Summer in Northeast Florida 2025 : What do we do with these kids?!

Northeast Florida offers a fantastic array of activities for kids of all ages during the summer, whether you're looking for indoor fun to beat the heat or outdoor adventures. Here are some top recommendations:

Outdoor Activities:

• Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens (Jacksonville): A true highlight, the Jacksonville Zoo offers a "walking safari" with diverse animal exhibits and beautiful gardens. They also have a large playground and often host special events.
• Beaches (Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Amelia Island, St. Augustine Beach): Of course, the beaches are a quintessential Florida summer activity. Kids can swim, build sandcastles, look for seashells, and even take surfing lessons.
• Adventure Landing Shipwreck Island Waterpark (Jacksonville Beach): When the temperatures rise, this water park is a perfect way to cool off with slides, wave pools, and other water attractions. They also have miniature golf, go-karts, and arcade games.
• St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park (St. Augustine): This unique park is home to every species of crocodilian, plus other reptiles, birds, and even a zipline course that goes over the alligator exhibits!
• Parks and Nature Preserves:
  • Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park (Jacksonville): This park offers miles of trails, a freshwater lake for fishing and kayaking, beach access, and a playground.
  • Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens (Jacksonville): Explore nature trails and beautiful gardens, perfect for a peaceful stroll or a nature scavenger hunt.
  • Big Talbot Island State Park (Jacksonville): Known for its unique "boneyard beach" with bleached, weathered trees, it's a great spot for exploring and photography. You can also bike along the Amelia Island Trail from here.
  • Anastasia State Park (St. Augustine): This vast park offers opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, birdwatching, and enjoying pristine beaches.
  • Tree Hill Nature Center (Jacksonville): A "hands-on" nature center with trails, a natural history museum, and live animal displays.
• Riverside Arts Market (Jacksonville): If you're there on a Saturday, this open-air market along the St. Johns River features local artists, food trucks, and live music, creating a lively atmosphere.
• Boating and Kayaking: With abundant waterways, renting a kayak or paddleboard, or taking a boat tour (like a dolphin or sunset cruise) is a fantastic way to experience the local ecosystem.

Indoor Activities (Great for Rainy Days or Escaping the Heat):

• Museum of Science & History (MOSH) (Jacksonville): With interactive exhibits on space, human anatomy, and natural history, plus a planetarium, MOSH offers hours of educational fun.
• Bravoz Entertainment Center (Jacksonville): This large indoor facility has trampolines, laser tag, mini-bowling, rock climbing walls, arcade games, and a ninja warrior course.
• Flight Adventure Park (Jacksonville): Another expansive indoor trampoline park with various attractions like dodgeball, foam pits, and ninja courses.
• Kids Empire (Jacksonville): A huge indoor playground designed for kids of all ages with climbing structures, slides, and jumping areas.
• Trampoline and Adventure Parks: Several other trampoline parks like Get Air, Surge Adventure Park, and Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park offer active fun indoors.
• Bowling Alleys: Many bowling centers in the area participate in "Kids Bowl Free" programs during the summer.
• Skating Rinks (Roller and Ice): Skate Station Funworks (Orange Park) offers roller skating, and the Community First Igloo (Jacksonville) has ice skating.
• Sweet Pete's Candy (Jacksonville): Explore this colorful candy emporium and even take a factory tour to see how candy is made (and get some samples!).
• iFLY Indoor Skydiving (Jacksonville): Experience the thrill of skydiving in a safe, indoor wind tunnel.
• St. Augustine attractions:
  • Castillo de San Marcos (St. Augustine): Explore the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S., which often has live musket drills.
  • St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum: Climb to the top for amazing views and learn about the city's maritime history.
  • St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum: Step back in time to the Golden Age of Piracy with interactive exhibits and real pirate artifacts.
  • Old Jail Museum (St. Augustine): A unique historical experience with reenactments and exhibits about what life was like in an old jail.
  • Ripley's Believe It or Not! (St. Augustine): Discover oddities and unusual facts at this classic attraction.
  • Colonial Quarter (St. Augustine): Walk through a recreated 18th-century village with blacksmithing demonstrations and a watchtower to climb.
  • Old Town Trolley Tours (St. Augustine): A great way to see the historic city and hop on and off at various attractions without little legs getting too tired.
• Local Libraries: Public libraries throughout Northeast Florida often have extensive summer reading programs, storytimes, crafts, and other free events for kids.
• Summer Camps: Many organizations offer summer camps with a variety of themes, including sports, arts, STEM, and nature. Look into options from the YMCA, Jacksonville Zoo, MOSH, and various schools and specialized academies.

Remember to check individual attraction websites for hours of operation, admission fees, and any special summer programs or events. Enjoy your summer in Northeast Florida!