Summer is coming quickly, which means kids will be out of school. This may leave you with the question of what can I do with my kids to keep them entertained? That being said, I wanted to create a list of ideas that you can pull from to help prevent the constant barrage of “I’m bored” statements. Thus, here are my ideas for you:
1. Go to the Beach
If you and your family like the beach, you should visit the Mississippi Gulf Coast. For more information on planning your trip, check out this page.
2. Visit Gulf Islands Waterpark
This waterpark in Gulfport opens the week of May 22. The website to help you plan your trip can be found right here. On top of the wild rides and the lazy river, it has slides and attractions suited for the little ones as well!
3. Try Summer Camp
There are some great options for summer camps on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. For ideas, check out this article, which highlights summer camps across the coast. That article was written in 2019, so definitely do some digging or make some calls to be sure the camp is still going on for this upcoming summer.
4. Visit the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center for Children
They have lots to do here! For example, they have indoor exhibits for kids of different ages. On the first floor, there is an art studio where they have various art projects that relate to current holidays, historical events, or some activity going on in the museum. I also love that they have a place on the first floor where kids can play the role of a caring vet, which gives them a better idea of what happens when their own pet is taken to the vet. There is also a second floor with even more exhibits such as a history hotel, as well as an area that explores scientific concepts. This center also includes fun outdoor exhibits and other programs such as kids cooking classes. Visit their website right here.
5. Plan a Visit to Ocean Adventures Marine Park
They have plenty to do and see here! For example, there are summer camps, dolphin interactions, stingray encounters, and many more possibilities! Click here to find out more.
6. Visit a Park or Splash pad
There are great parks and splash pads all across the Mississippi Gulf Coast. To locate all of the parks and splash pads, click here.
7. Visit the Aquarium
The new Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport has plenty of animals to see such as dolphins, alligators, birds, stingrays, otters, and of course, fish! They do have a daily schedule (which is subject to change) that can include an aviary feed and chat, meet a biologist, a narrated training session, and “close encounters of the aquatic kind.” They also have summer camps that are geared towards children between the ages of 7-12, where they can explore rivers, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Mississippi Sound (both in and out of the classroom).
Final Thoughts on Fun Summer Activities
I hope this list helps and that you have a great summer. Have fun and stay safe this summer!
