Splash Pad @ Alys Beach

Up and down Okay. Okay. It HAS been a while. This week I wanted to change things up a bit (from the pool, the beach, etc) and try the splash pad over at Alys Beach. It's on a very open green space for the kiddos to run free as a bird and stay cool in this Florida heat. 

So we packed a lunch and drove over. We spent almost 2 hours there and had a quick and easy lunch. You can't beat the view and the kids were tired just from running in circles and up and down the hills. What fun! There was a donut truck nearby that just started serving frozen yogurt too. We didn't try it, but I'm sure we will soon. 

Would I recommend this place? Um, yes!!! It's so cute and a great place to picnic in the summer! We love how family friendly , and how very well manicured, Alys Beach is. It's one of our absolute favorite spots and we've even been known to take family pictures there. 

There is also a little playground nearby (I need to post about). That's cute.

Entering Alys Beach

Such a cute area

Let's all sit on top of this thing...

Chase!

My little Layne took a bit to warm up to the idea 

Up and down. Up and down. 

Silly Camden

Wrapped up for the road

No bro didn't want to join in...

So obsessed with the cement and the little details

Love all of the little spaces in the area 

Jessica 

Happy Daze: relaxed spot on Thomas Drive

Happy Daze. Who knew? A friend of ours let us know that new play houses were being built on Thomas Drive in Panama City. So one afternoon we decided to venture out and see what was happening nearby. 

Happy Daze is a neat concept for the area. It has an eating & snacking area (we didn't eat) and a fenced in, grassed area with 5 different play houses. Our son was SO excited. He played on everyone of them. There was one that was really high-more for a child much older than 4. But, with a parent nearby most ages will live the area and it's perfect to release energy and change things up a bit near the beach!!

I can't speak to the food on this one, but I would recommend it for a relaxed lunch spot or to break up a summer day while the kids are home.

Zoo World: Panama City Beach

We decided to venture to Zoo World in the middle of the week. Why not? It's the only Zoo in the Florida panhandle. My little guy was excited to see all of the animals as most are- the smaller Zoo seemed bearable with my two little guys. We ended up really taking our time and spent almost 2 hours there.

Well, the good?
-it's small, so reasonable for little people
-you can get up close to most of the animals
- there are peacocks and chickens everywhere- it was neat for the kids
-there is a little tunnel that kids can crawl through and watch the prairie dogs. Loved!
-feeding the animals is always a hit

And, well, the not so good...
-it's small! There is a good variety of animals, but certainly could be more
- There was NO SOAP and NO TOWELS to wash and dry hands off and the feeding area. (we were there first thing in the morning)
- no real snacks available except a limited quantity in the gift store
- HORRIBLE t-shirts ( had to include because their branding and t-shirts are atrocious)
- There were no shows with animals for the kids to watch. The only one that we were aware of was at 1:00 pm and we missed it. :(

All in all it is a source of entertainment where there is a limited variety of activities outside of the water. Though we do love the water :)

Jessica