Spring is in the air! Although it’s still chilly here on the Emerald Coast, college students from all over the Southeast United States are flocking to Destin and 30A like seagulls flock to a spilled box of French fries on our white sandy beaches. Destin Harbor is packed with twenty-somethings hoping to relax on the beach and escape the harsh reality of university life. (Has anyone told them about #momlife, am I right?) Seaside is ringing with the sound of bicycle bells as families pedal their way around town and weave their colorful beach cruisers down the sidewalks.
As the temperatures get warmer, and with the kiddos out of school for a full week, we may be looking for family fun things to do with our own little Spring Breakers. Luckily, many venues in the area have us covered with events during the week and on the weekends.
HarborWalk Village has weekly, recurring events from March 16th through April 16th, so no matter what week your children are on Spring Break, you can bring the little ones down to enjoy the fun on Destin Harbor. Wednesdays at 7:00 pm, HarborWalk has Silent Disco! I admit, I had to look up this one, but from what I understand, the youngsters (and not this tired, old mama!) all dance to the same music, but each person has his or her own individual set of headphones tuned into that music. Starting at 5:00 pm on Thursdays, your little mermaid or pirate can visit with real Mermaids and Pirates and even take in a musical pirate show with The Crossbones. Rock the Docks each Saturday this Spring with a free concert at 7:00 pm each week.
In addition to the fun, weekly offerings this Spring, HarborWalk Village boasts shopping, dining, and water activities which include parasailing, deep sea charter fishing, Destin’s Original Dolphin Cruise aboard Southern Star and an interactive pirate-themed cruise aboard 100-foot pirate ship, The Buccaneer! During a special event on April 17th, you can bring your little snuggle bunnies to mingle with the Easter Bunny starting at 2:00 pm, receive a free photo, participate in kids’ activities and an Easter Egg Hunt with a chance to find a golden egg.
Now that I’ve got the Easter bug in your bunny ear, fluff up your bunny ear headband and strap it to your dog. Grand Boulevard will be holding a Doggie EGG-stravaganza on April 14th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Family fun for the babies and fur babies.
The Village of Baytowne Wharf puts on Sunday Cinema on March 20th, March 27th, and April 3rd. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy family-friendly movies: The Croods, Wonder, or Trolls, each week respectively, at 7:15 pm. Witness the spectacle of fly-boarding on Monday evenings at 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm during Hydroflight Mondays, which take place March 21st, 28th, and April 4th. Turn it up on Boomin’ Tuesdays with a live DJ before fireworks light up the Baytowne Lagoon at 8:30 pm on March 22nd, 29th, and April 5th. Put a little magic into your Spring Break with Magical Thursdays on March 24th and 31st featuring a Pirate Magician Captain Davy at 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm.
The Hub on 30A will be showing all of the March Madness events on their big screen, as well as Family Movie Night on March 23rd and 30th. Kids’ Yoga and DJ Dance Parties are also among the offerings at The Hub on select nights. Gather, eat, play, and relax at this family-friendly, outdoor venue that will give you all the backyard block party vibes you could imagine.
With so many family fun activities in our area you may not mind that the high gas prices are keeping you at home for Spring Break! (Sorry, I had to jump on that bandwagon!) Or, you may work in the service industry (like my family) and don’t remember what Spring Break is all about EXCEPT for working! Whether you take the trip or not, go make some memories! If you live in Destin, Miramar, 30A, Fort Walton Beach, or Navarre, and you can’t get out of town for Spring Break 2022, I hope my list of things to do with kids helps you make the most of this time with your little ones. Or if you’re visiting our Little Slice of Paradise, I hope you this helps you find some fun activities for kids while you’re here on vacation.
