Whether you are a grandparent raising grandchildren or a first-time parent, keeping kids engaged during the summer can feel like a full-time job. Most kids, including those with special needs, thrive on routine. You’ve all worked hard throughout the school year and deserve some time off with fun summer activities!
If you want your kids to stay off their devices for a few hours a day, you’re going to need a solid schedule of activities. Kids of any age can complete age-appropriate chores at home and then it is time to get out and enjoy some of this Florida sunshine! Celebrate with summer activities that don’t break the bank. Schedule some of these free and low-cost fun things to do in Brevard County, Florida.
5 Fun Summer Activities
- Parks and nature centers
- Beaches
- Geocaching
- Museums
- Meditation
1. Get plenty of fresh air and vitamin D in local parks and nature centers.
You don’t have to drive far in Brevard County to find a beautiful park with plenty of outdoor space to explore. Pack a picnic and enjoy playgrounds, walking trails, and water views throughout the county. Depending on the park, you can even bring the family pup and introduce them to some new friends in the dedicated dog areas.
The nature centers in Brevard County offer a glimpse into the dynamic coastal environment with plenty of areas to roam. Though they are educational in nature, your kids may not notice how much they are learning from the interactive exhibits and nature guides available at some locations. Learn about local flora, fauna, and wildlife while having fun in the sun.
Parks and Nature Centers Near Melbourne Florida
Sea Turtle Preservation Center
There is so much to learn in nature! Your kids will enjoy the sights and sounds of the local habitat while – accidentally – discovering their place in the world. They can learn they have an important role in keeping Brevard beautiful and join in on a beach clean-up.
2. Brevard County has over 71 miles of sandy beaches.
With 182 public access points, the Brevard County beaches are ultra-accessible! Whether you visit for an hour or plan to spend the day, the ocean air and salt water are the perfect combination for a perfect day and a good night’s sleep. You can spend the day on a secluded and undeveloped natural beach or at a world-famous surfing hot spot – either way, it’s free and it’s fun.
Space Coast Beaches
Jetty Park
Cocoa Beach
Indialantic
Melbourne beach
Canova Beach
The beaches in Brevard County are truly a local treasure. With so many beach amenities like covered pavilions, public restrooms, nature walks, playgrounds, picnic tables, and even clubhouses, it is easy to enjoy the day relaxing and making memories. Get your toes in the sand and catch a few rays – reward yourself for getting through a school year and rest up for the next!
3. Geocaching is a fun summer activity (and yet still educational).
Geocaching may be the perfect compromise when it comes to limiting time on devices. If you have a neurodiverse child who struggles with communication skills or visual perception, geocaching has both social and therapeutic benefits. All kids benefit from the activity and develop life-ling skills in visual discrimination and directional orientation, which is useful in learning to read a map.
4 Simple Steps to Geocaching
Download and open the Geocaching app on your phone.
Navigate to the location of the geocache.
Follow the clues to locate the geocache.
Find and log the geocache, placing it back where you found it.
Geocaching is known as the world’s largest treasure hunt and is easy and free to start. You may be surprised to learn that there are 1,011 geocaches waiting to be discovered in and around Melbourne, Florida. The most surprising part of geocaching? You never know who is out there looking for treasure – you are sure to find new friends and develop new skills along the way.
4. Summer rain showers? Step back in time into a local museum.
Summer in Florida usually means a quick afternoon shower. There will be just enough time to enjoy the air conditioning and historical experience of one of the local museums. Quieter by design, this may be the perfect stop in the day to avoid over-stimulation.
Local Can’t-Miss Museums
Antilles Trading Company Pirate Museum and Store
Brevard Museum and Sciences Center
From the history of the high seas to tales of our future in space, there are hours of journeys and exploration within the walls of our local museums. The kids will learn a lot about times gone by and you will learn a lot about what interests them. This is a great opportunity to re-connect with your kids, outside of the stressors of school and, for some, the pressure of IEP performance.
5. Mindfulness is a summer activity that works for everyone.
Even brief moments of meditation can reduce stress, hyperactivity, and anxiety for anyone who needs help being in the present moment. Meditation can be incredibly impactful with children who are neurodiverse, including autism. Additionally, meditative mindfulness can help with focus, sleep, and processing emotions.
Take a Break From the Pressures of the School Year
Happiness can be found in the quiet moments with our kids when the pressures melt away and school takes a backseat for a short time. For parents and grandparents of neurodiverse children, the school year can represent a challenging series of events, revolving around keeping a child on track and preparing for IEP meetings. A summer of play and consistent activity is a wonderful way to remind yourself – and your kids – that you are still fun, too!
School Year Support
When it’s time to return to school and the added tasks that come when parenting a neurodiverse or special needs child, remember you are not alone. In addition to a variety of local resources for parents of special needs children, you have advocates in Special Education Law that are ready to assist you. If you need guidance or have questions about your rights as a parent or guardian, a Special Education Lawyer is a phone call away.
Their knowledge of special education laws and compassion in advocating for students with disabilities are two reasons that Special Education Lawyers are a Resource We Love. Read more about how these student advocates are helping parents and grandparents navigate the school system every day in the Legal and Financial Section of our Blog.