Water Battles, Blue Crabs & a $5 Pool Kids Night Out

A $5 pool party drop-off, the ultimate water battle festival, and a seafood celebration on the St. Johns River—this weekend's lineup is hard to beat. Let the kids splash and play while you enjoy a peaceful evening to yourself, or gear up the whole family for an all-out water war with bounce zones and action games. If you're feeling adventurous, the Blue Crab Festival in Palatka runs all weekend with live entertainment, food vendors, and seafood galore.

St. Johns Parks and Rec Pool Party Parents Night Out Childcare Event
📍 Solomon Calhoun Center, St. Augustine (~25 min 🚗)
🕐 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
🎟️ $5
🧒 Children
🔗 More info here (scroll down to “Parent's Night Out”)
Drop your little swimmers off in swim gear for an evening of swimming, pizza, games, and dancing while you enjoy a peaceful night to yourself.

Splash Wars Water Battle Festival
📍 Jacksonville Equestrian Center (~35 min 🚗)
🕐 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
🎟️ $27
🧒 Kids, teens, and adults
🔗 More info here

This massive water battle experience features bounce zones, action games, and food vendors for nonstop summer fun.

Palatka Annual Blue Crab Festival
📍 301 River Street, Palatka (~55 min 🚗)
📅 Friday, May 22 – Sunday, May 24
🕐 7:35 AM
🎟️ Free
🧒 All ages
🔗 More info here
Enjoy live local entertainment, food vendors, and seafood along the scenic St. Johns River in historic downtown Palatka.

Fins & Freedom Dolphin Sail
📍 Wild Lessons (~25 min 🚗)
🕐 1:15 PM - 3:15 PM
🎟️ Ages 3-16 $35 / Adults $55
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Families and Children
🔗 More info here
Join a scenic intracoastal waterway cruise to spot dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, and coastal wildlife while learning about Northeast Florida’s marine environment.

Ms. Rachel Themed Mom’s Night Out Childcare Event
📍 Shanty & Co. (~10 min 🚗)
🕐 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
🎟️ $55
🧒 Ages 5–12
🔗 More info here
Kids enjoy pizza, games, and Ms. Rachel-led activities while parents get a kid-free evening for dinner, errands, or relaxation.

St. Johns Parks and Rec Pool Party Parents Night Out Childcare Event
📍 Solomon Calhoun Center, St. Augustine (~25 min 🚗)
🕐 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
🎟️ $5
🧒 Children
🔗 More info here (scroll down to “Parent's Night Out”)
Drop your little swimmers off in swim gear for an evening of swimming, pizza, games, and dancing while you enjoy a peaceful night to yourself.

Splash Wars Water Battle Festival
📍 Jacksonville Equestrian Center (~35 min 🚗)
🕐 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
🎟️ $27
🧒 Kids, teens, and adults
🔗 More info here

This massive water battle experience features bounce zones, action games, and food vendors for nonstop summer fun.

Family Friendly Project Workshop Wood Crafting Class
📍 Board & Brush - St. Johns (~10 min 🚗)
🕐 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
🎟️ $30+
🧒 All ages
🔗 More info here
Create custom painted or stained wood projects alongside your children with all materials and step-by-step instruction provided.

Tangled Themed Kids Night Out
📍 the link (Cartable 🛒)
🕐 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
🎟️ Member $50 / Non-Members $60
🧒 Ages 5–11
🔗 More info here
Kids enjoy Tangled themed supervised evening activities and games at this members-and-non-members event (no electronic devices allowed).

Parent’s Night Out Kids Sports & Game Night
📍 Prime Sports Arena, St. Augustine (~25 min 🚗)
🕐 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
🎟️ $50
🧒 Ages 5-12
🔗 More info here
Four hours of nonstop fun including glowball soccer, dodgeball, basketball, movies, board games, plus pizza and drinks.

Responsible Pet Day Educational Event
📍 Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens (~35 min 🚗)
🕐 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
🎟️ Included with Zoo admission
🧒 Children & families
🔗 More info here
Learn about responsible pet ownership and care at this educational zoo event celebrating human-animal relationships.

Special Needs Art Club Art Class
📍 The Art Studio, St. Augustine Beach (~20 min 🚗)
🕐 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
🎟️ Free | Pre-registration required
🧒 Young children
🔗 More info here
Kids create art projects with all supplies provided in this inclusive, welcoming art class (pre-registration required).

Palatka Annual Blue Crab Festival
📍 301 River Street, Palatka (~55 min 🚗)
📅 Friday, May 22 – Sunday, May 24
🕐 7:35 AM
🎟️ Free
🧒 All ages
🔗 More info here
Enjoy live local entertainment, food vendors, and seafood along the scenic St. Johns River in historic downtown Palatka.

Dinosauria Twilight Trek After-Hours Experience
📍 Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens (~35 min 🚗)
📅 Friday, May 22 – Sunday, May 24
🕐 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
🎟️ Ages 3 & Under Free / $13 for members-$16 Others
🧒 Ages 3+
🔗 More info here
Experience glowing dinosaur exhibits, DJ beats, themed activities, and crafts during four nights of after-hours zoo adventure.

Summer Competition Fundraiser Community Event
📍 St. Johns County Fire Rescue Cadet Post 343 (~15 min 🚗)
📅 Saturday, May 23 – Sunday, May 24
🕐 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
🎟️ Donations Accepted
🧒 Children & families
🔗 More info here
Learn Hands-Only CPR, play yard games, and win prizes at this family-friendly fundraiser combining education with outdoor fun.

Family Skate
📍 Ponce de le Rollin' (~20 min 🚗)
📅 Saturday, May 23 – Sunday, May 24
🕐 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
🎟️ $22.17 Admission + Skate Rental
🧒 Children & families
🔗 More info here
Families enjoy skating together in this recreational session at the roller rink.