Pensacola with Kids » Things to do Under $5

Plaza de Luna Splash Pad Hours – Summer 2012

Jen — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:44:27 +0000

What: Splash pad; Where: End of Palafox, downtown; When: Mon-Wed 12pm to 5pm; Thurs-Sun 11am to 8 pm; Cost: FREE

Unfortunately, Sunsets at the Plaza as we knew them are no longer. Hopefully someone will be able to pick up sponsorship but until then you can still visit the splash pad at Plaza de Luna.

The splash pad is open from April to October. It is open on Monday through Wednesday from 12pm to 5pm and Thursday through Sunday from 11am to 8pm. According to Parks and Recreation, an automated system monitors water quality and may shut down the fountain for short periods of time until treatment can return the water quality to safe levels for public health and safety.

Visiting the splash pad is free. While there, you can grab a treat or a bite to eat at deLuna’s Grill. The grill is open from 10am to 5pm.

Touch Tone Tales through West Florida Public Library

Jen — Tue, 22 May 2012 18:06:39 +0000

What: Story time over the phone; Where: Your house; When: Any time; Cost: FREE

When I was at the library a few weeks ago, I saw a little slip of paper on the desk advertising Touch Tone Tales so we decided to check it out when we got home. Touch Tone Tales is a phone number that you can dial to hear a story. We heard the story of the Klutzy Duckling complete with sound effects last week. There is a new story each week.

The first time I called, we got through on the first try. This was about seven in the evening. I tried to call a few days later and it was busy for about ten minutes. When I tried to call this morning, it took about three minutes to get through. Right now, they are running a story about the Gingerbread Man.

Touch Tone Tales are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and it is a free service of West Florida Public Library.

Just call 850.595.1219.

2012 Summer Reading Programs

Jen — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:34:19 +0000

Keep your kids reading during the summertime with these local and national summer reading programs.

Kid’s Summer Reading Club at West Florida Public Libraries – Dream Big Read! – From June 4th to July 14th, register at any West Florida Library to participate in free games, programs and prizes. There are story times, special programs, and more.

Kid’s Summer Reading Club at Santa Rosa County Library - Dream Big Read! – Register online beginning June 1. See a video about the program. There are story times, special programs, and more.

Barnes and Noble Summer Reading – I haven’t been able to find the updated 2012 information online. I will try to stop by this week to pick up all the details. See last year’s summer reading information.

Chuck E Cheese Reading Rewards Calendar - Read every day for two weeks and get 10 free tokens. Food purchase required. This is a national program. Call our local program to check for participation.

iVillage PBS Kids Summer Reading Community Challenge - Sign up to receive daily emails beginning June 18th with literacy building tips and activities from experts at PBS Kids and Scholastic. You can also get book suggestions, discounts, free downloads of PBS shows, and a daily chance to win prizes.

Carmike Cinemas 2012 Summer Kid Series

Jen — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:47:23 +0000

Carmike Cinemas will begin its 2012 Summer Kid Series on June 7, 2012.

Movies will be shown every Thursday at 10am. The cost is $2 and that includes a drink, popcorn, and admission.

Mark your calendars!

June 7 – Puss in Boots

June 14 – Chicken Run

June 21 – Over the Hedge

June 28 – Kung Fu Panda

July 5 – Shark Tale

July 12 – How To Train Your Dragon

July 19 – Madagascar 2

July 26 – Bee Movie

August 2 – Monsters vs. Aliens

August 9 – Megamind

Fiesta Family Weekend

Jen — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:46:58 +0000

It is time for the Fiesta Days Celebration and there are two great activities for family fun!

Saturday, May 19 – Fiesta Children’s Treasure Hunt

The Fiesta Children’s Treasure Hunt is open to children ages 10 and under. Children will search for hidden treasure while learning some of Pensacola’s history.

There will be games, face painting and other activities.

Registration begins at 1pm and the hunt will start at 2pm. I have not been to the Fiesta Children’s Treasure Hunt and but I have heard that it moves quickly like the Easter Egg Hunts do.

Sand Sculpture from contest held in Navarre last year.

Sunday, May 20 – Fiesta Sand Sculpture

We had the opportunity to see a sand sculpture festival in Navarre last year and it was absolutely amazing. I couldn’t believe how someone can take a pile of our powdery Gulf Coast sand and turn it into a beautiful work of art. The contest is open to professional and amateur sculptors of all ages. Registration begins at 8am behind the Pensacola Beach Gulfside Pavilion. Judging begins at 2pm and awards will be given at 3pm.

The event is free and open to public. Even if you aren’t participating, it would be so much fun to take the family out for a day at the beach. Spend some time wandering around and checking out the different sculptures.

The Breeze Cinema 8 Free 2012 Summer Movie Schedule

Jen — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:13:09 +0000

Thanks to a heads up from a reader, we found the Breeze Cinema 8 Free Summer Movie schedule.

Movies are shown every Tuesday and Thursday at 10am. Doors open at 9:30am and the movie begins at 10am. Don’t be late because doors typically close when the theater is full.

I am adding other free movie theater schedules as we receive them.

Mark your calendars!

6/12 and 6/14 Kung Fu Panda 2 and Spy Kids 4

6?19 and 6/21 Hop and Zookeeper

6/26 and 6/28 Rango and Dolphin Tale

7/3 and 7/5 Cars 2 and Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked

7/10 and 7/12 Rio and Journey 2

7/17 and 7/19 Puss n Boots and Big Miracle

7/24 and 7/26 Adventures of TinTin and Smurfs

7/31 and 8/2 Happy Feet Two and Yogi Bear

8/7 and 8/9 Secret World of Arietty and The Muppets

8/14 and 8/16 Ice Age 3 and Mr. Popper’s Penguins

Things to Know Before You Go:

Head to the free summer movies with patience. These movies fill up quickly with day care field trips and families with kids. This is not a date night movie and there will be constant noise during the movie. It does quiet down to a reasonable level but remember that the movie is free and full of kids!
Doors open at 9:30 but a line begins closer to 9am.
Concessions will be open and often there is a deal on the Kid’s Pack.
You may want to go with a friend who can watch your seat if you have to get up for whatever reason.

The Ridge Cinema 8 Free 2012 Summer Movie Schedule

Jen — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:14:04 +0000

Ok…it is official. I am ready for school to be out and summer to begin. Finding all the dates for these summer movies is putting me in the mood for popcorn, an air conditioned theater and some quiet movie time with my kids.

The Ridge Cinema 8 has published their 2012 Free Summer Movie to their Facebook Page.

Movies are shown every Tuesday and Thursday at 10am. Doors open 9:30am and movies begin at 10am.

Like I have said before, don’t be late because they lock the doors once the theater is filled.

I will add the other movie theater schedules as we receive them.

Mark your calendars!

6/12 & 6/14: Kung Fu Panda 2 & Spy Kids 4

6/19 & 6/21: Hop & Zookeeper

6/26 & 6/28: Rango & Dolphin Tale

7/3 & 7/5: Cars 2 & Alvin & the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked

7/10 & 7/12: Rio & Journey 2

7/17 & 7/19: Puss n Boots & Big Miracle

7/24 & 7/26: Adventures of Tintin & Smurfs

7/31 & 8/2: Happy Feet Two & Yogi Bear

8/7 & 8/9: Secret World of Arietty & The Muppets

8/14 & 8/16: Ice Age 3 & Mr. Popper’s Penguins

Things to Know Before You Go:

Head to the free summer movies with patience. These movies fill up quickly with day care field trips and families with kids. This is not a date night movie and there will be constant noise during the movie. It does quiet down to a reasonable level but remember that the movie is free and full of kids!
Doors open at 9:30 but a line begins closer to 9am.
Concessions will be open and often there is a deal on the Kid’s Pack.
You may want to go with a friend who can watch your seat if you have to get up for whatever reason.

Rave Bayou Free 2012 Summer Movie Schedule

Jen — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:19:55 +0000

It is a few weeks before school lets out but we just got our hands on the Rave Free 2012 Summer Movie schedule. Remember that the schedule is subject to change and we will make adjustments here if we receive them. We love the free summer movies because, well, they are free! Also, it is a great way to get out of the house and escape the humidity that sets down on our city during the summer.

All movies are Monday and Thursday at 10am. Doors open at 9:30am.

These movies fill up quickly and once the theaters reach capacity, they will lock the doors. I learned this the hard way when we drove out to a movie at the Ridge in Pace and they were locked up tight because the theater was full.

I will add the other movie theater schedules as we receive them.

Mark your calendars!

June 4 and 7- Cats & Dogs:The Revenge of Kitty Galore

June 11 and 14- Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole

June 18 and 21- Yogi Bear

June 25 and 28- Happy Feet Two

July 2 and 5- Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

July 9 and 12- Dolphin Tale

July 16 and 19- Shorts

July 23 and 26- Inkheart

July 30 and Aug 2- Happy Feet

I am glad to see three animated movies on the list this year because I felt that it was lacking in the schedule last summer.

Things to Know Before You Go:

Head to the free summer movies with patience. These movies fill up quickly with day care field trips and families with kids. This is not a date night movie and there will be constant noise during the movie. It does quiet down to a reasonable level but remember that the movie is free and full of kids!
Doors open at 9:30 but a line begins closer to 9am.
Concessions will be open and often there is a deal on the Kid’s Pack.
You may want to go with a friend who can watch your seat if you have to get up for whatever reason.

Community Maritime Park Grand Opening Celebration

Jen — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:11:18 +0000

What: Grand opening of Community Maritime Park; Where: Community Maritime Park on West Main Street; When: June 9th from 10am to 9pm; Cost: FREE

Mark your calendars, Pensacola, because the Grand Opening of the Community Maritime Park will be June 9th from 10am to 9pm. The Charlie Daniel’s Band will play as well as other bands throughout the day. The official park dedication will occur at 12:30pm.

There will be a fun run/walk, a play zone for the kids, an art festival, stadium events and more. Touch a Truck will also be happening. The kids love this activity whenever Play Pensacola puts it on. There will also be a fireworks show.

2012 Vacation Bible Schools in the Pensacola Area

Jen — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:50:32 +0000

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 jennifer 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 11

First United Methodist Church of Pensacola

Dates: June 11-14
Times: 9am to 12noon
Address: 6 East Wright Street, Pensacola, FL 32501
Theme: Sky – Everything is possible with God
Ages: Age 3 as of Sept. 1 to completed 4th grade

Grace Lutheran Church

Dates: June 11-15
Times: 5:30-8pm
Address: 6601 N 9th Ave, Pensacola, FL
Theme: Sky – Everything is possible with God
Ages: 3-11

Gulf Coast Christian Church

Dates: June 11-15
Times: 6pm-8:30pm
Address: 590 E Burgess Road, Pensacola, FL 32504
Theme: Sky – Everything is possible with God
Ages: 3 years old (potty trained) through 5th grade

Heritage Baptist Church