KIDS CROWNS: FAMILY OUTINGS

SouthFlorida.com

Whether it's a day trip, weekend getaway, or a vacation, the judges have picked the best family destinations from South Florida. And the winners are....




Best Place to Create Quality Crafts (for Adults and Children)
ART-SEA LIVING
640 East Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach
561-737-2600; www.art-sealiving.com
Moms who want to indulge their own creativity will love the selection of fun and fine art classes available here, from sketching and watercolor to stained glass and wine glass painting, but, these awards are called "Kids Crown," so we'd be remiss if we didn't mention the spring and summer camp programs and mobile birthday parties for kids. Kids 4-12 and teens create unique, impressive projects including mosaics, watercolor, beading, clay hand building, tye-dye, shell art and more. Check the web site for camp schedules. Birthday parties come to you, and a variety of craft packages are offered. The studio is scheduled to relocate to Woolbright & Federal Highway in the fall, and will be adding more art classes and a birthday party room.


Best Tropical Island Camping Without Leaving South Florida
PEANUT ISLAND
6500 Peanut Island Road, Riviera Beach
561-845-4445, 866-383-5730
www.pbcgov.com/parks/peanutisland
Once a kind of no-man's land, now a managed county park, Peanut Island has become a beautiful and popular getaway for day excursions and overnight camping, with campsites, hot showers, grills, picnic tables and a pavilion. Accessed by boat only – your own or water taxi - the island provides a real buffer between you and civilization, but a resident park ranger also ensures safety and peace of mind. Nothing is for sale or rent, so bring everything you need to be comfortable, including tents, food, drink, coolers, charcoal, meds, etc… Electric available in pavilion, pets welcome, advance reservations required.


Best Place for Culture, Serenity and Fun
MORIKAMI MUSEUM AND JAPANESE GARDENS
4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach
561-495-0233; http://morikami.org;
Though South Florida is a cultural melting pot, this is the place to go for true insight into the culture and traditions of the Japanese. Family Fun Programs offer education and exploration through hands-on crafts projects for the whole family. (free with paid admission to museum.) Visit between July 2-8 to take part in an ancient Japanese tradition by placing your special wishes on the Tanabata bamboo in the museum lobby. The annual Bon Festival takes place on Aug. 8th, with taiko drum performances, traditional folk dancing, audience participation, a street fair with games and vendors, the sea of lighted lanterns and a fireworks display. During regular hours, explore the exhibits and connect you're your family on a walk through the beautiful, tranquil gardens.


Best Family Movie Night (that might be in Jeopardy)
FRIDAY NIGHT FLICKS
Old School Square
51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach
561-243-7922; www.oldschool.org/movies
This fun, inexpensive and popular outing for families could become another victim of these tough economic times. The program is under evaluation pending sponsorship - as in financial backing - so there's a chance these outdoor, family movies under the stars at the Entertainment Pavilion might not happen this year. With free, quality entertainment a rarity, this is a lose-lose situation for the city and for families. Hopefully it won't come to that and the program can resume its regular October-May movie schedule.


Best Park for Beach Fun
RED REEF PARK
1400 N. State Road A-1-A
Boca Raton; 561-393-7974
www.ci.boca-raton.fl.us/rec/parks/redreef
You won't mind the $16-$18 parking fee because you can easily spend the entire day and evening – the park doesn't close until 10 p.m. Picnic tables and grill are available on a first-come, first served basis, with convenient beach access from the picnic area. Once you hit the beach, the man-made coral reef is the big hit with families. Located within thirty feet of shore and under lifeguard supervision, it's perfect for beginners, who may observe schools of small resident reef fish, larger migratory fish, reef squid, and even the occasional ray or sea turtle. Fins are a must, flotation devices a good idea and avoid contact with the reef as fire coral may be present.


Best Park for Kids' & Family Programs
JONATHAN DICKINSON STATE PARK
16450 S.E. Federal Highway, Hobe Sound
772-546-2771; jonathandickinson/default.cfm
With the Loxahatchee River, running through it, visitors here can view the park by boat, canoe and kayak, in addition to hiking, equestrian and biking trails. But, the programs make an outing here educational, as well as adventurous and fun: tour boat rides to Trapper Nelson's, a restored pioneer site, and Elsa Kimbell Environmental Education and Research Center, which offers family-oriented activities such as Dip-Net Discovery and Snakes Alive. Some programs require pre-registration, but there's plenty to do if you just drop-in as well. Call 561-745-5551 for registration or information. Only 45 of the park's 135 camp sites are currently open as renovations are underway, so reserve ahead.


Best Outdoor Skate Park (where skaters can keep cool!)
PHIPPS SKATE PARK
4715 S Dixie Hwy., West Palm Beach
561- 835-7170
Open skate, beginner classes, private and small group lessons, skateboard classes for preschoolers (3-5 years) and summer camps barely scratches the surface of what's offered at this outdoor skate park, one of the largest in our area. Unbeatable membership fees for unlimited skating are available and open skate rates go down after 7:30 p.m. Beginner ramps aren't in the midst of the more advanced areas, so moms of true novices can breather a little easier. When skaters need a breather, the indoor, air-conditioned, rec center has a pool table, ping-pong, couches, a big screen television, video games and videos. Still more, with movie nights, sleepovers, field trips and birthday parties.


Best Place to See and Learn about Wildlife
GREEN CAY WETLANDS & NATURE CENTER
12800 Hagen Ranch Road
West of Boynton Beach
561-966-7000, www.pbcgov.com/parks/nature/green_cay_nature_center
Age-specific programs give children and families the opportunity to explore various aspects of nature and wildlife. Storytime and crafts for 3-5 year-olds involve hands-on activities, while Junior Naturalist programs for 9-14 year-olds gives kids increased exposure and understanding of nature-related topics. Inside, gators, a turtle tank and frog exhibits educate visitors about the wildlife they might see outside. Monthly Night Hikes allows families to see and hear the creatures of the night in their environment; a completely different experience than daytime interaction. The boardwalk provides an isolated, serene feeling and setting for families to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.


BASS PRO SHOPS
200 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach
954-929-7710; www.basspro.com
In addition to offering everything and anything a fishing enthusiast could want or dream about, Bass presents magnificent displays of fish and wildlife, offers classes and workshops for adults, kids and families and has become quite popular for its special programs during holidays and other times of the year. Look for Family Summer Fun, with free activities, crafts, casting contests and more throughout the month of July. Even when there isn't a special event, a shopping trip here is more like an outing, with a laser arcade, putting range and the 30,000 gallon aquarium, which your child will no doubt have his nose pressed up against.


Best Place to Learn About Jewish Culture
MY JEWISH DISCOVERY PLACE
6501 W. Sunrise blvd., Plantation
954-792-6700, ext. 329
The best way to educate is through interactive teaching, and with absolutely nothing in this museum that kids can't touch, they'll learn a lot about what it means to be Jewish. The play area includes a synagogue, a Jewish home, Noah's Ark, a library area with books and puzzles and craft projects to offer a variety of interactive play. This summer, classes are being offered in music, drama and cooking, as well as Friday Shabbat program, with prayers, music and crafts. One-hour classes are $10, meant for parent and child, and can be attended on a regular or intermittent basis. Registration is not required. Members receive 4 hours of classes for free.


Best Place to Go When the Kids Need to Let Off Steam
JUMP ZONE
10064 W Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise
954-703-1330; www.jumpzoneparty.com
A 20' tall Batman inflatable with obstacle course, climbing ropes in the Jurassic Park Adventure, slides in the Firetruck, tunnels in the Atlantis Underwater World, shooting hoops in Sponge Bob's place and more jumping fun in the Carousel Bounce. There's a separate playroom with soft play toys and play houses for very little ones, too. Open play hours vary each month and are posted online. Sessions run 2/12-3 hours and cost $9. Camp sessions and birthday parties are also offered. Safe, industrial strength cleaning products are used to keep bouncers clean and sanitary.


Best "Old" Park That's Like Brand New
T.Y. (TOPEEKEEGEE YUGNEE) PARK
3300 N. Park Road, Hollywood
954-985-1980; www.broward.org/parks/ty
If you haven't been here in awhile, you almost wouldn't recognize it. The extensive $10 million dollar renovations that have transformed this family favorite destination didn't go unnoticed by our readers. A new, zero-entry, free form swimming pool with rock formations and a waterfall, accommodates up to 500 people and has replaced the old, sandy lagoon. (Don't fret – Castaway Island remains the same) The campgrounds are all brand new, with 61 full hookup RV sites. The two-mile loop of newly paved pathways, goes around the entire perimeter of the park, and is great for walking, jogging, skating, and biking. There's even a small hill on the path to "up" your workout a little. Flora-lawn, an artificial grass, replaces the sandy playground surface, and new basketball courts and a fishing pier have been added.


Best Park Playground for Kids
PLANTATION HERITAGE PARK
1100 S. Fig Tree Lane, Plantation
954-791-1025; www.broward.org/parks/ph
Though this park is hardly a secret to locals, most are surprised to learn it's a Broward County Regional Park. The 7-acre lake is stocked with channel catfish and a few bass for fishing, and paddle boat rentals are from January-June. Other amenities include a dozen picnic shelters, a gazebo frequently used for weddings, jogging/biking path and an indoor rental facility to open soon. The playground on the East end is awaiting its new surface. The other offers an all-weather, rubberized surface, tot swings and lots of shade since its under a canopy. (FYI-all canopies in parks are taken down at the first threatening storm during hurricane season, and remain down until the season ends.) The two shelters closest to this playground book early, so reserve for parties and group gatherings a couple of months in advance..


Best All Around Beach
HOLLYWOOD BEACH
www.Hollywoodfl.org
The crown jewel of Hollywood Beach for kids is the newly renovated Charnow Park, which opened within the past year to immediate kid acclaim. Built with kids in mind, the park includes an interactive water fountain at the center to help beat the heat, a modern art style climbing wall that's not too high, not so scary, making it lots more fun, and state-of-the-art playground equipment. The beauty of the park is that it is literally on the beach. A half-dozen steps separate shady pavilion and playground play from sandy, sunny, beach fun on the Blue Wave certified beach, one of the cleanest in the nation. Entertainment abounds down here, both day and evening, and the beach is in walking distance from many of the area's natural resources where families can explore the natural habitat within minutes of the commercial district.


Best Water Park for Any Age
C.B. SMITH PARADISE COVE WATER PARK
900 N. Flamingo Road, Pembroke Pines
954-437-2650; www.broward.org/parks/cbparadise
From toddlers to teens, this waterpark offers wet fun for all. And, parents are allowed on some rides too. Parrot's Point is for 5 and younger to enjoy without the helter skelter of older kids disrupting their play. Sharkey's Lagoon attracts older kids and teens, offering a 3-story multilevel play structure with 3 water slides. Look out below as squirt guns and water buckets from above are aimed at unsuspecting players on the ground. If the water play gets too crazy for you, lounge on a tube in the Crazy Creek, a 410-foot, lazy river ride. For thrill-seekers, H-2 Whoa! delivers, with two 450-foot slides with tunnels, lots of twists, turns and drops. (Must be 42" and able to swim).


Best Place for Free Family Fun & for Kids to Eat Free
FUNTASTIC FRIDAYS FOR KIDS
Anniversary Park, 1945 Hollywood Blvd. (corner of Hollywood Boulevard and 20th Avenue)
954-921-3016; www.downtownhollywood.com
This weekly event offers something for everyone, young and not-so-young alike. The park's recent renovations offer enhanced landscaping, plenty of shade, game tables and new playground. But, you can't beat the entertainment value on Fridays, when visitors enjoy a bounce house, clowns, face painting, balloon twisting, interactive kids' game shows, karaoke, bingo and arts and crafts activities from 5-9 p.m. – all for free. Free kids menu meals are offered by select restaurants from 4-7 p.m., making this outing a true bargain for parents as well.


Best Nature Encounters and Preschool Nature Programs
LONG KEY NATURE CENTER
3501 SW 130th Ave., Davie
954-327-8797; www.broward.org/parks/lknc
156 acres of natural area offers a lot of opportunity for insight into the habits and actions of wildlife in their own backyard, from the various species of birds attracted to the Rookery Tree to the ½ mile long nature trail. Inside, the exhibit hall offers hands-on components to discover the animals you may or may not see outside, including gators, scorpions, turtles and legless lizards. The archaeological dig site is always fun for kids, as are the drums and moroccas, which are made from turtle shells and teach kids how Native American made their own instruments to entertain themselves. Preschool programs include story, craft and lots of hands-on activities. Pre-registration is required.


Best Skate Park for the Skateboarder's Soul
RAMP 48
6290 NW 27th Way, Fort Lauderdale
954-782-7267, ext. 9; www.ramp48.com
As a ministry of Calvary Chapel, the atmosphere at this skate park is pretty unique. The environment is un-intimidating, though the park itself offers plenty of challenging ramps, and verts on its 15,000 square-foot pro course. Helmets are required, and available for rent, along with pads and skateboards. The beginner section is separate from the main skate park, helping novices and younger kids feel comfortable and safe. Staff members are vested in their skaters, providing supervision and lessons in the park, as well as a weekly Bible study on Tuesday evenings for anyone who wishes to participate. The park closes at 7 p.m. and then re-opens to all who stay. Free skateboard lessons on Saturday mornings and daily summer camp programs, which include lunch and activities for $30 per day.


Best Family Sports Outing
SUPER SATURDAYS WITH THE FLORIDA MARLINS
Landshark Stadium
22269 Dan Marino Blvd., Miami
877-MARLINS
Kids will be singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" for every one of the Marlins' 13 Saturday home games this year. Few family outings are more fun than a day at the ballpark, but on these special days, families enjoy pre-game parties at The Strike Zone at Gate H, with player and celebrity autograph sessions, Billy the Marlin, the Mermaids, the Manatees, DJ M-Dot and live TV and radio broadcasts, all for the price of admission. Post-game concerts by internationally acclaimed recording artists and fireworks displays cap off the evening. Don't forget to root, root, root for the home team!


Best Skate Park That's More Than a Skate Park
ONE COOL WORLD
Peacock Park, 2820 McFarlane Road, Coconut Grove
786-290-5150; www.onecoolworld.com
It's official. This skate park, camp and all-around outdoor fun place for kids has received the "best of" nod for the fifth consecutive year, placing them in our Hall of Fame. Now a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization, and known as Base Camp Miami, this cool place continues to offer the same great, wonderful things families have come to love: a challenging skate park with obstacles and ramps for every skill level, training classes for novices to advanced, skateboarding camp programs, as well as fishing, kayaking, biking, hiking and more. And when kids want to hang indoors, the chill center is there for them to make music, play video games or just relax.


Best Way to Introduce Kids to the Performing Arts
FAMILY FEST
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
305-949-6722; www.arshtcenter.org
The interactive and entertaining Family Fest series runs from November through May and makes theater accessible to all families, with free family-friendly performances, mini-workshops and hands-on demonstrations. Each Family Fest day begins outside on the plaza with family-friendly fun that is connected to the stage performance; activities may include aerial performances, instrument discovery workshops, sing-alongs, dance, face-painting, storytelling or concerts. Families then head indoors for the free theater performance that will undoubtedly instill a passion for theater in kids of all ages. More free events here include Free Gospel Sundays, where families enjoy performances by some of the best choirs in the area and nationally. Not free, but worth knowing about is the Broadway for Families offerings which include 101 Dalmations and Wicked this season.


Best Beach In a Park
CRANDON BEACH AT KEY BISCAYNE
4000 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne
305-361-5421; www.miamidade.gov/parks/crandon_beach
The Vernacular architectural style of the new bathhouse, showers, restrooms and lifeguard stands adds to the beauty of this treasure, with its pristine sand and calm water. Cabanas are available for daily, weekly or monthly rental - a convenient home base while you enjoy an entire day at the beach, where kids can also enjoy all of the park offerings: the splash fountain, playground, skating rink, nature center, kayaking, canoeing, bike rides and the old-fashioned carousel, (open on weekends and holidays.) Beach wheelchairs for the disabled are available at no cost, making this 2-mile beach truly accessible to everyone.


Best Indoor Skateboarding Park
M.I.A. SKATE PARK
1850 NW 84 Ave Suite 108, Doral
305-599-2172; www.miaskatepark.com
This is the only true, indoor skatepark in South Florida with 13,000 square feet of street-driven course designed strictly for skateboarders (no rollerblades at this park), and includes traditional ramps, bowls and pipes as well. The owners, both skateboarders themselves, can often be found adjusting, tightening and generally making sure skateboards are up to snuff. Open skating in this safe, secure environment cost $5 on weekdays, $10 on weekends. Saturday and Sundays, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. are reserved for 12 and under, helping to introduce beginners to the joys of skateboarding in a less congested environment. Staff also offers private lessons for beginners. Contests, one free day per month and pro demonstrations are offered. The pro shop has all the cool, hard to find gear a skateboarder could want.


Best Park for Flora, Fauna and Family Fun
PINECREST GARDENS
11000 Red Road, Pinecrest
305-669-6942; www.pinecrest-fl.gov
With more than one thousand rare tropical and exotic plants and palm trees, as well as native hardwood and cypress hammocks, the landscape here is breathtaking, but it's the recreational components of the park that leaves kids breathless. In addition to the popular Splash 'N Play water attraction, the park offers a petting zoo, new playground, botanical gardens and coming soon, a library and community center. Annual community events include a Fine Arts Festival, Home and Garden Show and the Eggstravaganza Hop through the Gardens. Admission to the park is free.


Best Park to Relax and Enjoy the View
ALICE C. WAINWRIGHT PARK
2845 Brickell Ave., Miami
305-856-6794
Amenities: picnic shelters, barbecue grills, walking trails, basketball cour A beautiful, quiet place to spend quality time with the family, staring at the skyline or gazing at the waters of Biscayne Bay where you may on occasion, view a celebrity or two passing by on their boat. Picnic tables, grills and lots of open space, so bring along the outdoor picnic games – horsehoes, Frisbee, etc… and just enjoy.


Best Free Way to Learn Important and Fun Life Skills
HOME DEPOT KIDS WORKSHOPS
www.homedepot.com
If you don't know which end of the screwdriver to use to hammer in a nail, then this is definitely the place to bring your kids. (that was a joke, by the way.) It is true though that the earlier kids are taught skills and learn about tools, the more independent and confident they'll be when it comes to creating, repairing and following directions for putting something together. These workshops are for kids 5-12, together with a parent, and are designed to teach do-it-yourself skills and tool safety. The "how-to" clinics are offered on the first Saturday of the month in every Home Depot store, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Projects include toolboxes, birdhouses, fire trucks, picnic caddies and more. Kids also receive a miniature of the signature Home Depot orange worker's apron and an achievement pin.


Best Storytimes
BORDERS
www.borders.com
Kids just love having their favorite stories read to them. At bedtime. On rainy days. In the morning In the evening. When parents are busy. When parents are tired. Borders never tires of children's story times, and is there for parents and kids every week, and in some stores, twice a week. These programs are generally for preschool and elementary age kids and held on either a weekday or Saturday morning. They may be themed, always interactive, and include a craft or activity, depending on the book chosen and the age group. But they are always drop-in, and always free. Visit the web site for store locations and call for details on local events


Best Craft Programs to Do With Kids
MICHAEL'S
www.michaels.com
This place really has a knack for crafts, so much so, in fact, that their new craft program for kids is called "The Knack." Although it's not quite ready for South Florida locations yet. 'Till then, Michael's still offers free monthly family events that consist of a hands on arts and craft project, free demonstrations and in-store specials. The program is usually on a Saturday and geared toward kids ages 5-12. Drop in anytime during the craft window and your child will head home with anything from a decorated t-shirt to a flower arrangement or other accessory, depending on the theme of the month. If you sign up for alerts on the web site, you'll receive coupons for up to 40% off craft items, which could come in handy if your child is the creative type. Stores also offer birthday party options.




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