I am a mom of four small kids. We like to do family activities on the weekends. It’s nice to get out of the house and do things without breaking the bank for a family of six. We like to be outdoors. It gives our kids plenty of room to burn energy and we don’t have to worry about them breaking anything. If you know, you know. So, I have comprised a list of things we do near our house.
Central Sports Park
This park is a BREC park off Hooper Road, you can also access it from Lovett Road. It has a playground with something for all ages. We also love that it has a pond that you can fish in and also has geese. Around the pond is a walking trail (3 laps is a mile). So, it is somewhere you can take the kids and they can play while you get some exercise in.
Blackwater Conservation Area
This may be one of our favorite places to frequent when the weather is nice. It has a pond with a deck where you can sit and relax on a bench and enjoy the wildlife. It also has a walking trail, with fishing piers along with it. The best part is that you can walk the trails to a beach on the Comite River. Yes, I said a beach. There is water that you can swim in and sand that you can sit on. People bring their kids, their dogs, and their coolers and spend summer days there. It is definitely one of the best-kept secrets of our area. If you haven’t been and you love the outdoors, you should definitely put this on your list of things to do!
Frenchtown Road Conservation Area
Another BREC Park, at the end of Frenchtown Road. It also has walking trails through the woods and is sure to be a good time. Our kids love taking the gravel road down the side of the conservation area because if you are lucky, you will see a REAL LIVE train pass on the tracks to the side of you! If you have kids, you know what a big deal that is! There is a river near there too. I wouldn’t recommend swimming in it, but it is nice to look at. Check it out, you get the chance.
Cheeky Monkey
My kids ask to go here almost daily. It is an indoor playground for kids. It is spectacular. You can go and relax while the kids play, and you can have your eyes on your kids the entire time. The door stays locked to the outside, the place is always so clean and the owner is super friendly. You can’t find many places better than Cheeky Monkey!
Java Mama
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, I am sure you have heard about Java Mama. Let me tell you, you cannot beat a “Notcha Mama’s Cold Brew” and their breakfast menu. You can have great food and great coffee while your kids play! You heard me right, a coffee shop that has a play area for the kids. It’s well kept with friendly service.
BR Zoo
Ok, so technically this is in Baker, LA… but it is close to Central. We love our zoo. It is a wonderful place to take the kids and let them have the freedom to run and get excess energy out. We have a membership at the zoo, and it is one of my kid’s favorite places to go! We walk around the zoo and then hit the playground and it’s a great way to spend a few hours. Exercise, sunshine, animals AND you end the outing with exhausted kids. WIN, WIN!
Central Middle School
On the weekends, we take our kids to the middle school. We ride bikes around the school and also the kids love the playgrounds there. It is a beautiful place, with lots of shady trees and grassy areas. You could bring a picnic and eat under the trees. It’s a great place to go with pretty weather. 
