Planning a family vacation can be a blast, but it can also be frustrating at times. When looking for things to do, you must strike a balance between entertaining the kids and not boring the adults. Luckily, Jacksonville, Florida has tons of fun, kid-friendly activities! Many families staying in our Jacksonville vacation rentals have found that this area truly offers something for everyone, causing many to return year after year.
On your next trip to Jacksonville, enjoy some of these family-friendly activities.
Adventure Landing & Shipwreck Island Water Park
Sometimes, you want to experience some thrills and fun without worrying about the messy sands of the beach. That’s why Adventure Landing and Shipwreck Island Water Park are perfect! These two attractions in one place allow you and your group to spend hours playing games and cooling off away from the busy beaches.
Adventure Landing itself has nearly any game you can imagine, from fun arcade games to classic mini-golf to alligator feeding, laser tag, batting cages, and more. Whether you come for a fun-filled evening or to spend the entire day experiencing every activity, you’re sure to find something that everyone will enjoy doing. You can also visit Shipwreck Island Water Park, which features a half-million-gallon wave pool, four extreme water slides, and a Pirate Play Slide Complex for young kids.
Adventure Landing and Shipwreck Island Water Park are located at 1944 Beach Boulevard. The Fun Park is open Monday through Thursday from 11 to 9, Friday from 11 to 10, Saturday from 10 to 10, and Sunday from 10 to 9. The hours for the waterpark may vary throughout the season, so be sure to check their calendar to see the hours of operation while you’re in town.
Cradle Creek Preserve
Many visitors come to the area to experience all of the things to do in Jacksonville. There’s something for everyone here, but we really love the beautiful nature parks in Jacksonville. For these nature lovers, we always recommend visiting Cradle Creek Preserve. This incredible 45-acre preserve offers multiple habitats to explore, including bottomland swamps, maritime forests, and saltwater marshes.
You can trek through the preserve on the half-mile trail winding, ideal for any age and skill level. Take your time meandering through the environment and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as herons, spoonbills, raccoons, snakes, and plenty of fish. Of course, you can also check out the unique plant life throughout the preserve, including longleaf pine, live oak, palmettos, and more. As you make your way along the trail, you’ll come across several elevated platforms that provide unique views of your surroundings. Be sure to bring your camera and binoculars to make the most of your experience!
To get to Cradle Creek Preserve, head to the corner of Fairway Lane and 15th Street South. If you’re coming in via the water, use Cradle Creek to reach Marker 37, which also provides access to the Intercoastal Waterway.
Play on the Jacksonville Beaches
No trip to Florida would be complete without spending some time on the beach. Luckily, our Jacksonville Beach rentals put you right near some of the town’s most popular stretches of shoreline. You’ll find more than 22 miles of beach to explore in Jacksonville. While there are a few smaller beaches to check out, the city’s main beaches are Atlantic Beach, Mayport Beach, Neptune Beach, and Jacksonville Beach.
No matter which beach you’re on, there are plenty of ways to spend your time. Of course, you can stick to the shore to tan or enjoy a game of beach volleyball, or you can dive into the water to cool off or try to spot some amazing marine life below the surface. If you’re interested in surfing, visit Atlantic Beach for great waves and minimal crowds. For those who want to fish, the pier at Jacksonville Beach is an excellent place to cast your line.
Even if you don’t stay directly on the beach, there’s plenty to do within walking distance. Consider visiting the Beaches Museum, where you can see beautiful historical photographs and exhibits from throughout the area’s past. You can also find countless waterfront restaurants and one-of-a-kind boutiques with beach equipment and souvenirs.
Bird Island Park
The brainchild of golf course designer Bobby Weed, Bird Island Park opened in 2010 and has been one of the most popular area attractions ever since. This park aims to highlight all the best parts of Florida’s nature, including the incredible plants and animals that call this area home. You’ll encounter multiple species of local flowers and trees, and be sure to bring your binoculars for some of the state’s best bird watching!
There are plenty of things to do when you visit Bird Island Park. Bring the family along the trail to immerse yourself in nature or settle down in the storytelling area in the center of the park. Enjoy the view of the water from the gazebo, let the kids run around in the play area, or make your way through the sea turtle hedge maze.
Guests are welcome to visit Bird Island Park every day from dawn until dusk. To get here, make your way to the Pointe Vedra Beach Branch Library at 101 Library Boulevard in Ponte Vedra Beach. Then, head to the parking lot on the southern side of the library to get to Bird Island Park.
Sunshine Playground
Our Jacksonville Beach rentals are located near one of the area’s most impressive attractions: Sunshine Playground. This playground has been recently renovated and will provide hours of fun for your kids! The park closed in November 2021 to undergo extensive renovations, and it only reopened in April 2022.
These days, the park features plenty of ability-inclusive equipment, so kids of all ages, skills, and ability levels can have a great time. The fun layout offers something new around every corner, and the refurbished patios with fans and shade give you a place to relax out of the sun while your kids play.
Sunshine Playground is located right near the shores of South Beach Park, so if you want to head over to the sand and enjoy some time on the beach, you don’t have to go far. You could even divide your time between the beach and the playground to spend a fun and free day enjoying the gorgeous Jacksonville weather!
Plan Your Stay
Come to Jacksonville, Florida on your next family vacation. Contact the team at Lancelot’s Castles today to book your perfect beach trip!
Book Your Jacksonville Beach Vacation Rental With Lancelot’s Castles
If you want to rent a vacation home in Jacksonville, Florida, for your next family trip, you’ve come to the right place! Lancelot’s Castles offers all kinds of Jacksonville Beach vacation rentals for groups of all sizes. Enjoy amenities like full kitchens and high-speed internet, all just minutes away from the best Jacksonville kid-friendly activities.
The Lancelot’s Castles team works daily to ensure our guests have the time of their lives here in Jacksonville. Whether you book a classic property or a specialty option like our Jacksonville rentals with pools, you’ll have nothing to worry about during your stay. Contact us today to start planning your trip!
