Summer is a time when we, as parents, feel so much pressure to entertain our kids. We want them to have a fun, adventurous school break that they remember for the rest of their lives. And we want to be fully present with them in the moments when it really counts.

I mean, come on. That’s a pretty tall order, even if you don’t work full- or part-time.

But let’s face it: few of us remember what our parents were up to while we ran through the neighbor’s sprinklers and scribbled all over the driveway in chalk. Summer vacation wasn’t fun because our parents planned it perfectly. It was fun because we were young, and curious, and free.

If we wanted to, we could swim until our hair turned brittle in the chlorine. We could ride our bikes up and down the neighborhood streets until the chains wore out. And God forbid we went inside before we heard the ice cream truck turning onto our street.

Summer was about being outdoors, exploring everything we could before we had to go back to school.

And yeah — it was also about watching movies for hours, popping bag after bag of buttered popcorn. Because no one was stopping us from doing that either.

I loved my free-range summers, so I try to replicate them for my kids… by doing less. Less planning, less perfecting, less scheduling. If they want to go to the beach and dig a hole until their arms get tired, I’ll happily sit there with a book and a seltzer.

But on weekends or days when my kiddos look a little lethargic — it’s nice to have options for fun things we can do together.

So, if you’re on the Space Coast this summer and looking for a family adventure, I’ve got you covered. As a resident, local realtor, and mom, I know the importance of keeping a few go-to activities in your toolbelt.

You can totally give your kids a glorious, free-range summer — and throw in a few fun, preplanned surprises!

Here are some of my favorite summer activities to do with my kids:

1. Brevard Zoo – If you’ve never visited our local zoo, now is the perfect time to go. There’s a fun area called the Indian River Play Lagoon where kids can splash and cool off. The water is only about 18 inches deep, so it’s perfect for littles. There’s also a dump tank, a mangrove forest, and plenty of pizza and ice cream to go around!

2. John F. Kennedy Space Center – I love taking my kids to the space center on Meritt Island because a) it’s an undercover educational experience, and b) it’s so freaking cool. In addition to exhibits and displays, they also have historic spacecraft and memorabilia, two IMAX theaters, and bus tours of the spaceport.

3. West Melbourne Community Park – You can bring your kids to any park on the Space Coast to spend an afternoon, but this is my preferred choice. West Melbourne Community Park has a splash pad and a playground with pavilions. It’s the perfect spot to cool off and enjoy a picnic lunch.

4. Lighthouse Cove Mini Golf – This is my family’s favorite mini golf course, located in Cocoa Beach. They have delicious ice cream available, and they’ll even deliver cold beverages to you during your game! Plus, if you’re hungry afterward, Dune Dog’s food truck is parked right outside.

5. Andretti Thrill Park – For a high-speed adventure, you want Andretti Thrill Park. They have go-kart tracks, a working train, laser tag, a ropes course, and more. When my kids have tons of energy to burn off, I bring them here.

Summer doesn’t have to be perfect to be memorable. But if you want to get a jump on activity planning, I highly recommend these five places. No kid is going to look you in the eye and say, “Yeah, I don’t feel like going to the splash pad today.” They’ll be ecstatic. And all you have to do is take pictures (and, you know, drive).

So, slow down, cool off, and enjoy the start of a new season on the Space Coast. Parenting is hard work, and you deserve a break, too!