🌊 Featured Event: GTM Beach Exploration

There’s no shortage of great things happening this weekend, but if you’ve got Saturday morning open, this is one opportunity worth building your plans around. The GTM Beach Exploration on Saturday, January 17 from 9:00–11:00 AM offers a rare mix of fresh air, hands-on learning, and real adventure that’s easy to say yes to. It’s free, family-friendly, and the kind of experience that feels memorable without requiring a full day commitment.

Toddler & Preschool Story Time
📍 Crosswater Hall – Nocatee Room (~5 min 🚗)
🕒 9:30–11:00 AM
🎟️ Free
👶 Ages: Toddlers (9:30–10:00) & Preschoolers (10:30–11:00)
🔗 https://residents.nocatee.com/event/Jan1526StoryTime
A free, interactive story time hosted with the St. Johns County Library designed just for toddlers and preschoolers.

Music Bingo Night
📍 Paradise Park (~5 min 🚗)
🕒 6:00–8:00 PM
🎟️ $5 per person
👨‍👩‍👧 All ages (children must be supervised)
🔗 https://residents.nocatee.com/event/MusicBingoJan26
Test your music knowledge with DJ Ross while enjoying food, drinks, and high-energy bingo fun.

Kiddie Academy Winter Wonderland Open House
📍 Kiddie Academy of St. Johns (~15 min 🚗)
🕒 5:30–7:00 PM
🎟️ Free
👶 Preschool & early elementary
🔗 https://kiddieacademy.com/academies/st-johns/event/winter-open-house-7/
A festive open house with crafts, games, snacks, and a special appearance by Olaf.

Hydro’s Pajama Jam
📍 Crosswater Hall – Nocatee Room (Cart-able)
🕒 6:00–8:30 PM
🎟️ $10 per child (adults free)
👧 Kids
🔗 https://residents.nocatee.com/event/HydroPJJamJan26
Dress in your coziest pajamas for dancing, crafts, a movie, and hot chocolate with Hydro.

GTM Research Reserve: Beach Exploration
📍 GTM Research Reserve (~20 min 🚗)
🕒 9:00–11:00 AM
🎟️ Free (advance registration required)
👨‍👩‍👧 All ages
🔗 https://gtmnerr.org
Explore coastal habitats, wildlife, and seashells on a guided family-friendly beach walk.

Lowe’s DIY-U Kids Workshop: Washing Machine Bank
📍 Lowe’s St. Augustine or Palm Coast (~30–40 min 🚗)
🕒 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
🎟️ Free
🧒 Kids
🔗 https://www.lowes.com
Kids build a spinning washing-machine-style coin bank while learning basic building skills.

Nocatee New Year Farmers Market
📍 Nocatee Station Field (Cart-able)
🕒 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
🎟️ Free
👨‍👩‍👧 All ages
🔗 https://www.nocatee.com
Browse local vendors, fresh foods, and community favorites at Nocatee’s monthly market.

Sit & Sew for Charity
📍 Cut Up & Sew St. Augustine (~30 min 🚗)
🕒 10:30 AM–4:30 PM
🎟️ Free
🧵 Teens & adults
🔗 https://www.cutupandsew.com
A community sewing session focused on creating meaningful projects for charity.

PVB Kids “Let’s Move!” Dance Fun
📍 Ponte Vedra Beach Library (~15 min 🚗)
🕒 3:00–4:00 PM
🎟️ Free
🧒 Ages 6–11
🔗 https://sjcpls.librarycalendar.com/event/pvb-kids-lets-move-saturday-11864
A high-energy dance program that gets kids moving, grooving, and having fun.

Vilano Beach Artisan Market
📍 Vilano Beach Main Street (~30 min 🚗)
🕒 4:00–8:00 PM
🎟️ Free
👨‍👩‍👧 All ages
🔗 https://www.vilanobeachfl.com
Stroll the sidewalks and shop local artisans, makers, and food vendors by the beach.

Cathedral Parish School Chowder Festival
📍 Mission Nombre de Dios (~30 min 🚗)
🕒 12:30–4:30 PM
🎟️ Free
👨‍👩‍👧 All ages
🔗 https://www.facebook.com
Enjoy chowder tastings, live music, cold drinks, and family fun in a historic setting.

The Costume Club
📍 Cut Up & Sew St. Augustine (~30 min 🚗)
🕒 12:30–4:45 PM
🎟️ $15
🎭 Teens & adults
🔗 https://www.cutupandsew.com
A monthly creative workshop for cosplay, historical, and theatrical costume enthusiasts.

Please let us know if you have any feedback or how we can improve. We want to make 2026 the best year yet!

The Carts & Rec Team

P.S.

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