7 years old grandson visiting. WHAT TO DO!

[BillArmyRet]

My 7 yo grandson is visiting in June. All appropriate villiage camps are full. In searching for kid activities they are miles away. Any suggestions. PLEASE & thank you.


Thanks for All The ideas. We’ve got a plan now!

[CFrance]

Uncle Donald's Farm in Lady Lake is supposed to be great for little kids. Also, behind the Lady Lake public library on 441 (near Guava St?) there is a really great playground. Also there is a splash pad here: yelp.com (https://www.yelp.com/biz/rogers-park-leesburg?hrid=urssV9Mgyih574umBIbbTQ&osq=Splash+Pad)
There is a small playground up at Lake Sumter Landing, plus there used to be a boat ride on Lake Sunter (not sure if it's still there). After the playground, we took our grands for ice cream at Kilwins in LSL and a walk along the boardwalk looking for turtles.

Mystic Ice Cream on 466A towards Fruitland Park has a really interesting interior with all sorts of kitschy things, plus great ice cream. Our grands liked it a lot. There are airboat rides around. Don't forget the nightly music & dancing at the squares. Kids seem to like it.

Okahumpka park has paved walking trails and a playground and picnic tables.

[bsloan1960]

My 7 yo grandson is visiting in June. All appropriate villiage camps are full. In searching for kid activities they are miles away. Any suggestions. PLEASE & thank you. There are a couple of public playgrounds in Middleton- our grandkids enjoyed them. They also, surprisingly enjoyed Bocce and Shuffleboard. They had the most fun in the family pools.

[asianthree]

Family pool…shuffle board, corn hole. Golf Cart Rides, to LSL lunch, take the boat ride, get ice cream. Nature walks abound in the south of TV. Gatorland may be fun.

Our Granddaughter is coming for a week, but at 21. She will be floating in our pool with a beverage, eat sushi, play beach tennis, golf.

[Snowbirdtobe]

Gatorland is great for a 7 year old. My grandchildren loved it and the now 15 year old wanted to go back when she came in February. Be sure to get a picture of you both posing with the snake and gator.

[jimhoward]

Why not just take him to Disney and/or Universal? Has he been there a million times before?

[Pondboy]

You could buy him an inexpensive Radio controlled car or boat on Amazon. There are a few “boat” ponds in the villages as well as a number of “tracks”. I’d even reach out to the astronomy club and see if they offer “public viewing” thru one of their telescopes.

[Pinball wizard]

Swamp Fever airboat ride at Lake Panasoffkee.

[2newyorkers]

First Responders and I think another rec center in the south has indoor recreational games for children. First Responders also has a putting course, corn toss, croquette, lawn bowling and a family pool. You can also pack a picnic lunch. I made up a scavenger hunt at Sumter Landing for the grandkids and another time had a nighttime scavenger with flashlights in the yard. Leesburg has an arcade, bowling and other things kids love. The airboat ride is not far away. Have a make your own pizza night. But what they really love is riding in the golf cart and the pool.

[LuvtheVillages]

There are a couple of public playgrounds in Middleton- our grandkids enjoyed them. They also, surprisingly enjoyed Bocce and Shuffleboard. They had the most fun in the family pools.

The Middleton playgrounds and amenities are just for the Middleton residents who pay an amenity fee for them. They cannot use our amenities, and we cannot use theirs. (However, I don't think anyone checks)

There is a very nice playground at Sumter Landing, next to where Sonnys Barbecue used to be.

[Lottoguy]

He will love SKY ZONE in Ocala. Sign him up for the two hour session. Lots of trampolines and other fun stuff to do there.

[AZ SLIM]

Run away while there is still time!

[Angelarobertson]

When my grandchildren visit they love to swim, look for gecko’s, paint rocks and leave them for others to find, walk the nature trails looking for wildlife & going to the playground at Sumter and the bigger one in Leesburg which also has a splash pad.

[USOTR]

First Responders rec center has all kinds of stuff suitable for kids.

[Angelhug52]

Take out old photos of family and spend a little time each day teaching the child your history. Sharing stories. Ask him what he likes...probably attached to his iPad? Go to Silver Springs , they have a boat ride. Leggings land about an hour south. Eisenhower Rec center is a must. !

[Nana2Teddy]

The Middleton playgrounds and amenities are just for the Middleton residents who pay an amenity fee for them. They cannot use our amenities, and we cannot use theirs. (However, I don't think anyone checks)

There is a very nice playground at Sumter Landing, next to where Sonnys Barbecue used to be.
There’s a splash pad open now at Middleton in the shopping center that is not just for residents.

[Greg L]

Flippers had a pizza camp last year and the chocolate business in Sumter landing also had a camp

[Nana2Teddy]

In addition to the many ideas already shared consider the Bushnell model railroad museum that’s only open on Saturdays. It has some great train displays in several rooms inside the museum (nice and cool!), plus a miniature ride-on train. There’s also a nice train themed gift shop, and if you’re hungry an indoor snack bar with hot dogs, chips, etc.

[Ashokan]

One of the pitch and putt golf courses; there are four, with tee boxes for kids, only about 50-70 yards; for these courses, only need 3 or at most 4 clubs to play them.
Also one of the 18 hole putting courses; one at Mickeylee, one at Sawgrass, one at Fenney - for those just need a putter.

[Teemotay]

My 7 yo grandson is visiting in June. All appropriate villiage camps are full. In searching for kid activities they are miles away. Any suggestions. PLEASE & thank you.

There is Tree Tops miniature golf (putt-putt to some) course at the corner of Rolling Acres Road and 466. Next to the American Legion. They also have slow pitch softball batting cages. Lots of fun for kids and adults. You may find coupons on their website at golftreetops.com

There are fishing opportunities at many of the villages ponds. Check out The Villages Freshwater Fishing Club page on Facebook.

Lake Griffin State Park is close by in Fruitland Park and has a picnic area and short walking trails through the forested area.

[FrostyBear]

He’s 7, do anything to spend time with him. Paint, swimming pool, have him help cook fun stuff, walk to see gators, ride golf cart keep it simple and you both will probably enjoy things a lot more. The best thing I remember is spending evenings with my grandmother watching Hee Haw. It was her favorite show.

[MarshBendLover]

It's about building memories for him, so lots of fun things together.

1- Saturday night dirt track racing - Florida's oldest track -Micro Racetrack Road
2 - Silver Springs

[Barbscats]

Gatorland,LegoLand,Air Boat ride, pontoon boat ride on Lake Dora, Sky Zone in Clermont

[BillArmyRet]

:coolsmiley:

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

If you're considering the suggestions re: Middleton, please do your due dilligence and find out if you, a Villages resident, is allowed to have your guest use Middleton amenities. If you're thinking of going anyway because people say they don't check...

Remember what you are teaching your grandchild: that the rules apply to other people, not to you or them. If that's the lesson you want them to learn, go for it. If you want them to learn they can have fun without breaking the rules, maybe consider something else.

That said, if the commercial area has swings and a splash pad and is open to the public and not just an amenity for Middleton residents only, then go for it. It does sound like fun.

[Lottoguy]

Million times? He is only 7 years old.

[Lottoguy]

Flippers wants $30.00 a kid for that pizza camp. What a joke!

[H-ned]

Take your 7-year old on an airboat ride. Service providers are nearby off Hwy. 44 between TV and Inverness, and also in Inverness. ‘Very affordable, interesting, fun, and memorable! My grandson’s still talk about last year’s airboat ride experience.

[skippy05]

Simply search local churches for Vacation Bible School in session.

[Remembergoldenrule]

Most children that age just want an adult to spend time with them and actually talk and listen to them.
Google fun at home STEM activities for 7 year old. You will get lots of easy inexpensive or free ideas from paper airplanes, marble coaster (have contest whose marble goes furthered for least distance then add challenges like has to have one turn) made out of paper tubes or boxes or poster boards and dwell rods
Make a paper mache piñata and see hits the winning blow,
Art activities
Tent forts to have lunch
Cook together
Color together
Hide in seal or scavenger hunts in the house
Read together
Take photos of nature print favorite and put in dollar frame for souvenirs
Play board games
Make inside obsitcal course
Make puppets and put on play
Pool
Shuffle board
Corn toss
Putting putt courses (putters in shed)
Pickle ball and touch tennis rackets at rec centers
Bowling with nerf ball and coke cans or bottles
Crazy eights, concentration, fish card games.
Just give the gift of you!

[fdpaq0580]

Run away while there is still time!

😃😁😆🤣😉 (deep breath) 🤣😄😆😂

[Sully2023]

My 7 yo grandson is visiting in June. All appropriate villiage camps are full. In searching for kid activities they are miles away. Any suggestions. PLEASE & thank you.




Several Putt putt courses, movie theater in lake Sumter, take him on an air boat ride to see gators, lake Sumter boat ride, ice cream at lake Sumter, swimming in family pools, nature walk at Fenny, play video games in some recreation center, ping pong, corn hole, splash pads in Wildwood. Walk through Venician Gardens in Leesburg ( bring bird food). Very nice.

[Nana2Teddy]

Most children that age just want an adult to spend time with them and actually talk and listen to them.
Google fun at home STEM activities for 7 year old. You will get lots of easy inexpensive or free ideas from paper airplanes, marble coaster (have contest whose marble goes furthered for least distance then add challenges like has to have one turn) made out of paper tubes or boxes or poster boards and dwell rods
Make a paper mache piñata and see hits the winning blow,
Art activities
Tent forts to have lunch
Cook together
Color together
Hide in seal or scavenger hunts in the house
Read together
Take photos of nature print favorite and put in dollar frame for souvenirs
Play board games
Make inside obsitcal course
Make puppets and put on play
Pool
Shuffle board
Corn toss
Putting putt courses (putters in shed)
Pickle ball and touch tennis rackets at rec centers
Bowling with nerf ball and coke cans or bottles
Crazy eights, concentration, fish card games.
Just give the gift of you!

100% agree to all of this. Perfect reply. 😍

[DarrenandKathy]

You absolutely have to take him to the First Responders Mini Putt.
It’s totally free and you can even get loaner putter and balls at the desk.
Afterwards you can take him in to view the beautiful Rec Centre that is a tribute to our first responders and volunteers and the fallen from 911.
It’s fun but educational as well.
I’m serious it’s a must visit!
Also if your up for a day trip if he’s into it, a trip to visit and your Daytona 500 will make his life.

[starflyte1]

The big hit with my young guests has been riding over 466 on the golf cart bridge. First thing they want to do when they get here.

[Dorebea]

Two of my grandkids (ages 6 & 8) were just here a couple of weeks ago. All the suggestions in this thread are good but do not feel you need to plan a field trip for every day. My two grands wanted to go swimming EVERY DAY. There were usually other kids at every pool we went and they all played so well together. Riding in the golf cart and searching for alligators were next on their list. Make a Nature Hunt list with items they can search for all week long ( alligators, sandhill cranes, turtles, yellow golf cart, people dancing, house with purple door etc). We did go to the zoo (ZooTampa) which they enjoyed but mostly they wanted to do things here. For rainy days, several of the rec centers have tabletop video games (ex Okahumpka and Franklin). They also played shuffleboard, bocce and corn toss. We played hours of Sorry and War, started a puzzle (no time to finish). Go to Dollar Tree and stock up on kid friendly craft supplies. The best thing is do activities with them.

[bruce213]

Fun spot is a good amusement park less crowded and cheaper then the big 3. Homasasa state park has a small zoo. The orlando science museum is a little pricey, but air conditioned and great for kids.

[Nana2Teddy]

Two of my grandkids (ages 6 & 8) were just here a couple of weeks ago. All the suggestions in this thread are good but do not feel you need to plan a field trip for every day. My two grands wanted to go swimming EVERY DAY. There were usually other kids at every pool we went and they all played so well together. Riding in the golf cart and searching for alligators were next on their list. Make a Nature Hunt list with items they can search for all week long ( alligators, sandhill cranes, turtles, yellow golf cart, people dancing, house with purple door etc). We did go to the zoo (ZooTampa) which they enjoyed but mostly they wanted to do things here. For rainy days, several of the rec centers have tabletop video games (ex Okahumpka and Franklin). They also played shuffleboard, bocce and corn toss. We played hours of Sorry and War, started a puzzle (no time to finish). Go to Dollar Tree and stock up on kid friendly craft supplies. The best thing is do activities with them.
Our grandson is only 3, but I’m getting so many great ideas for future visits when he’s older. I just want to add for those who live up north there’s tabletop video games at First Responders rec center too.