In our current generation, kids are all about the tablets, technology, and video games. Devices keeping them stuck in their room just “doom scrolling” through whatever app they’re on without gaining much useful, every-day life knowledge and productivity.
It’s important to a child to go out and get active whether it’s mentally or physically – constantly building experiences for the child to refer back to their childhood once they are grown up and think “I had an awesome childhood!”.
When the Jacksonville June Bug thinks of what there is to do in the Jacksonville Metropolitan area, we think of a buffet restaurant.
When you go to a buffet restaurant there is almost always something for everyone to eat and enjoy.
That’s why we bring you this list of fun things to do with your little one around Jacksonville.
Whether they like museums, animals, or games – there’s something for ever child to enjoy.
Here is our list of fun activities around the Jacksonville Metropolitan area for you to take your kids.
Museum of Science and History (MOSH)
Located at: 1025 Museum Cir, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Science can be an exciting and fun topic for kids to be able to explore new knowledge and MOSH gives that exact opportunity.
MOSH has several exhibits from dinosaurs to space travel.
And if there are two things kids love learning about – it’s dinosaurs and space!
MOSH is also a museum of history which consists of aviation, boats, military, and much more.
History can be not only be a great form of exposure to different cultures and how society operated in the past, but also teach them how inventions and establishments came to be.
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Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
Located at: 333 N Laura St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Exposing ones mind to new ideas, perspectives, and opinions – a philosophy that makes art – art; the art of art so to speak.
Regardless of age, exposure to art is crucial to ones mind and stimulation of the brain.
A painting may be just a painting to one person, but to another person its beauty of the mind of its creator; proof of the sophistication and complexity of our human thoughts – art comes in many forms and MOCA punctuates exactly on that.
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The Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary
Located at: 1860 Starratt Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32226
From tigers to foxes to lions, The Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary is home to dozens of different animals and give kids a wonderful opportunity to embrace a loving environment for the animals.
The Catty Shack is a non-profit organization with several volunteer opportunities which aligns with the Catty Shack mission which, as states – ” to provide a safe, loving and forever home to endangered big cats and to educate the public about their plight in the wild and in captivity”
The Catty Shack give children a chance to observe and learn about exotic animals that are endangered.
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Floating Sea Aquatics
Located at: 8661 Old Kings Rd S, Jacksonville, FL 32217
Floating Sea Aquatics is a spot of many different things one can enjoy. Fundamentally FSA started off as an aquatic store but slowly branched into a hub of diversity for those with different interests. Not only does FSA have pretty aquatic animals to see, but they bring much more than just your average fish store.
Floating Sea Aquatics hosts live music events, art shows, and art classes.
There’s also a cafe area to relax and play board games.
It’s no secret that FSA is a place of activity for both adults and kids alike.
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Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Located at: 370 Zoo Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32218
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens offers over 2,000 animals to observe which is more than enough for the little ones to get amazed.
The Jacksonville Zoo has gorillas, bears, lions, tigers, alligators, stingrays; the list goes on.
This wonderful zoo has so many animals to fuel your child’s enjoyment all while learning more about animals and nature.
Not only can your child experience the pretty view of these animals but the Jacksonville Zoo also hosts regular, kid-friendly, monthly events.
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Flight Adventure Park
Located at: 7022 A C Skinner Pkwy #200, Jacksonville, FL 32256
Flight Adventure Park is a space-themed kids gym with several different attractions including an arcade, trampolines, basketball games, dodgeball games, foam pit, and more.
This park is a great choice if your kid wants to play and get active.
There’s also a Junior Pilots Zone for children under ”46 and that”s include toddlers.
Flight Adventure Park also has packages for booking private events, school field trips, and birthday parties for your little one.
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Adventure Landings
Locations include:
With two locations within the Jacksonville Metropolitan area, Adventure Landings has plenty of exciting activities for kids including mini golf, Go Karts, arcades, water park, batting cages, laser tag, and much more.
They have great holiday-themed events and encourages all family to experience a day with them.
This family park is dedicated to education by rewarding students with game tokens for the rewards they’ve received in school.
Adventure Landing is big on good deals and discounts (include after-school specials) with great birthday party packages to choose from.
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Arcades
The most obvious activity to guarantee happiness for your little one is arcades.
Jacksonville is filled with many unique arcades that are fun for both parents and kids.
Arcades are great for letting the kids run around and play games; while mom and dad hang out and have a drink at the bar.
Here’s a Jacksonville June Bug suggestion for an arcade. Video Game Rescue is mainly a nostalgic gaming store so you can show how gaming back in the day was. Video Game Rescue also has an arcade!
Pump It Up Kids Gym
Located at: 11840 Beach Blvd #10, Jacksonville, FL 32246
Pump It Up Kids Gym is an indoor bounce house play ground for kids to roam, climb, slide, and get active.
They have a climbing bounce house where kids can race each other to the top and slide back down.
Pump It Up is also big on hosting children’s birthday parties.
There’s also $1 air hockey which is great for kids to keep on playing for a low price.
There’s imagination blocks for kids to be able to build towers using their imagination which is great for encouraging your child to improve his/her cognitive skills.
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“Hands On” Children’s Museum
Located at: 8580 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32216
The Hands On Children’s Museum presents your child with 25 different exhibits.
These exhibits offer an actual hands-on experience for children to be able to experience what it’s like to have a job.
Exhibits include firefighter, grocery store workers, kitchen chef, and others.
One visit to the Hands On Children’s Museum and your child will never forget his/her experience. Your child will feel like a “grown-up” and they will forever hold on to that memory.
Hands On also offers packages for field trips and birthdays.
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St.Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park
Located at: 999 Anastasia Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32080
St.Augustine Alligator Farm is probably the least thing on this list that deserves an explanation, but fine; we’re the Jacksonville June Bug and we’re here to help you understand awesome. Here’s the reason – Alligators; that’s why.
Alligators are probably one of the very few animals a child can witness in person that’s close to an actual dinosaur.
Along with the alligators; this farm also consists of crocodiles, snakes, femurs, sloths, and birds.
St.Augustine Alligator Farm also hosts multiple special events.
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Marineland
Located at: 9600 N Ocean Shore Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Marineland offers multiple exciting aquatic adventures including dolphins, sharks, turtles, and other cute sea creatures.
Marineland also offers an opportunity to swim with dolphins which provides an unforgettable moment for you and your child.
You can also allow your child to experience any of the five different interactive programs which include Dolphin Meet & Greet, Dolphin Designs, Dolphin Trainer for a Day, Tortoise Time, and Aquarist for a Day.
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Hanna Park
Located at: 500 Wonderwood Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32233
Hanna Park provides one with a glimpse of the broad nature experiences that Florida has to offer.
From alligators, beach, pretty trails, alligators, and grilling areas; Hanna Park can give you and your child a decent nature experience.
You’re also allowed to camp at Hanna Park which is great for teaching kids about the outdoors.
Even if your child is just way too cool for camping, it’ll expose them to a new experience that will spark and fuel any new interests they might have.
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Jacksonville Arboretum
Located at: 1445 Millcoe Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32225
The Jacksonville Arboretum is probably one of the most unique nature parks in Jacksonville.
It consists of many diverse plants, animals, and pretty streams.
Here at the Arboretum you can find seven different hiking trails with different difficulty levels which is great for every child whether he or she is working to get in shape; or he or she has a high energy tank.
There’s also an absolutely gorgeous view of the lake as well.
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South Beach Park & Sunshine Playground
Located at: 2514 S Beach Pkwy, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
South Beach Park & Sunshine Playground is a wonderful place to bring your little one with several amenties.
Sunshine Playground includes a skatepark, basketball court, two pickle-ball courts, children’s playground, tennis court, three volleyball courts, fitness trails, and a seasonal splash pad.
If you’re looking to introduce to your child a new hobby or sport, Sunshine Playground may be the perfect place to experiment.
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