This woods-themed park is located within the historic district, and contains three shaded playground areas with tree houses, grizzly bears, and specialty tree swings. These free bike rodeos teach kids ages 5-12 bicycle handling and safety skills. The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are.
On select days throughout the year, all national parks, including Everglades National Park, are open to the public with no admission fee. Visit the Perez Art Museum Miami for free family fun days every second Saturday of the month. Family fun days include tours and chances for children to create their own art. Admission to this museum is free, and kids will learn a lot about art and creativity. Located in Homestead, the Everglades Alligator Farm offers you the chance to observe some of Florida’s fiercest wildlife from a safe distance.
This company is family-owned and is highly recommended by parents for their attention to the whole family and the eco-system. Encounters include octopuses, nursing sharks, and other species that you will see and even touch. Far from the stuffy museums rising triangle pattern that you’re used to, the Miami Children’s Museum features a range of innovative exhibits that are designed to keep the kids entertained for hours. Climb the two-story sand castle and create animated art at the Sketch Aquarium. Lion Country Safari is one of the best things to do in South Florida no matter what age you are.
- Kids of all ages can enjoy specific tours tailored to their age, with hands-on exhibits, ponds with koi, and traditional Sado tea ceremony demonstrations.
- Lively and filled with captivating people, this trendy Miami Beach neighborhood is surprisingly family-friendly.
- In a location only 70 miles from Key West, this park’s 100 square miles promise an unforgettable experience for the whole family.
- Without a doubt, Butterfly World is one of the most enthralling destinations in all of South Florida for families with young children.
The pristine beaches on the island like the Tigertail Beach, are perfect for building sandcastles, shell collecting, bird watching, and splashing around. Plus, there are plenty of restaurants and ice cream shops nearby for a quick snack break. It is also a great place to learn about the different stages of these beautiful insects, with kids.
The park is home to a collection of exciting water slides, four pools and a long lazy river where you can soak up the sunshine. There’s also a splash pad playground with water features for the little ones, and enclosed water slides for those looking for a bit more thrill. One of Florida’s most fascinating natural wonders, Biscayne National Park should be at the top of the list for any outdoor loving family.
Kid-Friendly Beaches that are not the South Beach in Miami
This inclusive and sensory-friendly park offers activities for all ages, including music elements, zip lines, slides, swings, and more. Once a rock quarry, this 249-acre historic park opened in 1936 as part of the county park system. Known for limestone structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, it features picnic areas, playgrounds, walking trails, bird watching, and scenic views of the Oleta River.
Check out the events at your local library in Broward County, Palm Beach County, and Miami-Dade County. At the beginning of each year, score FREE passes for Florida resident kids ages 5 and younger to Central Florida theme parks and attractions. Situated on the Florida International University (FIU) campus, this art museum provides free admission to world-class art that spans cultures and time periods. This eco-adventure park, located in the middle of Miami, underwent a significant renovation and reopening in 2003 to offer more thrilling attractions for children. Also, you and your pals can enjoy the beautiful white sand beach or try out some water sports like kayaking and boating. In 1963, the first underwater park in the United States opened in this 53,000-acre paradise.
Featuring the world’s 3rd largest coral reef, this park provides ample opportunities for underwater adventures. Welleby Park features a splash pad, an amazing playground, lakeside boardwalk, pavilions, and more. This massive park includes sports courts, fishing, a playground, nature center, and lots of water activities. Because of the water’s shallowness, families can spend hours together snorkeling and exploring the reef’s colorful fish and corals.
Seasonal events keep the excitement going year-round, so make sure to pencil this in on your list of must-try South Florida kids activities. Kids can explore trails, take tram rides, and even touch marine life in the touch tank. Here, you can not only learn about these majestic creatures but also feed them during guided tours. Not only does it feature tons of animals, but it also has escape rooms, ziplines and pop-up waterslides. Jungle Island boasts some of the most incredibly fun things to do in South Florida with kids.
Take the tram and discover the local wildlife on Sanibel Island
Furthermore, it offers some of the best free kid-friendly things to do in South Florida. Situated near Everglades National Park’s main entrance, this farm contains over 2,000 alligators. Do yourself a favor, and put this park at the top of your list of family things to do in South Florida. You can also visit Big Cypress National Preserve and learn about the history of the Miccosukee Indians. Don’t forget to bring a camera to take pictures of fascinating animals and plants. With its fascinating scenery and wildlife, this is a great alternative to Dolphin and Manatee Boat Tour and Dry Tortugas National Park — Key West.
World’s 17 Most Unique All-Inclusive Resorts
Only accessible by ferry service from Key West, these remote islands are home to a beautiful coral reef, white sandy beaches, and a Civil War-era fort. For families whose children enjoy the great outdoors, consider checking out the camping options available it is a once-of-a-lifetime type adventure. Without high-rise buildings, the island’s charm is all about the small-town feel, with little shops, family-friendly restaurants, bike paths, and local parks. This unique place right on the outskirts of Miami, near West Palm Beach, will help you disconnect from the city completely. The highlight is the 50+ feet waves crashing against the stone formations on the beach.
Spanning from the panhandle to Key West, this statewide geocaching treasure hunt uses location coordinates to find caches throughout 71 state parks and trails. She had a six-decade long career, rising to fame during the golden age of Italian cinema, and was directed by greats such as Federico Fellini and Luchino Visconti. Israeli TV stations broadcast live footage said to be of the drone strike and the area it hit, which showed billowing smoke rising from the site.
Why Your Family Should Go
This aquarium is suitable for all ages, offering a variety of interactive experiences that cater to kids and adults alike. It houses over 8,000 animals and offers a range of interactive exhibits, from mangrove forests to coral reefs. Snorkel and swim in its shallow water, to find manatees, sea turtles, reef fish and vibrant colors. Although known for its underwater treasures, the park also has educational programs for kiddos ages 6 and above. Moreover, the park is home to wildlife areas, coral reefs and a historic fort. Dolphin and Manatee Boat Tour is an excellent time to spend with your family and suitable for children to adults ages five and up.
You can spot hummingbirds and lorikeets in the 30-foot Tropical Rainforest Aviary, admire cascading waterfalls, then climb atop the observation tower. With its shallow waters, kids may also spend hours snorkeling and enjoying close-up vistas of reef fish and vibrant corals. From stunning helicopter tours to exciting boat rides at national parks, South Florida is loaded with fun activities.
Get ready to make unforgettable memories as we explore these top attractions below. From thrilling rides to interactive tours, this guide has everything for you and your little ones. So, I’ve compiled a detailed list of the fun things to do in South Florida with kids. But with so many options available, deciding which activities to prioritize can take time. Enjoy a movie outdoors with your family at Plantation’s Movies in the Park series. This fruit stand and farm in Homestead has a free petting zoo where kids can handfeed the farm animals.
Boynton Beach offers a free concert series the first Friday of each month at Centennial Park & Amphitheater. This free concert series takes place the first Friday or select Saturdays of the month at Pine Island Park. Each month, Lowe’s stores offer a free workshop for kids to build their own projects to bring home. Sign your kids up for a monthly build workshop at participating Home Depot locations, where kids can build a project to take home with them.
- This essay aims to delve into the particulars of each term, highlighting their definitions, grammatical roles, and providing illustrative examples of their usage.
- Encounters include octopuses, nursing sharks, and other species that you will see and even touch.
- If you’re having trouble picking the right flavors, we recommend their banana splits, Fuge-ana goblet and Chocolate-Peanut Gargantuan.
- More than 600 artists turn the streets of downtown Lake Worth Beach into a breathtaking outdoor museum at this annual festival.
- If you’re searching for fascinating things to do with kids, South Florida has it all.
- Once a rock quarry, this 249-acre historic park opened in 1936 as part of the county park system.
Crafts for Kids
If you’re having trouble picking the right flavors, we recommend their banana splits, Fuge-ana goblet and Chocolate-Peanut Gargantuan. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a few scoops of any of their 45 ice cream flavors. For more than 50 years, this retro restaurant has been a staple and a fixture in Florida’s ice cream scene. Afterward, observe the dozens of river otters, black bears and wading birds in the exhibits nearby. As you explore this botanical haven, you’ll find more than 3,000 species of trees and plants.
Florida Keys Wild Bird Center—Tavernier
This wild Florida family adventure, located 1-hr outside of Fort Lauderdale, is a great alternative to the popular Miami zoo. It’s a drive-through experience to see lions, giraffes, rhinos, and more in their natural habitat. The audio tour lasts 90 minutes and talks about the animals and their surroundings.
Also, drop by the Dante Fascell Visitor Center, and check out its educational exhibits. You can even choose your preferred tour time that perfectly fits your schedule. Located 70 miles away from Key West, this remote 100-square mile park guarantees a family adventure like no other. South Florida is perfect for families looking for a fun-filled vacation. Visit 30 free pop-up art and light displays around Broward County during this 10-day festival. More than 600 artists turn the streets of downtown Lake Worth Beach into a breathtaking outdoor museum at this annual festival.
Your gang can also lounge at the pristine white-sand beach, or go boating and kayaking. Children can enjoy both worlds by visiting John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The Venetian Pool is a fun attraction for teens and youngsters age 2 and beyond. Adults and teens may chill in the sunnin area, or relish the refreshing waters in the grand waterfall. Tots and tykes will adore the 2-foot-deep children’s pool situated near the lifeguard house. Jaxson’s Ice Cream has a variety of flavors to delight guests of all ages.