Kids & Youth

Kids sitting on rocks and sketching Fort Matanzas.

There are a lot of things for kids to do at Fort Matanzas National Monument. From the main Visitor Center entrance, you can take the ferry boat to Rattlesnake Island and explore the old Spanish fort. There is also a half-mile boardwalk nature trail through the woods, and a picnic area set among the old, spreading live oak trees. Children also enjoy walking along the river shore and watching the wading birds and crabs. There are also other entrances and parking lots to enter the beach areas along the Matanzas River and the Atlantic Ocean. Explore the Map, download the App, or experience the Virtual Tour.

Become a Junior Ranger

You can complete the Fort Matanzas Junior Ranger activity booklet and earn a physical badge and patch. You can also work through the Virtual Junior Ranger online and earn a digital badge.

Education

From field trips to online programs, Fort Matanzas provides learning adventures for students and teachers throughout the world.

Every Kid Outdoors

Fourth graders and their families will be able to gain free admission, good for a year, to fee-collecting parks, public lands, and waters. Please visit Every Kid Outdoors for more information.

Kids in Parks

National parks are great places to explore anything kids can imagine. Go on an outdoor adventure. Walk in the footsteps of famous people. Take in unique scenery. Explore new interests. But most of all, national parks are places where you can have fun and create memories that last a lifetime. Click here to learn about real places you can experience and online opportunities.

Buddy Bison

Hey Kids! Have you met Buddy Bison? Click here and discover the parks Buddy Bison has visited.