While my family loves to travel all over the world, we live in Miami and most people think all we have is beaches and clubs. While we do have beautiful beaches, there are so many things to do in Miami with kids besides them. Here are some of our favorite activities to do right at home when we’re not exploring other destinations.
Outdoor Things to Do in Miami with Kids
Tubing
If you did come to Miami with kids to enjoy the water but want other things to do besides laying on the beach go tubing! We did this when my kids were 5 and 6 so young children are allowed. The driver will go as slow or fast as you want so it can be relaxing or thrilling. You can make an appointment with Miami Water Sports or just show up but know there might be a wait.
Tidal Cove Waterpark
Even if you aren’t staying at the JW Marriott Turnberry you can still enjoy their waterpark, Tidal Cove. Weekday prices are cheaper than the weekend but if you do stay onsite admission is included in your nightly rate. There are lots of thrilling rides as you can see below so many do have height requirements of 48″. Younger kids they can enjoy the designated kids section as well as the lazy rivers and resort style pools!
Everglades Safari Park
Florida is known for the Everglades but it isn’t what most people think. Yes, there are extremely swampy areas but just like we saw on our swamp tour in New Orleans with kids there is lots of amazing wildlife to enjoy. So visit the Everglades Safari Park where you can go on an air boat ride to see part of the Everglades.
At the Everglades Safari Park after your airboat ride you’ll have the opportunity to watch an Alligator educational presentation. When it’s over you can hold a baby gator if you want and take a picture for a few extra dollars. Be sure to get your tickets here on Groupon beforehand so you can save on admission.
Zoo Miami
Admittedly I’m not a huge zoo fan but Zoo Miami is huge and probably in the top 5 zoos in the US. Here you can see gorillas, lions, tigers and lots of other animals. It is a great option for things to do in Miami with kids if your kids love zoos.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is gorgeous, I actually wanted to get married here but whew it’s expensive to rent it out. However, for a visit it’s just fine and my girls always say it’s a castle and they love looking through the Princess’ house. First you tour the home which has been preserved with lots of original furniture from 1922 when it was built. Back then it cost $26 million to build, about $8.7 billion today! After you explore the home you can walk through the gardens which are gorgeous and see the old ship on the water.
Spend the Day at Oleta River State Park
You can spend the day or camp overnight at Oleta River State Park. Here they offer hiking, biking trails, kayaking, canoeing, a beach, and fishing. You can rent these items or bring your own. We love canoeing here since you go through the mangroves!
Admire the Art at Wynwood Walls
Wynwood is known for art and each December they have Art Basel which brings thousands of people to the city. It’s a nice place to see graffiti work and if you have artists consider booking this Hands-On Wynwood Graffiti Experience.
Manatee Kayak Tour
November through March is manatee season which means you can find manatees in many lagoons and springs in Florida. They’re escaping the cold water elsewhere and oftentimes you’ll be able to see hundreds gathered together. You can take a Manatee Kayak Photo Tour at the Virginia Key Outdoor Center to see them. You have the highest chance of seeing them December to February!
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
Another activity to do in Miami with kids that is near the Virginia Key Outdoor Center is Bill Baggs State Park. Here they have a lighthouse and keepers home you can tour and climb up the lighthouse. There is also a beach here with the option to kayak or canoe.
Jungle Island
Jungle Island which used to be Parrot Island has changed a lot and is becoming a top place to visit in Miami with kids. They still have parrots all over your kids can hold but they’ve added lots of other things like an adventure course with a few zip lines.
Miccosukee Indian Village
Florida is home to many Native American tribes including the Miccosukee. Right by the Everglades Safari Park is the Miccosukee Indian Village where you can learn first hand about their traditions and history in Florida. You can tour their homes, see their artwork and more. They also put on a Gator show here, it’s a great activity for Miami with kids.
Things to Do in Miami with Kids on a Rainy Day
Frost Museum
The Frost Science Museum is amazing! It’s a very interactive museum that has both indoor and outdoor parts but the outdoor section is covered. I love all the mind boggling activities here where both kids and adults are challenged, we always end up competing against each other while here.
Fun Dimension
Also in Wynwood is Fun Dimension, an indoor compound that offers laser tag, bumper cars, 4D theater, indoor playground and arcade games. It’s a great way to spend a few hours and if it’s not raining they do have two activities you can do outdoors.
Children’s Museum of Miami
The Children’s Museum of Miami is one of the top children’s museums in the US. If you’re a Chase Preferred member they offer free days so be sure to check and I’d even check if other banks offer the same so you can save some money.
Best Beach to Visit in Miami with Kids
My kids love the beach and while we’ve been to some amazing ones in Kenya, Thailand, Jamaica, Cuba and more our beach near home is still great. Personally my favorite beach to visit with kids in Miami is Hollywood Beach. While technically 4 miles north of Miami and 16 miles north of Miami Beach it’s worth the short drive.
You’ll avoid the rowdy crows that Miami and South Beach often have. The beach is perfect for families as the boardwalk is lined with playgrounds, a splash pad and tons of restaurants. There are also places to rent surrey bikes, regular bikes and other fun modes of transportation to explore the boardwalk. The beach has lifeguards and volleyball nets along the sand. The water is beautiful as well! If you want to avoid leaving Miami I then recommend South Pointe Park Beach near South Beach as it’s more family-friendly with a splash pad and play area.
Seasonal Things to Do in Miami with Kids
Explore the Sunflower Fields at The Berry Farms
We love going to The Berry Farms every fall. They have a beautiful sunflower field you can walk through and pick your own sunflowers to take home.
In addition to the sunflowers during the Halloween season they have a pumpkin patch, corn maze, hay rides, tractors the kids can take pictures on and more. They usually offer a discount for entry prior to 3pm and they also have food, milkshakes and ice cream!
Go Strawberry Picking at Knaus Berry Farms
Did you know in the winter in Miami you can go strawberry picking? Visiting Knaus Berry Farms is literally one of my favorite things to do in Miami with kids. The best time to pick them in January to early March but sometimes they’re ready in December and still available late March.
The best part about visiting here though, which you can do year round is eat the baked good from this Amish farm. They make the best cinnamon rolls, so good on weekends the line is often 3-4 hours wait so get here early!! They also have the best milkshakes with flavors you wouldn’t imagine. It’s best to visit during the week but if you come on the weekend just try to get here by 8AM!
Take a Day Trip to the Keys
As someone who lives here I personally think the drive is too long to go to the Keys for the day, especially if you’re going all the way to Key West but so many people do it. If you’re not up for driving you can take one of the tour buses that go there daily, here are a few options: Miami to Key West Shuttle, Key West Express, and the Greyhound. If you do drive you’ll have a lot more freedom and the ability to make stops in the other Keys like Islamorada, Marathon and Key Largo. You can read my blog post on Key West with kids for all the things you can do.
Things to Do in Miami with Kids That Aren’t In Miami But Close!
When visiting Miami with kids know there are plenty of nearby cities that have things to do that are worth the drive. Here are our favorites.
Butterfly World
Nestled in Coral Springs right off the Turnpike for convenience is Butterfly World. Here, kids can learn about these beautiful animals amongst others. There are both indoor and outdoor sections including a Lorikeet Encounter where kids can feed these birds. At the end of the trail you’ll walk through an area where butterflies will fly freely around you. While you can’t purposely try to catch them if they land on you that’s just fine!
Lion Country Safari
About 80 minutes North of Miami in West Palm Beach is Lion Country Safari. It’s great for elementary aged and younger. Here you can do a drive through safari where you’ll see zebras, rhinos, antelope and even lions. They walk around while you drive through, you can’t open your windows or doors but some will come right up to you!
After the drive through part there are some rides the kids can go on. In addition they have a small water park so bring a bathing suit. They also have a petting zoo and the ability to feed the giraffes (bring cash for this).
Young at Art Museum
While the Young at Art Museum isn’t technically in Miami, it’s in Davie but my kids love this place. It’s better for younger kids but it’s also very interactive. They have a section for babies and toddlers as well as one for elementary aged kids. Depending on the day they also have programs run by the staff your kids can participate in.
Museum of Discovery and Science
Also not in Miami rather in Fort Lauderdale but a great option for looking for things to do in Miami with kids if it’s raining is the Museum of Discovery and Science. This two story museum has an IMAX 3D Theater and lots of discovery labs. It’s best for elementary aged kids and again very interactive.
Where to Stay in Miami with Kids
Full transparency since we live here we’ve never stayed in a hotel here. However, there are a few hotels in Miami that cater to families with amenities such as kids clubs, pools with waterslides and other family friendly amenities. These would be the JW Marriott Turnberry which is home to Tidal Cove Waterpark, Loews Miami Beach which has a kids club for those 4-12, Saturday pizza making class, Night Camp on Friday’s and Saturday’s so parents can have a date night, rec room and more and the Fountainebleau which also has a kids club for 4-14 year old, and family pool with a waterslide. If you’re open to staying out of Miami the Margaritaville on Hollywood Beach is another great option!
How to Get to Miami Affordably
If you’ve been reading our blog for a while you know we love basing our travels off flight deals. Since almost every airline fly’s to Miami or Fort Lauderdale airport there are always deals here. Be sure to check the best websites for flight deals to see how you can save. A lot of people come to Miami and think they don’t need a car but unless you’re staying on South Beach and don’t plan on doing anything but the beach you need a car here to get around so be sure to rent one.
There are so many things to do in Miami with Kids and I hope this article gave you more ideas you had prior to reading. If you found it helpful, please share it! If you’ll be in Florida for a while check out my blog posts on other our cities Tampa, Orlando, Fort Myers, Panama City Beach, and Naples.
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