Continuing from last weeks’ top pics for summertime fun with your kids, I have a few more of my favorites I’d like to share! Number four on my list of summertime favorites is the Sunflower County Public Library. The county has five different locations to choose from and each one has summertime activities for kids of all ages! There are usually programs including reptiles, science experiments, or arts and crafts depending on the theme your library chooses that year. It is loads of fun, they learn a ton, develop a love for books and the library, and it is entirely free! Most libraries have a summer reading program where kids can earn prizes for books read. Even if your kid is pre-reading age, they can still get points for you reading to them.
Number five goes to the Jim Henson Museum in Leland. Before you underestimate this pick, you may need to delve into your well of creativity. You can begin the morning by showing your favorite Muppet movie to your young, captive audience and then ask them if they would like to see where Kermit was born. Build the excitement. They will just feed off of it! You can really spend some time in the Henson Museum despite its small size. You could even take a trip down the road to the Hobby Lobby in Greenville Mall and get materials to make your own puppet!
This next one, I admit I have never visited. It is the Greenville Cypress Reserve. I discovered it while looking up the one that was in Inverness. While I could not find that one, the one in Greenville looked very appealing. I remember loving going to see the hundred-year-old cypress trees and seeing the creatures that inhabit the forest. You could even create a scavenger hunt ahead of time with different leaf and tree types and different animals and insects. You can see who can find the tallest tree, widest tree, etc. Prizes are a must to keep the excitement going. While you’re there, stop to enjoy a picnic above the forest floor. It will be a memorable experience completely free of charge!
Number seven goes to the Crown in Indianola, Mississippi. When asking my son what he likes to do when visiting, he quickly answered, “Going to the Crown”. This can be an awesome and elegant time to teach your kids some basics in etiquette and how to behave in a restaurant. You can make a whole morning out of it starting with getting dressed in a nice outfit, picking out the right shoes, and fixing hair. Knowing this is the activity of the day helps you not to rush and you can teach them as you are dressing for the outing. You can then go to the Crown and enjoy a delicious Southern lunch topped with dessert and browse their well-stocked shop for a gift for someone.
The final spot I wanted to mention that my children and I both love is downtown Cleveland. This can take an entire day or even two! First, take a stop at the Martin and Sue Railroad Museum. You can spend hours in here! They have an excellently created scavenger hunt for children that is quite challenging for adults as well. Next, grab a coffee or tea at Zoe Coffee for yourself and treat your kids to Delta Dairy for a job well done. My kids also enjoyed the Mathews-Sandes Sculpture Garden at Delta State. There are some great photo ops there and another chance to expose them to some culture and creativity.
I challenge you to not say, “There’s nothing to do around here .” People say that everywhere! It is all about harnessing your creativity and using what is at hand. There are tons of adventures to be had and many are awaiting, even at your back door! Happy summering!
