Have you ever gotten to a Florida State Park, ready for adventure and fun, and then realized you have no idea what to do? The very first time I went to Wekiwa Springs State Park, I did it on a whim. But once I was there, I had no idea what to actually do. We looked at the spring, checked out the paddle launch point, and then we left. Although we weren’t there for an extensive visit or anything, it would have been nice to have something that gave me some ideas of what I could have done.
This experience, along with a few more of these “wasted” visits, made me think about what I could bring along to help make the visit more meaningful. That’s when I started sketching out pages and prompts that eventually grew into the Florida State Park Activity Book.
Table of Contents
- Sometimes I get to a park and just wander around
- I want more to remember than a t-shirt
- Sometimes a park just doesn’t have much to do
- My kids get bored way faster than I do
- Going to the same parks on repeat
- Why I even made this book
- How my own visits have changed with it
- So what do you think?
Sometimes I get to a park and just wander around
We’ve all been there. You show up on a whim without really knowing much about the park. You stroll around, peek at a trail or two, maybe glance at the water, but you leave feeling like you might have missed the “real” experience.
That’s exactly where the Activity Book comes in handy. Instead of guessing what to do, you can open a page for ideas: a checklist, a prompt to slow down and notice something new, and even space to jot down what stood out to you that day.
I’ve had times when I left and thought, did I really even see the park? I just walked around for an hour and then drove home.
I want more to remember than a t-shirt
The gift shop is full of keepsakes you can bring home, of course. And we all have our cell phones that take amazing photos these days, even showing you the date and location.
But scrolling back through photos isn’t the same as sitting down and reflecting. A journal page lets you write the details that matter to you: who you were with, what you loved, even the little things like spotting your first manatee or laughing over a picnic.
For me, writing something down is the difference between just remembering a picture and actually remembering the day.
Sometimes a park just doesn’t have much to do
Not every state park is packed with trails, tours, or activities. Some are quiet, small, and best enjoyed slowly. That can feel peaceful, but sometimes you want a little more.
The Activity Book helps fill in those moments, whether it’s doing a scavenger hunt, writing a haiku, or enjoying a word search at a picnic table.
It works for anyone:
- Families with kids who need something to do between activities.
- Couples or friends who want to make the day feel a little more intentional.
- Solo visitors who enjoy journaling or doodling.
- Seniors who like slowing down and noticing details they might otherwise pass by.
Some of my favorite memories have actually come from these quieter parks, where the activities in the book gave me something fun to focus on while I slowed down and soaked in the day.
My kids get bored way faster than I do
Oh, I’ve been there. I’m having a great time watching manatees float weightlessly in the spring run at Blue Spring State Park, but after about 20 minutes, the teens are so done. They’re like, “wait, are we just here to look at manatees? Haven’t we already seen them?” Meanwhile, I’m enjoying the soothing sounds they make as they come up for air.
That’s when I really wished I had something (other than phones and tablets) to keep them busy but still connected with the park. A word search or photo scavenger hunt would have been perfect. That’s exactly why I included pages like that in the book, simple things that keep older kids and teens entertained but also help them notice the park around them.
And honestly, sometimes the kids just need something else to focus on so I can enjoy the view for a few extra minutes.
Going to the same parks on repeat
If you’re local, you might have a favorite park you frequent. After a while you might be like, okay, what else can I do? This is where the fun-things-to-do page can help. It lets you turn each visit into a keepsake by recording what you’ve already done and what you still want to try.
You can flip back through past visits, list your top memories, or even make plans for next time. Maybe add a little morning gratitude prompt or jot down something new you noticed. It’s a simple way to keep your visits feeling fresh.
One of my favorite parts has been looking back and realizing how different the same park feels in summer versus winter. It’s like seeing it for the first time all over again.
Why I even made this book
I really believe visiting Florida state parks can be so much more than just going on a hike or taking a swim. The book helps you take it deeper, make it more personal, and turn it into a memory you’ll always look back on. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first time at a park or your hundredth, this book will help you slow down and notice things you might otherwise forget.
This is what I wanted for myself and my family, and now I want to share it with anyone who loves the parks as much as we do.
If you’re not quite ready to check it out, that’s okay. You might like this blog post with 23 different things you can do at Florida state parks. It’s a great place to start.
How my own visits have changed with it
For me, keeping the Florida State Park Activity Book on my phone has been the easiest. That way I don’t have to worry about forgetting it at home. I can just pull it up and use it as I go. And that means I’ve been able to journal my visits: when I went, what I did, what I loved.
I also printed out a copy for myself, and that one lets me get a little more creative. I can pull out markers, stickers, or whatever I want to make the pages fun. My favorite part is crossing off the activities I’ve done at each park. It makes the visit feel even more complete and memorable.
Sometimes I’ll even sit at a picnic table with a coffee and doodle in the margins. It feels less like “checking things off” and more like making the visit my own.
So what do you think?
Ready to add a little extra fun to your next state park day? The Activity Book is waiting for you. Grab it here, toss it in your bag (or phone), and see what memories unfold. And if you try it, drop a comment below. I’d love to hear how you used it on your park adventure.
