July 2nd - July 5th in Canton, Miss! This event will have  a "Launch Party", Balloon Glow, a Competition Flight, Kids Fun Area, Skydiving Team and much more!  Visit www.ballooncanton.com for more information.

This is a fundraiser to benefit The Good Samaritan Center, and non-profit social service agency helping families in emergency crisis situations. For more information, visit www.goodsamaritancenter.org.  

The American Heart Association will host the 2009 Go Healthy Challenge at Metrocenter Mall, Saturday August 1 from 10am–1pm. Families will be encouraged to complete healthy challenges to receive a backpack, school supplies and a chance to win a Nintendo Wii game system, MP3 player, and Metrocenter Mall gift cards. The challenges will include an obstacle course, interactive video games, healthy food tasting, jumping rope and more.

Due to a snafu on our part, the June 2009 coloring contest is just now up on the site.  Click the link for instructions on how, where and when to send in your child's entry.  Since it's already so close to the typical end-of-month deadline for entries, we have extended the deadline for the June 2009 contest through July 17, 2009.

Entrée Vous

Need something cool, fun and educational to do this summer? Why not check out the Russell C. Davis Planetarium. The kids will have the time of their life learning about the Solar System, music and Prehistoric Sea Monsters!

When a missing child alert is sounded most people conjure up images of a stranger sneaking into a home and abducting a child, or snatching a child from a park. The reality is most missing child cases are the result of parental abductions or runaways.

Every summer, Montreal comes alive when Just For Laughs – The Montreal International Comedy Festival takes the city by storm. Taking place from July 16 to 26, 2009 the festival is THE PLACE for the funniest most hilarious, most entertaining and most original comedy the world has to offer.

The Festival consists of 1,700 of comedy’s most talented artists, with 1,250 of them participating in FREE outdoor activities suitable for the entire family!

 Exclusive indoor shows feature side-splitting comedy performed by the most talented comics from around the world, while one-of-a-kind Gala series showcases Hollywood’s superstars.

The Priceless Legacy Company released its annual list of “Nine Questions Everyone Should Ask of Their Father List.”

Too many people procrastinate asking their father some simple questions. They do so at their peril. So this Father’s Day, ask your Dad these simple questions and record the answers if you can.

This new, fun-filled class will involve storytelling and foods associated with each enchanting tale.  The class will be held Tuesday, July 7th at 10:00 a.m.  Registration for each child is only $15.  Children are required to be accompanied by a parent/adult.  The parent’s admission is free.

Each child will visit three stations around the room.  Each of the stations will tell a different story and supply a fun food to go along with the story.  Kids are encouraged to dress as their favorite character.  

Space is limited and reservations are required.  For more information, please call the SCHF office at 601-631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org.

Mon.-Fri June 15-19

Kid's Camp at the Old Capitol Museum. 8:30am-noon. Rising 4th, 5th and 6th graders will spend a week learning about Jackson's historic sites-Old Capitol Museum, Governer's Mansion, Manship House and Welty House. For more information contact the Museum Division at 601-576-6800.

In the midst of tough and uncertain economic times, more than 23,000 students have made a decision to pay money out of their own pockets in order to help improve living conditions for people across the United States and Canada.

Major Scales Studios, known for instilling children with a drive and desire to succeed musically, has added to its musical regimen—It will now be a offering quality instruction in voice, as well as piano, trumpet, music theory, ear training, computer lab.

We have extended our Family Favorites 2009 survey through May 25, 2009.  If you haven't yet voted for your favorite local businesses in our survey, now's your chance to do so and be eligible to win prizes while doing so!  Being voted one of the best businesses in the Jackson Metro area is a terrific honor for any business, so support your favorites by voting today.

The State of Mississippi has a 24-hour, 7 days a week hotline for reporting child abuse within the state. Mandatory and voluntary reporters should be mindful of this resource. If you have witnessed or suspect any type of abuse of a child in the state of Mississippi, please call 1-800-222-8000.

Today’s sluggish economy is forcing many parents to make difficult decisions – choosing between working or looking for work and making unsafe, unreliable arrangements for their children. 

On Saturday, April 18, the Metropolitan YMCAs of Mississippi invites the Jackson community to participate in YMCA Healthy Kids® Day, the nation’s largest health day for children and families, at LeFleur’s Bluff State Park from 10AM-2PM.  YMCA Healthy Kids Day includes fun, engaging and creative activities for children and families and promotes year-long wellness and healthy living.  YMCA Healthy Kids Day events are free and open to all. 

With April just around the corner again, it’s time to turn our focus on Pinwheels for Prevention, a program aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect in Mississippi.  The YMCA and Prevent Child Abuse in America (PCA) are once again teaming up to promote awareness.

Does your child say the darnedest things?  Here's your chance to share your child's pearls of wisdom with the world, while qualifying for a chance to win prizes!  Our new Mommy Quotes feature gives you the chance to ask your child our "Mommy Quotes" question of the month and share your child's answer with us.  Hilarious?  Insightful?  Brutally honest?  Poignant?  We want to hear them all.  So head on over to the Mommy Quotes entry form to see our question for the month and enter your child's answer to it.  Make especially sure to fill in the email text box, because that's how we get in contact with you if you win a prize (we absolutely do not use it for any other purpose than that).

For future reference, we've also provided a link to the page in the navigation menu to the left of this page.  Have fun, and good luck!

 Friday-Sunday

April 10-12

Egg Hunt. Fri. 3pm-7pm; Sat. and Sun. from 11am-3pm, Bass Pro Shops on Bass Pro Boulevard. Kids get their free picture taken with the Easter Bunny! There will be an Easter Egg Hunt for kids, six and under, and a Scavenger Hunt for ages seven-seventeen. Visit www.bassproshops.com for more information.

 Here's your chance to vote for your favorite local businesses as well as win prizes while you're at it!  The Parents & Kids 2009 Family Favorites Poll has begun.  Make your entry before the April 27, 2009 deadline, and make sure to read the instructions carefully to ensure you have a valid entry.

 Fun things to do for Spring Break!

March is National Nutrition Month - a perfect time to make heart-healthy changes to your diet for you and your family. It's never too early - or too late to start learning about eating right and being physically active. Fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins, minerals and fiber, which are an important part of keeping you healthy.

Parents, now more than ever, will be looking for ways to save – even raise – money to pay for their child’s education.

What is going on at Broad Street???

What’s with all the construction, the wall and the porta-potties?
 
“Houston.  We have a problem.”

Take a tour of the Solar System at the Russell C. Davis Planetarium!

Central Mississippi Medical Center and Eric Thomas, MD, are offering a free Hip and Knee Joint Pain seminar on Wednesday, March 4 from Noon–1pm in the Doctors Dining Room at the hospital which is located at 1850 Chadwick Drive in Jackson, MS.

Parents, now more than ever, will be looking for ways to save – even raise – money to pay for their child’s education.
 
As part of its mission to help make college more achievable, Upromise is giving anyone – student, parent, grandparent or graduate a chance to tell their tuition tale for a chance to win $30,000 for higher education expenses.

 Feb. 1-7 is Burn Awareness Week, and during this week, Shriners Hospitals for Children will kick-off a year-long campaign focused on preventing gasoline burn injuries. A special Web site has been developed for the campaign, www.burnawarenessweek.org.

On Saturday, February 7, 2009, the Jackson Friends of the Library, in partnership with the Russell C. Davis Planetarium, will present two FREE films for kids and kids at heart based on books by Willie Morris at the Russell C. Davis Planetarium.

Find the perfect summer camp for your children from your warm and cozy house, because we've done the legwork for you!  Our Virtual Camp Fair page is up, featuring information on the best summer camps in Mississippi.  There will be more camps featured as time goes on, so check back often to learn about your camp options for this summer.

A great event for all male role models, not just dads!

While February, American Heart Month, brings to mind thoughts of Valentine’s Day and images of hearts and love, the heart is much more than a symbol. The human heart is a vital organ that pumps blood and delivers nutrients and oxygen to the brain and body. Good heart health is achieved through proper nutrition, regular physical activity, sufficient hydration and adequate sleep. That is why the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) encourages your family to get your hearts in shape with heart healthy ideas and activities that can improve your well being for a lifetime.

Don't miss this exciting and fun program!

For Kids, the Flu Can Be Severe, Even Deadly
Children’s Flu Vaccination Day—December 9:  Reminder to Get Kids Vaccinated.

Christmas Celebration at Morrison Heights Baptist Church.

Great tips for dealing with holiday stress.

So, Twilight was released on Friday …
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Sorry. There are some teenage girls in here who won’t shut up about Edward …
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EDWARD OMG OMG OMG SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
ANYWAY. Apparently every high school in Annapolis was missing its female students Friday afternoon, because they were all at the 1:40 showing of Twilight …
TWILIGHT WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
OK, they’re gone.

 Hearing that there is a series of books that moms and daughters have not only been reading together but actually devouring, I was curious. Pairs would pre-order the next book, stand in line at midnight to receive their latest installment and rush home to spend the next few days together totally consumed in the story. I had to learn more about these books.  (OK, I know that if you have already read the books you will be rolling your eyes with my choice of words, devouring and consumed. I just couldn’t resist.)

Join thousands of people and organizations across the country to celebrate the connections they have with their family and communities.

  5 Tips Teens Can Use to Overcome Challenges, Focus on Strengths

Want to have some fun carving pumpkins without all the mess? Here's an easy way to let your child express his pumpkin carving skills without dealing with all that gooey stuff! (Adults can experiment, too!)  Just go to www.cubpack81.com/images/carve_pumpkin.swf 

Saturday, November 15, 2008 |  9am to Noon  |  Forestry Auditorium, Miss. Ag & Forestry Museum | 1150 Lakeland Drive | Jackson

Discover tips and strategies to reduce energy costs in your home

Hear exciting speakers and meet the owner of a solar home

Learn about solar and renewable energy, sustainable bet practices, recyclng and other conservation practices

Sponsored by the Mississippi Developement Authority

Presented by the Energy Division and The Soil & Water Conservation Districts of Hinds and Madison Counties

Take a Ride Around the World with cowboys on horseback as they gallop through South America, Canada, and the United States on an unbroken trail that stretches back 1,500 years. Learn about life on the ranch and the role of horses in everyday life.

Being obese is no longer about how bad it looks, it's about how bad it is for you. Local groups are teaming up to fight obesity. Children and parents will learn healthy eating habits and fun ways to exercise from a couple of Hall of Famers. Healthy eating habits and exercise are good for the heart, body and soul.

"I'll ask my dad about that at dinner tonight." This is a phrase you rarely hear anymore and it's not because of a lack of communication. It's because families just don't sit down to eat together as often as they used to. By missing this family affair, many children are missing great benefits, including child-parent bonding.
 

Due to the high volume of requests that the Russell C. Davis Planetarium has received in the last few days from hurricane evacuees residing in local hotels, they are pleased to announce that they will offer FREE Sky Tours immediately following each scheduled showing of Dinosaurs Alive! to all patrons beginning today through Sunday, September 7, 2008. 
 
The schedule for the Free Sky Tours is: 

• Tuesday - Friday, 12:45 PM, 2:45 PM
• Friday & Saturday, 8:15 PM
• Saturday - Sunday, 2:45 PM, 4:45 PM

Please share this information with friends, family, and visitors that you know who are temporarily residing in Jackson, MS until the inclement weather passes over.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation and please welcome our neighbors from Louisiana, the MS Gulf Coast, and Alabama.

For More Information:
 
Russell C. Davis Planetarium. 201 E. Pascagoula St., Jackson. Film and laser show admissions are Adult $6.50, Senior $5.50, Child 3-12 $4. Sky show admissions are Adult $5.50, Senior $4.50, Child 3-12 $3. Group and back-to-back discounts are available on all shows. Call 601-960-1550 or visit www.thedavisplanetarium.com . Programs, show times, and admission prices may change without notice.

The WellsFest Preview Party--your chance to view the outstanding collection of art to be auctioned off during WellsFest--will be September 16th from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the Mississippi Crafts Center (just off the Natchez Trace in Ridgeland.)  This is a change from the original date.  Wellsfest is scheduled for Saturday, September 27th and begins with a 5k Fun Run & Walk, then festivities begin at 10am for a full day of family friendly, alcohol free fun.

The August-September 2008 issue of Parents & Kids Magazine is now online.  This back-to-school issue is packed with all sorts of informative articles, covering topics ranging from choosing after-school activities to helping your children do better in school.

If you are trying to locate activities to suit your child's schedule, abilities and interests, We have updated our After-School Resources article with up-to-date info on the best after-school activities in the Jackson Metro and surrounding areas.  If you're looking for a fun or educational (or both!) activity for your child to participate in after school, this is the resource for you.

A month ago our very own Martha Miller, the author of our online Living Greenly series, was challenged by her local news station to survive on a tank of gas for a whole month. How did she do? Watch the video at the link below to find out (hint: awesome job, Martha!).

Continuing in the same vein as the previous news item but with a more general scope is the following information from Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Jackson, providing tips on how to get your children ready for school without breaking the bank.

Back-to-school time is a hectic and stressful time.  If you are in need of information, supplies, etc., related to getting your children ready to return to school, you can find a wealth of that in this informational document sent to us by Consumer Credit Counseling Service.

The third article in our Jackson Metro Area School District Feature Issue is now posted.  This article features the Hinds County School Disctrict.

We've received some info from Jackson Public Schools that you might find helpful in preparing your children to go back to school in a few weeks.  Follow the link to read the back-to-school info from Jackson Public Schools.

The second article in our Jackson Metro Area School District Feature Issue is now posted.  This article features the Clinton Public School Disctrict.

Martha Miller, the author of our online Living Greenly series, is featured in this news video from KEYE 42 News in Austin, TX.  In it she describes some of the ways that her family saves on gas, and at the end she accepts the challenge to survive a whole month on a 10-gallon tank of gas.  Wow!  Good luck, Martha.  We look forward to seeing the follow-up report in a month!

The July 2008 coloring contest is now up on the Contests page.

The Jackson Metro Area School District Feature Issue is now posted.  This is an online-only feature that we're running from now through August.  Each week we will feature another school district from the Jackson, MS Metro Area, so make sure to check back every week.  The first feature is on the Canton Public School Disctrict.