Spring break is the perfect time for families to step away from their usual routines and create lasting memories together. Whether it’s an outdoor adventure perfect for burning off some energy or an artistic pursuit that lets creativity shine, Lakewood Ranch has plenty of family-friendly pursuits to explore while school isn’t in session. These four local businesses offer a variety of activities so parents can avoid cabin fever and take their kids on fun-filled adventures without leaving town. 

Arts A Blaze

“Painting pottery is really approachable, so even if you have no experience you can pretty much make it happen,” says Joann Kavanaugh. “I always like to tell people, if you can hold a paintbrush, you can do it.”

Kavanaugh is the owner of Arts A Blaze Studio, Lakewood Ranch’s original pottery painting studio. Since 2009, crafters of all ages, abilities and skill levels have been able to come into Arts A Blaze, choose a piece of pottery to paint and put their own creative twist on it. Once a piece is painted, you leave it at the studio to be fired and come in to pick it up when it’s done, typically about a week later. In addition to traditional pottery pieces like coffee mugs and vases, Arts A Blaze also offers fun figurines that appeal to kids.

“Right now axolotls are trending, so we’re sure to have those. Other sea creatures I like to get are mermaids, dolphins, sharks, manatees—anything that really screams Florida is always going to be hot,” Kavanaugh says. While Arts A Blaze does accommodate walk-ins, the studio has recently started taking reservations on its website and Kavanaugh urges people to reserve a spot ahead of time, especially on busier days like holidays and weekends. You can also follow the studio on social media to learn more about themed months, pottery wheel classes and more.

8111 Lakewood Main Street #107, Bradenton, 941-306-5840, artsablazestudio.com.

The Fish Hole at Lakewood Ranch

Located in downtown Lakewood Ranch, The Fish Hole is an 18-hole miniature golf course that almost feels like its own little world. The course itself has a rustic feel, with weathered wood structures and decorative draped fishnet creating a nautical vibe. Each hole features a sign with a fact about a fish so kids can learn something interesting while waiting for their turn to putt—and then there are the koi fish.“Kids always love the koi fish. Sometimes that’s almost the draw there, just to be able to feed these giant fish,” says general manager Sean Driscoll. “They’re trained like dogs, I tell people. The fish will come right up to you because they know if there are people they’re going to get fed.”

The Fish Hole is an activity that won’t break the bank. Currently, everyone from age four and up plays $13.08 for the first round, while golfers three and under play for free. The course also offers $2 same day replays that are good all day. If you take your family golfing in the morning and leave to get lunch, you can still come back and play another round for $2 each. The course also sells bottled drinks and ice cream treats if you need to cool down on a warm spring day. “We’re family-friendly,” Driscoll says. “Kids, parents and grandparents, everyone can go out and have a good time—get off the phones and computers and just enjoy the natural atmosphere.”

10725 Rodeo Drive, Bradenton, 941-306-5891, thefishhole.com.

Jumpin Fun

At Jumpin Fun Inflata Park, you and your kids can literally spring into spring break. This family fun park has over 15,000 square feet of inflatables and features almost twenty attractions and play areas, including a rock wall, obstacle course, dodgeball and a 250-foot-long zip rail coaster. Parents can join their children on the course or kick back and relax while the kids get some energy out.

“We have massage chairs as well as a full concession stand,” says general manager Donald Robinson. “We have a beer and wine license that also includes seltzers, so that can be a big hit with parents. And then of course kids drinks like Gatorade, water, juice boxes and food like pizza, hot dogs and chips.” Jumpin Fun usually opens later in the day, but during school holidays like spring break, they offer extended hours. The business follows the Manatee County school calendar, so the week of Monday March 17 through Friday March 21, Jumpin Fun will open at 11am instead of 3pm. They also often offer specials and promotional deals, so be sure to visit their website and social media before you go.

Jumpin Fun Inflata Park, 7321 Trade Court, Sarasota, 941-388-5867, jfipark.com.

Treeumph! Adventure Course

Kids cooped up and driving you crazy? It is not acceptable to drop them off in the woods to get some peace and quiet, but you can take them to TreeUmph! Adventure Course. This aerial outdoor adventure park offers 14 acres of obstacles up in the trees, complete with ladders, zip lines, swinging logs and all kinds of other challenges. TreeUmph! offers two kinds of passes. The Children’s APE UP Ticket is designed for climbers aged 5-8 and gives access to a more attainable obstacle course for an hour and a half. The Adventure Ticket gives older kids and adults three hours of climb time on courses that are appropriate for people of varying skill sets and fitness levels.

“The Adventure Ticket has about 100 different obstacles over a series of courses, ranging from beginner all the way up to double extreme. There’s something for everyone.” says Park Manager Blair Johnson. “And for people who have been to us in the past, we used to do a linear course where you had to go in order. We’ve changed that over the last year and reworked our courses so now it’s more of a choose-your-own adventure.”

TreeUmph! Allows children five and up, but not every kid will embrace this kind of activity. Be sure to check out the website to learn more about the physical aspects of these courses and be sure to make a reservation ahead of time because space is limited. But for thrill-seeking kiddos, this is sure to be a hit.

Treeumph! Adventure Course 21805 State Road 70 East, Bradenton, 941-322-2130, treeumph.com.