As the school year has come to a close, and your child is between activities (whether it be run club, music lessons, art classes, or the school play), it can be hard to find new things to occupy their time. Luckily, living in a city as vibrant and immersive as Memphis, there are many fun and unique experiences available for girls of all ages. Whether it be educational, fun, or a perfect mix of both, we have curated the perfect list of engaging pursuits that will keep your child occupied and thriving all summer!
Shelby Farms
If your girl is passionate about the outdoors and loves getting her hands dirty, you can plan an excursion to one of the many public parks in Memphis. Not only are there safe, paved paths that your girl can explore, but locations such as Shelby Farms are equipped with water parks for kids, which are perfect for cooling down after a long day of play! In fact, every Tuesday, Shelby Farms offers a free hour of fun at the water park. Click here for more information.
Tom Lee Park
On the other side of town, Tom Lee Park offers loads of physical activity beside the Mississippi River, promising a beautiful view and loads of family fun. Events such as Yoga on the River, and Sunset Skate are perfect ways to get your girl outside; these classes are sanctioned by our very own Girls on the Run supporters at Tom Lee Park, and are promised to be insanely fun! If you want to take it one step further, you can extend the experience into the night, and stick around for a star-gazing experience, presented by the Memphis Astronomical Society. Click here to check it out!
Geocaching
If you’re new to the city and are looking to get more familiar with the area, Geocaching is a super engaging activity that will keep the whole family’s attention. Put simply, geocaching is similar to treasure hunting: small containers are hidden all over the city which encapsulate small tokens left by other explorers. Most tokens have a list on which you can boast your discovery-prowess. You can find a description of all of the treasures here, and start having a summer of hunting with your family!
Dixon Gallery and Gardens
If your girl is interested in art, or enjoys more quiet activities, there are immersive museum experiences in Memphis that are well established in the Memphis community. The Dixon is a completely free indoor/outdoor experience for the whole family. There are historic art galleries, modern fixtures, and gardens are expansive. The flowers are currently in beautiful bloom, and are enough to capture the attention of all ages alike.
Brooks Museum
Likewise, the Brooks Museum is nestled in Midtown, and offers food, art, and fun rotating galleries. Specifically, kids are able to create a connection with art through the child-friendly art installations. Apart from that, the Brooks Museum has many interesting exhibits for adults as well, exploring historical power struggles and modern day issues. Learn more here.
Overton Park Shell
The Memphis music scene is notoriously vibrant, and this summer is no exception. Concerts at the Shell at Overton Park are completely free, and are going on throughout the summer. You can find the line ups and concert dates here, and find which performance works best for your family!
Germantown Performing Arts Center (GPAC)
And last but not least, if your girl really has caught the music bug, you can see concerts at the outdoor space at GPAC in Germantown. These events are supplemented with food and good times on a warm summer night. Maybe even catch GOTR Memphis tabling at a few of GPAC’s Happy Friday concerts! More information can be viewed here.
We can’t wait to get started with the Fall season of GOTR, but until then, enjoy these fun summer activities to keep your girl outside and active!