Going stir crazy from being home with the kids for what seems like an endless amount of months? Me too! Take a day trip to the Gulfport Mississippi beaches for a day of fun in the sun. Gulfport is less than an hour and a half drive from New Orleans, making it a perfect trip for a change of scenery and sense of adventure.
Our family takes a day trip to Gulfport at least once a month all summer long. My kids love to play in the sand and splash in the water. In fact, they have never once gotten bored, argued with each other while we are there or asked to leave, meaning this is basically my happy place where all feels right in the world.
While there are many spots with parking, free public beach access and showers along the beach, our family likes to park at Jones Park. We park by the splash pad, walk across the parking lot to enjoy a day at the beach, then head back to the FREE splash pad to rinse off the sand and use the restroom before getting in the car to come home.
One of my favorite things about Gulfport with kids is the water isn’t deep and the waves aren’t strong creating the perfect experience for younger kids. Where we park, even if we go out far, the water never gets deeper than my waist so I feel free to sit in a chair with a good book on the beach and watch from afar while my kids play, knowing that waves aren’t going to knock them over and the water won’t get too deep for them to touch. This part of the beach never seems to get crowded so you can plan a visit knowing you will have plenty of room to socially distance.
Things to bring:
-towels
-beach chairs and umbrella (if desired)
-sunscreen
-flotation devices if you have littles
-cooler with drinks and lunch (unless you plan to purchase it)
-sand toys like shovels and buckets
-outdoor activities such as a frisbee, bocce ball, a football, a kite or cornhole
If after a few hours at the beach you want a change of scenery visit one of Gulfport’s many kid-friendly attractions including Gulf Islands Waterpark, Lynn Meadows Discovery Center or hop on the ferry for an excursion to Ship Island.
For merely the price of gas, our family enjoys a change of scenery and an entire day of fun. Bonus: my kids are usually so worn out from all the activity and heat that they sleep or sit super quietly on the way home meaning I get a relaxed car ride with a car full of tired and happy kids.
