[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!

[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]

Originally Posted by 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!

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]

Originally Posted by 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).

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]

Originally Posted by 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!

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.

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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