STATE PARKS
Lefleur’s Bluff State Park/Mayes Lake Campground
2140 Riverside Drive, Jackson MS 39202, 601-987-3985, Camping: 601-987-3923, Golf: 601-362-5485, Museum: 601-354-7303 http://home.mdwfp.com/parks.aspx
In addition to camping, fishing, picnic spots, and nature trails, this 305-acre park features a nine-hole golf course and a driving range. Other amenities include golf villas, a large playground, boat launching, fishing, disc golf, and a natural science museum.
Holmes County State Park
5369 State Park Road, Durant MS 39063, 662-653-3351, http://home.mdwfp.com/parks.aspx
The beautiful hardwood forests of Holmes County State Park hosts both developed and tent campers, as well as guests who prefer vacation cabins. Other amenities include food service, nature trails, playgrounds, boat launching, fishing, and even Sunday worship services.
Roosevelt State Park
2149 Highway 13 South, Morton MS 39117, 601-732-6316, http://home.mdwfp.com/parks.aspx
This park has a pool with a big, curvy water slide, although an extra fee is charged here! Other kid-friendly amenities include a playground, animal viewing locations, a video game room, a souvenir shop, nature trails, a well-lit softball field, tennis courts, and a lake for fishing and boating.
Golden Memorial State Park
Highway 492 East, Walnut Grove, MS, http://home.mdwfp.com/parks.aspx
This is not a park for camping, but it would make a nice day-trip. Golden Memorial State Park memorializes a post civil War, one-room school once located on the site. Picnic tables, grills, 2 picnic pavilions, nature trails, and a 15-acre spring-fed lake stocked with bass and bream make it a pleasant place to hang out. Kids can fish from a large pier, or you may rent small fishing boats on site.
Lake Lincoln State Park
2573 Sunset Road North East, Wesson MS 39191, 601-643-9044, http://home.mdwfp.com/parks.aspx
At Lake Lincoln, guests may camp in cabins, tents, or RV’s. Boating, fishing, hiking, swimming and disc golf are some of the amenities this park has to offer.
Leroy Percy
Hollandale MS 38748, 662-827.5436, http://home.mdwfp.com/parks.aspx
Guests may lodge in tents, RV’s or cabins at Leroy Percy State Park. It is the oldest of Mississippi’s state parks, and offers guests the opportunity to view alligators in their natural habitat. Other amenities include a restaurant, a snack bar, fishing, nature trails, a playground, a volleyball court, disc golf, and hunting.
WATER PARKS
Geyser Falls Water Theme Park
209 Black Jack Road, Choctaw, MS 39350, 601-389-3100, www.geyserfalls.com
Hours: Mon – Sat, 10:30 – 6:00, Sun, 12:00 – 6:00
Season Ends August 1
Rates: Adults: $34.99, Kids: $24.99, 3 and under free, season passes and group
rates available.
Geyser Falls is a very large, fun water park near the Pearl River Resort and Philadelphia, MS. The prices are a bit higher than other Mississippi water parks, but it reflects the variety offered. This is a park you will want to devote a full day to.
Grand Paradise Water Park
50 Grandview Drive, Collins, MS39428
601-765-8488, www.grandparadisewaterpark.com
Hours: Mon – Sat, 10:00 – 6:00, Sun, 12:30 – 6:00
This is a medium-sized water park, and is priced accordingly. Grand Paradise tickets are $24.00 for adults and $20.00 for children over 3. Younger children get in free. Discounts are offered for military personal, people in large groups, or for those who wish to enjoy more than one consecutive day at the park. Season passes are available for $100.00. Grand Paradise also offers options for lockers and cabana rentals for an additional fee.
Flint Creek Water Park
1216 Parkway, Wiggins, MS 39577
601-928-3051, Water Town Hours: Mon – Fri, 10:00 – 5:00, Saturday, 10:00 – 6:00, Sunday, 12:00 – 6:00,Water Town Rates: Up to $7.50 (Kids, Observers, Sunbathers less)
Offering vacation cabins, camphouses, and areas for fishing, picnicking, boating, hiking, skiing, and a small water slide park called Water Town. Aluminum boat rentals are available.
Pep’s Point Water Park
382 Pep’s Point Road, Hattiesburg, MS 39401, 601-582 – 8461
Hours: Daily 10:00 – 6:00
Rates: $11.00 for adults, 3 & 4 year olds are half price, 2 and under are free
Pep’s Point is offers families swimming, water slides, canoes, paddle boats, rope swings, arcade, putt putt golf, and picnic tables. You may bring your own floats, or rent them there. The staff is friendly, and the park is small, but clean.
Okatibbee Water Park
9283 Pine Springs Rd., Meridian, MS 39301
601-737-2370
Splashdown Country Hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs, 12:00 – 5:00, Friday, 12:00 – 6:00, Sat & Sun, 11:00 – 6:00, CLOSED TUESDAYS, Splashdown Country Rates: Up to $8.50
This small water park has primitive campsites, developed campsites, vacation cabins, and a motel. Entertainment options include fishing, boating, skiing, hiking, picnicking, and swimming at the main attraction: Splashdown Country! Splashdown offers adult and child-sized waterslides with lifeguards.
Gulf Islands Water Park
17200 16th Street, Gulfport, MS39503, 1-866-485-3386
www.gulfislandswaterpark.com, Hours: Daily, 10:00 – 6:00
Rates: Adults $27.95, Children $19.95, 2 & under free.
This is a large water/theme park offering discounts for groups, consecutive days, half days, senior citizens, military families, and season passes. There is also a coupon available on the website for those purchasing season passes. There is live music every Sunday in August, and the season ends in September.
OTHER PLACES FOR KIDS
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort
143 Campground Road, Pelahatchie, MS39145, 601-854-6859
www.jellystonems.com
Jellystone Park is one of Mississippi’s best kept secrets. Facilities include campsites, cabins, fishing lakes, water park, playgrounds, beach, arcade, clubhouse, mini-golf, outdoor theater, restaurant, tennis courts, and more! Think of Jellystone as the sort of place our state parks aspire to be. It is more expensive than the state parks, but well worth the extra money.
Natchez Trace Scenic Trails
2680 Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo, MS 38804, 1-800-305-7417, www.nps.gov/natt
If you are looking for interesting places to hike with your kids, the Natchez Trace offers footpaths in Rocky Springs, Tupelo, and Ridgeland in Mississippi. I highly recommend the Rocky Springs trail for its plethora of historical landmarks.
Ross Barnett Reservoir
Ridgeland, MS39158, 601-856 – 6574
www.therez.ms
There is more to the reservoir than what you see off of the spillway. Visit this website to see all of the Reservoir’s options and locations for camping, fishing, swimming, hiking, golfing, picnicking, hunting, and more!
Copiah Creek Campground and Recreation
1114 Peachtree Road, Georgetown, MS 39078, 601-209-0727, www.copiahcreekcampground.com/home.html
Hours: Friday – Sunday Only, No riding after 10:30 pm
This campground is located on a creek and offers RV sites or places to pitch a tent. But, what makes this campground worth mentioning is that for a small fee, you may bring and ride your ATV’s!
Palestine Gardens
201 Palestine Gardens Road, Lucedale, MS 39452
601-947-8422, www.palestinegardens.org/
Hours: Tues – Fri, 9:00 – 4:00, Sat, 9:00 – 5:00, Sun, 1:00 – 4:00
Guests may walk a quarter of a mile in Jesus’ footsteps through this miniature replica of the Holy Land. There are benches available for a rest along the way, and golf carts are provided for those with special needs. There is a gift shop, a drink machine, and a picnic area. Admission is FREE!
Mississippi Museum of Natural Science
2148 Riverside Drive, Jackson, MS 39202, 601-354-7303
www.msnaturalscience.org
Hours: Mon, Fri 8:00 – 5:00, Sat, 9:00 – 5:00, Sun, 1:00 – 5:00
Rates: Adults $5.00, Kids $3.00, 3 and under free.
This museum is an entertaining blend of playground (indoor and outdoor), aquarium, nature trail, animal observatory, and traditional exhibit museum in one. It is a hands-on museum and perfect for kids of all ages.
Pump it Up
1576 Old Fannin Road, Brandon, MS 39047
601-992-5866, www.pumpitupparty.com
Rates: $7.00 per child
Hours: Pop-In play times change, so you should visit the website for current listings.
Pump it up is a giant room filled with inflatable jumping toys. The facility is used mainly for parties, but there are certain times set aside for general playing.
The Play Place
647 Hwy 51, Suite B, Ridgeland, MS 39157, 601-856-5296
www.theplayplacems.net, Hours: Tues – Fri, 10:00 – 2:00, Rates: $5.00 per child
This is an indoor play land for babies, toddlers, and young children. It also has a mini-boutique/gift shop and a snack bar.
Gatti Town
722 Lake Harbour Drive, Ridgeland, MS 39157, 601-605-9191
www.gattispizza.com/location/ridgeland/index
Hours: Sun – Thurs, 11:00am – 9:00 pm, Fri – Sat, 11:00am – 10:00 pm
Rates: $3.00 – $6.99 (based on age) plus the cost of a drink. Three & under free
Gattitown is a pizza buffet/huge gaming facility for children. Party packages are available. Adults must also purchase a buffet to enter.
Mississippi Farmers Market
High Street, Jackson, MS, 601-624-6876, Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 8:00am – 2:00, Rates: FREE
There is more to the Farmer’s Market than stalls with fruit and vegetables, although that is part of it. Bring your kids on a Saturday to enjoy live music, live cooking, craftsman, vendors, baked goods, and other specialty items. There will also be a special Kids Day in August, exact date TBA. The farmer’s market offers a family friendly environment and an on-site restaurant opened 6 days per week for both breakfast and lunch.
THINGS TO DO AT HOME
Make an Enchanted Garden
Add jewels to plain mulch, paint and glitter birdhouses and glue moss to roofs to make perfect fairy houses, string Christmas lights into bushes, paint rocks or stones and place in a circular fairy ring, create whimsical wind chimes using household items like silverware, jewelry, office supplies, and anything that is shiny or jingly, sprinkle glitter on the grass. Guaranteed to attract fairies!
Make a Beach Inside
Don’t let bad weather spoil your plans for summer fun! Fill a large pan or other container with oatmeal, add spoons for shovels, forks for rakes, and cups for pails and enjoy. Want to take your indoor beach one step further? Fill the bath tub with water and blue food coloring. Add ball-pit balls or other toys, throw in some goggles, and your kids have their own indoor pool (Warning, swimming suits may absorb the blue dye)! You may also like to encourage your child’s creativity with boat-building using common household products like plastic bowls, straws, napkins, travel containers, etc… They can test each one for seaworthiness in the pool!
Have a Summer Festival
Food: Watermelon, hot-dogs, burgers, chips, homemade ice cream, snow cones.
Games: Kick the Can (This is hide-n-seek with a twist. For rules and instructions:
http://guidezone.e-guiding.com/kickcan.htm ), Spotlight (This is basically a game of tag with a flashlight), Nature Scavenger Hunt, Watermelon Spitting Contest, Bug Hunt, kickball.
Entertainment: Family talent show, Bicycle parade, sock puppet show, karaoke (with or without a machine: our family uses a CD player and a spoon for a microphone), storytime, face painting (tip: use rubber stamps and washable paint).
Have a Neighborhood Sale
Help children set up a stand to sell products to neighborhood folks. Products could include lemonade, baked goods, jewelry, paintings, dog-walking services (just drop the dog off), etc… The key is to allow the children to create and market the products. They will learn and have fun at the same time!
LOCAL EVENTS: JULY
Canton Hot Air Balloon Race, July 4
601-859-4358
50 Hot Air Balloons, Carnival Rides, Fireworks, Concessions
Ice Cream Safari at the Jackson Zoo
601-352-2581, www.jacksonzoo.com
Join local celebrities as they indulge in custom-made “animal-flavored” ice creams like Chinchilla Vanilla, Beary Cherry, and Cheetah Chip Cookie Dough while visiting the animal exhibits.
Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration at the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Museum
601-713-3365, www.mdac.state.ms.us
Pony rides, train rides, carousel rides, games, prizes, free watermelon, live music, and other kid’s activities.
Family 4th Celebration, Liberty Park in Madison
601-853-9109, Jo Luby contact
Live music, fireworks, watermelon, and lemonade.
LOCAL EVENTS: AUGUST
Bright Lights, Belhaven Nights
601-352-8850
Carlisle Street in Belhaven will be ‘lit up’ between the English Village Shopping Center and the New Stage Theater. Festivities include art, vendors, children’s activities, one-act plays, and musical performances.
Mississippi Wildlife Extravaganza at the Mississippi Trade Mart
601-354-7051
This is the state’s largest wildlife trade show, attracting hunters, fishermen, and other outdoor enthusiasts from all over.
