2026 Spring Break Fun

Spring Break in Palm Beach County will be from March 16-20, 2025. March 23 is a Professional Development Day and there is no school.There are many great camp options (check out page 28). If you are also taking the week off, here are some fun things to do right here in South Florida!

Educational “Field Trips”
Just because school is out doesn’t mean the learning has to stop. Turn a regular day into a mini adventure at one of these local favorites, all within about 15–40 minutes depending on where you live. Some of PB Parenting’s top picks: Cox Science Center and Aquarium, Palm Beach Zoo, Schoolhouse Children’s Museum, Sandoway Discovery Center, Loggerhead Marinelife Center, the Manatee Lagoon and Mounts Botantical Gardens.

Go WILD this Spring Break at the Palm Beach Zoo! Guests explore a thriving ecosystem on 23 lush tropical acres while discovering hundreds of animals across approximately 190 species, many of them endangered.

Kids love the interactive experiences, splash fountain, and up-close animal encounters like feeding the lorikeets. You can visit monkeys, sloths, koalas, lemurs, big cats like tigers and jaguars, and even Mardi the white alligator.

The Zoo is typically open daily from 9 AM–5 PM (always check the website for seasonal hours). Pack a towel and bathing suit for the splash area and plan to stay for lunch at the lakeside café.

Visit palmbeachzoo.org for current exhibits and programming.

The Cox Science Center is currently undergoing an exciting expansion. While they ask guests to pardon their molecules during construction,  there is still plenty to explore! Top Secret: License to Spy features hands-on missions, codebreaking challenges, spy simulations, and laser activities. Engineers on a Roll is a new interactive toddler space filled with building, testing, and rolling fun. Outdoors, Dino Trek invites families to wander through a prehistoric garden of life-size dinosaurs. At Explorers’ Cove, kids can dive into ocean-themed interactive exhibits that spark curiosity about marine life. The outdoor Fisher Family Science Trail also remains a favorite, with interactive exhibits and splash features perfect for a Spring Break day. Please note the Planetarium is temporarily closed and exhibits from the Hall of Discovery have been relocated. Check current hours and updates before visiting at coxsciencecenter.org.

How about feeding some sharks and stingrays? Sandoway Discovery Center is a beachside nature center located in a historic home. The nature center’s activities include daily shark and stingray feedings at 1 PM. Sandoway Discovery Center offers a glimpse into South Florida’s fragile marine and freshwater environments through educational exhibits and programs Tues.-Saturday at Noon. $10 per person. Learn more and purchase tickets online at www.sandoway.org.

Loggerhead Marinelife Center, is committed to the conservation of ocean ecosystems through public education, research and rehabilitation with a focus on threatened & endangered sea turtles. The center, is located oceanside in Loggerhead park features an on-site sea turtle hospital, learning exhibits, gift store, aquariums and so much more. Loggerhead  Marinelife Center is open 10 AM – 5 PM Daily. Learn more at www.marinelife.org.

School may be out, but Schoolhouse is in! The newly reopened Schoolhouse Children’s Museum welcomed families back on Tuesday, March 3, and is ready for Spring Break visitors.

A brand-new exhibit, The Barefoot Mailman, is putting on its final touches and will debut shortly. Inspired by the real-life mail carriers who began their coastal route in 1885, walking barefoot along South Florida’s shoreline and rowing across inlets to deliver mail between Palm Beach settlements and Miami, this exhibit brings local history to life in an exciting new way. The interactive, AI-powered experience was developed with descendant and local leader Harvey Oyer, with funding by the Henry Nias Foundation.

In addition to the new exhibit, the museum offers hands-on learning stations and interactive storytime (typically Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 AM, free with admission). Be sure to check their calendar for special events and the official Barefoot Mailman debut date at schoolhousemuseum.org.

Manatees are Florida’s gentle and “chubby mermaids”. Learn all about them for FREE at FPL’s Manatee Lagoon. Florida manatee season runs from November 15 to March 31. Although there is no guarantee you will spot a manatee at Manatee Lagoon — because these amazing, wild creatures are operating on their own time. Check out all that Manatee Lagoon has to offer www.visitmanateelagoon.com.

If you have not visited Mounts Botanical Garden lately, Spring Break is the perfect excuse. This 20-acre tropical oasis features themed gardens, walking paths, butterfly gardens, and plenty of open space for kids to explore. They frequently host seasonal family programming, nature workshops, and hands-on gardening activities for children. The gardens are stroller-friendly and perfect for a slower-paced day outdoors. Bring snacks, water, and let the kids roam while you soak up some peace and fresh air. Learn more at mounts.org.

Library Day Adventure

Many Palm Beach County libraries host free programs, craft days, and special Spring Break events. Let each child pick out books and schedule a mid-week “reading picnic.”

Explore your backyard

People travel from all over the world to enjoy the beaches and sunshine we sometimes take for granted. Plan a “Tourist for the Day” adventure:

•  Sunrise beach walk and shell collecting
•  Visit a new-to-you local park
•  Bike ride along the Lake Trail in Palm Beach
•  Family photo session at the beach (give Lynn at Lynn Studios a call! She loves taking photos at the beach! www.lynnstudios1.com)

You can also check out the only state park in Palm Beach County, John D. MacArthur Beach State Park. This environmental treasure features 1.6 miles of pristine beach along with swimming, snorkeling, nature trails, kayaking, and a visitor center. It’s a beautiful way to spend the day exploring Florida’s natural coastal habitats.

Not feeling sandy? Try a local splash pad or water park for an easy win without packing the entire garage.

PB Parenting hopes you have a safe and fun Spring Break! We are so lucky to live in South Florida, and Spring Break is the perfect time for a mini staycation and to enjoy everything our area has to offer. Share your Spring Break adventures with us on social media and tag PB Parenting! We love seeing where you go and what your family discovers.