Spring and summer on the Mississippi Gulf Coast have a rhythm all their own. The days stretch longer. The humidity settles in. And suddenly, every parent is asking the same question: What are we going to do with these kids?
Here’s a Coast-grown bucket list: 25 ideas for families with little ones, big kids and everyone in between. Some you may know well, and others might become your new favorite Saturday tradition.
1. Wild Acres Hands-On Animal Experience
If you have an animal lover, this hands-on wildlife experience in McHenry lets kids get surprisingly close to everything from monkeys to big cats. (wildacresms.com)
2. Emmay Mochi Donuts & Claw Kingdom
In D’Iberville, you’ll find chewy mochi donuts next to a giant room of claw machines and a huge variety of Asian snacks. (facebook.com/EmmayHero)
3. Pine Hills Nursery
This plant nursery in Pass Christian doubles as a mini animal encounter, with goats, birds and a playground built in memory of their beloved alligator. (pinehillsnursery.com)
4. Wild Ones Playroom
A Montessori-inspired indoor play space in Gulfport for ages 0–8, Wild Ones is especially helpful on those 100-degree afternoons when outside isn’t an option. (wildonesplayroom.com)
5. Snow Boogers
This snowball stand in Perkinston features a playground, live music nights and wildly creative flavors. (snowboogers.com)
6. Hippie Fish
Inside Centennial Plaza, this two-story arcade, Gulf-side mini golf spot and surprisingly good eatery is open to the public and makes for an easy family night out. (hippiefishms.com)
7. Pascagoula River Audubon Center
Nature trails, a bayou pier and hands-on environmental learning are tucked into one of the state’s most beautiful ecosystems. (pascagoula.audubon.org)
8. Green Acres Creamery
This working dairy farm offers cream-line milk, homemade ice cream and a “Back Forty” area with a playground, petting space and snack stand. (greenacrescreamery.net)
9. Lynn Meadows Discovery Center Splash Pad
The new splash pad adds another reason to love this longtime Gulfport favorite. Bring towels! (lmdc.org)
10. Chill Sloth Ice Cream and Smoothies
This ice cream (and more) sweets stop in Wiggins also happens to be home to a real (and particularly active) sloth. (thechillslothms.com)
11. Mississippi Aviation Heritage Museum
At this hidden gem on Pass Road in Gulfport, kids can explore flight simulators and real aircraft exhibits. (msaviationmuseum.org)
12. Charlie’s U-Pik
In Lucedale and Wiggins, families can pick strawberries in spring and a long list of vegetables in summer. Bring a bucket! (charliesupik.com)
13. Formula Fun Adventure Park
Ideal for older kids and thrill seekers, this Gulfport adventure spot features zip lines, high ropes, obstacle courses and big-air landings. (formulafunadventurepark.com/Gulfport)
14. Prissy Branch Blueberries
Three acres of blueberries in Perkinston — it’s simple, sweet and perfect for little hands. (facebook.com – search Prissy Branch Blueberries)
15. Pass Christian War Memorial Park
This staple in the Pass recently was upgraded with shaded play areas, a butterfly garden, music features and a rubber walking trail. (pass-christian.com)
16. Golden Gate Skating Center
Check out this old-school indoor rink that’s still rolling in D’Iberville! It’s great for tweens and teens — and a fun throwback for parents. (ggskateland.com)
17. Buccaneer State Park
Beach access, a waterpark, disc golf and campsites in Waveland — what more could you ask for? Make it a day trip or a weekend getaway. (mdwfp.com)
18. Cinema in the City at Jones Park
Free outdoor movies are shown in Gulfport from spring through summer, and this season launches with “Lilo & Stitch” on April 17 (6-10 p.m.). Pack lawn chairs and snacks! (facebook.com/cinemainthecityGPT)
19. The Social Palette Art and Pottery Studio
At this pottery studio in Gautier, kids and adults can take beginner-friendly handbuilding classes and create something imperfect and beautiful. (thesocialpalettestudio.com)
20. Sweet Enchantments
This charming bake shop in Ocean Springs offers boutique baking classes, from macarons to bread, for teens or parent-child duos. (facebook.com/SweetEnchantmentsCakes)
21. INFINITY Science Center
This NASA-affiliated science museum near Stennis boasts interactive exhibits, nature boardwalks and a real Saturn V rocket stage. (visitinfinity.com)
22. Coastal Ridge Farm
At this u-pick flower farm in Picayune, you can cut your own bouquet and let kids roam (with supervision) through fields of sunflowers and zinnias. (coastalridgefarm.com)
23. TrainTastic
This massive model railroad museum in Gulfport offers interactive exhibits, outdoor riding trains and space to explore for hours. (traintastic.com)
24. Paradise Pier Fun Park
Families can find thrill rides and boardwalk-style fun right on the water in Biloxi. It’s especially magical at night when the lights come on. (www.paradisepierbiloxi.com)
25. iMPAC
The Immersive Media Performing Arts Center at MGCCC hosts performances, concerts and community events that introduce kids to live theater and the arts. (impacgulfcoast.com)
The beauty of raising kids on the Coast is that adventure is rarely far away. Sometimes it’s just down Pass Road, across the bridge or hidden behind a gravel driveway with a handwritten sign. Here’s to another season of sunscreen and sticky hands!