Father’s Day Weekend: Dolphins, Dancing & Farmyard Fun

Welcome to Father’s Day weekend — one of the best weekends of the year to slow down and spend a little extra time together. This week’s lineup includes a Daddy Daughter Dance complete with Chick-fil-A dinner, popcorn, and plenty of time on the dance floor, plus a unique dolphin sail where families can spot wildlife while exploring Northeast Florida’s waterways. For younger kids, Wesley Wells Farms is hosting a splash-filled farm morning with baby animals, water play, and plenty of room to run around. Whether you're celebrating Dad, getting outside, or simply looking for something different to do with the kids, there are some fun options worth adding to the calendar.

Daddy Daughter Dance
📍 The Shanty & Co. (~33 min 🚗)
🕐 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
🎟️ $50 per pair / $20 sibling
🧒 Children & families
🔗 More info here

Kick off Father’s Day Weeknd with an evening of dancing, popcorn, drinks, and a Chick-fil-A dinner for a special daddy-daughter night out.

Fins & Freedom Dolphin Sail
📍 Wild Lessons (~34 min 🚗)
🕐 1:15 PM - 3:15 PM | Friday
🎟️ Ages 3-16 $35 / Adults $55
🧒 Ages 3-16 & adults
🔗 More info here

Set sail on a scenic Intracoastal cruise to spot dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, and coastal wildlife while learning all about Northeast Florida's marine life.

Summer on the Farm - Free Range Splash!
📍 Wesley Wells Farms (~39 min 🚗)
🕐 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
🎟️ $6.20/person
🧒 Young children
🔗 More info here

Kids meet baby animals, splash in water play, and enjoy good old farm fun, with a snack bar and cold drinks available.

Summer Break Art Camp: Dolphins, Whales & Sharks
📍 Creative Me Art Studio (~24 min 🚗)
🕐 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
🎟️ $45/session – $225/week
🧒 Ages 5+
🔗 More info here

Kids create two ocean-themed "Make-N-Take" art projects in this half-day camp, with morning or afternoon sessions available.

Little Ballerinas Pop Up
📍 Little Social (~12 min 🚗)
🕐 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
🎟️ $20
🧒 18 months - 5 years
🔗 More info here

Young dancers enjoy a pop-up ballet class with Ms. Michelle, designed just for toddlers and preschoolers.

Fins & Freedom Dolphin Sail
📍 Wild Lessons (~34 min 🚗)
🕐 1:15 PM - 3:15 PM
🎟️ Ages 3-16 $35 / Adults $55
🧒 Ages 3-16 & adults
🔗 More info here

Set sail on a scenic Intracoastal cruise to spot dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, and coastal wildlife while learning about Northeast Florida's marine life.

Tunes and Blooms
📍 Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens (~39 min 🚗)
🕐 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM
🎟️ 2 & under free / $17-$27
🧒 All ages
🔗 More info here

Stroll through the gardens at sunset while enjoying curated live music performances, with a different theme each night. This Friday night is Animal House themed (we’re pretty sure its not THAT Animal House, but fun none-the-less)

Daddy Daughter Dance
📍 The Shanty & Co. (~33 min 🚗)
🕐 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
🎟️ $50 per pair / $20 sibling
🧒 Children & families
🔗 More info here

Kick off Father’s Day Weeknd with an evening of dancing, popcorn, drinks, and a Chick-fil-A dinner for a special daddy-daughter night out.

Beach Exploration Guided Nature Walk
📍 GTM Research Reserve (~23 min 🚗)
🕐 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
🎟️ Free
🧒 All ages
🔗 More info here

Join a docent-led beach walk to learn about coastal animals, habitats, and seashells, starting with a lesson at the Visitor Center before heading to the shore.

DIY with Dad Cookie Decorating
📍 Little Social (~12 min 🚗)
🕐 9:00 AM
🎟️ $19
🧒 All ages
🔗 More info here

Perfect Father’s Day event! Dads and their little ones decorate cookies together with special guest Evermore Sweets at this hands-on open-play session.

Summer on the Farm - Free Range Splash!
📍 Wesley Wells Farms (~39 min 🚗)
🕐 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
🎟️ $6.20/person
🧒 Young children
🔗 More info here

Kids meet baby animals, splash in water play, and enjoy good old farm fun, with a snack bar and cold drinks available.

Toddler Time: Me With You Keepsake Craft
📍 Painted Pallet Studio (~20 min 🚗)
🕐 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
🎟️ $15
🧒 Toddlers
🔗 More info here

Toddlers listen to a Father’s Day story and press their handprint into a salt-dough keepsake ornament that dads and grandpas will treasure.

Intro to Handtool Woodworking for Kids
📍 Ancient City Craftworks (~40 min 🚗)
🕐 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
🎟️ $30
🧒 Ages 7+
🔗 More info here

Kids learn the fundamentals of hand-tool woodworking while building patience, perseverance, and creativity in this hands-on workshop.

Summer Reading Celebration Party
📍 Barnes & Noble, St. Augustine (~37 min 🚗)
🕐 2:00 PM
🎟️ Free
🧒 Young children
🔗 More info here

Young readers celebrate summer with crafts, games, prizes, sweet treats, and a special storytime — bring your Summer Reading Journal to share.

Mini Beaded Flower Bouquet Workshop
📍 Coconut Barrel (~37 min 🚗)
🕐 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
🎟️ $38 (Buy 3 get 1 free)
🧒 Ages 10+
🔗 More info here

Create a decorative mini beaded flower bouquet in this hands-on workshop — no prior beading experience needed.

Summer Nights Wildlife Tours
📍 Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens (~39 min 🚗)
🕐 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
🎟️ $35 per person (First 20 signups only!)
🧒 Children & families
🔗 More info here

Explore after hours with an interpretive guide to discover nocturnal animal behavior, behind-the-scenes stops, and up-close encounters.

Giraffe Celebration Day
📍 Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens (~39 min 🚗)
🕐 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
🎟️ Included with Zoo admission
🧒 Children & families
🔗 More info here

Celebrate World Giraffe Day with interactive games, hands-on activities, biofacts, and conservation experiences at the giraffe habitat.

The Costume Club
📍 Cut Up and Sew, St. Augustine (~40 min 🚗)
🕐 12:30 PM - 4:45 PM
🎟️ $15
🧒 Older children
🔗 More info here

This monthly workshop teaches cosplay, historical-garment, and theatrical costume-making skills — perfect for young makers who love to create.

Family Friendly Project Workshop
📍 Board & Brush, St. Johns (~15 min 🚗)
🕐 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
🎟️ Pre-registration required
🧒 Children & families
🔗 More info here

Pick an adult project and a coordinating kids project, then follow step-by-step guidance to build and paint a wood keepsake together.