Beat the Heat Guide
The Palm Beach Zoo is a great place to explore this summer! There is plenty of shade throughout, an air conditioned restaurant and drinks & snacks to keep refreshed. Don’t forget to bring the kids’ bathing suits for one of the best-loved attractions in South Florida, their Interactive Play Fountain! Kids can frolic in the water jets and the adults can sit and relax. Changing huts are nearby. And don’t forget that the Zoo Comes Alive at Night! On the first Friday of the month (4:30 to 9 PM) through August, each Safari Night features a different family-friendly theme and will include entertainment such as DJ Dance party, live music, giveaways, children’s crafts and so much more. Visit www.palmbeachzoo.org or call 561. 547.9453 for more information.
Looking for a cool place to play? Come have fun with us at the museum! Every day is a learning adventure for children ages 1-8 (for mom and dad too!) with story time and arts & crafts. Play, touch and learn on two floors of hands-on, interactive exhibits. Open for play Tuesday – Saturday from 10 AM – 5 PM. 129 E. Ocean Avenue, Boynton Beach. For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.schoolhousemuseum.org or call 561.742.6780.
The East Coast’s largest floating, inflatable aqua park has arrived to West Palm Beach! Located in Okeeheelee Park, the Aqua Park covers an acre of water complete with monkey bars, climbing towers, slides and more offering different challenge levels for the young and young at heart. Kids must be 7 years old, 45” tall and know how to swim. For more information or for reservations please visit www.sharkwakepark.com/561 or call 561.323.3937.
Escape the heat and come swim in their state of the art indoor swimming facility! Programs for the smallest fish start at 2 months of age. They offer countless swim lesson options and for older students who swim with the instructor there is an air conditioned reception/viewing area for parents with free wi-fi. There is also a shallow heated pool and Open Splash Play for toddlers every Tuesday from 9:30– 10:30 AM. Members are FREE and nonmembers are $5. Located at 346 Pike Road in West Palm Beach. For details call 561.818.7946
Head to the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium when the temp climbs higher- we are the perfect destination to beat the heat! Enjoy cool science exhibits, splash and play in our Discovery Center and take-in a show in the only full dome planetarium in Palm Beach County! Check in on Facebook.com/sfsciencecenter today and receive $2 off general admission. Located at 4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach, FL 33405. Call (561) 832-1988 or visit www.sfsciencecenter.org for more information.
Soak up the sun – it’s time to have some fun! Just minutes away from Walt Disney World and Universal, experience a Florida escape at Gaylord Palms where your family will have so many ways to stay cool without leaving the resort. Make a real splash by taking the kids to the Everglades-inspired Cypress Springs Water Park. You’ll find a zero-entry swimming pool, multi-level tree house playground, four water slides, a drop slide, a double FlowRider, tipping bucket, geyser and ground spray area and more! Call 407-586-2000 or visit www.GaylordPalms.com/SummerFest for details.
YMCA
The World is 71% Water. Your Child is 100% Curious. Teaching children how to be safe around water is not a luxury; it is a necessity. The Y’s swim lessons are arranged by progressive stages and children are placed in lessons according to their skill and age (ranging from 6 months to 12 years). Within the levels, swimmers will learn skills such as personal safety, breath control and other fundamental swimming skills to use throughout their lifetime. For more information on our Boynton Beach location, please contact Cindy Dube (cdube@ymcaspbc.org). For more information on our Boca Raton location, please contact Nicole Leno (nleno@ymcaspbc.org). www.ymcaspbc.org/swimlessons.
