The Mississippi Children’s Museum is an exciting complex that promotes learning through interactive exhibits and displays. Split into five main galleries, the Mississippi Children’s Museum covers a wide array of educational themes, including science, art, literacy, health and Mississippi heritage.

You can’t miss the bright colors and angular architecture of the museum. Pick a fun-filled gallery to start your visit, such as the Express Yourself gallery of creativity. Kids can build an instrument and record a song or dance to tunes pumping from a giant jukebox. Let them try a hands-on approach to art under the guidance of a visiting artist. The museum’s literacy gallery focuses on promoting reading with a giant Scrabble board and a puppet theater.

Kids can learn about nutrition at the Healthy Fun gallery, where there is a farmer’s market truck displaying a range of local produce, as well as an exciting obstacle course. Discover the World at Work at another gallery and learn about the different industries in Mississippi. At the Engineering Energy installation, test different energy sources, build a miniature car and race friends on a track. Find out about environmental responsibility at the museum’s exhibit about forestry.

Explore the history, environment and culture of Mississippi at the gallery dedicated to the Magnolia State. Kids will enjoy discovering the topography of the state on an exciting climbing map and exploring a maze of pine trees.

Younger visitors will love the Literacy Garden, a fantasyland of fiction. They can climb into the tree house or search for treasure in the sandpits. Take a break at the Red Rocket Café, located on the museum’s top level. Be sure to check out the extensive gift shop at the museum to pick up souvenirs and vacation activities.

The Mississippi Children’s Museum is situated to the west of LeFleur’s Bluff State Park in central Jackson. There is an admission fee, which covers many of the events and touring exhibitions. The museum is open daily except for Mondays and Sunday mornings. Combine your visit with a trip to the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, located nearby.