Summer in Jacksonville is packed with opportunities for family fun, but keeping track of it all can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve gathered our favorite summer resources in one convenient place. From camps and day trips to splash-worthy adventures, rainy-day activities, reading incentives, day trips, and more, this guide has everything you need to make the most of summer on the First Coast. Bookmark it for future reference!
Get out and enjoy the heat! There is so much fun to be had this (and every) summer on the First Coast. We compiled some of our must-do favorites for a bucket list worth checking off. And the best part is, a lot of it is free! Also, click below for a FREE (and totally check-worthy) bucket list printable!
Summer is here, and BOY is it hot! Sure, we have our pools and the beaches to help us beat these hot summer days, but how about adding some extra fun in the water and sun!? Here are some water park day trips from Jacksonville to places with a few more thrills than just your ordinary pool, beach, or lake.
We’ve listed all the swim lessons, swim instructors, and swim schools in and around Jacksonville. Summer is soon approaching, and living in the “Sunshine State” means that swimming is a year-round option for us. Having your child (or even yourself) as prepared as possible with swim lessons from trained instructors is key to ensuring water safety. Learn how to keep everyone in your family safe, these swim schools will get you prepared and make sure you have fun while doing so. This is our list of some trusted, tried and true swim instructors in our area.
Day trips are the best way to make memories with the family. This summer, the kids and I are ready to go! Here is an excellent list of kid-friendly day trips or weekend trips that offer plenty of fun, educational activities for the kids (and us parents, too)!
Summertime is more than camps and vacations. It’s also a great opportunity to bond with your children and invite them into different worlds and settings. In 2022, the state of Florida launched an initiative to increase literacy rates in both adults and children. To prevent students from “falling behind,” many local businesses and organizations have programs with incentives to encourage students to read over the summer. Here is a list of how you can promote summer reading for your children while school is out.
Here are some fun things to do with older kids (when they finally roll out of bed). Hit the parks and outdoor spaces in the morning, and the indoor areas in the afternoon. Make sure to read the websites on when dropping off is allowed and when it isn’t; some are very specific about 13+ or under 18. But just because you have to stay to supervise, it doesn’t mean you can’t sit at a separate table, rent your own kayak, or hide in a corner to scroll your phone while they take a break from their screens for a few hours!
Is there anything better than sweet summertime on the First Coast? We think not! Bring it on, Northeast Florida! There’s always something to celebrate in and around Jacksonville, and we’ve rounded up some of our favorite festivals to attend throughout the summer. Be sure to add some of these crowd favorites to your planner now!
Nothing beats sitting in a cozy chair, enjoying the aroma of my favorite candle filling the room, and feeling a warm cup of coffee in my hands as the pages of a book flip through my fingers. The best place to get those physical books is at one of Jacksonville’s local, independent bookstores — and we’re lucky enough to have a variety of those available!
Need a tried-and-true way to beat the Florida heat? Scoop up your kiddos and cool off with a frozen sweet treat! With so many mom-and-pop ice cream shops out there, grabbing a cone or a sundae is a great way to instantly boost your mood. Here are a few of our favorite shops for cool treats, along with a few classic favorites.
Looking for some cheap summer fun? A great way to escape the heat is to take advantage of all the great movie specials — $1 at Regal Cinemas, $1.75 at Cinemark, and discounted tickets at AMC Theaters. This is one of our favorite things to do from Jax Mom’s BEST Summer Bucket List!
We are some lucky ducks here in Florida! We have endless sunshine, beaches, and many theme parks. Did you know there are also over 700 natural Florida springs with crystal clear waters and native wildlife to see?! After some research, we’ve come up with 10 amazing springs to enjoy right here in our great state!
Do consecutive rainy days or crummy weather have you feeling the blues? Are the kids getting antsy and need to release all their pent-up energy? Jacksonville offers a plethora of incredible indoor play spaces for you and your family. This list will have you exploring all the best spots for fun and engaging indoor activities!
Rainy day blues? Not in our house! We welcome all seasons and weather ’round these parts. We especially treasure our rainy days because living here in sunny Florida usually has us craving a day of indoor play every so often. As a mama of two very active kiddos, I try to keep them busy by using their gross and fine motor skills. Here are just a few rainy day activities that we love rotating through together.
We know that summer camps are at the top of the list of things parents need to figure out early. While summer makes us think of popsicles, parks, and festivals we KNOW as moms that it can also be a frustrating time where you are struggling to piece childcare together week by week and month by month. From Art to Tech, Theatre to Outdoor Exploration, Sports to STEM, and plenty in between, we hope this Guide to Summer Camps in and around Jacksonville helps you plan for a fun and memorable summer, full of exploring and new experiences!
The dog days of summer are here, and we are typically in our swimsuits ready for any opportunity to cool off and have some fun in the sun, be it in a pool or one of Jacksonville’s many splash pads. Make it a summer to remember and pack your days with afternoon dips in the pool, mornings at the water park, or wet-and-wild fun at one of our many local splash pads. Let’s be honest: Summer would be unbearable without the water to give us a break from this brutal Florida heat!
What are your go-to things to do to beat summer boredom? Let us know in the comments!
