🦈Sharks, Scenic Trails & a Teen Night Out

The back-to-school countdown is on, but there's still plenty of summer left to soak up! This weekend leans into hands-on fun and the great outdoors. Celebrate Shark Week with a free, up-close Shark Talk (and a shark-tooth craft!) at Fort Matanzas. If you've been meaning to explore the GTM Research Reserve, this is one of your last chances before summer winds down to join one of their guided hikes and see the Guana Peninsula with expert naturalists. And if you've got teens at home, The Link is hosting another free Teen Game Night with a Friday luau theme and Saturday movie night, giving them a fun, supervised place to hang out with friends while parents get a little quiet time at home.

Family Friendly Shark Talk & Activity
📍 Fort Matanzas National Monument (~51 min 🚗)
🕐 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM | Saturday
🎟️ Free - No Registration Needed
🧒 Children & families
🔗 More info here

Meet local shark species, learn why sharks are vital to our oceans, and make a shark-tooth craft — a fun, free 30-minute Shark Week program - wear close toed shoes, sunscreen and bug spray!

Guided Exploration Hike
📍 GTM Research Reserve — Trailhead Pavilion (~24 min 🚗)
🕐 9:00 – 11:00 AM | Saturday
🎟️ $3/vehicle (cash)
🧒 All ages
🔗 More info here

We’ve told you about these hikes before, but this is one of your last chanches to get out and explore the GTM before summer ends! Explore scenic trails with expert guides and discover the Guana Peninsula's wildlife, history, and estuary — advance registration required.

Free Teen Game Night — Teen Nights @ The Link
📍 The Link (Cartable 🛒)
🕐 7:00 PM | Friday and Saturday
🎟️ Free
🧒 Teens ages 13–18
🔗 More info here

High-energy themed teen nights — Friday is Luau Night and Saturday is movie night— hang out, play games, and meet new friends in a structured supervised environment.

Kindie Kick-Off
📍 The Little Gym of Fruit Cove (~24 min 🚗)
🕐 9:00 – 10:00 AM
🎟️ Free
🧒 Rising kindergarten age
🔗 More info here

A free, energetic class that eases kindergarten-age kids into fitness and movement in a fun, supportive setting.

End of Summer Parent's Night Out Party
📍 Code Ninjas — Ponte Vedra Beach (~21 min 🚗)
🕐 6:00 – 9:00 PM
🎟️ $59
🧒 Kids
🔗 More info here

Drop the kids off for supervised games and coding fun while you enjoy a night out.

Free Teen Game Night — Teen Nights @ The Link
📍 The Link (Cartable 🛒)
🕐 7:00 PM
🎟️ Free
🧒 Teens ages 13–18
🔗 More info here

High-energy themed teen nights — Friday is Luau Night — hang out, play games, and meet new friends.

Guided Exploration Hike
📍 GTM Research Reserve — Trailhead Pavilion (~24 min 🚗)
🕐 9:00 – 11:00 AM
🎟️ $3/vehicle (cash)
🧒 All ages
🔗 More info here

Explore scenic trails with expert guides and discover the Guana Peninsula's wildlife, history, and estuary — advance registration required.

Free Kids Woodworking Workshop
📍 Home Depot (~15 min 🚗)
🕐 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
🎟️ Free
🧒 Young kids
🔗 More info here

Kids learn basic woodworking and build a project to take home — hands-on, and completely free.

Family Friendly Shark Talk & Activity
📍 Fort Matanzas National Monument (~51 min 🚗)
🕐 10:00 AM
🎟️ Free
🧒 Children & families
🔗 More info here

Celebrate Shark Week — meet local shark species, learn why sharks matter, and make a shark-tooth craft (about 30 minutes, no registration needed).

Night Art Market
📍 Lakeside Park, St. Augustine Beach (~44 min 🚗)
🕐 3:00 – 8:00 PM
🎟️ Free
🧒 All ages
🔗 More info here

An evening of local art, vendors, live music, food, and family fun in a beautiful lakeside park — free and open to everyone.

Free Teen Game Night — Teen Nights @ The Link
📍 The Link (Cartable 🛒)
🕐 7:00 PM
🎟️ Free
🧒 Teens ages 13–18
🔗 More info here

High-energy themed teen nights — Saturday is Movie Night — hang out, play games, and meet new friends.

Summer Nights Wildlife Tours
📍 Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens (~39 min 🚗)
🕐 6:00 – 8:30 PM
🎟️ $35/person
🧒 Children & families
🔗 More info here

Explore the Zoo after dark with an interpretive guide for up-close animal encounters and behind-the-scenes stops.

Murabella Kids Triathlon
📍 Murabella Amenity Center, St. Augustine (~29 min 🚗)
🕐 9:00 AM
🎟️ $45+ (SOLD OUT)
🧒 Ages 5–14
🔗 More info here

Kids swim, bike, and run age-appropriate distances in this chip-timed triathlon — bring your own bike and helmet (no training wheels).

Special Needs Art Club
📍 The Art Studio, St. Augustine Beach (~44 min 🚗)
🕐 5:30 PM
🎟️ Free — all supplies included
🧒 Kids with special needs
🔗 More info here

A welcoming, free art club for kids with special needs; all supplies are provided. Please pre-register with Mandy in advance.

Ancient City Gymnastics Summer Camp
📍 Ancient City Gymnastics (~39 min 🚗)
🕐 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
🎟️ $52/day
🧒 Ages 4–11
🔗 More info here

Themed weeks of flips, tumbling, and gymnastics fun with expert coaches — a full-day summer blast for boys and girls (must be potty trained).

Summer Tennis & Activities Camp
📍 Julington Creek Plantation Rec Center (~23 min 🚗)
🕐 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🎟️ $75/day or $250/week
🧒 All skill levels
🔗 More info here

Tennis, swimming, multi-sport games, chess, and even water-balloon wars — an action-packed week for kids of every ability.

SilverLeaf Summer Sports Camps
📍 Silverleaf Amenity Center, St. Augustine (~24 min 🚗)
🕐 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🎟️ $70/day or $260/week
🧒 Ages 5–14
🔗 More info here

Pick Tennis & Pickleball or Multi-Sport for coach-led games and cool-off time in a fun, screen-free environment.

Summer Break Art Camp: Bears, Bears Everywhere!
📍 Creative Me Art Studio (~24 min 🚗)
🕐 9 AM–12 PM or 1–4 PM
🎟️ $45/session
🧒 Ages 5+
🔗 More info here

Young artists complete two bear-themed "Make-N-Take" projects — flexible AM or PM sessions, pay as you go.