Possibilities for summer beach and lake activities along 30A are endless, but on family trips even the kids are bound to hit a wall with beach fatigue and need to switch it up. For those times, check out some of these great day and evening activities in our community for kids--make it a family excursion, or drop the kids off for a day camp or class and enjoy a little vacation from your vacation.
Active Adventures
Summer day camps are a great way to let kids run off some energy and give parents some relaxation time. 30A offers a variety of options here. Camp 30A Kids Adventure Camp, held at Grayton Beach State Park, takes kids on 3 hour snorkeling, hiking, scuba diving, or paddle board adventures with trained camp leaders. For kids who just can’t get enough of paddle boarding or surfing, there’s 30A Surf and SUP, where instructors teach kids in small groups to surf in the milder waves of the Gulf of Mexico, or paddle board in the shallows of coastal dune lakes. For adventure out of the water, try Baytowne Adventure Zone, where older kids and adults can enjoy ziplines, sky trail ropes, “Euro Bungy” trampolines, tower climbs, and more--there’s even a “Sky Tykes” ropes course just for toddlers so little ones don’t have to feel left out.
Arts & Culture
Don’t forget, there’s more to 30A than what the outdoors has to offer--arts and culture thrives here as well, and there are lots of wonderful arts and cultural activities for kids. The Seaside Repertory Theater, or “The REP,” is always hosting a variety of theater shows and activities, including free showings of family-friendly plays: for summer 2016, you and your kids can catch showings of “The Commedia Rapunzel” or “The Stinky Cheese Man” at no extra cost. For a more interactive experience, you can book online for an ages 5-7 Magic Academy Workshop where kids can learn beginners magic tricks from a stage magician! Kids can get their creative juices flowing with pottery painting at Fired Up!, which offers daytime events and Kids Nights, or choose between a variety of kids’ arts & crafts classes offered at Artists at Gulf Place.
Hands-On Learning
Learning really is fun for kids when it comes to hands-on activities in our exceptional natural environment. The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center’s summer offerings gives kids a variety of nature and wildlife learning camps and activities to choose from, and the center itself is open to the public and wonderful for families to explore. Also for your budding scientist’s, check out any of the 2-day summer camps from 30A Learning Academy, where they can learn about coastal dune lakes, water conservation, and Northwestern Florida’s natural environment.
