HELP Need Ideas and Suggestions!

[debzaranti]

My grown daughter (age 34) and my 4 year old grand-daughter are coming in a week. Does anybody have any good suggestions for "things to do" to entertain my kids while they are here??? They have been here 3 times before and I'm looking for new things to do with them.

We've done the golf cart riding around, swimming, eating out, dancing on the squares, Markets of Marion and general shopping. I need some new ideas that are still fairly close to home and don't cost an arm and a leg! I notice there is a corn maze somewhere on 301.Thought we'd try that one day. They will be here for a (all too short) week.

Anybody know if The Villages are running any programs for grandkids through the rec centers this time of year? I know there is a craft show while they are here and I'm considering a polo match...not sure how interesting it will be for a 4 year old though. Any and all ideas/suggestions will be VERY appreciated! Thanks in advance everybody!:)

[suebanj]

We took our two grandsons, 2 and 4 to Uncle Donalds farm in Lady lake...They really enjoyed it and were able to feed the baby goats, etc..Here is the site for it..Enjoy your time with them!!!

uncledonaldsfarm.com

[debzaranti]

Ooooo...thanks! My grand-daughter LOVES animals...that sounds perfect! Thanks for the website!:a040:

[whippersnapper]

Last time I was up, I grabbed my moms car and drove the back way to new symrna (sp) great place to spend the day at the beach and downtown.

[skip0358]

My grown daughter (age 34) and my 4 year old grand-daughter are coming in a week. Does anybody have any good suggestions for "things to do" to entertain my kids while they are here??? They have been here 3 times before and I'm looking for new things to do with them.

We've done the golf cart riding around, swimming, eating out, dancing on the squares, Markets of Marion and general shopping. I need some new ideas that are still fairly close to home and don't cost an arm and a leg! I notice there is a corn maze somewhere on 301.Thought we'd try that one day. They will be here for a (all too short) week.

Anybody know if The Villages are running any programs for grandkids through the rec centers this time of year? I know there is a craft show while they are here and I'm considering a polo match...not sure how interesting it will be for a 4 year old though. Any and all ideas/suggestions will be VERY appreciated! Thanks in advance everybody!:)
Here's the web site for the corn maze on 301 in Oxford N/O The Villages. Looks like a lot of fun. Concerts,kids activites, car shows. http://americanmaizefestivals.com/

[debzaranti]

Hey Whippersnapper! (too funny!) Do you have any idea how far it is to New Smyrna Beach?? Good idea if it's not too far.

Skip...thanks for the link to the corn maze on 301! I'll give them a call...they don't really say where it is...but I'm thinking between TV and Wildwood??

[Ohiogirl]

New Smyrna Beach is just under and hour and a half. I think the corn maze is at Brown's Farm Market, north of 466 on 301, maybe also north of 42?

Haven't made it up there yet, but planning to take my 3 and 6 yr old grandsons to Silver Springs - near Ocala, maybe half an hour away, if it's a nice day. Also Homosassa Springs (about an hour west, close to Crystal River).

[whippersnapper]

New Smyrna Beach is just under and hour and a half. I think the corn maze is at Brown's Farm Market, north of 466 on 301, maybe also north of 42?

Haven't made it up there yet, but planning to take my 3 and 6 yr old grandsons to Silver Springs - near Ocala, maybe half an hour away, if it's a nice day. Also Homosassa Springs (about an hour west, close to Crystal River).

Yeah hour and half depending on how you drive. The drive If you take SE 42 is really pretty. if its dark though take 44.

[cricket1]

By all means, go to Silver Springs! We took our 6 year old granddaughter a year ago and she still talks about it. We have also gone to Homosassa a couple of times. Kids always like it there. But the thing our grandkids (and kids) like the best is being able to swim as much as possible. Have a great week!

[bkcunningham1]

My grown daughter (age 34) and my 4 year old grand-daughter are coming in a week. Does anybody have any good suggestions for "things to do" to entertain my kids while they are here??? They have been here 3 times before and I'm looking for new things to do with them.

We've done the golf cart riding around, swimming, eating out, dancing on the squares, Markets of Marion and general shopping. I need some new ideas that are still fairly close to home and don't cost an arm and a leg! I notice there is a corn maze somewhere on 301.Thought we'd try that one day. They will be here for a (all too short) week.

Anybody know if The Villages are running any programs for grandkids through the rec centers this time of year? I know there is a craft show while they are here and I'm considering a polo match...not sure how interesting it will be for a 4 year old though. Any and all ideas/suggestions will be VERY appreciated! Thanks in advance everybody!:)

You can bowl, go to the movies, there is a really nice playground at Sumter Landing on the creek or go fishing (you don't need a license in TV. Catch and release though), take a picnic to the lake and watch the remote control boats in the mornings near Spanish Springs and feed the birds...have fun!

[debzaranti]

Thanks everybody for the great ideas!! Silver Springs and Homosassa (where the manatees are!!)...didn't thing of those places...not too far away. And bowling....DUH! Totally didn't think of that! Also taking a loaf of bread to the pond by the dog park in the historic area...there are always hungry birds there. Thanks, too, for distance and routes to New Smyrna.

Can't wait for my daughter to arrive....I'll be sure to show her this posting and all the help and great ideas everyone was kind enough to share. Another reason why I LOVE living here in TV! It's been 3.5 years so far and hubby and I are still pinching ourselves. :mademyday:

[l2ridehd]

The animal park at Homosassa Springs is worth seeing. All the Florida animals are there and can be seen close up. Lots of fish and Manatees in the water and it is only a little over an hour to get there. Grad kids love it there.

The butterfly museum in Gainesville is something everyone would enjoy. Thousands of live butterfly's of every size and color in a huge tropical garden. Also the Florida museum of history is in the same place.

There are air boat rides behind what used to be (JJ Finns ?) or a name like that on 441 just out of Leesburg on the way to Mt Dora which is another neat town to visit and have lunch and walk around.

Cedar Key is another nice place for a day visit.

And there is always Disney, Busch Gardens, Kennedy Space center, and lots and lots of beaches. Go to Kennedy and Coco Beach on the same day.

[Freeda]

A fun and easy activity with little kids for a rainy day or otherwise is to take them to an 'everything's a dollar' store (like Dollar Tree here, by Walmart on 441/27, or there may be others) and give them a few dollars and let them 'shop' to their heart's content. It is fun and exciting for them. We go through all of the store looking, although they will end up at the toy/coloring book section. I've had them spend an hour or more exploring and changing their minds, and come home with a big bag of 'stuff' to entertain themselves with. It's a fun lesson in counting, comparing value, etc.

[Ohiogirl]

A fun and easy activity with little kids for a rainy day or otherwise is to take them to an 'everything's a dollar' store (like Dollar Tree here, by Walmart on 441/27, or there may be others) and give them a few dollars and let them 'shop' to their heart's content. It is fun and exciting for them. We go through all of the store looking, although they will end up at the toy/coloring book section. I've had them spend an hour or more exploring and changing their minds, and come home with a big bag of 'stuff' to entertain themselves with. It's a fun lesson in counting, comparing value, etc.

What a great idea, Freeda!

Also, once they outgrow the playground at Lake Sumter Landing (after about age 6 for many kids), try the one in Lady Lake - it's nice and shady. Fruitland Park had a nice one, but completely in the sun, so depends on the weather. (Hope I didn't mix those up). Both are just a block or two off 441/27, on the west side. I can't give you the exact directions, sorry.

[nitehawk]

just think as soon as her feet can reach the gas and brake she will be able to drive the golf cart by herself

[debzaranti]

More great suggestions! Thank you so much...all of you! There are a LOT of places/destinations an hour or so away that are fun for families!

Didn't think of the dollar store...Kiki is definitely old enough to enjoy shopping!! After all, she's a female! LOL!

Oh...about the golf cart....she already asks to sit on Grammy's lap so she can "drive" it! She does pretty well, actually! LOL! (we stay on our residential street and I keep my hands "near" the steering wheel...and we CREEP along).

[debzaranti]

Oh...and Ohio Girl....thanks! Didn't know there were playgrounds in Lady Lake and Fruitland Park. Don't think the Sumter one has swings (how odd, eh?). Kiki LOVES to swing. I'm sure if I stop at a business along the way, they will be able to tell me where they are....west off of 441.

[debzaranti]

Does anyone know if our charter school (elementary) has a playground? I'm assuming they do. Wonder if residents have access to that during after school hours?? Or is it fenced/gated and locked up?

[villagegolfer]

just think as soon as her feet can reach the gas and brake she will be able to drive the golf cart by herself

I think she needs to be at least 14 years old?

[English Ivy]

Oh...about the golf cart....she already asks to sit on Grammy's lap so she can "drive" it! She does pretty well, actually! LOL! (we stay on our residential street and I keep my hands "near" the steering wheel...and we CREEP along).

I'm sorry, I know you mean well and want your grandaughter to be happy and have fun, but that is so dangerous.

If something suddenly happens will she fall off your lap or will you be unable to avert a problem because you're holding on to her and your hands aren't on the steering wheel?

I'm more aware of this since a couple weeks ago I had to slam on the brakes (which made a terrible screeching noise) and slid across the pavement, almost tipping over, because somebody pulled out in front of me on a residential street when I was creeping along because I was just about ready to turn.

[Mudder]

The library at Belevdere has a story hour on Weds. mornings I think, my 3 year old grandson loved it. They did a craft also and had a snack. Call to be sure of day and time. Oh, Lady Lake library has one too.

[Freeda]

Barnes and Noble, or Booksamillion down in the Lake Square mall in Leesburg, may also have a story hour.

By the way, little boys love the dollar store outing, too! They are a hoot!

[debzaranti]

Aha, didn't think about library or bookstore for story hours! Thanks!

Thanks, too, for your concern about the golf cart "driving". Yes, kids do need to be 14 to drive them on their own. When I let my grand-daughter "drive", it's only for a minute or two...on our very quiet residential street. My daughter is sitting next to us keeping an eye out for anything unusual going on around us. My arms are bracketing my grandbaby on my lap and within an inch of the steering wheel (sometimes they are ON it where Kiki can't see them). Trust me, NO chances are taken w/the safety of my baby! LOL! I raised 5 with no serious injuries and am always accused (by my kids) of being over-protective. But thanks again....we Grands can never be TOO careful w/our precious babies!

[MN2FL]

What about SKY ZONE CLERMONT
2510 South Hwy 27 Clermont, Fl 34711
352.404.4134

Indoor trampoline place. We have one in Minneapolis!

Have fun,
Linda

[debzaranti]

Do you know if the Skyzones (indoor trampoline place) separate the children into age/size groups??

[MN2FL]

Check out Skyzones web-site below. Open to all ages

http://westorlandoclermont.skyzonesports.com/


Good Luck

[Biancarose]

Uncle Donalds farm

[Freeda]

Here's a place with something for any age:

http://www.ocalaeasystreet.com/

[buggyone]

I would suggest driving to Homasassa Springs State Park. They have a very nice zoo of native Florida animals (including a hippo - ask about his story) and several manatees in the springs. It is about 1 hour drive from The Villages. Look it up on the Intenet.