Top 20 Places to Take Kids in and around Jacksonville - 2021
2021 Best Places for Kids in the Jacksonville region!
The best places to take kids in Jacksonville, based on KidsOutAndAbout's annual reader survey. But there is LOTS more to do in Jacksonville! Get great ideas here! What is listed below are far from the only opportunities for family fun and learning; there are hundreds more! Browse our calendar, sign up for our fabulous weekly e-newsletter, and don't forget to check out our Everything That's Free page.
1. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Escape to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens for the only walking safari in Northeast Florida. Discover the earth’s wildlife through interactive and educational experiences. A true family adventure, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is changing daily and is dedicated to consistently improving. With recent updates to Land of the Tiger and African Forest, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is quickly becoming a world-class establishment.
2. Museum of Science & History
The Museum of Science & History (MOSH) inspires the joy of lifelong learning by bringing to life the sciences and regional history. Within the walls of MOSH are three levels of exhibits that make science, history and innovation accessible for all. From interactive, award-winning favorites like Currents of Time and Atlantic Tails to the Florida Naturalist’s Center, which houses animals native to northeast Florida, there is something for all ages to discover. Indulge your imagination with a live science show, animal encounters, or explore distant galaxies in one of our planetarium programs. When visiting Northeast Florida’s only science and history museum, there is no limit to what you can discover!
3. Adventure Landing
Adventure Landing offers affordable family fun. We are a family entertainment center that features: miniature golf, go-karts, laser tag and a mega arcade! If you are looking to hold a birthday party, a company or corporate event, a church event, school event or a holiday party, look no further! Adventure Landing will make sure that everyone at your event has a blast.
4. READY SET PLAY ST AUGUSTINE
READY SET PLAY ST AUGUSTINE is the premier indoor playground for St Augustine Florida. We provide a unique play experience for children, from crawling up to 49 inches in height and offer parents a comfortable place to work and socialize with other adults. Come see us for a fun day of play out of the Florida heat, cold or rain! Our three level play structure is designed for energy expansion. We hold the highest standards for both our staff and facility, which is inspected and sanitized thoroughly every day.
5. Alhambra Theatre & Dining
Opened in 1967, The Alhambra Theatre is the nation's longest continually running professional dinner theatre! With a complete renovation in 2009, it's the Alhambra like you've never seen, heard or tasted before! The Alhambra also offers summer camps and celebration packages for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, group events, and more.
6. My Local Library
Of course, the libraries in the Jacksonville area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them to the list of the best places to take kids this year!
7. Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary
The mission of Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary is 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. They offer both Daytime Tours and Night Feeding Tours of their facility where visitors can see the animals in a happy and stress-free environment. Their current residents include tigers, lions, pumas, leopards, lynx, servals, foxes, and coatimundis (the last two species being “honorary cats”). Check out the website for exact dates and times they are open. Bring your camera and take all the pictures you want!
8. Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens
With a mission to cultivate a unique environment for recreation, education and inspiration, Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens, a 120-acre urban woodland full of trails and gardens, is open every day of the year for you to explore and enjoy.
9. Riverside Arts Market
The Riverside Arts Market is a weekly market hosted on Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., rain or shine. RAM is a place where our community comes together! During the week, the space is a parking lot, but on Saturdays, it houses hundreds of artists, farmers, artisans, nonprofits and other community organizations and small businesses!
10. St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is one of Florida’s oldest and most treasured attractions. Since 1893, it has provided visitors with exciting and educational opportunities to interact with a wide range of crocodilians, reptiles, mammals and birds! Located on Anastasia Island in St. Augustine, The Alligator Farm features natural exhibits, wildlife shows and educational demonstrations.
11. Tree Hill Nature Center
Tree Hill Nature Center promotes environmental stewardship to the community through quality, hands-on educational programs and low-cost access to natural areas.
12. YMCA
The Y is dedicated to building programs for youth development, for healthy living and for social responsibility that promote strong families, character values, youth leadership, community development and international understanding. The Y makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower people and communities to learn, grow and thrive by providing supportive and inclusive environments that nurture the potential of every youth and teen, improve the nation's health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors.
13. Conner's A-Maize-Ing Acres
Thanks for your vote! Conner's A-Maize-Ing Acres is a family owned & operated farm with lots of "farmtastic" fun for all ages during the Fall & Spring Seasons. Load up the family and come on out to the country and make some special memories that will last a lifetime! We can't wait to see you!
14. Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts
Our three venue facility accommodates events from Broadway touring shows to symphony orchestras, from corporate general sessions to community recitals, from unique receptions to intimate dinners. Truly a masterpiece, our riverfront cultural showcase offers the finest performance venues in Jacksonville. Our size, versatility, and location coupled with our talented staff provide all the tools for making every event into an amazing experience!
15. 4-H Tidelands Nature Center
Nestled on the southwest side of Jekyll Island, next to the salt marsh on the pristine ’Tidelands’ pond, is one of Jekyll’s hidden treasures. 4-H Tidelands Nature Center offers hands-on coastal ecology programs for the general public and school groups, guided kayak tours, canoe rentals, and a live coastal species exhibit gallery. In keeping with Georgia 4-H Environmental Education program objectives, Tidelands strives to develop an awareness, knowledge, and appreciation for the environment, as we connect participants with Georgia’s coastal ecosystems. Check out all that we have to offer!
16. Amazing Grace Crop Maze
Amazing Grace Crop Maze provides family fun on the farm in Clay County! You can enjoy hayrides, cow train, duck races, corn crib, barnyard ball zone, and so much more! The Fall Festival in October is a month of fun that you won't want to miss.
17. St. Augustine Aquarium
The St. Augustine Aquarium is committed to conservation through education. We hope every guest leaves the aquarium inspired to make more thoughtful decisions to protect our marine ecosystems.
18. Bay & Bee
Bay & Bee is an award-winning Montessori and Waldorf-inspired play space and shop for children birth to 4 years old.
Founded in 2014 on building relationships and experiencing parenthood together, Bay & Bee combines the need for friendships and learning in a wonderful play environment.
19. Pump It Up
Pump It Up is the premier indoor destination for every occasion: 100% private birthdays(your guests do not share space with random people), You can also count on us for open jumps, field trips, play groups, camps, fund-raisers and more!
20. Jacksonville Symphony
The Jacksonville Symphony is one of Northeast Florida’s most important cultural institutions. Founded in 1949, the Symphony is ranked among the nation’s top regional orchestras. The Symphony’s home, Robert E. Jacoby Hall, is considered to be an acoustic gem.
Winners in Special Categories
In the second part of our survey, we asked readers to select their favorites in three categories. Here were their choices.Top Arts Educator
Jacksonville Children's ChorusThe Jacksonville Children's Chorus (JCC) is dedicated to providing a high-quality choral music education for children of diverse backgrounds. JCC offers children a place to express themselves, develop special skills, and become strong and confident musicians. It has developed into one of the nations top providers of music education, enriching the lives of singers and audiences around the globe. If you know a child who loves to sing, the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus has a place for them!
Top Sports Educator
YMCAThe Y is dedicated to building programs for youth development, for healthy living and for social responsibility that promote strong families, character values, youth leadership, community development and international understanding. The Y makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower people and communities to learn, grow and thrive by providing supportive and inclusive environments that nurture the potential of every youth and teen, improve the nation's health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors.
Top STEM Educator
River City Science AcademyRiver City Science Academy (RCSA) is a tuition-free, public charter school located in Duval County in Jacksonville, Florida. RCSA was founded in 2007 and currently serves grades K – 12 through 4 different locations. RCSA offers an emphasis on STEM education. The school provides strong academics and extra-curricular programs. It is one of the first successful charter schools in Duval County, being the first to receive an A grade and high-performing status from the Florida Department of Education.
