Believe it!

St. Augustine isn’t just for history buffs. There’s a lot for kids, too, like Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum.

History class is always in session in St. Augustine, but that might not get your kids to lift their heads from their iPads and experience real life in the nation’s oldest city.

Yes, history is embedded in nearly everything in this city founded in 1565. But while the booming cannons of Castillo de San Marcos were the stars of a recent school trip with my 10-year-old son Morgan, parents can close the textbook and focus on the things that will really capture a child’s attention. Two words: Animals and sugar. Let’s start with the sweet. The corner of Hypolita and Charlotte streets in historic downtown could be dubbed Sugar Rush Central, with an ice-pop emporium called The Hyppo and probably the best place for dinner — from a child’s point of view at least — Cousteau’s Waffles and Milkshakes.

Cousteau’s (wafflemilk.com) takes its two edible offerings seriously, yet under the whimsical trappings it honors the late ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau. In fact, anyone donning a red beanie like Cousteau used to wear receives 10 percent off their order.

My 8-year-old daughter Miriam opted for “Matching Pajamas,” two halves of a waffle sandwiched around her choice of ice cream (chocolate). I chose the decidedly adult-flavored “Jaguar Shark,” with maple syrup, bourbon whipped cream, candied pecans and candied bacon. It’s worth noting my son snagged half my bacon when I wasn’t looking.

For shakes, the most popular is the standard “Sonny” in either chocolate, vanilla or butter pecan. I went for the “Calypso,” basically a Key lime pie concoction named for Cousteau’s research vessel, which came to St. Augustine in the 1980s for an extensive overhaul.

Across the street is The Hyppo Gourmet Ice Pops (thehyppo.com), which has been serving Spanish-style ice pops known as paletas in St. Augustine since 2010. Having created more than

What: Founded in 1565, the nation’s oldest city is in Northeast Florida Where: Situated 43 miles south of Jacksonville in St. Johns County, St. Augustine is about 289 miles from Fort Lauderdale. Getting there: From Fort Lauderdale, take Interstate 95 north 284 miles to Exit 311. Take State Road 207 North for 5 miles, then turn left onto U.S. Highway 1 North. Head north for 1 mile, then take a right onto King Street, which will take you through the heart of historic downtown St. Augustine. Population: According to 2015 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the population of St. Augustine is 14,128. Accommodations and activities: Historic downtown St. Augustine is home to high-end hotels such as the Casa Monica Resort, quaint bed and breakfasts and major hotels. Main draws are the historic Castillo de San Marcos, the St. Augustine Lighthouse, the Lightner Museum, Ripley's Believe It Or Not! and the Alligator Farm. Call: 1-800-653-2489 Online: floridashistoriccoast.com

1. A CB Hinson Southern Carriages tour, one of the companies that line up on Avenida Menendez, along the waterfront between the Bridge of Lions and Castillo de San Marcos.

PHOTOS BY RICHARD TRIBOU/STAFF 2. A featured performer at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is a saltwater crocodile named Maximo, a 1,250-pound beast.

3. Cousteau’s Waffles and Milkshakes takes its two edible offerings seriously.

4. The nation’s original Ripley’s Believe It or Not! includes animal oddities and more in downtown St. Augustine.