Making the Most Out of Your Kid's Summer Break

Summertime in Florida can be daunting if you're a parent. After all, the kids are out of school, bored and little Tommy's started to ask if there's more to Madeira Beach than just the beach. Patch.com feels your pain, and has come up with a list of five fun family activities to keep you and your brood occupied.

5. Kayaks: Throw your child's perception of the water (and the beach) upside down by renting a kayak and challenging them to stay upright.  They'll enjoy the challenge of trying to stay dry as they explore all the nooks and crannies of Madeira's coastline. Sun, fun and physical activity - all rolled into one!

(Kayaks are available from ProFishCharters: 7 days a week, $5/hour.)

4. Dolphin Tours: Want to keep your kid around the water, but are averse to getting wet yourself?  Take part in the Dolphin Watch Nature Cruise.  You can enjoy a nice, well-deserved cold one in the shade while the kids are captivated by Madeira's dolphins and other marine life.

(The Dolphin Watch Nature Cruise has 1.5 hour tours starting at 11AM/1PM/3PM/5PM; $16.82 for adults, $8.41 for kids.) 

3. Swim Team: Channel your child's competitive edge into something productive this summer by signing them up for the Pool Team.  Meeting four times a week (Monday-Thursday) for 45 minutes (5PM-5:45PM), the West Coast Aquatic Swim Team will allow your child to get a taste of competing on the local, state, and national levels.  

($115 for first timers, $65 for returning swimmers.  Participants must be five years and up, and have also passed the Level 3 Stroke Development swim test.) 

2. Volunteer: Another, non-aquatic, opportunity for kids this summer is Clothes for Kids. Providing clothes to needy school children throughout Pinellas County, Clothes for Kids is a great way for to give back to the community. You can find other volunteer opportunities on the Pinellas Beaches Patch volunteer page as well!

(Note: Clothes for Kids is an approved organization for FL Bright Futures, CAS, etc., making all the time spent helping out doubly valuable.)

1. John's Pass Boardwalk: While John's Pass Boardwalk's size does make it hard to miss, nestled as it is behind the bridge leading into Madeira from Treasure Island, it can be easy to overlook.  It's worth the stop though, whether you're looking to spend the afternoon perusing the countless novelty shops, or are just stopping in for a quick snack after a long day exploring, the Pier is one place you don't want to miss.