Get ready for a packed weekend in Gainesville! Saturday brings great outdoor fun like the Cans Across Campus 5K and several wildlife tours, while Sunday features science fun for toddlers at the Cade Museum. Don't miss the Thornebrook Arts Festival which runs all day Saturday.
See our top picks
Mill Creek Farm Retirement Home for Horses
Alachua
Bring carrots and spend the afternoon interacting gently with retired horses.
Skate Station Funworks Roller Skating Lessons
Skate Station Funworks
Get active indoors with structured skating lessons for beginners.
Cade Museum Little Sparks - Sundays
The Cade Museum
Perfectly sized, hands-on science fun for kids aged 0-5 on Sunday morning.
· February 28
3: Support a great cause by running or walking this 5K hosted on the UF campus. It’s a fun way to get active early Saturday morning.It’s an early, active event supporting the community, making it a great way to start Saturday.
FREE : Enjoy an entire day exploring art from local vendors at this popular outdoor festival. Since it's free, you can browse art and grab lunch without pressure.It’s a large, free, outdoor cultural event happening Saturday, offering a low-pressure afternoon outing.
STARGAZING AT PAYNES PRAIRIE PRESERVE STATE PARK : Head south of town for an evening with the Alachua Astronomy Club! They set up telescopes so everyone can view the night sky—a truly magical end to Saturday.Unique evening event allowing kids to use real telescopes to view celestial objects.
Also On· anytime this weekend
9: Take a guided hike with park rangers to discover the beautiful nature and wildlife at Sweetwater Wetlands. This is a fantastic opportunity to see birds and alligators in their natural habitat.Offers expert-led guidance to see local wildlife, maximizing the family nature walk experience.
FREE : If your kids are curious about martial arts, this is a zero-cost chance to try Aikido in a dedicated class setting. It runs for three hours in the morning.A free, active class specifically for school-aged kids and teens.
: This is a perfect morning activity tailored specifically for preschoolers (ages 0-5) to explore science concepts through interactive music and crafting.It is explicitly designed for the youngest audience members (0-5) and runs on both Saturday and Sunday.
: If you missed Saturday, the Cade Museum offers the same fantastic, hands-on science program for toddlers and preschoolers on Sunday morning.It’s one of the few dedicated early-childhood events confirmed for Sunday.
FREE : Check your local branch for a free, quick 30-minute storytime session featuring interactive activities like songs and rhymes.It’s a reliable, zero-cost morning activity happening at various library branches.
: If the weather is gloomy, head inside for roller skating lessons. This is a structured hour designed to help beginners get comfortable on skates.Reliable, indoor activity perfect for escaping potential late-February chill or rain.
: Give the kids ages 3+ a chance for some supervised pool time without signing up for a full class. It’s a short burst of water fun on Saturday morning.Great timed splash session for younger kids who need guaranteed water time.
FREE : This is a great, quiet opportunity for young readers to practice their skills by reading aloud to a therapy dog named Ripley. It’s free and happens downtown.Free, low-pressure reading practice for young children.
: Experience an immersive, theme-park-style show inside the dome theater at Santa Fe College. This is a great indoor science treat for Saturday afternoon.Engaging planetarium show that provides an indoor escape while covering science/space topics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Gainesville this weekend?
This weekend (Feb 28-01) there are 5 primarily free events: the Depot Park parkrun (Sat morning), the Thornebrook Spring Arts Festival (Sat all day), Aikido for Kids and Teens (Sat morning), the Mill Creek Farm feeding (Sat afternoon), and Alachua County Library Story Time sessions (Sat morning/afternoon).
Are there any weekend events geared toward toddlers (under 5)?
Yes! The best option is the Cade Museum Little Sparks program, which runs both Saturday and Sunday mornings specifically for ages 0-5, involving music and crafts.
What can we do outdoors on Saturday?
Saturday is great for the outdoors! You can join the Cans Across Campus 5K, take a Guided Walking Tour at Sweetwater Wetlands Park, or enjoy the Thornebrook Spring Arts Festival. Finish the night with Stargazing at Paynes Prairie.
