🎉 Nominate Your Volusia County Favorites Now! 🎉
Families across Daytona Beach, the Beaches, and West Volusia, help us celebrate the most-loved local, family-friendly businesses, services, and activities.
🌟 Timeline
- Nominations Open: October 20 – November 7, 2025
- Voting Opens: November 10, 2025
- Winners Announced: November 29, 2025
🧡 Why Supporting Local Matters
Local businesses are the heartbeat of Volusia County — the mom-and-pop shops, family-run services, and neighborhood gems that invest in our schools, parks, and families.
- They Create Jobs: Growth right here in our own ZIP codes.
- They Give Back: First to sponsor youth sports, fundraisers, and local events.
- They Know Your Name: Personalized service and genuine relationships.
- They Make Us Unique: From charming coffee shops to creative kids' activities, local spots give Volusia its family-friendly character.
What Are the Family Favorites?
These awards are all about you, our amazing local families, shining a spotlight on the places and people that make parenting easier (and more fun!). Think playgrounds that save your Saturdays, dentists who make kids smile, realtors who make moving a breeze, and bakeries that turn birthdays into legends. Tell us who you love!
How It Works
- Nominations: Submit your favorite businesses in each category here between October 20 and November 7.
- Voting: After nominations close, top contenders move to the voting round.
- Results: Winners announced November 29 in a celebratory article highlighting the best across Daytona Beach & West Volusia.
🏷️ Categories
Play & Learn
- Best Playground
- Best Splash Pad
- Best Beach for Families
- Best Nature Trail for Families
- Best Pet-Friendly Family Spot
- Best Free Recurring Event (Farmers Market, Movie in the Park, Storytimes)
- Best Indoor Play Space (Play Space, Trampoline/Adventure Parks, Arcades, etc.)
- Best Children's Educational Spot (Museum, Environmental Centers, Aquarium, etc.)
- Best Library Branch for Kids
- Best Homeschool/Hybrid Program
- Best STEM Program
- Best Tutoring/Academic Support
- Best Child Care Facility
- Best After-School Program
- Best Special-Needs Program
- Best Sensory-Friendly Business
Camps & Activities
- Best Summer Camp
- Best Specialty Camp (STEM/Arts/Sports)
- Best Day Camp
- Best Arts & Crafts Program
- Best Performing Arts Program
- Best Gymnastics/Cheer Program
- Best Martial Arts Program
- Best Swim Lessons
- Best Youth Sports League
- Best Teen Program (13–18)
Parties
- Best Birthday Party Venue
- Best Mobile Party Vendor (Inflatable, Animal Encounters, Foam Parties, etc.)
- Best Party Entertainer (Balloon Animals, Face Painting, Stuffed Animals, etc.)
- Best Bakery/Custom Cakes
- Best Party Planner/Decorator
Food & Treats
- Best Family-Friendly Restaurant
- Best Pizza for Families
- Best Breakfast / Brunch with Kids
- Best Ice Cream / Frozen Treats
- Best Coffee Shop
- Best Food Truck for Families
Health & Wellness
- Best Pediatrician
- Best Pediatric Dentist/Orthodontist
- Best Pediatric Therapy (OT/PT/SLP)
- Best Urgent Care for Families
- Best New-Parent Support (Pre/Post Natal)
- Best Mental Health Provider for Kids/Teens
- Best Family Vision Care
- Best Chiropractor for Families
- Best Massage Therapist
Services & Shopping
- Best Family Photographer
- Best Children's Boutique/Store
- Best Thrift/Resale/Consignment for Families
- Best Realtor for Families
- Best Home Service for Families (cleaning/lawn/pool)
- Best New Business (opened in 2025)
📍 Areas We Cover (Volusia County)
Nominations are limited to businesses located within our Daytona Beach & West Volusia coverage areas.
If a business falls outside, we'll connect them with the appropriate Macaroni KID publisher.
DeLeon Springs, DeBary, DeLand, Deltona, Lake Helen, Orange City, Osteen
Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Edgewater, New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach, Oak Hill
Why Participate?
- Feel-good way to support your favorite local businesses.
- Fun way to share the #VolusiaLocal love.
What Winning Businesses Receive
- Digital Winner Graphic Pack (website + social badge).
- Yearlong Business Directory Listing on Daytona Beach & West Volusia ($100 value).
- $100 Advertising Credit toward any Macaroni KID promotion (valid 6 months).
- Recognition Article & Social Tags across our channels.
- Bonus Drawing: all winners entered to win a free 3-month package.
💌 Subscribe (It's Free!)
To nominate and vote, you must be a Macaroni KID subscriber. Get weekly family fun, events, and giveaways delivered to your inbox.
Rules
- Only one nomination per category per email address.
- You must use your own email address — do not use someone else's.
- Businesses can nominate themselves (and should!).
- Businesses are encouraged to ask friends, customers, and colleagues to nominate them.
- By nominating, you agree to be subscribed if not already (unsubscribe any time).
- Macaroni KID will confirm and validate each email to ensure fairness. We reserve the right to eliminate any votes that are invalid or interfere with the fair administration of the contest.
Macaroni KID does not accept payment for votes or nominations. All results are determined by reader participation. Winners may receive non-cash promotional benefits as listed above. By submitting the nomination form, you agree to receive our free weekly newsletter (you can unsubscribe at any time).
