Things to do in Destin: Kids Edition

Destin is full of great things to do for people of all ages. For those visiting, there are new and old favorite places to go that should be shared. This week, we will focus on things to do for kids. This will mainly be directed towards the 12 and under crowd. In the Destin Commons, there is a playground in the center where kids love to go. Next to the playground, there is a small waterpark with fountains for kids to run through. This is a kid favorite all summer so make sure your kids keep a swimsuit with them. Once they see the fountains, they are sure to run through them. There is also a train that goes around the Commons for a fun ride.

Fat Daddy’s Arcade is located right between Walmart and Home Depot in Destin. Great pizza and $1 beer will keep parents happy while the kids spend hours on the large variety of arcade games. Tickets can be turned in for prizes or saved for another time. Further west is The Track with even more fun options for the family. Go karts, bumper boats, swings, and a carousel are among the many rides featured.  

At HarborWalk Village, kids love the Aqua Spheres. These are the giant hamster balls that let you run on water without getting wet. There are also bungee trampolines and a zip line available in the area.

If you are staying closer to Panama City, Pier Park is an ideal place for shopping, dining, and playing. There are tons of great dining options and even a small carnival area called Miracle Strip. A ferris wheel, bumper cars, and other fun rides are featured with even more coming with the reopening in early April.  

For more dining ideas, head to the beach! Try Crab Trap or Pompano Joe’s, these are both family-friendly restaurants located on Old 98 with the beach right there to entertain the kids until your table is ready. These are some of the popular activities for young kids. Next week, we will share ideas that teenagers enjoy in the Destin area.  

Published on Thursday, March 20, 2014