I remember our first year here in Houston. In the spring all the talk was of the “rodeo.” Rodeo we wondered? What rodeo? Is it really a rodeo, rodeo with all that entails? We quickly found out the answers to all our questions and more when some mommy friends filled me in on all the best that the Houston Livestock and Rodeo has to offer. Not only does it have all you expect to find at a rodeo, but concerts, food, rides and a very special $10 Ticket Wednesday.
This content is brought to you by Rodeo Houston and U.S. Family Guide. All opinions expressed are my own and my family’s.
Value Wednesday Deals
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo provides its guests with world-class entertainment at an incredible value. If you’re on a budget, you won’t want to miss out on the Show’s Value Wednesday deals. Every Wednesday during the Show, adults will only pay $5 to enter NRG Park and seniors, 60 years of age and older, and children, 12 and younger, get in free!
In addition to discounted admission fees, visitors have access to shopping discounts, dining meal deals, and $5 off the purchase of $25 or more at the Official Rodeo Merchandise booths. Value Wednesday discounts vary among vendors and are available at select locations in NRG Center, NRG Arena and NRG Park.
Bring the family out to The Junction Carnival on Value Wednesdays between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to enjoy $2 rides and games. Save at the carnival every day during Show by purchasing half-priced carnival packs, on sale now through Saturday, March 4. The purchase of a half-priced carnival pack provides you with a bundle of ride tickets and refreshment coupons at an incredible value. Plus, each carnival pack includes a $5 off voucher (when you spend $25 or more) valid for use at any of the Official Rodeo Merchandise booths. Visit rodeohouston.com for more information.
Fun for the Entire Family
Grab your kiddos and head over to OXY AGventure, located in in Hall A of NRG Center, to see chicks hatch in the poultry exhibit and baby lambs take their first steps in the birthing center. Watch as wide-eyed children hear farm sounds come to life, right before their eyes!
Allow your kids to get their hands dirty in the horticulture exhibit while digging for worms and learning about the importance of soil composition, vegetation and water conservation in urban and rural agriculture. Before you leave, plant a sunflower seed to take home!
Interact with traditional farm animals, and some exotic ones, too, in the OXY AGventure petting zoo! A fan favorite, the petting zoo is stocked with friendly pygmy goats, pot-bellied pigs and llamas intermingling with excited kiddos with handfuls of yummy, animal-approved treats.
OXY AGventure is equipped with a fully-functioning milking parlor for you to see where milk comes from and learn how it is transported to your local grocery store. Demonstrations begin at 9:30 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends and are given by real-life dairy farmers!
Home to 12 interactive and educational exhibits, OXY AGventure provides both children and adults with a one-of-a-kind learning experience, and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. I love this part of the rodeo. Just think homeschooling parents what your kids can learn in a day at the Oxy AGventure area!
Let your kids run free and catch some vitamin D outside at The Junction! This kid-friendly area of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is located directly behind Rodeo Plaza, near the carnival, and features rides and games designed for the Show’s youngest visitors.
Are your little tikes the competitive type? If so, sign them up for the Pedal Tractor Pull where children ages 4 to 12 years old compete in a pedal-driven tractor driving contest. These little drivers pull sleds behind miniature tractors down the raceway in hopes of out-pedaling their opponents! Competitions begin daily at 11 a.m. with the last performance at 6 p.m. on weekdays and 6:30 p.m. on weekends. The Pedal Tractor Pull is just one of nine attractions in The Junction sure to keep your children engaged throughout the day.
The Junction Carnival is packed with kiddie rides and games around every corner and is open 11 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and 10 a.m. to midnight on weekends. Admission to The Junction Carnival is free with the purchase of an NRG Park grounds pass – ride and game tickets are sold separately.
Meal Options for Kids Across NRG Park
With all the fun that the rodeo has to offer daily, your family may work up quite an appetite. That’s okay, with more than 15 dining vendors offering kid-friendly and affordable meal options, lunchtime is a breeze at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo! From corn dogs, chicken nuggets, and hamburgers to cookies, funnel cakes, and ice cream, there is something on the menu for even the pickiest eater in your bunch.
Meal pricing varies among vendors, but the average kid’s meal costs around $5. Certain vendors offer sweet treats, such as soft-serve ice cream and popsicles, ranging from $2 to $3, and complete meals, including a protein, side, and drink, ranging from $4.75 to $8.75. Look for these meal deals at select vendors scattered throughout Rodeo Plaza and NRG Center – you must inquire about kid-friendly meal deals before ordering.Visit Rodeo Houston online for a complete list of dining options.
Houston Rodeo Tips
Arrive early to make the most of your day at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo! Family-friendly carnival rides, exhibits, attractions and tasty treats are available throughout the NRG Park grounds, starting at 9 a.m. daily during the Show.
Visit rodeohouston.com to purchase pre-sale carnival tickets today and spend more time playing less time in a line!
Download the RODEOHOUSTON mobile app available for iPhone and Android to ensure your family outing to the Show goes off without a hitch! Jam-packed with an interactive scheduling tool, and parking and map information, the mobile app is a must for busy parents who like to plan ahead. Pre-plan and create an agenda personalized to your family’s interests using the “My Schedule” function within the app.
They say everything is bigger in Texas and the Houston Livestock and Rodeo Show is proof of that. Don’t delay get your $10 Wednesday tickets today!
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