Prelude Kids
Kids > Family Fun
A few weeks of summer remain, so there’s still time to steal away with the family before you pack the youngsters off to school.
words by > Joanne Bamberger
THERE are plenty of great places to soak up the sun and lounge on the beach with a fruity tropical beverage in your hand, but West Palm Beach, Florida, is one of the best. And it’s not just about sand and surf. As any parent knows, it’s important to choose a destination that offers a mixed bag of activities—and West Palm Beach does just that.
Splash Down!
Do the children still want to be outside, but mom and dad need a break from the beach? Then visit the Calypso Bay Waterpark (www.pbcgov.com/parks/aquatics/waterparks/calypsobay.htm). With an 890-foot river ride, a kids’ water playground and more, this water wonderland should keep everyone cool and happy.
Science Show
If the sunshine chases you from the shore, head for the South Florida Sci ence Museum (www.sfsm.org). It’s interactive (always a bonus for kids), plus it’s got mummies, meteorites and marine biology exhibits that should keep the grown-ups interested, too. The whole family will have fun at one of the planetarium shows, such as Night Skies over Palm Beach, or Hubble Vision.
Animal Antics
For thrilling outside entertainment off the beach, Lion Country Safari (www.lioncountrysafari.com) is just a few miles south of West Palm Beach. The drive-through, cageless zoo has do zens of wild animals, from rhinos to elephants and zebras, plus there are opportunities to get up close and personal with some of the more gentle creatures, such as giraffes and pygmy goats.
GET THE GEAR
Let your kids enjoy music on the beach without damaging their ears. iCans claim that their portable, lightweight headphones are safer than most, which is reassuring following recent reports that headphones that sit inside the ear can cause hearing loss, depending on how loudly the volume is turned up. (www.ultrasone.com/icans)
Get the children keyed up with the Tyco® R/C Airblade, a remote-control, all-terrain hovercraft that glides just as easily over land as it does water. Three omni-directional power lift fans allow the Airblade to rise above sand and surf, zipping past snoozing sunbathers and peaceful paddlers alike. (Available at retailers nationwide, including Wal-Mart, Target and Toys “R” Us.)
When you’re on vacation, and the kids are splashing around in the pool, it can be hard to work out just how often you should be reapplying sunscreen. The Taylor 1491 UV Monitor with Temperature and Clock monitors applied SPF and skin type and determines UV levels, then tells you when you need to slap on more cream. Available from www.amazon.com