Summer is here bringing with it time for family fun, specifically in the Florida Treasure Coast. If you live in the Treasure Coast area you will be looking for ideas to occupy the children home from school. If you are traveling on summer vacation you will be looking for ideas the children will enjoy. Either way, let me start by saying, enjoy the adventure. and Remember you are making those wonderful childhood memories you’ll want for your children. Memories they will look back on in later years.
Fun doesn’t have to be over the top or break the bank. Adults tend to over complicate things. The first thing you learn as a Scout leader is KISS-Keep it Simple Stupid. No, no, I wasn’t calling you stupid. It’s just that parents over think things. Even in this day of screens, children of all ages love adventure. If it’s fun, or interesting, the screens will be put down. When they pick them back up it will be to share what they did. That’s a good thing.
By definition adventure means an exciting or unusual experience. This can be easy with little ones because so much will be new. The older they get the more it takes to find the unusual but to me, strictly my opinion, adventure is a state of mind. It doesn’t matter where you are or what your age. You simply need an open mind and the desire to see what’s right in front of you. If we instill this in our little ones even as a teen he/she can find adventure a variety of ways. Of course adults are the hardest to excite because we lose our sense of wonder. We’ve lost the impulse to breakdown the common place and look deeper – or see the beauty in the little details. In order to excite children they need to be exposed, that means the adult needs to be aware in order to point things out.
Case in point. Most adults would not be inclined to pick up insects to show children how very different they might be. Personally, I can understand that but, stop and talk about it. If you are on a hike bring a jar to collect the bug. After a conversation, let it go and find something else. What might they be doing? How do they protect themselves? Do they bite, sting, hide by changing color? Maybe you are ok picking up a salamander or frog. Let them handle these sweet, harmless little creatures.
I’ve always thought, after safety, nourishment, and love, a parents job is to provide exposure. Help your child find what interests them. They may never find it if they don’t know it exists. If their interest is in bugs, don’t squash their curious mind, take them to an environmental education center. You may have a future scientist in the house. You never know what impact exposing them will have.
Other than summer road trips on the east coast my parents were not really interested in travel. When I was 12 my best friend moved across the country. When I was 13 I flew to visit my friend. Since my parents had no influence on me to travel I am left to believe this trip was one of 2 things that cemented my love for it. The other was with another friend and her mother, before my first flight. We went to see a travel documentary titled “From Beirut to Bagdad”. I found the film terribly boring but, I knew then, someday I would be on an airplane going somewhere I’d never been before. It all started when I was exposed.
For older children and teens change their perspective. Team them up with a younger sibling & let them be the teacher. Those who use their knowledge (as when teaching others) gain a deeper understanding of the subject. Challenge them. Maybe you are going somewhere of little interest to the kids. At home, things like incorporating a scavenger hunt into a day out is an idea that can add fun but when traveling, make it relevant to being in a new place. What’s different from home? Have them make a list, take a picture with the phone of things that might be different (keep it age appropriate to keep it fun) like the beach, architecture, birds, trees, bugs, food, local sayings and so on.
A living museum (Unfortunately I haven’t found any in the Treasure Coast – yet) can change your perspective when one puts them self in another’s shoes. How did teens have fun in the 1800’s? Point out, this is what you would do to have fun, this is what you would have worn. You get the point. Living museums can be more interesting than photos & statues you will find in some. However, there is such a variety in museum subjects, and interactive programs or exhibits, that you are bound to find one of interest. You simply have to bring that moment in history to a relevant point for it to be interesting.
What I’ve said to this point has been pretty generic so let’s get more specific to the Treasure Coast. First thing I think of is the beach followed by the abundance of water; fresh or salt, river, intercostal or the ocean. You can go boating, diving, kayaking, paddle boarding and more. But what else can you do? In my attempt to give you interesting ideas I will include free or low cost ideas as well as a few things some may consider a bit pricy. It’s important to be age appropriate so some things may be for all ages, others not.
Being in the Treasure Coast the coastal waterways are front & center. Maybe a trip to the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center in Stuart is worth checking out. This is a great for all ages. Now through Aug 1st you can join the Turtle Walks. Admission to the center is $12.00/Ad $6 child 3-12
Vero Beach has an Environmental Learning Center and, among other programs, has a 1st Free Saturday. (1st Sat of month) There is a touch tank, programs for teens and a 64 acre lagoon. If you live in the area they also run a summer camp. Visit discoverelc.org and the events calendar can be found on their social media. Admission is $5./12-adult $3/2-11 and under 2 is free.
Boating can be a great way to spend family time and Treasure Coast Boat Rentals get you out on the water. Pontoon boats are flat and offer easy on off making it fun to jump in the water even for little ones. They are slower moving boats so it’s more about the enjoyment of being on the water not the activity you may be doing like water skiing. Pack a lunch and bring water toys and you are set for hours. Relax & make it about the family fun. Prices vary.
Speed boats are great for water skiing and such, but not so much fun for little ones. Personal water craft are also very popular and quite a bit of fun.
If renting the boat and running it yourself is not for you you can sign up for a number of tours. River Explorer Boat Tours offer lazy river tours for wildlife viewing. The Indian River Lagoon diversity includes 2200 animals and 2100 plant species. You will look for manatees, dolphins, birds and more. Up to 10 passengers Private tours available. 1 hr best for little ones $25 A/$15.Ch. 2yrs-12-Under 2 free. 2 hrs tour $35/$20
For snorkeling or scuba diving check out Treasure Coast Dive Center. Snorkeling can be pretty amazing and is suitable for all but the tiny ones. If you have your own gear (many beach lovers do), it’s free. Otherwise, you can rent it from a dive shop. They can also suggest the best area to go for best viewing. Of course, if you are divers you already know about dive boats. Price varies with equipment need and type of activity.
Not a diver but want the experience? Dive shops run what is called an experience scuba class. An hour or so in a pool for instruction and then you go dive with a dive master. Diving is an amazing lifestyle sport that one can do from age 10. One thing I want to point out is, diving is a sport where everyone is on an equal stating point. By that I mean, your 10 year old can learn this in the same class as Dad or Mom and be equal. Kids adapt to scuba very quickly and make great divers. It is a lifetime sport with an endless opportunity to dive while giving great purpose to travel. It can be done in almost any area so whether you are, home or away, you are never far from a dive spot. And, it offers numerous courses so you never grow tired of doing the same kind of dive. Getting back to the treasure coast, Florida offers some of the best underwater experiences you can find.
I mentioned living museums above because it can be relatable. For me, I never really liked history with all the irrelevant dates and facts. As an adult, I was scuba diving in Truck Lagoon, a lagoon filled with WW2 Japanese ships that actually attacked Pearl Harbor. My Father’s service time in Pearl Harbor came to life in front of me. I was diving on the wrecks of actual ships that attacked the island. From that moment on I have looked at things differently, seeing the relevance that was previously lost to me.
There are several museums but I haven’t been able to locate any living ones in the area. However, this looks good in Fort Pierce. Teens may find The Fort Pierce Navy SEAL Museum interesting.
It’s not a living museum but teens today are very aware of Navy SEALS. This provides a more factual background verses the stories on TV that may be fictionalize a bit. Admission Adults (13 years and older): $15.00
Children ages 6 – 12 years: $7.00
Children age 5 and under: FREE
Seniors (65+), Veterans, First Responders: $12.00 –
And teens with an interest in art might enjoy the Mural Trail in Fort Pierce. Free It includes street art murals depicting Fort Pierce History. A list and map is available on website. While there check the schedule for a Friday Fest that fits your schedule.
More ideas for fun in the Florida Treasure Coast.
Public beaches are abundant. If your family is the type to enjoy the day at the beach,(so many people do) be sure to bring bag or container to collect shells. A good time for the older kids to help the little ones identify them on google.
Port St. Lucie St Lucie Aquarium / Smithsonian Marine Station / Museum of Natural History Everyone loves an aquarium and if your child has an interest in the underwater world then this is the place to go. There are exhibits and programs to entertain and inform.
There’s always an exhibit at a Natural Museum that attracts kids. The Aquarium is $4 and $7 for a combo museum tour. The 1st Tues of the month is free.
By now you may have noticed, I am very partial to discovery learning. I try to live by the notion of learning something every day. Many children are resistant to learning when it is pushed on them or boring. But really, so are adults. With discovery learning, nothing is pushed or boring. They get enough lecturing in school so at home I’ve always tried to teach them without the focus on learning. Discovery learning does that. They are interested and therefor often unaware of it being “lessons”. This applies to outings, games, toys, food shopping, helping Mom & Dad, practically everything, and can apply to any age. You will be providing fun and build knowledge without them feeling like they are in school.
In Stuart – sometimes it’s all about mindless fun at Sailfish Splash Waterpark. Full day tickets range from $12.95-$14.95 for child to adult. Check the website for other fees. On prescheduled dates they hold a Splash & Movie night. That sounds like a perfect family fun night. Live in the area? They offer swim lessons starting at 6 months of age.
The Vero Beach Botanical Gardens. Some may say this is an adult thing. What kid wants to look at trees and shrubs? That’s why I suggest requesting a Discovery Backpack. Having the necessary tools will turn your walk into an adventure. You can choose themes such as “ Lost in the jungle” and “It’s a bugs world”. The backpack is borrowed and included in the admission price of Adults: $10.00, Seniors: $9.00 Children (3-12): $5.00
The gardens are wheel chair accessible. A limited number are available or bring your own.
Another day of pure fun. Flying Panda in Port St.Lucie and RUSH in Jensen Beach are trampoline parks. This is a multifaceted activity center. From gymnastic areas to tumbling and gladiator style fighting there is something for all kids, young & old. There are toddler times for under 5 yrs and RUSH after dark for all ages. Live in the area? They make great birthday party locations. Prices vary with place, package, age etc so visit the site for details.
In Vero Beach Check out Treasure Coast Seaplanes. Aerial tours are exciting especially for those who’ve never flown. Sea planes have a rugged adventure appeal a commercial airline doesn’t so even if you have flown you might find seaplanes exciting.
The goal of this blog is to give you ideas to consider and, maybe spark a few ideas of your own. If you liked my thoughts please subscribe to my blog and come back often. I will share my two cents, travels, adventures and my parenting experiences. Here on TodaysTreasureCoast.com it will always focus on sun & fun in the Florida Treasure Coast. Until then, Eleanore
Until next time,
Eleanore