There are a number of Vacation Bible Schools (VBS) in the Pensacola area. This list is not comprehensive and we will continue to add to the list as we receive information. I included any VBS that was submitted to me or a VBS that I came across unless I couldn’t find enough information or the cost to attend exceeded $25.

If you know of a VBS that we are missing, please leave us a comment or send me a note at julie at pensacolawithkids dot com.

The Vacation Bible Schools are listed in order of dates and then alphabetically. As always, call to confirm information and registration deadlines.

*Please note that Pensacola with Kids is not affiliated with any of the Vacation Bible Schools and be aware of our disclaimer.

Week of June 9

First United Methodist Church of Pensacola

• Dates: June 9-13
• Times: 9am to 12noon
• Address: 6 East Wright Street, Pensacola, FL 32501
• Theme: Kingdom Rock- where kids stand strong for God
• Ages: Age 3 as of Sept. 1 to completed 4th grade

Grace Lutheran Church

• Dates: June 10-14
• Times: 5:30-8pm
• Address: 6601 N 9th Ave, Pensacola, FL
• Theme: Kingdom Rock- where kids stand strong for God
• Ages: 3-11

• Dates: June 10-14
• Times: 6pm to 9:00pm
• Address: 3065 Highway 297A, Cantonment, FL 32533
• Theme: not available
• Ages: Completed Kindergarten to completed 5th grade

McIlwain Presbyterian Church

• Dates: June 10-14
• Times: 9am to 12:30pm
• Address: 1220 East Blount Street, Pensacola, FL 32503
• Theme: Upward Bound
• Ages: Completed PreK 4 through 5th grade

Olive Baptist Church

• Dates: June 24-28
• Times: 9am to 12pm
• Address: 1836 Olive Road, Pensacola, FL 32514
• Theme: Colossal Coaster World.  Facing Fear and Trusting God
• Ages: Completed K5-completed 5th grade

Resurrection Lutheran Church

• Dates: June 9-13
• Times: 6:00pm-8:00pm
• Address: 6305 N. Blue Angel Parkway, Pensacola, FL
• Theme: Go Tell it on the Mountain
• Ages: Not available

Week of June 17

• Dates: June 17-21
• Times: 9am to 12:15pm
• Address: 4187 Highway 90, Pace, FL 32571
• Theme: Colossal Coaster World.  Facing Fear and Trusting God
• Ages: not available

Marcus Pointe 

• Dates: June 17-21
• Times: 9am to 12pm
• Address: 6205 North W Street, Pensacola, FL  32505
• Theme: Turn it Up!
• Ages: K4-5th grade

Myrtle Grove Baptist Church

• Dates: June 17-21
• Times: 9am-12pm
• Address: 5920 Lillian Highway, Pensacola, FL 32506
• Theme: Colossal Coaster World.  Facing Fear and Trusting God
• Ages: K- 6th grade

Perdido Bay Baptist Church

• Dates: June 17-21
• Times: 6pm to 8:30pm
• Address: 12600 Sorrento Road, Pensacola, FL 32507
• Theme: Kingdom Chronicles
• Ages: 3 years to 5th grade

• Dates: June 17-21
• Times: 8:30am-12pm
• Address: 6212 Pine Blossom Road, Milton, FL 32570
• Theme: Colossal Coaster World.  Facing Fear and Trusting God
• Ages: 4 through 5th grade

Week of June 24

• Dates: June 24-28
• Times: 8:30am-12:30pm
• Address: 500 N Palafox, Pensacola, FL 32501
• Theme: Colossal Coaster World.  Facing Fear and Trusting God
• Ages: Pre-K through 5th grade

• Dates: June 24-28
• Times: 6pm-8:30pm
• Address: 590 E Burgess Road, Pensacola, FL 32504
• Theme: Kingdom Rock-where kids stand strong for God
• Ages: 3 years old  (potty trained) thru 5th grade.

Hillcrest Baptist Church

• Dates: June 24-28
• Times: 8:30am to 12pm
• Address: 800 East 9 Mile, Pensacola, FL 32514
• Theme: Colossal Coaster World.  Facing Fear and Trusting God
• Ages: 4 to grade 5

Myrtle Grove United Methodist

• Dates: June 24-28
• Times: 9am to 12:30pm
• Address: 1030 North 57th Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32506
• Theme: Kingdom Rock- where kids stand strong for God
• Ages: K4-5th grade

• Dates: June 24-28
• Times: 9am to noon
• Address: 3400 Bayou Boulevard, Pensacola, FL 32503
• Theme: Down by the Riverside
• Ages: Age 4 to grade 5

Week of July 8

East Brent Baptist Church

• Dates: July 8-12
• Times: 8:30am to 12pm
• Address: 4801 N Davis Highway; Pensacola, FL 32503
• Theme: Kingdom Rock-where kids stand strong for God
• Ages: Children who turn 4 by September 1, 2011 through rising 6th grade

• Dates: July 8-12
• Times: 5:30pm-8:30pm
• Address: 6240 Highway 95A, Molino, FL 32577
• Theme:Kingdom Rock-where kids stand strong for God
• Ages: 3 years to completion of 5th grade

Pine Summit Baptist Church

• Dates: July 8-12
• Times: 9:00-12:00
• Address: 2920 Bellview Ave
• Theme: Colossal Coaster World.  Facing Fear and Trusting God
• Ages: Entering 1st through entering 6th

• Dates: July 8-12
• Times: 5:30-8:30pm
• Address: 2203 North 12th Ave
• Theme:Kingdom Rock-where kids stand strong for God
• Ages: Elementary Age

Week of July 15

• Dates: July 15-19
• Times: not available
• Address: 6500 North W Street, Pensacola, FL 32505
• Theme: not available
• Ages: 5-11

• Dates: July 15-19
• Times: 6pm to 8pm
• Address: 2026 Pauline St, Cantonment, Fl
• Theme: Kingdom Rock-where kids stand strong for God
• Ages: 3 years old to 5th grade

Warrington United Methodist Church

•  Dates: July 15 – 19
• Times: 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
• Address: 301 Winthrop Ave, Pensacola, FL 32507
• Theme: SonRise National Park
• Ages: 4 yr to 6th grade

Week of July 22

• Dates: July 22-26
• Times: 9:00am-12:15pm
• Address: 5820 Montgomery Avenue; Pensacola, FL 32526
• Theme: Tell it on the Mountain
• Ages: PreK to rising 7th

Woodbine Baptist Church

• Dates: July 29-August 2
• Times: 4:45pm to 8pm
• Address: 4912 County Road 197A Pace, FL 32571
• Theme: Tell it on the Mountain
• Ages: 3 years old to 5th grade

Week of August 5

Immanuel Lutheran Church

• Dates: August 5-9
• Times: 5pm to 7:30pm
• Address: 24 West Wright Street
• Theme: Tell it on the Mountain
• Ages: aged 4 as of Jan. 2012 up to those entering 5th grade

• Dates: August 5-9
• Times: 9am to 12pm
• Address: 100 Daniel Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
• Theme: Athens- Paul’s dangerous journey to share the truth
• Ages: Kindergarten through 5th grade

Here is your weekend roundup! If you know of an event we should add to the list, please leave us a comment! Have a fun weekend exploring Pensacola with your family!

As always, I recommend that you follow the links for more information and call ahead to confirm. Event information often changes!

****For information on the Easter Egg Hunts this weekend, please see our ‘Easter Egg Round-Up’.****

Friday, March 29, 2013

“The Magic of Flight” IMAX @ The Naval Avitaion Museum

Auto Racing-Five Flags Speedway

The Jazz Photography of Duncan Scheidt- Pensacola Museum of Art

Spring Tourific Ghost Tour- Historic Pensacola Village

Make your own glass workshops-Belmont Arts & Cultural Center  (by appt.)

Saturday, March 30, 2013

“The Magic of Flight” IMAX @ The Naval Avitaion Museum

Auto Racing-Five Flags Speedway

The Jazz Photography of Duncan Scheidt- Pensacola Museum of Art

Spring Tourific Ghost Tour- Historic Pensacola Village

Make your own glass workshops-Belmont Arts & Cultural Center  (by appt.)

Palafox Market

Pensacola Light House Ghost Tours

The Original German Sausage Festival-Elberta, AL

“Superband” kicks off Bands on the Beach- Pensacola Beach

Sunday, March 31, 2013 Easter Sunday

Gala Easter Brunch, Hilton @ Pensacola Beach (kids 5+under eat FREE)

Angus Steakhouse Easter Brunch (kids 5+under eat FREE)

Check our Easter Egg Round-Up for several egg hunts today.

From all of us at Pensacola with Kids, we hope you all have a blessed Easter Sunday and celebrate your families and children in whatever way you choose!

You wouldn’t guess it by the frigid temps this morning in our beloved panhandle, but this past Sunday was the first warm and glorious day of 2013.  And EVERYONE thought it was a good idea to go to the beach.  Add to that the Spring Break crowds that are in town, and you are looking at one big traffic jam.   This always makes me think of my first Spring with the hubs in St Louis.  St Louis is famous for their Forest Park area and espcially their zoo.  So the first warm spring day, I suggested we head to the that way.  It took us no less than 2 hours to get from the hwy. exit to the parking lot and I was so over it.  It was at this point that my husband looked over at me and said, “Well, you didn’t think you were the ONLY person to think today would be a great day for the zoo, did you?”  Touche’.    Anyway, THIS was the view from the beach bridge toll booth by noon and I heard that the traffic was backed up all the way INTO P’cola by 2.  No, Thank you!

On days like this, when we are hankering for some sand, sun and small surf, without the crazy crowds, we always head over to Naval Live Oaks, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, in Gulf Breeze.  I was actually a little bit concerned that even Live Oaks would be crowded on this glorious day, but it was not and it turned out to be a perfect afternoon adventure for the Littles and I.  We got a good parking spot, prime location on the sand and even grabbed a picnic table to put our cooler and beach bag.  We arrived about 1 and were ready to head home around 4:30.

Now, if you’ve read any of my Disney Blogs, y’all know I love my lists.  So here are my top 5 reasons that I think Naval Live Oaks is a great beach day for you and your kids! (in no particular order…they are all great!)

5.  Low crowds.  Like I said, on Sunday when the crowds out on the beach were at capacity, we easily found a great spot.  I think the only time I’ve ever seen it pretty crowded is for the Blue Angels.  We are lucky enough to have friends with a boat and it’s where we jump in to head over and watch the show over the water.  But even then, it’s nowhere near the insanity of P’cola beach.  Oh, and it’s also FREE.  We always pack a cooler with some drinks and snacks and are set to go.

4.  Other families with kids.  While the crowds are low, what you will find (usually) is lots of families with kids.  I have nothing against the college Spring Breakers! Lord knows I was one once, but I’m not wild about the Littles getting an earful of the bad language and an eyefull of goodness knows what.  I’ve not encountered such nonsense at Live Oaks.

3. Nice facilities, including shade!  In addition to the Visitor Center when you first drive into the area, there are bathrooms, outdoor showers and a nice big shaded pavillion.  It’s first come, first served, but we have been there when 6-8 families were happily sharing the sapce.  (Blue Angels weekend)  I know with potty training toddlers, having a real bathroom nearby is great.  And on the particularly hot days, it’s nice to get out of the sun for a while and have lunch or snacks.

2. Tons of great exploring and programs  There are exhibits at the Visitor Center that provide a wide array of learning experiences.  There are over 7.5 miles of trails including the .8 mile Breckenridge Nature Trail behind the Visitor Center.  Also, the Seashore has many programs for children including Junior Rangers (ages 6-11) and Sea Stars (ages 3-5), Junior Lifeguards (ages 12 – 19).  School groups are welcome. Junior Lifeguard programs are offered during the summer seasons. For complete info, click HERE.  There’s even an area available for camping for organized youth groups.

1. It’s easy to keep the Littles safe!  On this particular Sunday, my husband had to head into the office so I decided to take the Littles to the beach by myself.  I’d never attempt to do this on P’cola Beach.  Because Live Oaks in on the Santa Rosa Sound, there is little to no surf to be worried about.  Plus there’s a good 5-6 feet of pretty shallow water for them to sit and play in without the risk of being knocked over and carried off.  The shoreline is also decorated with driftwood and Oak roots, which make lovely boundaries for the kids.   I am still vigilant like a hawk when I am with the Littles and any bodies of water/open spaces/strangers about.  (Have I metioned that they are 17 months apart?  I have over-the-top crazy Mama first baby syndrome with them BOTH!)  But, keeping them safe at Live Oak is much less stressful than at the beach.

Now, I feel like I should offer this disclamier.  We LOVE Pensacola Beach!  It was my childhood vacation spot from age 5-17.   We just spent some time with my Brother-in-law and his family at a great little rental on Via de Luna.  It was awesome.  Jay and I have our favorite spot down towards Navarre that we hit when we do take the family over that way.  We frequent many of the shops and restaurants quite often.  This is in no way an anti P’cola beach campaign.  I just think Naval Live Oak is a great alternative, especially when you have Littles.   No matter where your favorite spot in our area is, Summer is just around the corner, (although it feels like Winter today!) and this promises to be a great one, full of wonderful ways to explore Pensacola with your Kids.  We promise we will be there, bringing you all the best P’cola has to offer!

“When are you going to post the Easter Egg Hunts?”

This is the number one question I have been asked for the past three weeks!  There are still several details missing from this list and a few of the egg hunts are unconfirmed.  I will update the list as the information comes available.

Check, double check and triple check the information by following the links before you go to the egg hunt.  Also, read to the end of the post for our tips for attending a community egg hunt.

**Updated March 27th***

Easter Egg Hunt

• Where: Gulf Breeze High School Dolphin Stadium
• When: March 31st (Easter Sunday)
• Egg Hunt schedule: 1pm for birth-5th grade
• Cost: Free
• Additional Activities: Two church gatherings at 9am and 11am with special guest speaker Marcus Lattimore.  Egg hunt is 10,000 eggs.
• Sponsor: Momentum Church, Gulf Breeze

Easter Egg Hunt(confirmed by reader)

• Where: 4317 N. Palafox St., Pensacola
• When: Saturday, March 30th 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. FB link, https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/352863541484458/
• Additional Activities:  What: Easter Egg Hunt, food, bouncers, face painting, and games
• Cost: Free
• Sponsored by : Miracle Faith Apostolic Global Church

Easter Egg Hunt on the Beach

• Where: Lu Lu’s Beach, Orange Beach
• When:  March 31st (Easter Sunday)
• Egg Hunt Schedule: 2pm
• Cost: Free
• Additional Activities: Meet the Easter Bunny
• Sponosred by: Lu Lu’s

Easter Egg Hunt

• Where: Pensacola Beach Community Church
• When: March 30
• Egg Hunt Schedule: 9am
• Cost: Free
• Host: P’cola Beach Community Church

• Where: Wales West
• When: March 22-24 and March 29&30 on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-5pm, Fridays 5-9, Closed Easter Sunday
• Cost: $12 per person
• Additional Activities: Steam train ride, Easter Bunny visit, egg hunts, free snacks, bounce house, pony rides, petting zoo and more
• Host: Wales West Light Railway

Eggs 4 Avondale

• Where: Avondale Park
• When: March 30th from 12noon to 3pm
• Cost: Free
• Egg Hunt Schedule: Not available at this time
• Additional Activities: Games, face painting, bounce house/slide, music and food
• Host: Calvary Baptist Church

Race to Grace Easter Service

• Where: Five Flags Speedway
• When: Easter Sunday, March 31
• Cost: Free
• Egg Hunt Schedule: Day’s activities start at 9:30am, egg hunt begins after the 9:30am service.
• Activities: Easter Service, Pictures with the Easter Bunny and a 5000 egg hunt.
• Sponsored by: My Father’s Vineyard

Easter Egg Hunt (confirmed by reader)

• Where: East Hill Baptist Church 3960 Spanish Trail
•  When: March 30th at 11am
• Cost: Free
• Additional Activities: Jelly Bean guessing jar with chance to win an iPod, multiple egg hunt areas for different ages, free hot dogs and lemonade. There will be over 5,000 eggs and prize eggs that will include gift certificates to area businesses. All kids who participate will receive candy!
•  Host: East Hill Baptist Church

Eggstreme Easter Festival

• Where: Pace Immanuel Baptist Church
• When: March 30 4-6pm
• Cost: Free
• Egg Hunt Schedule: Helicopter Egg Drop @4:30
• Additional Activities: 20,000 + Egg Hunt LOTS of Slides and Bounce Houses Petting Farm, Train Rides, Cotton Candy, Sno-Cones, Hot Dogs, Prizes, and More!
• Sponsored by: Pace Immanuel Baptist

Easter Egg Hunt (Confirmed by a reader)

• Where: Optimist Park on Langley
• When: March 30 at 10am-12pm
• Cost: FREE
• Additional Activities: Food, games, bounce houses, face painting
• Host: Gulf Coast Christian Church

Things to Know Before You Go:

• Check, recheck and triple check the dates and times to make sure they are still correct when the egg hunt gets closer.  As I always say, this information comes from word of mouth, press releases and flyers I see around town.  The information is not always correct and I am human and make mistakes sometimes (although I try not to do it very often!).  Follow the link and be sure to contact the number available to confirm the time.
• Bring a basket or bag of your own.
• Arrive early.  A friend of mine went to a hunt two years ago at the John R. Jones park.  The egg hunt was over in less than 3 minutes.  There were hundreds (probably thousands) of eggs picked up and her two children got a whopping 3 eggs between the two of them.  They were young and were just thrilled with the excitement of it all so luckily they weren’t disappointed.  However, if they had arrived 30 seconds later we would have missed the whole thing.
• Just in case your little one doesn’t get too many eggs:  Hide a couple of prefilled eggs in your car before you go.  Now that my son is a year older, I foresee some serious disappointment if he only gets one egg.  I would throw a couple in the car and have them hunt for them when we were all finished.  Of course, in my car every day is an egg hunt except you never know what you might find!  HA!

Do you know of any other egg hunts that the community is invited to?  If so, leave a comment in this post with the information.  Any names or numbers not in an official capacity will be deleted for safety reasons.

It is time for spring break and if you are staying in town, you might be looking for ways to entertain the kids.  We have compiled a long list of activities around the area.  If you think we missed something that should be on the list, please leave us a note.  We will make changes as necessary.

Also, It’s not too late to sign the kids up for a Spring Break Camp.  You can find our list of camps here.

Have fun exploring Pensacola!

Free Things to Do

Visit a park you haven’t been to yet.  Two of our favorite parks include Miralla Park and Beulah Regional Park.  We are planning on visiting Woodcliff Park and Aragon Park.

Attend story time at Barnes and Noble or the public library (Santa Rosa County or Escambia County).

Pretend to be a colonist at the T.T. Wentworth Discovery Gallery.

Take a nature walk.  Some of our favorites include the Edward Ball Nature Trail and Arcadia Mill.  Don’t forget to print off the PKW Nature Walk Scavenger Hunt!

Go for a bike ride on the Blackwater Heritage State Trail.

Visit the Naval Aviation Museum.

Head out to the beach for a day of splashing in the water and building castles in the sand.  Don’t forget to hunt for seashells.

Attend Safari Club at Petland.

Watch the planes take off and land at Aviation Park. Be sure to listen to the air traffic controllers.

Try geocaching with the kids.

See the trains at the West Florida Train Museum.

Grab your flashlight and explore Fort Barrancas.

Take the family on a photo walk.

Visit the Pensacola Museum of Art on a Tuesday.

Watch the first Blue Angels practice of the season (March 20& 26-29) **According to the Naval Aviation Museum website, they are still awaiting official word confirming practices. 

Things to do under $10

Visit the Wildlife Sanctuary.  Visiting is free (unless you are in a large group tour) but be sure to bring something to donate.

Visit a national seashore.  Visit Gulf Islands National Seashore, explore Fort Pickens, and a have a picnic lunch by the water.

Get a sweet treat together as a family.  Try 32 Degrees, TCBY, or Berry Yogurt.  Maybe a cupcake sounds tastier.  Try Oh Snap! or Cupcake Emporium.  Visit Krispy Kreme and watch the donuts being made.

Explore a state park.  We have five state parks that are less than an hour’s drive away from Pensacola:  Big Lagoon State Park, Blackwater River State Park, Perdido Key State Park, Tarkiln Bayou State Park, and the Yellow Marsh Preserve State Park

Play a round of miniature golf at Tiki Island Golf and Games  or Island Palms, both on Pensacola Beach

Go roller skating together. Try Landmark Skate or Dreamland Skate Center

Things to do over $10

Go bowling with the family.  Try Cordova Lanes or Deluna Lanes.  Both are very kid friendly.

Go for a sail.  See Jennifer’s review of Condor Sailing Adventures!

Visit Sam’s Fun City.

Get out of town and take a day trip.  We especially enjoyed the Gulf Coast Exploreum over in Mobile.

Check out tons of marine life at the Gulfarium in Ft. Walton.

See a movie together.

Take a trip over to Destin and spend the day at Test Track.  You can read our review here. 

Ride the Cottontail Express.

Hit the batting cages at The Batter’s Box in Pace

Feed the giraffes and the goats at the Gulf Breeze Zoo.

Things to Do During Santa Rosa County Spring Break

March 18-22

“The Magic of Flight” IMAX @ The Naval Avitaion Museum

March 19

“Midtown Men” @ The Saenger Theater

Ice Flyers VS Columbus Cottonmouths- Pensacola Bay Center

Ice Zone After Skate- Pensacola Bay Center

March 20

Blue Angels Practice  ***According to the NAS website, they are awaiting an official word on practice***

Tour de Fort

March 22

Perdido Key Wine & Art Festival

Extreme Sprint Cars- Five Flags Speedway

Things to do during Escambia County’s Spring Break, March 25-29

March 26, 2013

Blue Angels Practice

The 151st Army Band Free Concert- Pensacola NAS

March 27, 2013

Blue Angels Practice

March 28, 2013

Blue Angels Practice

Food & Foreigners in Rome and Beyond- UWF FL Public Archaeology Network

March 29, 2013

Blue Angels Practice