As summer stretches on and the temperatures tick skyward, Florida families know that sometimes the best place to play is inside where the AC is cool and sunscreen is not required. Thankfully, the First Coast is home to plenty of indoor activities so you’ll never be bored while beating the heat.
Indoor Playgrounds
Bay & Bee
(locations at the Beaches and Bartram Springs, www.baynbee.com) Bay & Bee is a locally owned, eco-friendly indoor play space inspired by Montessori and Waldorf educational principles and geared toward children, infant to age 5. In addition to open play, classes and workshops are available to members. Your first visit is free and monthly memberships start at $62 a month.
Sensory Towne
(8380 Baymeadows Rd, www.sensorytowne.com) Sensory Towne is a cutting edge sensory gym that provides a safe and inclusive environment for all children and families to enjoy no matter what their ability. Their one-of-a-kind sensory circuit classes, interactive floors, equipment and educational opportunities make it a great place to play. Open Gym is available to the public during all regular business hours (excluding events) and admission is $12 for two hours and $20 for all day play.
We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym
(9357-3 Philips Hwy, www.werockthespectrumjacksonville.com) We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gyms was founded to provide a place for children of all ability levels to play and grow together. Their uniquely designed sensory equipment is perfect for all children, including those with sensory processing disorders. Open Play time is offered daily at $12 per child and includes full use of all gym equipment and access to the arts & crafts area. Memberships are also available starting at $50.
Jumperz Fun Center
(1035 Blanding Blvd, www.jumperzfuncenter.com) Jumperz offers 14,000 square feet of fun-filled attractions for parties and walk-in play. Activities include the Jump Zone with themed inflatables for ages 2 to 12, the Game Zone Arcade, two escape rooms and a combat game called Bazooka Ball, which combines laser tag and (paintless) paint ball for ages 7 and up in the Battle Zone. Open play includes access to the Jump Zone and the Game Zone Arcade and starts at $7. Other attractions are an additional fee.
Pump It Up
(11840 Beach Blvd, www.pumpitupparty.com/jacksonville-fl/) Pump It Up is a private, indoor arena, filled with gigantic inflatable slides, bounce houses, obstacle courses and more. They offer Family Jump Time, field trips, summer camps, and birthday parties. Open jump times are $10 per child.
Slinkey’s Jax
(10503 San Jose Blvd, www.slinkeyjax.com) Slinkey’s is a 25,000 square foot play facility that offers a wide array of activities as well as open play, private parties, birthday parties, and fundraisers. Open Play price is $8.50 per child for the whole day.
Trampoline and Adventure Parks
In the last few years trampoline and adventure parks have become a huge favorite with kids and adults alike. There are several in the Jacksonville area, all offering wall-to-wall trampolines, basketball dunking lanes, dodgeball, and other fun activities to help get the wiggles out. Attractions and pricing varies based on location. That info, along with any discounts, deals and promotions offered, can be found on the parks’ websites.
Surge Adventure Park
(9292 Arlington Expy, www.surgeadventureparks.com)
Get Air Trampoline Park
(1564 Park Ave, www.getairsports.com/orangepark)
Jumpstreet Trampoline Park
(1210 Beach Blvd, www.gotjump.com/florida/jacksonville-beach/)
Flight Fit N Fun
(7022 AC Skinner Pkwy, www.flightfitnfun.com/locations/jacksonville/)
Bravoz Entertainment Center
(14085 Old St. Augustine Rd, www.bravoz.com)
Sky Zone Park
(Jax location coming soon, www.skyzone.com)
Urban Air Adventure Park
(Opening soon at 9950 Southside Blvd, www.urbanairtrampolinepark.com/locations/florida/jacksonville)
Kids Bowl Free!
The Greater Jacksonville area is home to several bowling alleys and many are participating in Kids Bowl Free, a program that was designed by bowling centers to give back to their communities and provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend time this summer. Children are eligible to register for 2 free games each day of the KBF program, all summer long. Sign up at www.kidsbowlfree.com and bowl for free at:
Beach Bowl
(818 Beach Blvd)
Anastasia Bowling Lanes
(3245 A1A S, St. Augustine)
Batt Family Fun Center
(1838 Cassat Ave)
King Pins Bowling Center
(5210 Lenox Ave)
Skating
Strap on some skates and burn some energy at one of the Bold City’s skating rinks. Roller skating and ice skating are both available and are both solid options for an afternoon of high-energy fun.
Jax Ice & Sportsplex
(3604 Philips Hwy, www.jacksonvilleice.com)
Skate Station
(locations in Orange Park and Mandarin, www.funworks.com)
Sk8City
(9244 Arlington Expy, www.skatecityjax.com)
Other Indoor Activities
Public Library Offerings
Our local libraries are a godsend to cash-strapped parents who want to beat the heat while giving little ones something fun to do. Each county’s library system has put together a variety of programs for children and teens including storytimes, crafts, movies, gaming, and special programming. There’s typically something going on everyday for every age group. Check out your county’s website to learn more about the programs offered at the branch near you.
Duval www.jaxpubliclibrary.org
Clay www.claycountygov.com/departments/library
St. Johns www.sjcpls.org
Putnam www.youseemore.com/putnam
Flagler www.flaglercounty.org/departments/library.php
Bradford www.newriverlibrary.org/bradford
Nassau www.nassaureads.com
Main Event
(10370 Philips Hwy, www.mainevent.com) With state-of-the-art bowling, multi-level laser tag, more than 100 games topped with handcrafted food and a full bar under one roof, Main Event is the destination for fun. Promotions and deals can be found on Main Event’s website.
Museums
A visit to one of Jacksonville’s museums is a great way to spend a summer day. Our museum “big three” all offer free or reduced admission on certain days, making it affordable as well as fun! Below is a look at the current promotions at each of the museums. Be sure to check the museum’s website for hours and other info.
The Museum of Science & History- MOSH
(www.themosh.org) $5 admission and extended hours every Friday; free admission to Bank of America or Merrill Lynch cardholders on the first full weekend of the month; Buy-one-get-one-half-off adult admission on “MOSH Mondays”
Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
(www.cummermuseum.org) Free admission every Tuesday after 4 pm; free admission to Bank of America or Merrill Lynch cardholders on the first full weekend of the month; free admission on the first Saturday of the month
Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville- MOCA
(mocajacksonville.unf.edu) Free admission the first Wednesday of each month during Art Walk
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