Spring break begins next week for area schools, and downtown museums and businesses are gearing up to host entertaining and educational activities to keep students busy.

Some activities are free and some require the purchase of an admission, but check out the events below for entertaining ideas for young ones.

MCM-Meridian

At the Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian, a Week of Wonder is planned beginning Monday and extending through Friday. It will offer hands-on programs and interactive presentations based around the STEAM subjects of science, technology, engineering, art and math. Each day will focus on a different subject.

On Monday, March 11, Miss Mississippi Vivian O’Neal will be on hand to read, sign and sell her book, “Josiah’s Big Day” at 1 p.m. With science the day’s subject, students can learn about “The Science of Weather” during Wacky Weather at 11 a.m.

Step into the future of technology on Tuesday, March 12, and view a 3D printer observation between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. At various times throughout the day, 3D pen and robotic demonstrations will also be available. At 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., students can watch drone activity with the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department. Coding keychains will be the topic for Tech Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.

With engineering the day’s subject on Wednesday, March 13, students can explore Meridian architecture with Davis and Purdy Architects at 2 p.m. Then, they can discover a little Queen City history when Wandalla Campbell of the Rose Hill Storytellers presents “Who is Susie Glover?” at 3 p.m. Students can find out how a steam engine works during Wonder Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

For art day on Thursday, March 14, museum guests can unleash their creativity during a photography activity, called “Through the Looking Glass,” at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Teaching artist Cary Haycox will conduct a Meridian Museum of Art session at 2 p.m., followed by a look at Jackson Pollock-inspired garden art at 3:30 p.m.

With math the focus on Friday, March 15, Ashley Owen Hill will conduct a math and movement session at 10:30 a.m. During the afternoon, students can learn math, measurement and the making of ice cream during “What’s the Scoop?” at 2 p.m. Students will learn about Piet Mondrian-inspired art at 3:30 p.m.

All Week of Wonder activities are included with the regular $10 admission to MCM-Meridian, located at 403 22nd Avenue. All slots for Spring Break camps that are being offered in addition to the Week of Wonder activities are already filled, according to the museum’s website.

Soulé

Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum, located at the historic Soulé Steam Feed Works at 1808 Fourth Street, is encouraging the whole family to stop by for a visit with a special admission price during the week of Spring Break. The museum, which is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., gives a glimpse of factory life back in the early 20th century. Admission will be $5 per person with a maximum $25 admission per family.

On Wednesday, March 13, Soulé will steam up several engines, and visitors will have a chance to blow a steam whistle between 3-4 p.m., according to the Visit Meridian website. A blacksmith demonstration will be held from 10 a.m. until noon at the Soulé forge.

Merrehope

All Leprechauns are welcome for the “Count On It!” scavenger hunt tour at historic Merrehope planned for Friday, March 15, as part of STEAM Break activities. Visitors can search through the 20-room mansion for items on their hunt then enjoy light refreshments and a fun-filled activity on the veranda. Everyone who completes the hunt will select one of the St. Patrick’s Day prize bags filled with treasures, and someone’s bag just might include the Leprechaun’s Pot of Gold, according to organizers. All ages are welcome to participate in the tour of Merrehope with the scavenger hunt open to those ages 5 to 18. Admission is $5 per person with Merrehope open from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. for the tours and hunt. For more information, visit merrehope.com or call 601-483-8439. Merrehope is located at 905 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

The MAX

The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience is teaming up with the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library to offer two great story time events for area youngsters. On Tuesday, March 12, friends from the library will visit The MAX for a story time presentation of the book, “Pete the Cat and the Perfect Pizza Party.” After the story, students will craft their own mini paper pizza. Then on Thursday, March 14, story time will feature another adventure with Pete in the book, “Pete the Cat I Love my White Shoes.” Students will craft their own white shoe after the story. Both story time events are free with museum admission and will begin at 10 a.m. Open to all ages, the story times are geared more to children in Pre-K through second grade.

For older students, on Wednesday, March 13, The MAX will host an open recording studio jam session in the Governor’s Recording Studio. Participants are encouraged to bring their own instrument and play along with other artists, tracks or virtual instruments and learn about the recording process from professionals. To be held from 10 a.m. until noon, the jam session is free with museum admission.

On Thursday, March 14, The MAX is teaming up with the Meridian Symphony Association to hold an instrument petting zoo at the museum from 10 a.m. until noon. Open to all ages and free with museum admission, youngsters will get a chance to see, hear and learn about some of the instruments used by the Meridian symphony’s members.

On Friday, March 15, Darrin Mitchell Jr.’s Be The Best You, or B.T.B.Y., Way of Life will get students moving when he brings one of his upbeat dance workout sessions to the The MAX. The event is open to all ages and free with museum admission.

Closing out Spring Break activities at The MAX on Saturday, March 16, will be splatter paint, a favorite activity for children who will get a chance to create their own artwork. The splatter paint activity will be from 10 a.m. until noon and is open to all ages. It is free with a museum admission.

Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library

The Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library will kick off Spring Break week with a showing of the 2023 family-friendly film “Wonka” from 10 a.m. until noon on Monday, March 11. Rated PG with a run time of one hour and 56 minutes, the comedy/musical/fantasy film tells the origin story of Willy Wonka and how he became the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker. The film is based on the 1964 beloved novel “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl.

On Friday, March 15, the library will host its Spring Shindig from 9 a.m until 3:30 p.m. Children can get their photos taken with the Easter Bunny, enjoy crafts, face painting, and more. A spring market will be set up in the west parking lot with various merchants participating, and Vitalant will hold a blood drive. Angie Hales Pony Tales and petting zoo will be located in the back parking lot, and visitors can see the Freedom Rock Birds of Prey show at 2 p.m. in the bistro area of the library.

For more information on spring break activities at the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library, visit meridianlauderdalecolibrary.com.