If you're looking for ways to keep the kids active, take this summer as an opportunity to relax, reconnect, unplug, and have fun-filled day trips with them before summer's end. Here are a few locations across our state that are day trip or weekend-worthy for some quality family time. North Alabama Point Mallard Park: Located in Decatur, Point Mallard Park includes a water park, golf couse, an ice complex, and batting cages. This place i a jack-of al trades for whatever type ofexpe- sence you family is ooking for, including hking/ walking tas, cutdoor pavilions, and basebal fields. For ticket informatica, ours and moze vist pointmalardparkcom. Southern Adventuress afutyfiendly water amusement park Dbcated in Huntsvil. t offers year-round entertainment ranging fom a go-kart racetrack, ock climbing walls, golf courses and carnival rides. Bven beter news... here no entrance fee. Take the family forthe dey and simply pay as you ply! southera- seiventures.com, US. Space and Rocket Center "This center in Huntsville has & lange varity of programs forthe science savvy including Rocket ark, a rocket collection, and a Main Exhibit Are filed with information and memorabilia from NASA space program. This trip is also one forthe senses with its 67-oot IMAX Spacedome “heater. rocketeentezcom, The Children's Museum ofthe Shoale ofers hands-on exhibite geared to children at all develepment stages. Cilren can phy and learn ina safe environment that stimulates the imagination and expands cultural literacy and science. For more information {9 to shoaschildrensmuseumorg. ‘Sc-Quest Hands on Science Center in Huntsville offers a variety cf experiences including daily summer camps, Full Spectrum Se- ence for chidren on eer colorof the autism spectrum, and daly activites for general admission fees. scl-quest.org 28 AUGUST 2015 Take a family-friendly trip before summer ends 5, scsnen Central Alabama ‘McWane Science Center: Open daly, the McWane Science Cen- ter in Birmingham is known for giving children a place to “se, heas touch and experience science every day” The Science Center has four lors of interactive exhibits and an IMAX dome theater that brings images to life. mewanearg Desoto Caverns Family Fun Park isa historic show cave located in Childersburg. The cave offers tous that teach the histery of the Indians that lived and died in the caverns, Con- federate soldiers who mined gunpowder and early Indian traders. Each tour inddes a laser light, sound and water show as wellas gem panning, crystal find, water golf and paddle bos. desotacavernspark.com. Alabama Splash Adventures in Bessemer is a family trip just minutes away ftom Birmingham. The venue offers water adven- tures induding a "Mist-cal” water maze, the Splashdown that sends riders on a 50-foot plunge ito the water pool, an adven- ture course and more, alabamasplash.com. South Alabama ‘Adventure Land Theme Park in Dothan offere quite the adrenaline rush with strac- tions like batting cages, go- leat, bumper hosts and mini golf Fuel the family with treats from the snack bat, and send them back out fr some whole- some family interaction. For more information on prising and hours goto adventurelandthemeparkecom. ‘Adventure sland in Orange Beach caters to... wel the adven- turous! This location features a giant volcano go-karts, laser tag, ‘minigolf and more. The Alligator Arcade features rollercoaster simulators and a rock-clmbing wall and more than 100 video games. adventure-island.com, ‘Sharky’s Family Adventure Park in Orange Beach offers two Sig Tals Adventure Ropes Courses for participants to test their agility and balance. Thy also have four Skyline Zipline connec- tions and Sky Tykes, a smaller version of Sky Tras for smaller children, alwbaré.com. Waterville U.S.A. in Gulf Shore s less than a mile away from the beach. Travellers can enjoy the 20-acre water and amusement park for one entry fe. The amusement park indudes a House of Bounce, Cannonball Run roller coese, and NASCAR go-karts, The water park includes 17 water ides, a lary pool Howrider and more, watevilleusa.com, ‘yrvwalabamaliving coop