Kids' activities in Jacksonville: playgrounds, story times, rainy days

Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. Sources: the City of Jacksonville’s JaxParks specialty parks, aquatics and Riverfront Plaza pages, the Jacksonville Public Library events calendar, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens and the Cummer Museum. Hours and fees are as each publishes them.

Jacksonville’s parks department runs hundreds of park sites, 18 splash pads and summer pools, and the public library runs free story times across 21 locations. Here are the places families use most, with the official link for each.

Who to call

• JaxParks and city services: 630-CITY (904-630-2489)
• Library programs (Learning Services): JPLPrograms@coj.net
• Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens: 370 Zoo Parkway, open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Playgrounds

From the city’s specialty parks page and park pages:

• Riverfront Plaza, 2 W. Independent Drive, downtown: an elevated playground, a splash pad, restrooms and a big lawn on the old Jacksonville Landing site. Open sunrise to sundown.
• Springfield Park and Playground, 956 Hubbard St.: a playground “with unique, whimsical equipment that spurs the imagination,” beside a fountain and a fenced dog park.
• Cuba Hunter Skate Park, 3620 Bedford Road; 904-255-6690: a playground with climbing, swinging and musical playscapes, a nature trail, a skate park and a community center.
• Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park, 7000 Roosevelt Blvd.; 904-255-6877: 500 acres with a playground, a nature center, trails and a 35-foot observation tower.
• Metropolitan Park, 4110 Gator Bowl Drive: 18.25 acres on the river with a playground and picnic shelters.

Find the park nearest you in the JaxParks all-parks directory.

Splash pads and pools

The city runs 18 splash pads, open this year from May 9 through the last weekend in October, daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., closing for maintenance or lightning, per the aquatics page. Outdoor pools open Memorial Day weekend; the full list and summer camp details are on our summer camps and pools page.

Story times and the library

The Jacksonville Public Library has 21 locations across Duval County. Its free children’s programs, listed on the events calendar, include:

• Baby Storytime, birth to 12 months: stories and songs followed by playtime for babies and caregivers, at regional branches including Pablo Creek Regional.
• Little Readers, birth to 5: held at branches including San Marco, Pablo Creek and Charles Webb Wesconnett Regional.
• Sensory Friendly Storytime, ages 2 to 5, for children with sensory sensitivities, with limited attendance.

Some sessions cap attendance or ask families to register; check the calendar for your branch. Questions go to Learning Services at JPLPrograms@coj.net.

Animals and gardens

• Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, 370 Zoo Parkway: open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., last tickets at 4 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Members get free parking; the military get 10% off general admission with ID, per its offers page.
• Jacksonville Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, 1445 Millcoe Road: 136 acres around a lake, with trails through 13 ecosystems.

Rainy-day picks

• The library: any of the 21 locations, with children’s areas and the programs above.
• Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, 829 Riverside Ave.: free for children 5 and under; students 6 and up $18. Open Tuesday to Sunday, until 8 p.m. Thursday.
• Family concerts: the Jacksonville Symphony’s film-with-orchestra shows, such as “Home Alone in Concert” Nov. 20-21, are listed on its season pages.

Seasonal

• Fall: fall festivals and pumpkin patches, Halloween events and trick-or-treat hours.
• Winter: holiday lights and Christmas events.
• Spring: spring break and Easter egg hunts.

What this means for you

• Splash pads close after the last weekend in October; pools reopen Memorial Day weekend.
• Check the library calendar each week; some story times fill up.
• Riverfront Plaza’s playground and splash pad, opened in fall 2025, are free.

Related: free things to do, parks and trails and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

Where are the best playgrounds in Jacksonville?

JaxParks highlights Riverfront Plaza’s elevated playground downtown, the whimsical playground in the Springfield parks at 956 Hubbard St. and the climbing, swinging and musical playscapes at Cuba Hunter Skate Park, 3620 Bedford Road.

When are Jacksonville splash pads open?

The city’s 18 splash pads opened May 9 this year and run through the last weekend in October, daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Does the Jacksonville Public Library have story time?

Yes. The library’s 21 locations run free programs including Baby Storytime (birth to 12 months), Little Readers (birth to 5) and Sensory Friendly Storytime (ages 2 to 5). Some limit attendance; check the events calendar.

What can kids do in Jacksonville on a rainy day?

The public library’s branches, the Cummer Museum (free for children 5 and under) and Jacksonville Symphony film-with-orchestra shows.