Spring Break 2023: Five best things to do with your kids in Palm Beach County
Of course you love your kids, but does the thought of having to entertain them while they're home on spring break, for an entire week, have you a little flustered? (Don't feel guilty, you're thinking about how best to entertain them so how bad could you be?)
The key here is to find fun things that will keep them active, both mentally and physically, and hopefully tire them out enough so you can get some you time when the evening arrives.
Check out these five options that will have them singing your praises and hopefully keeping them off whatever electronic device is trying to turn their brains into mush. At least for a little while.
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Get out of the heat and enjoy ice skating at Skate Zone in West Palm Beach
In addition to being South Florida's only ice skating facility with three rinks, Skate Zone also features two cafes, a full-service pro shop, party rooms and arcade games.
For spring break this year, they will have public skate sessions available from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, March 17 and then 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. Monday, March 20 to Friday, March 24. Weekday sessions are $15, weekends are $22 and both include skate rental. Beginners can use skatebars or even Bobby the Seal for an additional fee.
They will also be offering a skating camp for spring break for ages 5 and up. The camp is 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, March 17 and Monday, March 20 through Friday, March 24. The six-day camp costs $85 per day if registration is made 48 hours before camp begins or $100 per day if registering the day of camp. Lunch is provided by the rink or campers can bring their own. A Learn To Skate USA membership is required and can be obtained at learntoskateusa.com.
Information: 8125 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth; 561-963-5900; pbskatezone.com
Crank up the cool factor with adventure at Shark Wake Park 561 at Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach
If you've got kids that may be a bit more adventurous and looking to crank up the cool factor, this park might just be the perfect fit. They feature cable wakeboarding and knee boarding, a floating obstacle course with slides, climbing towers and more.
The park is offering a spring camp for ages 7 to 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, March 20 to Friday, March 24. There are both single day and full-week options available. The costs are $400 for the entire week or $125 per day.
Campers will enjoy wakeboarding and knee boarding at the cable park, daily sessions on obstacle island and other activites with camp counselors. They will have private use of the facility from 9 a.m. to noon and share with non-camper afterwards until 3 p.m.
Kids not already on the pro wakeboard tour? Not a problem as this is open to all skill levels.
Lunch is not included, but lunch options are available.
Information: 1440 Eshleman Trail, West Palm Beach; 561-323-3937; sharkwakepark.com/561
Ride the waves at Rapids Water Park in Riviera Beach
It's cool and refreshing, there are lifeguards and it has dozens of water rides to keep those spring breakers happy and maybe, just maybe, even keep them off their phones for a while. Bonus!
Closed for the winter, Rapids Water Park will reopen on Saturday, March 11 and Sunday, March 12 and then be open daily for spring break from Friday, March 17 through April 16.
Let your kids get their water adrenaline fix with rides including Big Thunder, Black Thunder, Pirates Plunge, Brain Drain, Rapids Racer, Baby Blue, Big Red and more.
If you missed the news last year, yes, it's true, the original, iconic waterslide known as "Old Yellar" is gone. Shed a tear if you must, but there's a new ride on the way and it's built for speed.
More:Rapids Water Park's iconic water slide 'Old Yellar' going away
More:First dueling water coaster ride in Florida coming to Rapids Water Park in 2023
Though not quite ready for spring break, Mega Mayhem is coming this summer and it means business.
Impressive in many ways, it will stand nearly six stories high and have dueling lanes that, at 837 feet, are almost as long as an aircraft carrier. Or to compare it something you may be more familiar with, this new waterpark attraction will be 50 times as long as an average slip n' slide.
Information: 6566 N. Military Trail, Riviera Beach; 561-848-6272 rapidswaterpark.com
Joini a camp at Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach
The center will offer two camps for spring break this year.
The first is "Fairground Physics" for ages 7 to 12, from 9 to 4 p.m. on Friday, March 17. This camp will teach kids all about the physics behind their favorite amusement park rides. Members $60, nonmembers $65.
The second camp is "Under the Sea" for ages 5 to 12; it is 9 to 4 p.m. Monday, March 20 to Friday, March 24. In this camp the children will learn about Florida's coastal ecosystems and the different animals that live there. Members $275, nonmembers $300.
Information: 4801 Dreher Trial North, West Palm Beach; coxsciencecenter.org/camps
Urban Air Adventures
Accurately described as the "Ultimate Indoor Adventure Park," they feature attractions including The Runway (tumble track), DropZone where kids can practice flips, spins and land on a gigantic, inflatable airbag, Sky Rider that lets adventurers fly through the air, try out climbing walls, a ropes course, trampolines, dodgeball and more.
The park is open 4 to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 3 to 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Ticket prices are based on access to certain attractions and start at $25.99 per day.
Information: 10560 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington; 561-408-0809 urbanair.com/florida-wellington
Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at [email protected]. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Spring Break 2023: Best family-friendly things to do Palm Beach County
