a printed or mobile stadium ticket from a soccer match and score $2 off admission.  The offers are valid for up to six tickets per transaction and may not be combined. Whether families arrive repping their favorite national team colors or carrying the excitement straight from the stadium, we keep the global celebration going long after the final whistle.

SPECIAL EVENTS:

“Let’s Play Soccer Party”

Saturday, June 13, 2026

Opening day brings the heat!  Summer celebration blasts off with a high-energy kickoff event where families can jump into the action from the first whistle.  

• Young athletes can flex their skills during the Kick Into Action Fitness Challenge, where they will race, move, and monitor their heart rates using real pulse oximeters to discover how exercise affects the body.
• Future MVPs cantake their best shot at Soccer Darts, an oversized inflatable goalchallenge designed to keep the good times rolling.
• Meet Ducky,Slime, YoYo, Pixel, and Buckets the Bear during a special charactermeet-and-greet before catching opening day performances of “Let’s Play:Unraveled!,” this summer’s original toy-themed musical production whichpromises plenty of twists, turns, and toe-tapping fun.‍
• InventionConvention robot-powered soccermatches in Robot Arena – Soccer Challenge.‍
• Fast-paced fun inthe Reaction Time Lab in BASF Power Science Lab.‍
• UV-detecting bracelets that change colors in the sun in INVISTA Science Station.‍
• A collaborative StadiumBuilders: Cardboard Challenge in Prototopia.‍
• Mindfulness workshops featuring Tibetan Buddhist yoga and meditation techniques in Brown Auditorium.

“Global Goal Soccer Party”

Saturday, June 20, 2026

Houston’s international spirit takes the spotlight during a colorful cultural celebration inspired by futbol countries from around the globe.  Families can enjoy live pop-up performances showcasing music and dance traditions connected to countries playing in Houston, including Germany, Curaçao, Portugal, DR Congo, the Netherlands, Sweden, Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, and Saudi Arabia. It’s a passport-free trip around the world, no extra time required.

• Create handmade musical instruments during interactive workshops in Chevron Maker Lab.‍
• Listen to internationalstory times shared in multiple languages in Parent Resource Library.‍
• Practice dribbling, passing, and shooting during soccer skill stations in Playscape.‍
• Test your soccerknowledge during DJ Tyler’s Team Trivia Challenge in BrownAuditorium.‍
• Design pennant flags for a spirited Parade of Nations in Kids’ Hall.‍
• Explore the science behind sports in Friction Ramps – Soccer Style in INVISTA Science Station.‍
• Createreflective paper art inspired by “TheArabic Quilt” by Aya Khalil during a Muharram-themed activity celebratingstorytelling and gratitude.

“Final Kickoff Soccer Party”

Friday, July 3, 2026

Before the soccer summer celebration takes its final bow, families can enjoy one last victory lap when the Museum stays open until 8 p.m. for extended evening fun.

• Gather ‘round for inspiring soccer-themed stories which celebrate teamwork, perseverance and sportsmanship in Parent Resource Library.
• ‍Gear up with face painting inspired by teams and flags from around the world in TreeTop.‍
• Keep the partygoing with DJ Tyler as he spins upbeat music and leads soccer-inspired games, dance breaks, and interactive fun all afternoon long in Kids’ Hall.‍
• Design, test, and improve your own foosball players while exploring how engineering and creative problem-solving can change game-day performance in Prototopia.‍
• Create teddybear-sized team jerseys in One World.‍
• Discover the science of shrinking plastics while creating your own soccer-themed wearable accessory to take home and show off in INVISTA Science Station.‍
• Unwind with amindful art activity as you decorate a soccer ball design with intricateZentangle-inspired patterns celebrating Houston’s final match in Kids’ Hall.

HAPPENING DAILY!

Throughout the month, families can experience daily activities designed to keep imagination in play and curiosity on the ball.

• Soccer-themed story times celebrating perseverance and teamwork in Parent Resource Library.‍
• Robotic soccer competitions in Invention Convention.‍
• DIY tabletop game design challenges in Chevron Maker Annex.‍
• Foosball-inspired engineering activities in Prototopia’s Build a Player.‍
• Cardboardconstruction challenges inspired by Houston landmarks in Prototopia.‍
• Reflex-testing science labs in BASF Power Science Lab.‍
• Fast-paced “Getting to Know You” soccer-inspired games in Kaleidoscope.‍
• Select-day inflatable soccer dart challenges in Playscape.

The celebration also rotates weekly themed activities, including:

• DIY soccer beanbags in Kids’ Hall.‍
• UV science experiments in INVISTA Science Station.‍
• Parade pennants in Kids' Hall.‍
• Geometry-inspired soccer art in Kids’ Hall.
• Shrinky dink soccer bracelets in INVISTA Science Station.‍
• Zentangle-style soccer creations for mindful creativity in Kids’ Hall.

_{ABOUT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM HOUSTON}

_{Winner of 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, winner of Good Housekeeping’s “Best Family Travel Award” four years in a row (2023 to 2026), voted “Houston’s Best Museum” in Houston Chronicle’s Best of the Best Awards two years in a row (2023 and 2024), winner of Tripadvisor “2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards,” only American continent finalist in 2023 Hands On! Children in Museums International Award, listed among Forbes, LA Times and USA Today’s “Best Children’s Museums in the U.S.,” The Culture Trip’s “Top Museum and Landmark to Visit in Houston” and one of “Houston’s Must-See Museums” by Travel Channel, Children’s Museum Houston isa Playground for Your Mind™.  It is dedicated to improving the trajectories of children in Greater Houston through innovative, child-centered learning. Founded in 1980 and housed in a whimsical building designed by internationally acclaimed architect Robert Venturi, Children’s Museum Houston offers a multitude of innovative exhibits and bilingual learning programs for kids ages birth to 12 years. The Museum is a501(c)(3) organization. SUMMER HOURS are Monday through Sunday from 9a.m. to 5 p.m. from Memorial Day through Aug. 10, 2026.  For more information, visit www.cmhouston.org or call (713) 522-1138.  Can your mind come out to play?™}