Wednesdays
3:00PM
FREE

Ages 5-11 meet to create challenging structures.

www.aclib.us/events

Selected Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays
After School - Times vary by library
FREE

Kids can enjoy playing Wii games at the library. Check the website for dates, times and locations

www.aclib.us/events

Third Wednesday of the month
2:00PM - 3:00PM
FREE

WILD WEDNESDAYS -take advantage of the school district’s early release Wednesdays and bring your children/grandchildren/homeschoolers to play and explore at the Tuscawilla Preserve in Micanopy. This spring season, TLC volunteers will introduce various environmental educational concepts using games and activities. Participants will learn and connect with nature while they play. What better way to learn?! Geared for children ages 4-8, with accompanying adults, but all are welcome to come explore outdoors. There is no cost to attend these spring sessions.

tuscawillalc@gmail.com
www.alachuaconservationtrust.org

Check the library’s online calendar for details on special events, kids programs, and story times.   All the libraries have a children’s area with couches, chairs and a small rug for snuggling up to read books together.   Some branches also feature educational computer games.

www.aclib.us

Discover and Create with the Visual Language of Art�. Explore the world of art and create 2 and 3-D projects using drawing, printmaking, painting, collage and sculpture techniques. Informational handout included with each class. Great for Home-Schooled families!

Every other Monday 10:00AM - 11:15AM
Ages 5-15 years old
$15 class fee includes supplies/sketchbook/ lesson plan ($5 more for each sibling)

Jane is a self-employed artist/instructor who loves working with children.   She is certified in Childhood Education and Art K-12, was a home-school mom for many years and has taught art to children in many different venues, public and private.   She currently is the instructor for the Homeschool Art Program and the mobile Art Van Go program run by the Marion County Parks and Recreation Department.

Please call (352) 318-8921 or email flcreate@yahoo.com for more information or to register for a class.
Click here for the full schedule

Baby Boppers is a weekly class that enhances interaction between parents/caregivers and children.   Our class promotes early physical activity in babies/toddlers through music and dance. Parents/caregivers will have lots of fun with their children, singing and dancing to well know nursery rhymes and also learn lots of new movement songs.   We bring lots of exciting props to capture babies/toddlers imaginations.   Silk scarves, bean bags, musical instruments, bubbles and parachutes are all items used throughout each session.   We also have bi-weekly visitors such as Dora, Spongebob, Mickie/Minnie Mouse, Pirates and Princesses.   Occasionally we'll get a bit messy and introduce crafts.

*Just north of Alachua County in Lake City


fiestacreations@live.com

Every Wednesday 3:00PM -3:45PM  September - May only
All ages
FREE

Morningside Nature Center has a farm, ee—i—ee—i—oh! On this farm, youngsters with an adult can meet and greet animals by helping staff with afternoon feeding. With a sheep here—and a cow there—learning about heritage breeds is fun!


www.natureoperations.org

Every Tuesday Night 5:30PM - 7:30PM
All ages
FREE

Chick-fil-A Family Night: Weekly family fun events like arts and crafts, games, and entertainment.   Plus kids eat free with adult purchase.   Check the website for details.

The Archer Road location boasts the only indoor playground at a fast food restaurant in town.

www.cfarestaurant.com/archerroad/home

One Sunday a month 3:30PM
All ages
FREE

Contadores de Estórias de Gainesville is a storytelling group in Portuguese that meets once a month at the Millhopper Branch Library. Our goal is to celebrate various brazilian holidays and interact our children with the brazilian culture and traditions through songs, games, books and storytelling. All the meetings are spoken in portuguese to preserve our language.

contadoresgnv@gmail.com
www.contadoresdeestoriasgainesville.shutterfly.com

Sundays 12:30 - 1:30PM
$12

Corks n Colors Story Time: Bring your kiddos to Story Time and Create! We will be listening to a book for ages 3-6 and then creating a clay creature, painting it, and we will turn it into a pottery piece for you! Pieces will be available for pickup after 1 week.

www.corkscolors.com

Wednesdays 9:00AM - 11:00AM October - July only
All ages
$5 per vehicle | No charge for materials

Dudley Farm Crafts and Demonstrations: A resource person person will teach a variety of domestic skills. This includes: Quilting, Weaving , Rug-crocheting, Basketry, Woodworking, and Corn shuck crafts. Workshops meet at the Visitor Center, except the 3rd Wednesday.


www.friendsofdudleyfarm.org/events/crafts.html

2nd Saturday of every month 10:00AM - 2:00PM  /   October - May only
All ages
FREE with park admission

Dudley Kids: a volunteer at Dudley Farm teaches children how make a craft or perform a common activity from the 1800's.  Check the website for details on the scheduled activity.

Check the website for schedule of events!


friendsofdudleyfarm.org/events/kids.html

One Saturday of every month 8:00AM - 12:00PM  /   March - November only
All ages
FREE

Fishing for Success hosts monthly events that provide families the opportunity to fish together in a safe and fun setting at the 6 heavily stocked "catching ponds" on the grounds of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.   Anglers can expect to catch bluegill, sunshine bass, and channel catfish up to 10 lbs, and volunteers are on hand to help with baiting hooks and releasing fish.   Loaner poles and tackle are provided for those that need it and there is a casting challenge where all participants win a prize.

http://lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu/FishSUCCESS/

Sundays 2:00PM - 4:00PM
All Ages
$10 for two people. | Rate includes use of archery equipment

Come out for a fun afternoon of archery with the family for a discounted rate! (Usually $10/person plus equipment rental fee.)


www.eastonnewberrysportscomplex.com/familyfunshoot.html

1st Friday of every month 2:00PM - 3:00PM  /   September - May only
All ages
FREE

Join the fun, get the facts! Youngsters, with an adult, can join a Morningside Nature Center animal caretaker for amphibian and reptile feeding.


www.natureoperations.org

Friday 4:15PM - 6:15PM and Saturday 12:30PM - 2:30PM (also Spanish German etc.)
Ages 5-12
$10/ meeting

French Club: Kids experience the French culture through music, games, food and more. They also learn the language with an age-appropriate curriculum, and enact fairy tales. In addition to French, kids can learn Spanish, German, and Chinese.

jdcharu@hotmail.com
www.frenchfunfood.com

Every Monday 12:00PM - 2:00PM
All ages
Free

Meet up with other Gainesville area homeschoolers at Westside Park Fridays from 12-2

Click here for a map

Third Thursday of the month 9:30AM - 11:00AM
Ages baby to 12 years old
Ages 4-12 are $5 | Kids under 4 are FREE

Join Gainesville Ecotours as part of Children and Nature Network and Get Outdoors Florida to get kids in nature and provide exercise! Gainesville Ecotours will plan an environmental education program for kids. The program will provide for some guidance for parents as they guide their child through hiking trails, with most time allotted for free play and hiking in nature. Examples of educational programs include nature scavenger hunts, nature photography, using the five senses to discover nature, examining plants, insects, and wildlife, and more. Adults must accompany their children. The club will meet at different City of Gainesville Parks, Alachua County conservation land, or water management district conservation areas each month.

Terri@GainesvilleEcoTours.com
www.GainesvilleEcoTours.com

FREE BEADING CLASS:
Every other Tuesday at the Library Partnership Branch library All ages

Gifts of Avalon:2500 square feet of beads, jewelry making supplies, books, artist made and vintage jewelry and gifts.   Work tables are set up in the store for people to use at no charge.


Click here for library class schedule
www.giftsofavalon.com

Second Thursday of the month
6:00PM - 9:00 PM
FREE
Come join the Harn Museum of Art for a night of art and entertainment! Museum nights is an ongoing program made possible by the generous support of the University of Florida Office of the Provost, Honors Program and Student Government.


www.harn.ufl.edu

First Friday of the month 11:00AM - 12:00PM | Last Tuesday of the month 3:30PM - 4:30PM
Ages 2-5
FREE

Tot Time at the Harn Musuem: Children ages 2-5 and their parents learn about art by touring Harn galleries, exploring art materials, books, games and age-appropriate concepts.   Programs are offered twice a month, and children must be registered to attend in advance.

To register, contact Lisa Stevens (352) 392-9826 x112
lstevens@harn.ufl.edu
www.harn.ufl.edu

Saturdays 10:00AM - 2:00PM and Sundays 12:00PM - 4:00PM
All Ages
$5 per person. Children under 12 are free.

The Historic Haile Homestead is unique in the Nation for its "Talking Walls."  For a reason lost to time, the Haile family wrote on the walls of their home - over 12,500 words in almost every room and closet!   Come visit us this weekend and see this gem of history, frozen in time - let the walls speak to you of joys and sorrows of more than a century ago.

www.hailehomestead.org

2nd Saturday of every month 10:00AM
All ages
Free

Pet live reptiles and learn about the 300 plus animals in the store.

www.hogtownreptileshop.net

1st Saturday of every month 9:00AM - 12:00PM
Ages 5-12
FREE

The Kids Workshops are FREE how-to clinics for children.   Projects include the creation of toolboxes, fire trucks and mail organizers, as well as more educational projects, such as a window birdhouse, bughouse or Declaration of Independence frame kit.   The workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment.  Additionally, this fun time allows for quality one-on-one time between adults and children.   In addition to the newly constructed project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates' aprons, and an achievement pin.


Click here for more information

First Saturday of the month 10:00AM
All ages
Regular admission price for non-members and members are admitted free of charge.

kanapgard@aol.com
www.kanapaha.org

Kids matinee every Saturday of every month 3:00PM
Check the website for specific show information
All ages
Adults: $5   /   Seniors and children 4-12: $4  /   Children 3 and under: FREE

The Kika Silva Pla Planetarium seats 60 guests beneath a 34 ft Spitz dome, and is equipped with not one, but two, state of the art planetarium projectors.  The planetarium offers a variety of shows for the public, for school groups and private groups, and two shows especially for children.  Check the website for updated schedule and show information.


anita.courtot@sfcollege.edu
www.sfcollege.edu/planetarium

Wednesdays at 10:30AM   /  Please call ahead to register.
Ages 2-6
FREE

The Learning Path Store offers a weekly Story Time that will feature seasonal picture books and crafts for children.    Because we are including crafts, we need to have parents and caregivers register by phone before the event.

Third Wednesday of the month 6:00PM - 7:00PM
FREE

Free play therapy workshop for parents and children. Reservations required.

www.lovingtherapy.com/PlayTherapy.en.html

2nd Saturday of the month 10:00AM
Ages 5-12
FREE

From project basics to giving your child the opportunity to say, "I built it!", our Build and Grow kid's clinics are a great way to help build confidence!   Bring the kids into any Lowe's store and build a FREE wooden project.   Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project.   Advanced registration is not required, but supplies are limited.   Workshops are held 1-2 times a month.   Advanced registration is not required, but supplies are limited.


www.lowesbuildandgrow.com

Saturdays
10:00AM - 11:30AM
$2 per child

Kids Club: Let your kids explore their creativity while you shop! Only $2 per child reserves 30 minutes for your creative kid. Sessions starting every half hour from 10AM - 11:30AM. See a store associate to join the fun!


www.michaels.com

Saturday 11:00AM - 3:00PM
All Ages
FREE
Bring a bag (or bags) of carrots to feed the horses. Carrots are available for purchase at the gate.

The Retirement Home for Horses gives lifetime care to horses seized by law enforcement; those rescued by the SPCA or Humane Societies; horses retired from government service such as police patrol, state or federal parks; horses used by handicapped riding programs; circus horses; those used in experiments or similar cases.

.
rhh@millcreekfarm.org
www.millcreekfarm.org

2nd Thursday of each month throughout the school year at 7:00PM
Moms
FREE

The Moms' Group's main focus is to encourage moms in ways to build Christ-like character in our hearts and homes while teaching our children.  Doors open at 6:00 for fellowship, free library and homeschool book swap.  Meetings start at 7:00, and include topics such as organization, prioritizing, teaching tips, and more.

Contact Mardy Freeman

mardy@thefreemans.org
www.thefreemans.org

Saturdays 9:00AM - 4:30 PM
All Ages
FREE

Living History Days: Step back in a time when the roosters’ crow and the rising sun, not an alarm clock, welcomed a new day!   The Living History Farm comes to life with staff interpreting day-to-day life on a rural Florida farm.   Sample biscuits, fresh butter and a slice of life from 1870!   The heritage breed farm animals are fed twice daily around 9:00 am and 3:00 pm. FREE.

The Living History Farm is open to the public from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday.
Morningside’s Living History Farm is a ten-acre re-creation of a single-family rural holding in the year 1870.  The Farm centers on the McCarroll’s, an Alachua County Irish immigrant family who built the oldest of the structures: Hogan’s Cabin.  The farm includes the 1840’s cabin, 1900’s board and batten kitchen, 1880’s twin-crib barn, Half-Moon one-room school house, reproduction out-buildings, heirloom garden and field crop areas and live heritage breed farm animals.  You can step into the life of an 1870’s family during special events and programs.


www.natureoperations.org

FREE CLASS:
First Saturday of the month at Headquarters Branch library All ages

Musikgarten is the leader in early childhood music education - for children and teachers. In addition to the free class at the library, we offer a semester long complete multi-year educational program that helps infants, toddlers, and children develop a deep love of music and the ability to express it. We have wonderful CDs of the songs sung in class, age-appropriate instruments, and parent guidebooks. These home materials reinforce lessons and involve the whole family in the fun.

Another option to consider is starting your own playgroup at your home.   Playgroups can be tailored to kids BIRTH THRU AGE FIVE (give or take)!   Have three, four or more of your friends join you for some musical fun on your turf, and get your classes for free! Each playgroup can decide the length of their session.

Instructor: Susan Moss  /  (352) 256-8894
sdmoss5@hotmail.com
Click here for library class schedule www.musikgarten.org/gainesville

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday
Check the website for specific class details.
Toddlers and Preschoolers
FREE with membership

Join our fun-filled Parent & Child Enrichment program for toddlers and preschool children.  Your daily learning experience starts with a theatrical stage production performed by our Morning Magic Players.  Next, enjoy our age-appropriate classes including art, music, gymnastics, & more!  Our goal is to help develop your child's potential with fun activities that foster cognitive, social, and physical skills.

Our Family Membership provides over 200 weekly classes for kids, in ONE LOCATION for parents, for ONE ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICE! All children zero to thirteen years old can pick and choose and change their minds as they explore an incredible variety of classes including gymnastics, dance, karate, cheerleading, music, drama, art, science, technology, sports, languages, chess and more! Families also enjoy unlimited daily visits to our Play Village, dynamic Special Events, discounts on all premier programs, and FREE two-hour drop-off care EVERYDAY for children six years and older! The O2B Kids Family Membership is an unbeatable value for all parents and provides spectacular learning experiences for all children. In other words, O2B Kids is a family's Dream Come True!


www.O2BKids.com

Friday nights from 6:00PM - 10:30PM
Kindergarten through 13 years old.
O2BKids members: $10  /  Non-members: $15

Parent Night Out (PNO) is an evening of fabulous activities for children.   Led by our O2B Play Leaders, kids will enjoy a special agenda planned just for them with art, exercise, movies, time trials, obstacle courses, group games, music, dancing, crazy karaoke and more!   And pizza dinner is included!    PNO is a great way for your kids to bond with old friends and make new ones.   They will exercise their brains and their bodies.   They will make choices and create new games to play on their own.   PNO brings back the freedom of the neighborhood and all of the important learning opportunities that this freedom brings – in a safe, supervised environment.   It’s a learning adventure that your kids will thank you for.   Join us for the FUN!

Our Family Membership provides over 200 weekly classes for kids, in ONE LOCATION for parents, for ONE ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICE! All children zero to thirteen years old can pick and choose and change their minds as they explore an incredible variety of classes including gymnastics, dance, karate, cheerleading, music, drama, art, science, technology, sports, languages, chess and more! Families also enjoy unlimited daily visits to our Play Village, dynamic Special Events, discounts on all premier programs, and FREE two-hour drop-off care EVERYDAY for children six years and older! The O2B Kids Family Membership is an unbeatable value for all parents and provides spectacular learning experiences for all children. In other words, O2B Kids is a family's Dream Come True!


www.O2BKids.com

Fridays 9:30-10:30AM
Ages 1-4
FREE
A free weekly program of songs, stories and crafts for Jewish children and their parents.


Click here to go to the website

Saturdays 10:30AM - 11:00AM
All ages
$7 per skater

Skate Station Funworks offers a beginning skating lesson program. Skaters learn the basic skills of forward and backward skating, starting and stopping correctly, proper posture, balance and falling, as well as skating and equipment safety.


www.funworks.com/gainesville/skate-lessons/

First and Third Thursday of every month
10:00AM - 12:00PM
$5

Skate Station Funworks Roller Skating Playdate: Bring your kids aged 5 and younger for a fun roller skating playdate! Admission includes roller skating, bounce house and kids adventure soft play. Parents can also bring your child's big wheel toys, cars, walkers, strollers or any toys on wheels!

www.funworks.com/gainesville

2nd Friday night of each month 6:30PM - 8:30PM
All ages
Paid in advance rates: Member: $14  /  Non-Member: $16
Day of the event: $18

Join us for a great evening of specialized fun and activities for your family.   Spend a quality evening with your children and have a great time experiencing Family Fun Night while making those special family memories.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: • Gymnastics • Rock Climbing • KidQuest Indoor Playground • Swimming • Family Games • Ball and Foam Pit • Carnival-Style Games • Obstacle Course • Bounce House • Rope Swings • Trampoline


www.suncountrysports.com/familyfunnight.html
www.suncountrysports.com/familyswim.html

Every Friday night 5:00PM - 7:00PM
All students must pre-register. For ages 5 and up.
Members: $18   /   Non-Members $20

Parents can drop their kids off at Sun Country Sports Center for 2 hours for fun games, gymnastics instructions and open workout time at Gym Jam.  ( Current students can get extra practice time or use gym jam as a makeup class.  ( Future students can try out the gymnastics classes, meet the coaches and learn about the gym.


www.suncountrysports.com

1st Friday of every month 11:00AM - 1:00PM
All students must pre-register. For ages 3-6.
Members: $12   /   Non-Members $14

Little Lunchers is an opportunity for young children to learn basic gymnastics skills with lots of games, creativity and fun without their parents!   Activities such as KidQuest, Parachute Games, Story Time and Crafts will all be incorporated during this FUN Lunch Time Fitness program.


www.suncountrysports.com

Fourth Friday of every month
6:00PM - 10:00PM
Members: $18 | Non-Members: $20

Enjoy an evening to yourself while your children stay active in our safe structured environment. When you pick them up they will be exhausted and ready for bed! Children will participate in Gymnastics, Rock Climbing, KidQuest, Games and so much more!

www.suncountrysports.com

Every Friday night 6:00PM - 7:00PM
All students must pre-register. For ages 3 and up.
Members: $15   /   Non-Members $18

Sunh Country Sports Center Splash Jam: Fun games, swim instructions and open workout time. For current students: get extra swim time and/or use the time to make up a class. For future students: try out the swim class, meet the coaches and learn about the Sun Country pool!

www.suncountrysports.com

Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:00AM - 11:00AM
Ages 5 years old and younger
Member: $8  /  Non-Member: $11

TUESDAY STAY AND PLAY Every Tuesday morning will be filled with fun and exciting activities.   You and your child will make a splash in our heated saline pool, navigate your way through exciting obstacle courses in our Sun Gym and bounce around in our inflatable moonwalks in the Bounce Room.   The morning ends with song and dance activities during Circle Time and a snack. Activities include: Bounce Room, Sun Gymnastics Room, Music, Dance, Swimming (weather permitted) Snacks Provided

FRIDAY STAY AND PLAY For the perfect end to your week, continue coming to our Friday morning Stay and Play. Enjoy free time in KidQuest, bounce house and guided free play and obstacle courses in the Star Gym.   Also, take advantage of the activities and obstacle course in our SunBurst room.   This preschool gym offers equipment designed specifically for children 5 and under and a KidZone exploration and play structure.   Every Friday morning ends with songs and activities during Parachute Time, snack and Story Time.   Activities include SunBurst Gymnastics Room, Star Gymnastics Room, Bounce House, KidQuest, Parachute Games, and Story Time, Snacks Provided


www.suncountrysports.com/stayandplay.html

2nd Friday of every month at 8:00PM
Check the website for specific movie details.
All ages
FREE

Movies on the Square:   Enjoy classic family movies under the stars on the lawn.   Pack your picnics and don'f forget a blanket or lawn chair.   Vintage cartoon at dusk and feature film begins at dark.   No time to pack your snacks?   Food & drinks will be available throughout the center.


http://tiogatowncenter.com

FREE CLASSES:
Selected Wednesdays at Millhopper and Tower Road Branch libraries All ages

Tonewood Family Music: Music Together is an internationally recognized early childhood music program for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and the adults who love them.  Music Together classes are based on the recognition that all children are musical.  All children can learn to sing in tune, keep a beat, and participate with confidence in the music of our culture, provided that their early environment supports such learning.

Semester long weekly classes are offered at multiple locations. Please check the website for details.


Director@TonewoodFamilyMusic.com
Click here for library class schedule www.tonewoodfamilymusic.com

Mondays 6:30PM
All ages
FREE

Wild Iris Game Night: Do you get ‘Ants in the Pants’ on Monday nights ‘cause you’re ‘board’?.   Does your ‘Cranium’ need crankin’ but you don’t have a ‘Clue’ what to do?.  Then c’mon down to Wild Iris Books ’cause we’ve got a whole new ‘Operation’ and a ‘Monopoly’ on fun!

One Friday night a month 6:00PM -11:00PM  /  Janaury 27th, February 24th, March 16th
5-12 years
Members $20 ($10 of this is a cash-only fee) Non Members $25 ($10 of this is a cash-only fee for kid’s choice dinner and activity.)

Activities include theme nights, occasional field trips, swimming, arts & crafts, organized group games, and dinner.   Children participate in age appropriate activities.   Participants in the afterschool program can stay through 11 pm as long as registration fee for Fun Night has been paid in advance.   Participants left without prior registration will be assessed a late fee of $10.

Dates are subject to change and have a required minimum participation.   Please pre-register by Thursday evening at 5:00pm the day before the event!


www.ncfymca.org