St. Patrick’s Day is one of those holidays that doesn’t require a big production, but it still feels magical when you add a few thoughtful touches.
You don’t need a parade or an elaborate leprechaun setup to make March 17th feel special. (But I HAVE included parade details below if that’s what you’re looking for!) Sometimes it’s just green pancakes before school, a silly scavenger hunt in the backyard, or letting your kids pick out their “lucky” outfit for the day.
Once parents begin to understand that progress doesn’t always move quickly, another question naturally follows.
How do I know my child is really growing?
Have you visited Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens yet?
If you’ve been around here for any length of time, you know I’m such a fan of the gardens. It’s one of those peaceful places that instantly helps you exhale. Even though we have so many beautiful spots in The Woodlands, I still find myself happily making the short drive to Humble to wander these paths and to snap photos throughout the year.
It also happens to sit right next to the Boettcher Branch Library, which I’ve become more familiar with recently thanks to their wonderful children’s programming, including options for homeschoolers. Pair a garden walk with a library stop, and you’ve got yourself the sweetest kind of day!
Mercer truly shines in the spring when everything is in full bloom, so now is the perfect time to make plans to visit. But even in winter (yes, it’s still currently winter; I’m writing this article on March 1), it’s lovely, calm, quiet, and reflective. (The photos here prove it!) You’ll find charming water features, a fairy garden, a Shakespeare garden, little bridges tucked throughout the property, and my personal favorite – the beautiful Storey Lake. It’s a peaceful oasis, the kind of place where you can sit, think, pray, journal, or simply enjoy the stillness. (If you Google this lake, you’ll see that some people have spotted water moccasin snakes here – which might already be expected at this kind of place – but I feel it’s my duty to mention it here so you can be aware.)
Founded by Thelma and Charles Mercer and preserved as a Harris County park in 1974, Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens is a 393-acre natural treasure. The east side features 60 acres of themed gardens filled with vibrant plant collections, while the west side offers scenic forest trails, the Jake Roberts Maple Collection, and unique natural areas like the Bald Cypress Swamp.
Over the years, the gardens have become a sweet space for my family to learn and grow. Mercer offers an abundance of free educational programs like gardening seminars, guided tours, STEM lessons, nature hikes, Tai Chi classes, and even activities designed just for toddlers and preschoolers.
It’s the kind of place you can visit again and again, and each time feels a little different.
You can explore all of their free indoor and outdoor activities each month here:
https://www.pct3.com/Explore/Mercer-Arboretum-Botanic-Gardens
If you go this spring, take your time. Wander slowly. Let the kids explore. Sit by the lake a little longer than you planned. Spring really is coming, and Mercer is one of the prettiest places to watch it unfold.
Mercer Botanic Gardens is located at 22306 Aldine Westfield Road in Humble, and it’s a 17-minute drive from The Woodlands Mall.
Homeschool Day is coming up at Moody Gardens, Houston’s Downtown Aquarium, The Health Museum, George Ranch Historical Park, and Space Center Houston!
It’s a blessing to be able to leave the house and have fun with other local homeschoolers. And you don’t have to be part of an organized homeschool group or co-op to take advantage of many of the opportunities available throughout the Greater Houston area. Take these upcoming Homeschool Days, for example. All you do is register and show up! If you need a field trip for your little one, with a built-in chance to meet other local homeschooling families, check out the following:
MONTHLY - Learn Wild! Homeschool Program at Moody Gardens
Enjoy a focused educational experience each month with different combinations of elements to explore a featured attraction, ambassador animal presentations, and documentary movies. Plus, you'll engage with Moody Gardens' Educators in walk-up hands-on activities. MORE DETAILS: https://www.moodygardens.com/educate/forkids
Upcoming Dates:
February 28, 2026 - Homeschool Day at Washington-on-the-Brazos
Join in for a fun and educational Homeschool Day celebrating Texas Independence Day at Washington-on-the-Brazos! Bring your students for a hands-on, immersive history experience featuring:
- Live sideshow acts at Barrington Plantation — including a fire breather!
- Interactive history activities at the Star of the Republic Museum.
- Historic Timeline of the Texas Revolution, with historic sites from across Texas sharing stories and artifacts
- Food trucks on-site with options available for purchase.
This free event is designed especially for homeschool families and offers engaging, age-appropriate learning in a historic setting.
Contact Jordan Lucier at
March 19, 2026 - Homeschool Adventure Day @ Big Rivers
Homeschoolers and their families are invited to enjoy special discounted admission on during Adventure Day at Big Rivers! Spend the day exploring exciting dry attractions, classic fairground rides, and aerial adventures like Cougar Climb and Raccoon Run — all included with admission. For even more thrills, Falcon Flight and Eagle Challenge will be available for an additional charge. Please note: This is not a private event — just exclusive pricing for the homeschool community to enjoy a full day of adventure and fun together!
Click here for more details.
March 25, 2026 – Homeschool Day @ Kemah Boardwalk (12:00pm – 4:00pm)
Homeschool students and their families can enjoy an educational day full of thrills.
MORE DETAILS: https://www.kemahboardwalk.com/homeschool-day
March 16, 2026 – Homeschool Nature Day @ Jesse H. Jones Park
Join in for a Nature Field Trip in the park. Meet by the stage near the entrance gate to the park at for a guided tour through the trails trails. Learn about native flora and fauna, discuss conservation and what it looks like at Jones Park, and visit some of the most favorite spots. Stay afterwards for a picnic at the playground (on the west side of the park) with friends and families. You'll be hiking on gravel, grass, mulch, and sandy trails; wagons/strollers encouraged for younger audiences. Remember your reusable water bottle.
MORE DETAILS: https://lonestarflight.org/learn/home-school-families-now-boarding/
February 27, 2026 – Homeschool Day @ George Ranch Historical Park
Tour 4 historic homes, see live blacksmith demonstrations and a cattle demonstration with ranch cowboys, and participate in structured class rotations including a ferry-crossing demo and a one-room schoolhouse lesson. Of course, there’s time for a picnic lunch (pack your own) as your explore 100 years of Texas history.
2026 upcoming dates
https://www.georgeranch.org/plan-a-visit/home-schoolers/
MONTHLY – Homeschool Day at Space Center Houston
You and your student will learn about space exploration and engage in an unforgettable day of inspiring STEM activities, plus you’ll have an extra hour to explore the center before it’s open to the public. Additional Dates: November 15, 2024; December 13, 2024 .MORE DETAILS: https://spacecenter.org/event/home-school-day/
Upcoming Dates:
Homeschool Days at The Learning Zoo
Join The Learning Zoo for safe and educational hands-on encounters and have all of your reptilian questions answered by a professional zookeeper. Complimentary Craft Table & Scavenger Hunt Provided -Event will be held outside. Capacity is limited, so be sure to get your tickets today! Pre purchased tickets for this event are required. Everyone over the age of 12 months will require a ticket. Both adults and students must purchase a ticket for entry.
Upcoming Dates:
Homeschool Book Recommendation - Homeschool Adventures
Homeschooling gives us the freedom to use the world as our classroom, this book gives you a logical plan for doing so. In this book, Melissa Calapp explains the research behind using adventures as learning, how to get the most out of them, plan them, and overcome excuses not to go. The second half of Homeschool Adventures: Learning Through the Power of Field Trips includes lists of places to go for your circumstance whether that is large families, just teens, children in special circumstances and many more. 
We wish you a great year homeschooling!
*If you make a purchase using an affiliate link in this post, we might receive a small commission at no cost to you.
Meet Beloved Tutoring, a local service that offers one-on-one tutoring and homeschool instruction in Magnolia, Texas. Beloved Tutoring was founded in 2020 by educator, business owner and mom, Erin Schlueter and is one of the only tutoring groups in the area with a certified special education teacher. Beloved welcomes neurotypical and non-neurotypical learners.
Trade the everyday for island vibes at Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake Conroe | Houston this Spring Break. From Friday, March 6, through Sunday, March 22, 2026, the resort delivers two unforgettable weeks of live entertainment, interactive activities, and family-friendly programming, making it the ideal Spring Break destination.
At some point, many homeowners notice that everyday things at home don’t feel quite as easy as they once did. Reaching upper cabinets, stepping in and out of the shower, moving through dim hallways, or keeping up with constant maintenance starts to take more effort than it should. These are small moments, but over time, they add up and quietly affect how comfortable a home feels day to day.
