Things To Do With Kids In Destin

12:15:00 PM , 0 Comments


My family is always on the move, and we have a lot of fun in Destin with the kids. I decided a list of my kid’s favorite activities sounded like a good idea, so I put one together. Everything has been tested and approved by my kids, and I described each activity below. 

My list would not be complete without fishing. Living in the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village has
turned the kids into fishing fanatics. There is nowhere my boys will not fish including from the shore, at the jetties, off the docks, on a boat, from a kayak and at the pier. The adventure is never the same, and the species of fish change with the time of year, the bait we use, and the place we are fishing. This has become one of our favorite activities. The fishing report will always tell you what you can expect to catch depending on the season.

Unfortunately, we don’t have a chance to get to Crab Island as often as we would like because our
business keeps us so busy, and our boats are usually being used. You should see how excited our boys get when we find the opportunity to go. Crab Island has so many activities, but we always go to the Crab Island Water Park, and have a blast on the inflatable water slide. The ice cream man is grand, and he brings the ice cream by boat. Robbie uses a boat too, and has these amazing Cajun boiled peanuts. We collect hermit crabs, go snorkeling, and have the time of our lives.

The first time I went to the Gulfarium I was a toddler. When I was around ten, my grandmother started working in the gift shop. We went often because she got us free tickets. I always had a lot of fun, but until last summer I had not been there in
years. There are new owners now, and they did a good job with renovations. When we went with our boys all the new offerings came as an amazing surprise. You can see all the scheduled shows, the animal displays, and have fun playing with small marine creatures, and sea plants at the touch tank for just regular admission. We paid the extra fee because we wanted the boys to enjoy everything. They had an encounter with the cutest dolphins, fed the penguins, and even fished in a tank that had been fully stocked. We were really impressed with everything the Gulfarium offers now, and as a parent I though it was an exceptional learning experience. The kids said everything was cool, and we all made incredible memories as a family. We can’t wait to go back again.

My list had to include the joy of eating, and Destin has so many kid-friendly choices. The original Dewey Destin’s is fantastic, and hangs right over the water. We can look out at Crab Island while we eat, and the kids love the little shack. We prefer to go in a boat, but a car works great too. Their shrimp baskets are so good we end up fighting over them, and adults and kids both have a sensational time. 

Boshamps Oyster Bar is another place we like to go to by boat. Its right on the Destin Harbor, and their outdoor dining is absolute perfection. We sit and relax at our table, and watch our boys playing, and running all over the place. Right below the restaurant is the beach, and there are nets for beach volleyball, hammocks, cornhole games, and the boys can even fish off the dock with cane poles. 

We have a lot of fun at Fudpuckers too. Its casual, and there is so much to see. The location is in Destin, and the boys go wild over Gator Beach. That’s a little farther down on my list. The location is central, and the Laser Tag place, and Fat Daddy’s Pizza are right there. Fudpuckers became an icon in Destin, and everyone needs to visit this restaurant at least one time. Their burgers are juicy and delicious, and if you like, you can try some alligator. The reason we go is because the atmosphere is just plain fun. There are so many activities, and they have all been designed for kids. 

Another sensational destination in Destin is the Back Porch. The views are glorious because its right at the beach. We used to have dinner there when I was little, then we would walk on the beach, and look for Ghost Crabs at night. I am not sure if I should admit the thought of taking the boys there didn’t even cross my mind until I made my list, but I will change that. Normally we just have lunch, and then go to the beach. One of the reasons the kids love the Back Porch is they can always clown around there. 

Everyone who visits Destin is awestruck when they see the beach for the first time. The sand is sugar white, and the waters are emerald green. Then there are the bumper cars, the track, mini golf, and the Gokarts arcade. This place is like a year-round carnival, and there is always so much to do. The kids love it here. 

Beach Sand Sculptures gives lessons on how to build a sandcastle. Rick Mungeam and Capri, his
wife, are sand sculptors. Everyone has fun during their sandcastle lessons no matter what age they are. You can even buy a kit that has everything you need to make the most incredible sandcastles all the time.

There is nothing like when the entire family takes a walk on the Harbor Boardwalk in Destin, and its free. Something good is always happening at the Boardwalk. We like watching the captains of the charter boats bring in whatever they caught that day, watch the people, sightsee and window shop. My whole family enjoys the walk, and we get a close look at the local culture. The reason Destin is called the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village is right there on the Boardwalk. 

I am not even going to try to make a list of everything to do at the gigantic water park called Big Kahuna’s. I will tell you the kids will be worn out by the end of the day. I mentioned Gator Beach earlier, and you can feed alligators here. Its from a very safe distance, and you can get a picture of yourself holding an alligator. The kids are extremely well entertained here. 

Fat Daddy’s has an arcade, pizza and ice cream. This is where we go when the weather will not cooperate, or it starts to rain. The Sunsations Beach Store is right next door, and they have a Mini Golf place with Black Light and indoor Laser Tag. One Laser Tag game only lasts for around fifteen minutes, so we go there to kill time after the beach, and before dinner. 

Well those are the kid’s most favorite activities in Destin, and the order is just what occurred to me as I was writing. You don’t have to take my word for anything, come see the white sugar shores for yourself. It will not take long for you to figure out why Destin is one of the most popular destinations for families in America. 

**This article is a re-write from Heather’s Blog – a Local Destin Resident

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