Spring Break Fun

Spring Break in Palm Beach County will be from March 14-18th. March 21st is a Professional Development Day and there is no school. There are many great camp options (check them out here).  If you are taking the week off as well, here are some fun things to go do right here in South Florida!

Explore your backyard

People travel from all over the world to enjoy the sun, beach and beautiful weather South Florida has to offer!  When was the last time you were at the beach? I know it is a big pain to haul all that gear and stuff but it really wears the kids out and is a lot of fun. If the thought of sand in your car is too messy, maybe check out a local splash pad or water park.

Plan a short road-trip a trip McKee Gardens in Vero Beach. Their children’s garden is a fun place to explore and enjoy the fresh air. Now through May 1, enjoy Dinosaurs Around the World: The Great Outdoors.  At this specially constructed outdoor version of the popular Dinosaurs Around the World exhibition, visitors will be whisked back in time on a dinosaur adventure and a tour of an Earth that’s very different from the one we inhabit today.  Learn more at www.mckeegarden.org. For more fun things to do on the Treasure Coast check out our PB Parenting Treasure Coast Section on page 33 and on social media. Marianne our Treasure Coast Editor has put together her Spring Break picks.

Educational Field Trips

Just because school is out doesn’t mean the learning has to stop. Day trips to some area attractions can help teach the kids a few things and have fun while away from the classroom. Some of PB Parenting’s top picks: Cox Science Center and Aquarium, Palm Beach Zoo, Schoolhouse Children’s Museum and Learning Center, Sandoway Discovery Center,  Loggerhead Marinelife Center and the Manatee Lagoon. Learn about animals, science and more all within a 30-40 minute drive of your house.  

School may be out but Schoolhouse is in! They offer lots of fun activities including an interactive storytime on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 AM that is free with paid admissions. Class size is limited so make sure to RSVP at the front desk. Learn more at www.schoolhousemuseum.org.

The Cox Science Center and Aquarium has one of our favorite backyards to play in! Check out the Fisher Family Science Trail. Enjoy the outdoors while continuing your science exploration! The quarter-mile trail connects 15 new exhibits, including a Physics Forest, FPL SolarScape, splash pad, gem panning station, shark tooth dig pit, a dinosaur walk, picnic areas and much more! You can also play a round of mini-golf at their conservation course. Also stay cool inside and check out their Earth Matters exhibit. Rethink the future with their latest traveling exhibition, Earth Matters! Presented by VoLo Foundation, this thought-provoking and interactive exhibit takes visitors on an inspirational journey through five immersive zones that teach curious minds the importance of creating a sustainable future in a fun and engaging way. Solve complex challenges, push your ideas to new heights, and discover how the smallest of actions can have a big impact on the world around you. Learn more at www.coxciencecenter.org.

Right next door to the Cox Science Center and Aquarium is the Palm Beach Zoo. The Zoo is a great way to spend a fun day during Spring Break! As Palm Beach County’s top-rated zoological experience the Palm Beach Zoo is home to hundreds of animals and 190 species, many of them endangered. Come visit your favorite animals from monkeys, sloths, koalas, lemurs to big cats like tigers and jaguars and even a white alligator named Mardi. There are even animal encounters like feeding lorikeets. There is a cafe to enjoy lunch and don’t forget to pack a towel and bathing suit to cool off in the splash fountain. Plan your visit at www.palmbeachzoo.org. You can even save $3 off daytime full-priced admission for up to 4 people with a coupon in this issue (page 19).

Don’t let a little construction detour you from checking out the Loggerhead Marinelife Center. As they expand to make an even better Loggerhead, they are still rescuing and rehabilitating sea turtles. So check out their sea turtle patients. Learn more at www.marinelife.org.

How about feeding some sharks? Sandoway Discovery Center has Shark Feedings Tues.-Saturday at Noon. $6 per a person. Learn more at www.sandoway.org.

Manatees are Florida’s gentle and “chubby mermaids”. Learn all about them for FREE at FPL’s Manatee Lagoon. Florida manatee season runs from November 15 to March 31. Although there is no guarantee you will spot a manatee at Manatee Lagoon — because these amazing, wild creatures are operating on their own time, not ours — during manatee season, you might see dozens of manatees at one time congregating within plain view of the observation deck. 

Manatee Lagoon is an optimal location for seeing sea cows, although you should understand that they won’t always be there and there is no guarantee that they’ll be present. At 2 PM daily, join for a lagoonside chat with a “Manatee Master”. Hear about “all things manatee,” learn what you can see from the observation deck and get answers to manatee-related questions in a Q&A session following the presentation. Lagoonside Chats are outdoors only, so the program may be cancelled due to inclement weather. Check out all the programs that Manatee Lagoon has to offer including story times and their upcoming ManateeFest at www.visitmanateelagoon.com.

Indoor Fun

We can’t control the weather, if it’s a rainy day or maybe you want a break from the outside heat, check out Adrenaline Entertainment Center! This fun trampoline park has a rock climbing wall, basketball, trapeze and dodgeball. 2 hours of jumping and my kids are worn out for the day! Save 20% off admission with promo code PBPARENT.

Create some art! 

All ages, backgrounds and artistic abilities can  gather to create and unwind. Picasso’s offer an assortment of bisque pottery shapes, specialty colors and glazes, and the most helpful and dedicated studio assistants.  Learn more at www.gopicasso.com.

Day Trip via Train!

No one wants to drive and deal with Miami traffic! That is why it is great to park and take the Brightline! Right now Kids ride for FREE. From now until March 31, 2022, kids aged 12 and under can get a free ride with the purchase of an adult SMART fare. The Brightline can take you to fun destinations in Fort Lauderdale and Miami with attractions nearby or a quick uber or shuttle from the station.

Attractions near the Fort Lauderdale Brightline Station includes the Museum of Science and Discovery. Right now through December 31, 2022, riders receive complimentary admission* with the purchase of a train ticket. Simply show a Brightline pass or QR code for FREE admission within three days of your ride.

 *Complimentary admission to MODS is offered during Museum operating hours within three (3) days after the scheduled train departure date and time with the purchase of a SMART or PREMIUM Brightline ticket. Each Brightline ticket admits one (1) guest. 

If you travel all the way to Miami you can connect and take the MetroMover to the Frost / PAMM stop to enjoy the Frost Science Center. Taking the train sure beats sitting in Miami traffic! 

PB Parenting hopes you have a safe and fun Spring Break!  We are very lucky to live in South Florida and Spring Break is the perfect time for a mini-staycation and enjoy everything our area has to offer. Share your spring break adventures with us on social media tag PB Parenting on instagram or facebook or send us a DM.