With the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Halifax River on the other, Daytona Beach Shores, Florida provides ample opportunities for water sports, from kayaking and fishing to surfing and boating. Just a few minutes down the road from Daytona Beach, this beach community offers high-end shopping and restaurants. Choose a vacation rental in Daytona Beach Shores to enjoy stunning coastal views each day from your balcony. Your kids will enjoy building sandcastles, playing in the surf, and collecting seashells. When they want something new to try, refer to this list of the top 10 kid-friendly things to do in Daytona Beach Shores.
1. Enjoy a Race
A short drive from your vacation rental is one of the premier NASCAR raceways, the Daytona International Speedway. If it’s race weekend, your family can enjoy watching the cars zoom around the track while chowing down on hot dogs and hamburgers. During the rest of the year, the facility offers a tour of the grounds. Tours last anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours. Start with a ride along the speedway’s infield to get an up-close look at the course. Some longer tours include a thrilling ride around the track.
2. Play Pickleball
Ever heard of pickleball? If not, you can learn all about the game and take a pickleball lesson at McElroy Park on Mondays. In the 1960s, this game became a popular pastime for children, and adults soon joined the fun. McElroy Park has 10 courts that are all open to the public.
3. Charter a Boat
Charter a boat, and spend the day on the water with your family. Several local companies offer fishing charters, such as Searok Sport Fishing Charters and On the Hook Charters. Enjoy an afternoon of deep-sea fishing, and bring a cooler along so you can take your catch back to your vacation rental and prepare a sea-to-table dinner. When the kids grow tired of fishing, pull out your binoculars so they can look for dolphins and other sea animals.
4. Sun Splash Park
Sun Splash Park is a 4-acre park that was built with young kids in mind. The park includes a covered playground and a splash pad that’s open during the summer season, so kids can cool off after climbing, swinging, and sliding on the playground equipment. Stroll along the walking paths in the early evening. Take a seat on a bench to enjoy the sunshine, or catch up on your reading while the kids play.
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5. Lighthouse Point Park
Located on Ponce Inlet, this 52-acre park offers nature trails, a beach, and picnic pavilions. Pack a lunch at your vacation rental, and enjoy an alfresco meal in the shade of a lighthouse. Walk down to the shoreline, and look out into the ocean for the chance to see a pod of dolphins playing in the warm water. While walking along the nature trails and the beach, you might see gopher tortoises, armadillos, and raccoons.
6. Ponce de Leon Lighthouse and Museum
Although the original lighthouse was built here in 1835, the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse and Museum dates back to 1887, when it began warning sailors of the proximity of the shoreline. Today, your family can visit the renovated keeper’s buildings and then climb up to the top of the 175-foot lighthouse. It’s the tallest in the state and one of the tallest in America. After staring out at sea, climb down and visit the museum to see how the lightkeepers lived.
7. Marine Science Center
If the weather turns rainy, take the family to the Marine Science Center to learn more about the coastal area and the critters that live beneath the waves. Watch the fish swim around the artificial reef in the 5,000-gallon aquarium, and smile as your kids squeal in delight when they touch the smooth shell of a stingray in the touch tanks. Take a walk along the nature trail, and then climb up to the bird observation tower.
8. Daytona Beach Boardwalk
One evening, take the family a few minutes north for a stroll along the Daytona Beach Boardwalk. The name is a little deceptive, as the boardwalk is actually made of concrete. During your stroll, stop in the stores with your kids to look for souvenirs, and then grab a bite to eat. Dotting the boardwalk are arcades with the latest video games and some vintage options. There are also several amusement park rides near the boardwalk, including a Ferris wheel and roller coaster. During the summer months, there are often free concerts near the band shell area that you and your family can enjoy.
9. Rent Jet Skis
If you’re traveling with older kids, consider renting jet skis and spending an afternoon on the water. There are several outfitters in town where you can rent these fast-moving watercrafts, including Southside Jet Ski and Action Jet Ski and Boat Rentals. The companies provide the vehicles and safety vests for everyone in your family.
10. Charles and Linda William’s Children’s Museum
Take the kids to a museum designed just for them by visiting the Charles and Linda William’s Children’s Museum. This museum offers more than 20 themed exhibits, including music exhibits and a crime scene investigation exhibit. The museum offers day camps, so check out the camp schedule before leaving your vacation rental. End the day with a visit to the planetarium to learn more about the planets and solar system.
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