What are the best things to do with kids in Jacksonville, FL?

Some of the top-rated family activities in Jacksonville, FL include Latham Plaza, Twenty Mile Post, Painting with a Twist, The Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, RiversEdge. We have 120 curated activities with ratings, age recommendations, and parent tips.

What are free things to do with kids in Jacksonville, FL?

There are 60 free things to do with kids in Jacksonville, FL, including The Beaches, RiversEdge, Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve, Southbank Riverwalk, and more.

What are indoor activities for kids in Jacksonville, FL?

Jacksonville, FL offers a variety of indoor activities for kids including museums, indoor play areas, and entertainment centers. Browse our full guide for details.

Family Activities Guide

Things To Do With Kids in Jacksonville, FL

Discover 120 family-friendly activities, venues, and restaurants in Jacksonville.

93 upcoming events →

Explore Neighborhoods

Arlington(9)Atlantic Beach(9)Avondale(9)Baymeadows(8)Fernandina Beach(11)Fleming Island(12)Jacksonville Beach(5)Mandarin(9)Middleburg(10)Neptune Beach(6)Nocatee(10)Orange Park(8)Ponte Vedra Beach(11)Riverside(7)San Marco(5)Southside(5)St. Augustine(12)Yulee(12)

120 of 120

Painting with a Twist art studio in Southside, FL

⭐ Activity

Photo: Christine Caven

Painting with a Twist

★4.9(625)$$1 mi · Southside

Painting with a Twist in Jacksonville's Southside neighborhood offers a fantastic creative outlet where kids and parents can paint together in a no-pressure, fun environment. With dedicated kids' classes, family painting events, and step-by-step instruction, even beginners create artwork they're proud to take home. The welcoming instructors make art accessible for all skill levels, turning painting sessions into memorable family bonding experiences.

🕑 2-3 hours

TPC Sawgrass golf course in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

⚽ Sports

Photo: Urania Wynperle

TPC Sawgrass

★4.8(3,275)$$18 mi · Ponte Vedra Beach

TPC Sawgrass isn't just for professional golfers,this world-renowned golf destination offers fantastic junior programs and family-friendly golf experiences that introduce kids to the sport in a fun, low-pressure environment. Families can watch golfers tackle the famous 17th hole island green, explore the beautiful grounds, and enjoy age-appropriate clinics that make golf accessible even for beginners.

🕑 2-4 hours for junior clinics or family golf experiences; 30-60 minutes for casual visits to view the island green

The Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary wildlife refuge in Jacksonville, FL

🦁 Zoo

Photo: The Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary

The Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary

★4.8(3,073)$$

The Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary offers families an unforgettable opportunity to see rescued big cats up close in a more intimate setting than traditional zoos. Kids will be mesmerized watching majestic tigers, lions, leopards, and even bears during guided tours and thrilling feeding experiences where these magnificent animals display their natural behaviors.

🕑 1.5-2 hours

🛝 Playground

Photo: Amanda Rivera

South Beach Park and Sunshine Playground

★4.8(2,662)Free16 mi · Jacksonville Beach

South Beach Park and Sunshine Playground is a coastal paradise where beach fun meets world-class playground amenities. This expansive park features an ocean-themed playground that captivates kids' imaginations, direct beach access for sand and surf, and covered picnic pavilions perfect for birthday parties or extended family outings along Jacksonville Beach's beautiful shoreline.

🕑 2-4 hours

🎨 Museum

Photo: Beaches Museum

Beaches Museum

★4.8(303)$16 mi · Atlantic Beach

The Beaches Museum offers a charming, bite-sized introduction to local history that's perfect for families exploring Atlantic Beach. Kids will be fascinated by the vintage railroad exhibits, old photographs showing how the beach looked decades ago, and hands-on artifacts that bring the area's heritage to life without overwhelming young attention spans.

🕑 45 minutes to 1 hour

🎨 Museum

Photo: Mandarin Museum and Historical Society

Mandarin Museum and Historical Society

★4.8(173)$11 mi · Mandarin

This charming small-town museum offers children a fascinating glimpse into Florida's pioneer past through hands-on exhibits and artifacts from Mandarin's rich history. With its manageable size and welcoming atmosphere, it's perfect for introducing elementary-aged kids to local history without overwhelming them, and the knowledgeable volunteers bring the area's heritage to life with engaging stories.

🕑 45 minutes to 1 hour

RiversEdge tourist attraction in Jacksonville, FL

🛝 Playground

Photo: Shin H Kong

RiversEdge

★4.8(78)Free

RiversEdge is a spectacular four-parks-in-one playground destination that's quickly become a Jacksonville favorite. With thoughtfully separated play areas for different age groups, outdoor swings, and refreshing cooling misters for Florida's warm days, this brand-new facility offers hours of entertainment in a safe, well-designed environment that parents and kids both love.

🕑 1.5-3 hours

🌳 Park

Photo: Matthew Diekmann

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

★4.7(7,239)Free

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is a sprawling 450-acre oceanfront paradise that offers everything an active family could want in one location. With 1.5 miles of beautiful Atlantic beach, a dedicated splash park for little ones, two playgrounds, fishing opportunities at a 60-acre lake, and over 20 miles of trails, you can easily spend an entire day exploring without running out of activities.

🕑 4-6 hours for a full family day, or 2-3 hours if focusing on just beach or trails

🌾 Farm

Photo: Gema C

Riverside Arts Market

★4.7(4,815)Free1 mi · Riverside

The Riverside Arts Market transforms the space under the Fuller Warren Bridge into a vibrant Saturday morning destination where families can explore local art vendors, enjoy live music, and sample fresh food while kids run freely in a safe, riverfront setting. With over 180 vendors offering everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts, plus regular family entertainment and activities, it's Jacksonville's most beloved weekend tradition for locals and visitors alike.

🕑 1.5-2.5 hours

🎨 Museum

Photo: Aaron Daniels

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

★4.7(4,361)$

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens offers a perfect blend of culture and outdoor exploration for families, featuring interactive family backpacks filled with hands-on activities and the CREATE Cart with art projects kids can actually touch and make. The stunning 2.5-acre riverside gardens provide plenty of space for children to explore nature while parents enjoy world-class art, making it a rare museum where fidgety kids can genuinely have fun.

🕑 2-3 hours

🌳 Park

Photo: Memorial Park Association

Memorial Park

★4.7(4,096)Free2 mi · Riverside

Memorial Park is a spacious riverside gem that offers something for every age, from its exciting splash pad and well-maintained playground to scenic walking paths along the riverfront promenade. With plenty of open fields for running around, shaded picnic areas, and stunning water views, this highly-rated park (4.7/5 from over 4,000 reviews) is a go-to destination for Jacksonville families seeking outdoor fun.

🕑 3-4 hours

Sweet Pete's Candy candy store in Baymeadows, FL

🍦 Ice Cream

Photo: Sweet Pete's Candy

Sweet Pete's Candy

★4.7(3,747)$$0 mi · Baymeadows

Sweet Pete's Candy is a magical wonderland that transforms candy shopping into an unforgettable experience for the whole family. This impressive multi-story candy emporium features nostalgic confections, handcrafted chocolates, and interactive candy-making demonstrations that captivate children while triggering sweet childhood memories for parents.

🕑 1-2 hours