Things to do with kids in Panama City: the Science and Discovery Center, free library story times, city playgrounds on the bay and rainy-day picks.

Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. Sources: the Science and Discovery Center of Northwest Florida, the Bay County Public Library’s program listings on Destination Panama City’s events calendar, the City of Panama City’s parks and facilities, programs and MLK Jr. Recreation Center pages, and Destination Panama City’s kids’ guide.

Panama City’s best free kid stuff is outdoors on the bay: waterfront playgrounds, boardwalks and calm shallow water. For rainy days there is a hands-on science museum, a busy public library and a couple of game spots downtown. Seasonal picks are on their own pages: Halloween, holiday lights, spring break and summer camps.

Good to know

  • Library youth services: Bay County Public Library, 898 W. 11th St., 850-522-2118
  • Science and Discovery Center: 308 Airport Road, 850-769-6128, Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • City parks and pavilion rentals: 850-872-3199
  • MLK Jr. Recreation Center: 705 E. 14th Ct., 850-832-5821

Museums

  • Science and Discovery Center of Northwest Florida, 308 Airport Road. A children’s science museum with hands-on exhibits indoors and out. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission: $12 for adults and children 2 to 17, $11 for military and seniors; Bay District Schools teachers get in free with a school ID. It runs toddler programs in the fall and themed day camps in summer.
  • Panama City Publishing Museum, St. Andrews. Destination Panama City says kids can watch historic printing presses at work and make their own mini-newspapers at a free kids’ table.
  • Panama City Center for the Arts, 19 E. Fourth St. Exhibits plus kids’ and family art classes; open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and until 7 p.m. Fridays.

Free story times and library programs

The Bay County Public Library, 898 W. 11th St., runs free weekly programs. This fall’s schedule, from the library’s listings:

Program Ages When
Bouncin’ Babies & Toddlin’ 2’s 0 to 2, with a caregiver Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m.
Read & Rhyme Storytime 3 to 5, with a caregiver Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.
LEGO Club (registration required) 6 to 12 Wednesdays, 2 p.m.
Family Game Day All ages Saturday, Oct. 24, 12:30 to 4 p.m.

The library also runs teen game nights, Dungeons & Dragons and an anime club for teens. Register for limited-space programs at 850-522-2118.

Kaleidoscope Play and Learn, Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. at the city’s MLK Jr. Recreation Center, is a free play group for young children and their caregivers, with singing, stories, crafts and dancing.

Playgrounds and bay parks

From the city’s park listings (see parks and trails for the full list):

  • Carl Gray Park, Collegiate Drive on North Bay: waterfront playground, swimming, covered picnic tables and restrooms.
  • Millville Waterfront Park, 301 Maple Ave.: playground, walking track and fishing.
  • Harvey Dee Mathis Park, 3315 Florida Ave.: playground and a 1 1/2-mile walking track.
  • Oaks by the Bay Park, 2715 W. 10th St.: a boardwalk to the bay under big oaks.
  • Neighborhood playgrounds at Henry A. Davis, Hentz, Truesdell, Cove Lane, Harry Edward, Oakland Terrace and Chapman parks.

The city has no public pool or splash pad; the nearest public pool is in Panama City Beach. See summer in Panama City.

Rainy-day picks

  • Point Break Arcade, 445 Harrison Ave.: classic arcade games and pinball.
  • The Portal Downtown, 308 Harrison Ave.: hundreds of board games, plus family events such as a sensory-friendly Halloween night.
  • Escape Manor: escape rooms for families.
  • The library and the Science and Discovery Center above.

Out on the water

Destination Panama City’s kids’ guide suggests dolphin tours, Shell Island trips and paddling on the calm bay. Operators and links are on spring break in Panama City.

Related: free things to do, farmers markets and dog-friendly Panama City.

Frequently asked questions

When is story time at the Bay County Public Library?

This fall the library at 898 W. 11th St. runs Bouncin’ Babies & Toddlin’ 2’s for ages 0 to 2 on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. and Read & Rhyme Storytime for ages 3 to 5 on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Both are free.

What are the Science and Discovery Center’s hours and prices?

The Science and Discovery Center of Northwest Florida, 308 Airport Road, is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults and children ages 2 to 17 and $11 for military and seniors.

Is there a splash pad in Panama City?

The City of Panama City does not list a splash pad among its parks. Carl Gray Park on North Bay has a waterfront playground and lists swimming.

What can kids do in Panama City on a rainy day?

The Science and Discovery Center, the Bay County Public Library’s free programs, Point Break Arcade and The Portal Downtown board game cafe on Harrison Avenue are indoor options.