Things for my tweens to do on the weekend (Memphis: theater, school)

[magiciansmarshmallows]

I am looking for things for my tweens to do on the weekends in the Memphis area. We have found some fun places like Cordova Skating and Shelby Farms but what other things are there?

[weisenheist]

how about pick-up basketball games that always seem to be held throughout the city ? that would be fun, educational, and would provide valuable insights to the true flavor and culture that Memphis is known for !

[Pearlbob]

The Redbirds game are cheap and fun (unfortunately very hot right now!). The Grizzlies games can be cheap as well, once they start back up. Many of the museums have exhibts that children may be interested in. Maybe the Imax at the Pink Palace?

[UofMGrad92]

My kids still love the zoo and we go quite often on the weekends. The weekends are a great time when school starts back because the school groups go on weekdays so it can get a bit crowded during those times. We especially love mid fall to early winter and early to mid spring when it's cold but not too cold. The crowds are light and the animals are more active. We have a zoo membership and usually bring some snacks so it's free except for the gas to get there.

Another thing to consider is heading downtown some weekend. I take my older child (she's a tween) down there a few times a year on the weekend during the day. We park in the Mud Island parking garage and walk over the monorail bridge to the Mud Island park. We walk along the model river, look at the river, and stand in the spray from the fountain in the Gulf of Mexico model if it's hot out. There is a snack bar and you can pay to ride the monorail, but I tend to avoid those things as it brings me into contact with the teenagers hired by the city that appear to wish they were anywhere else on earth other than at work. They also have a museum that you can pay to see but I've never done that. If you skip the snack bar, monorail, and museum it only costs you gas and parking. The park itself is very nice and well maintained and your kids will love wading down the river model.

[Thirdingson]

If going to Mud Is, be sure to take a nice sized piece or 2 or 3 of cardboard with you. My kids (and the wife and I, too) love to climb up the side of the steep hill behind the amphitheater (near "gulf of mexico") and slide down on the cardboard sleds. Fun! But be careful!

[ColliervilleMom]

In this heat, it's been nothing but movies, roller skating and the mall. Would welcome any other ideas!!

[DubbleT]

Putt Putt on Summer used to have indoor games and stuff to do, along with the go carts and bumper boats.