Jacksonville with Kids

Learn about the human body, how water works, the history of Jacksonville and so much more at the Museum of Science and History (MOSH). There are preschool programs as well as special events throughout the year. On Fridays, enjoy the evening hours and a discounted admission of $5 making this an inexpensive family friendly activity. After your visit to the MOSH, take a quick walk to the Friendship Fountain.

Address: 1025 Museum Circle
Phone: 904-396-MOSH
Admission: Adults $10; Children (3-12 yrs) $8; Seniors & Active Military $8.50; Members & ASTC FREE
Hours of Operation: Monday - Thursday 10am to 5pm; Friday 10am to 8pm; Saturday 10am to 6pm; Sunday 1pm to 6pm

After visiting the Museum of Science and History, take the short walk next door to see the Friendship Fountain. The Friendship Fountain was completed in the 1960s and consists of over 60 nozzles that shoot water as high as 120 feet in the air. At night the fountain may be lit up with colorful lights that make for a beautiful show. There are picnic tables and benches in the park so you can bring a cooler and have a picnic lunch when you are finished visiting the museum.

Address: 1015 Museum Circle
Phone: 904-630-4100
Admission: Free
Hours of Operation: Park Hours - 5am to 10pm; Fountain Hours - 8am to 10pm

Kids Kampus at Metropolitan Park was designed with children's play needs and wants in mind. Plan to spend anywhere from 30 minutes to all day at this park. There is a safety town with pretend roads, stop signs, railroad lights, and signs. There are also buildings representing a grocery store, gas station, police station and more. You can practice riding bikes with training wheels through the little town. There is a large playground and a splash park that is open during the hot months. There are picnic tables to eat a picnic lunch.

Address: 1410 Gator Bowl Boulevard
Phone: 904-630-5437
Admission: Free
Hours of Operation: Spring and summer Hours are Monday through Saturday from 8am to 8pm. During fall and winter, the park closes at 6pm. The splash area is open seasonally.

If you have an aspiring fireman or firewoman in your family, he or she will love a stop at the Jacksonville Fire Museum. There are artifacts and photographs documenting the history of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department. The museum is a good stop before or after you visit Kids Kampus at Metropolitan Park as they are located near each other.

Address: 1406 Gator Bowl Boulevard
Phone: 904-630-0168
Admission: Free
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 9am-4pm

Besides seeing the many different animals, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens offers beautiful botanical gardens, a carousel (for a fee of $2), and a boardwalk. There is a train ride that loops around the zoo (Adults $4 and Children $2). Kids will love to splash in the water at the Play Park and Splash Ground so be sure to pack a change of clothes or throw on a swimsuit under their clothes before you go to the zoo.

Address: 370 Zoo Parkway
Phone: 904-757-4463
Admission: Adults (age 13 to 64) $13.95; Seniors (age 64+) $11.95; Children (3 to 12) $8.95; FREE Children age 2 and under
Hours of Operation: Open daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 364 days a year

Explore the grounds of the Kingsley Plantation, which include the plantation house, the kitchen house and more. Wander the nature trails through different types of North Florida ecosystems in the Theodore Roosevelt Area and Cedar Point. You may spot dolphins, manatees or many different birds. There are both self-guided and rander-led tours and programs. There are kayak rentals available if you would like to see the preserve by kayak.

Address: 13165 Mt. Pleasant Road
Phone: 904-641-7155
Admission: Free
Hours of Operation: Daily from 9am to 4:45pm

When we travel with our children, we are always on the lookout for a great playground. Even if we only spend an hour running around and climbing on the playground equipment, it is a good way to make your children feel at home in any city. Most every child loves a good playground! Losco Regional Park is surrounded by big beautiful trees that shade the park. There are nature trails, soccer fields, and a paved sidewalk perfect for bikes.

Address: 10851 Hood Road South
Phone: 904-630-4100
Admission: Free
Hours of Operation: Daily from 5am to 10pm

This children's museum is a small museum that encourages imaginative play through their exhibits. The exhibits include a grocery store, a radio station, a post office, a bank and more. Adults must pay for admission. This might be a good stop if the weather is poor and you want to occupy the young children for an hour or two with an indoor activity.

Address: 8580 Beach Boulevard
Phone: 904-642-2688
Admission: Ages 1 to 3 $4.00; Ages 4 and up $5.50
Hours of Operation: Monday to Saturday 9:30am-5pm

If you are looking for a meal out of the ordinary, visit Clark's Fish Camp. Your family will not be your only dining companions. The dining room is surrounded by taxidermy of all kinds. The menu has a number of items you might not have seen on a menu lately: gator, quail, eel, and more. There are also lots of other dishes to choose from: seafood, chicken fingers, oysters and more. The menu offers choices in a variety of price ranges. Reservations available.

Address: 12903 Hood Landing Road
Phone: 904-268-FISH
Hours of Operation: Mon to Thurs 4:30pm-9:30pm; Friday 4:30pm-10:00pm; Saturday 11:30am-10:00pm;
Sunday 11:30am-9:00pm