Miami may be famous for its trendy nightlife, but it’s also a surprisingly family-friendly city with everything from beautiful beaches to enriching museums and outdoor adventures. Parents will find plenty of safe, age-appropriate activities across Miami’s sunny shores and vibrant neighborhoods.
This practical guide highlights the best beaches, museums, parks, indoor play zones, and even day trips geared toward families. We’ll also cover helpful tips on stroller access, finding shade, and keeping everyone fed and happy on your Miami vacation.
TL;DR – Things to Do in Miami
- Best beaches: Crandon Park, Bill Baggs, Matheson Hammock
- Top museums: Frost Science, Children’s Museum, PAMM
- Outdoor fun: Zoo Miami, Seaquarium, Jungle Island
- Rainy days: trampoline parks, ice rink, arcades
- Day trips: Everglades, Lion Country Safari, Butterfly World
Jump to: Beaches for Families • Museums & Attractions • Parks & Adventures • Indoor Attractions • Day Trips • Miami with Kids • FAQ
Beaches Suited for Families
Miami’s coastline offers several beaches ideal for kids, with gentle waves, lifeguards on duty, and amenities like playgrounds and picnic areas. Here are some top picks for families:
Crandon Park Beach (Key Biscayne):
A local favorite for young children, Crandon Park features calm, shallow waters and pristine sands protected by an offshore sandbar. Little ones can splash without big waves, and parents appreciate the on-site beach playground and picnic areas with tables and grills. You’ll also find restrooms, concession stands, and rentable cabanas for shade. Don’t miss the vintage carousel at Crandon’s Family Amusement Center – a charming seaside ride for kids.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park:
Also on Key Biscayne, this scenic park offers a mile of quiet beachfront plus nature trails and biking paths. Families love climbing the historic Cape Florida lighthouse (kids over 42″ tall can go up the 112 steps) for incredible views. The beach here is often ranked among America’s best, with clear water and gentle surf for swimming. Shaded picnic pavilions and a casual cafe are available, making it easy to spend a full day exploring.
Matheson Hammock Park:
Tucked in Coral Gables, Matheson Hammock is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. Its manmade atoll pool is a circular lagoon flushed by the tide from Biscayne Bay, so the water is utterly calm and shallow. Surrounded by palm trees and coral-rock picnic pavilions, this beach feels like a natural kiddie pool. Parents can relax knowing there are no waves, and there’s plenty of shade and open space for little ones to play in the sand.
South Pointe Park Beach (South Beach):
At the southern tip of Miami Beach, South Pointe Park combines beautiful oceanfront with family amenities. A shaded playground and splash pad adjoin the beach, so kids can swing or cool off in water jets when they tire of the ocean. The beach itself has lifeguards and tends to be more family-oriented and less crowded than the heart of South Beach. Another perk: you get panoramic views of cruise ships gliding out of PortMiami, which always fascinates young onlookers.
Surfside Beach:
For a low-key beach day, head to Surfside, a quiet community beach north of Miami Beach. This laid-back stretch is known for its tranquil water and clean sands, and it even hosts free family-friendly activities like community beach picnics and kid’s paddleboard events on weekends. Surfside’s old-fashioned, uncrowded vibe is a welcome change if you’re seeking a relaxing spot where you can easily keep an eye on the kids.
Note: North Shore Park Beach in North Beach is another family gem, with a shady park right by the sand. It has walking trails, playground areas, and plenty of picnic tables under sea grape trees – great for a budget-friendly beach day.
Museums and Educational Attractions
Miami boasts excellent museums that cater to children’s curiosity while keeping parents engaged too. From hands-on science to colorful art, these attractions prove learning can be fun on vacation:
Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science:
This state-of-the-art science museum is a must-visit for all ages. It features a three-level aquarium teeming with South Florida marine life, an immersive planetarium with a massive dome screen, and dozens of interactive exhibits. Kids (and parents) can explore a physics playground or get lost in a giant mirror maze that reveals patterns in nature – a feature especially popular with teens. The Frost Museum’s blend of aquarium, planetarium, and science exhibits will easily fill a half-day, and it’s fully stroller-accessible with elevators and wide ramps for families.
Miami Children’s Museum:
Located on Watson Island, this museum is designed entirely for kids – you’ll find 14 interactive galleries where little ones can play, create, and learn. Exhibits include an enchanting two-story sandcastle and a Sketch Aquarium that digitizes children’s own drawings into animated sea creatures. Whether your child wants to pretend to be a firefighter, shop in a mock grocery store, or climb through a cruise ship exhibit, there’s no shortage of imaginative play.
The museum is bilingual (English/Spanish) and aimed at toddler through elementary ages. Stroller parking, a nursing room, and a café on-site make visits convenient for parents. (Tip: Admission is free on the third Friday of each month from 4–8pm, which can save you money if the timing works.)
Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM):
Art lovers will appreciate PAMM’s efforts to welcome families. This contemporary art museum offers **“Free Second Saturdays” with free admission and hands-on art activities for kids and adults alike. There’s even an outdoor sculpture garden where squirmy kids can roam a bit. Inside the galleries, PAMM provides family packs and scavenger-hunt style guides to engage young visitors. While the high art may be lost on toddlers, older children can enjoy creating their own artwork in the activity areas and marveling at the museum’s colorful, large-scale installations. The museum is on Biscayne Bay next to the Frost Science center, making it easy to combine both in one outing.
Everglades National Park Visitor Center:
For an educational experience in nature (with a dose of air conditioning), consider stopping by the Ernest Coe Visitor Center at Everglades National Park. The visitor center has interactive exhibits about the Everglades’ wildlife and ecology, plus informational films – a nice primer before or after an airboat tour. Kids can touch animal replicas, view aquariums with baby gators, and even join the Junior Ranger program. It’s a great way to learn about south Florida’s unique environment in a kid-friendly setting.
Beyond these, Miami has other quirky museums that can intrigue kids – from the Museum of Illusions (an Instagram-worthy trick art gallery) to the Museum of Ice Cream. These aren’t traditional educational stops, but they do offer rainy-day fun and photo-ops if you have teens looking for something different.
Parks and Outdoor Adventures
Families who love animals and the outdoors will find no shortage of adventures in Miami’s parks and wildlife attractions. Here are some highlights to get your kids excited about nature:
Zoo Miami:
Home to over 3,000 animals, Zoo Miami is the largest zoo in Florida and the only subtropical zoo in the continental U.S.. The exhibits are open-air and spaced out across 750 acres, so plan on a lot of walking or take advantage of the park’s tram and air-conditioned monorail to get around.
Kids can hand-feed giraffes, parrots, or even rhinos under zookeeper supervision – a huge thrill for little animal lovers. The zoo also features play areas like the Animal Fun Factory (an indoor interactive center) and water splash zones to help everyone cool off. Strollers and pull-wagons are available to rent, and there are plenty of shade trees and misting stations, but you’ll still want hats, sunscreen, and water bottles for this all-day outing.
Miami Seaquarium:
For marine animal fans, the Seaquarium on Virginia Key is a classic stop. This outdoor ocean park offers live dolphin and sea lion shows, where families can watch these intelligent creatures perform flips and tricks. The park’s exhibits let you see manatees, sea turtles, stingrays, and more up close. Interactive programs are a big draw – you can book experiences to swim with dolphins or touch stingrays in shallow pools.
The Seaquarium emphasizes marine conservation in its presentations, so kids learn about ocean life while having fun. Note that much of the park is outdoors in the sun – plan to catch an indoor aquarium exhibit or the air-conditioned dolphin stadium show to take breaks from the heat.
Jungle Island:
Recently reinvented as an “eco-adventure” park, Jungle Island (on Watson Island) combines a small zoo with outdoor adventure features. Families can enjoy up-close animal encounters – from holding colorful parrots to meeting kangaroos and sloths – and watch wildlife shows featuring exotic birds.
In addition, Jungle Island now has a Treewalk Village of netted bridges and jungle gyms, zip-lines for kids, and even a small beach and water play area seasonally. It’s an engaging outdoor experience where kids can learn about wildlife and burn off energy on playgrounds in the same visit. The park is stroller-friendly, and there’s a petting barnyard for younger children. (Keep an eye out for periodic deals like kids-free days or discounts, which are often advertised by the park.)
City Parks and Playgrounds:
Miami’s public parks are a wonderful (and free) resource for families. Many have modern playgrounds, splash pads, and even shallow swimming pools for kids. For example, in South Beach, Flamingo Park boasts a splash zone, a zero-entry swimming pool, and a sizable shaded playground complete with a 1950s-era toy train kids can climb on. Nearby South Pointe Park we mentioned earlier not only has a beach but also a playground and water feature, all with panoramic water views.
Up in North Beach, North Shore Open Space Park offers shady picnic spots and walking paths along the dunes. These parks are perfect for when you want a low-key afternoon at a playground or to have a family picnic without spending on an attraction ticket. Most have restrooms and water fountains, and some (like Flamingo Park) even have on-site cafés or food trucks nearby for easy lunches.
Everglades Airboat Tours:
One of the most unique outdoor adventures available near Miami is an Everglades airboat ride. Just outside the city, you can board a flat-bottomed airboat and glide across the “River of Grass” – the nickname for the Everglades’ vast sawgrass marsh. Several tour operators (in areas like Everglades Safari Park or Everglades Holiday Park) offer 30-60 minute airboat tours that are suitable for all ages (infants typically ride on a parent’s lap with ear protection).
As you zoom through the wetlands, your kids will squeal with delight spotting alligators basking in the sun, turtles, and wading birds in their natural habitat. Many tours include an educational alligator show afterwards, where trained handlers might demonstrate safely handling a gator and let brave kids hold a baby alligator for a souvenir photo.
It’s equal parts thrilling and educational. Do bring sun hats and apply bug spray for any Everglades trip, and note that airboat engines are loud – operators provide earplugs or earmuffs, especially important for little ears. For a deeper experience, consider visiting the Miccosukee Indian Village adjacent to the Everglades, where you can learn about the local Native American culture and see crafts and more alligator demonstrations.
Indoor Attractions for Rainy Days
While Miami is known for sunshine, it does get the occasional afternoon storm or overly hot day. Luckily, there are plenty of indoor attractions to keep kids entertained:
Active Play Centers:
If the kids need to burn off energy indoors, Miami has you covered. Launch Trampoline Park in Doral is a huge indoor arena of wall-to-wall trampolines where children (and parents!) can bounce, dunk basketballs, or dive into foam pits. They even have a dedicated toddler jump time so little ones can bounce safely. Another option is to cool down at Kendall Ice Arena, an indoor ice-skating rink where the whole family can skate to music – a novel experience if you’ve been at the beach all week.
For something different, older kids might enjoy indoor rock climbing at The Edge Rock Gym, which offers beginner-friendly climbing walls and harnesses to fit young climbers. All of these venues are stroller-accessible and welcome kids of various ages (with proper supervision and any required waivers). They make for great rainy-day outings or just a break from the heat.
FunDimension Family Arcade:
When you need a one-stop indoor fun center, head to FunDimension in the Wynwood area. This 15,000-square-foot facility combines an arcade and indoor playground with high-tech attractions. You’ll find a multi-level soft play area for younger children, a laser tag arena for older kids, bumper cars, virtual reality games, a 4-D theater ride, and more.
It’s easy to spend a few hours as kids move from playing skee-ball and video games to climbing in the play gym. FunDimension also has an on-site café serving kid-friendly bites (and even beer and wine for parents who’ve earned a break). If the weather clears, they have a couple of outdoor attractions as well, but the bulk of the fun is indoors making it an ideal refuge on a stormy afternoon.
Interactive Museums & Shows:
Don’t forget that the Frost Science Museum and Miami Children’s Museum (mentioned above) are mostly indoor and perfect for rainy days too. Both have cafes and seating areas where you can linger if you need to wait out a downpour. Additionally, Miami has family-friendly movie theaters (some even offer dine-in service) if you want to catch a film.
Check local listings for any kid-oriented theater shows or matinees; sometimes venues like the Adrienne Arsht Center or local theaters host children’s performances. Libraries and bookstores in Miami (like Books & Books in Coral Gables) also occasionally hold kids’ story hours or craft sessions – a calm indoor diversion if you have younger kids and a free morning.
In short, whether it’s trampolines, arcade games, or exploring a museum, you’ll have no trouble keeping kids busy indoors when necessary. Miami’s variety of indoor attractions ensures rainy days can be just as fun as the beach days.
Day Trips from Miami for Families
While there’s plenty to do in Miami itself, a few day trips can add extra adventure to your family vacation. Miami’s location means you’re a short drive from unique ecosystems and parks not found anywhere else in the country. Here are some family-friendly excursions worth considering:
Everglades National Park:
Visiting the Everglades is a top day trip for families in Miami. In addition to the airboat rides discussed earlier (which depart from the Everglades area about 30-60 minutes outside Miami), you can also explore portions of Everglades National Park on foot or by tram. A popular option is the Shark Valley Visitor Center, where a guided tram tour travels a 15-mile loop into the Everglades and up a observation tower – great for getting a safe, close look at alligators, birds, and the vast sawgrass prairie.
Kids love the tram (no walking required, and it’s shaded), and the rangers provide educational commentary. Whether by airboat or tram, experiencing the Everglades’ wild beauty is both fun and educational for children. They’ll come away knowing Florida isn’t just beaches and city – it’s also swamps, alligators, and fascinating ecosystems right next door to Miami.
Note: If you do an airboat tour in the Everglades area, many operators are located on Native American reservation land or in Everglades parks that have small animal sanctuaries or gator shows attached, which can add to the experience. And always check age or weight guidelines – infants may not be allowed on certain high-speed boats, so choose a family-oriented provider.
Lion Country Safari (West Palm Beach):
If your kids adore animals, consider a drive up to Lion Country Safari, about an hour and 20 minutes north of Miami. It’s essentially a drive-through safari park where you take your own car through savannah-like enclosures to see zebras, rhinos, giraffes, and even lions roaming free (don’t worry – you keep windows up and doors locked, and the lions lounge safely while you pass). It’s thrilling for children to see large animals walk right by the car!
After the drive-through portion, there’s a walk-through park with additional attractions: a petting zoo, a miniature water park for kids to splash in, carnival rides, and opportunities to feed giraffes from an elevated platform (bring a few dollars in cash for giraffe lettuce). Lion Country Safari provides a full day of fun and is often a highlight for younger kids who might find the big Zoo Miami a bit tiring – here, the “safari” comes to you.
Butterfly World (Broward County):
For a calmer outing in nature, Butterfly World in Coconut Creek (about 40 minutes north) offers a magical experience. This expansive aviary is home to thousands of butterflies flitting around lush gardens. Kids can walk through flowering habitats as colorful butterflies fly freely all around – some might even land on you, to everyone’s delight. There are also aviaries with exotic birds; children can feed nectar to friendly lorikeet parrots in one enclosure.
The park includes a playground and beautiful botanical gardens, making it a relaxing yet engaging day trip for families. It’s mostly outdoors but screened/covered, providing shade. Butterfly World is a great opportunity for kids to learn about insects and nature in an immersive way (have them try to count how many species or colors of butterflies they see).
Beach Day in Fort Lauderdale or the Keys:
If you want to explore beyond Miami’s beaches, you could take a day trip to Fort Lauderdale (roughly 45 minutes north) or down to the Florida Keys. Fort Lauderdale’s beach area has a charming Las Olas Boulevard with shops and a beachfront promenade that’s very stroller-friendly, as well as the Museum of Discovery & Science which is a fantastic hands-on science museum for kids (with an aviation exhibit and an IMAX theater).
Alternatively, driving south, the Upper Keys (Key Largo and Islamorada) can be reached in about 2 hours. In Key Largo, families can visit John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park for a glass-bottom boat tour to see tropical fish and coral without getting wet, or visit the Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters in Marathon (a bit further) to interact with marine life. The Overseas Highway drive itself is scenic and can be an adventure, but keep in mind Key West is too far for a comfortable day trip (over 3 hours one-way). If you venture to the Keys, plan for an early start or consider an overnight to fully enjoy the island vibe with kids.
Each of these excursions adds a new dimension to your Miami trip – whether it’s wilderness, wildlife, or a different city’s flavor. Plan your day trips realistically (don’t try to squeeze too much in one day with small kids, and account for traffic and nap times), and you’ll create some fantastic family memories beyond the usual Miami hotspots.
Practical Tips for Exploring Miami with Kids
Traveling around Miami with your family can be smooth and enjoyable with a little preparation. Here are some parent-focused tips to help you plan a safe and stress-free adventure:
Stroller Accessibility:
Miami is fairly stroller-friendly, especially in modern areas. Major attractions like the Miami Children’s Museum and Frost Science are fully accessible, with wide pathways and elevators for strollers or wheelchairs. At Zoo Miami, renting a stroller or wagon is a smart move given the size – they’re available at the entrance and allow your child to ride when little legs get tired. Many parks (South Pointe, Bayfront Park, etc.) have paved paths perfect for strollers. Even the Miami Beach Boardwalk is a great stroller route for seaside walks.
However, be cautious on South Beach’s Ocean Drive on weekends as it can get crowded (though the adjacent Lummus Park has paved walkways). For the beaches themselves, consider a beach wagon or carrier – pushing a stroller on sand is tough, but some beaches like Crandon have boardwalks or hard-packed sand you can utilize. Also, always use the stroller’s sun canopy or attach a clip-on umbrella; Miami’s sun is intense and shading your little one is key.
Sun and Heat Safety:
The tropical sun in South Florida is no joke – even on cloudy days, UV levels are high. Be diligent about applying sunscreen (SPF 30+) on the whole family, and reapply often, especially after water play. Hats, sunglasses, and lightweight UV-protective clothing will help prevent burns and heat exhaustion. Plan outdoor activities for the morning or late afternoon whenever possible.
Midday (12–3pm) the sun and heat are at their peak, so that’s a great time to break for lunch or do an indoor activity (like a museum or a rest back at the hotel for younger kids). Always carry a refillable water bottle for each person – dehydration can sneak up on active kids. The good news is many family spots provide relief from the heat: splash pads in parks, misting fans at theme parks or the zoo, and ample air-conditioned indoor areas.
Make use of shaded areas too: for example, at the beach, either rent an umbrella/cabana or bring your own pop-up tent for shade (Crandon Park and others offer umbrella rentals on-site). And if you feel the heat is too much, don’t hesitate to duck into a mall or café to cool off – Miami’s climate demands flexibility and listening to your family’s needs.
Food Options and Mealtime:
Keeping kids fed and happy during outings is much easier in Miami thanks to abundant family-friendly food choices. Almost all the major attractions have on-site eateries or snack bars: Zoo Miami has cafes and Dippin’ Dots stands, the Children’s Museum has a Subway café, and Frost Science has a food court with kid-approved options.
That said, it’s wise to carry some snacks in your bag (granola bars, fruit pouches) for when hunger strikes in between. Miami’s parks and beaches often allow outside food and have picnic areas (e.g., Crandon Park’s picnic tables and grills), so packing a picnic lunch can be both fun and economical. If you prefer to buy food, you’ll find that Miami restaurants are very accommodating to families – high chairs are commonplace and many eateries have kids’ menus (look for favorites like chicken fingers, pizza, and Cuban rice and beans which many kids love).
In tourist areas like South Beach, fast-casual spots and food courts can be convenient for a quick bite. Also remember to keep everyone hydrated – bring a small cooler or insulated bag with water and maybe a frozen juice box (doubles as an ice pack and a treat when it thaws). Treat stops are easy to come by too, whether it’s a fresh fruit smoothie, a Cuban bakery pastelito, or good old ice cream; a little sugar boost can go a long way toward keeping kids happy during a long day of sightseeing.
Bathroom Breaks and Changing Facilities:
Fortunately, most family attractions in Miami are well-equipped with restrooms (often including baby changing stations). The beaches and parks typically have public restrooms or bath houses – for example, South Pointe Park and Crandon Park both have restrooms near the sand.
Still, it’s a good idea to carry a travel changing pad and a few plastic bags for diaper changes on the go, just in case. If you have a newly potty-trained toddler, do a “bathroom check” whenever you encounter facilities, since distances can be large in places like the zoo.
Also note that Miami’s heat means you might want to change clothes more often (bring spare outfits for little ones who could get sweaty or sandy). Many attractions with water play (splash pads, the Seaquarium, etc.) recommend bringing swimsuits or a change of dry clothes for kids. You can usually find a family restroom or an empty corner for quick changes if needed.
Getting Around & Safety:
If you’re driving, know that Miami’s traffic can be heavy. Allow extra travel time, especially if heading to an event or the airport with kids in tow. By law, children under 5 must be in a car seat or booster, so plan to bring yours or arrange a rental. Parking is generally ample at places like museums, but in South Beach and Downtown, you’ll use parking garages or meters – consider using a garage or valet to avoid long walks with kids across busy streets.
Miami’s Metromover (a free elevated tram in Downtown) is a fun and stroller-friendly way to get around the city core – kids often enjoy the ride itself as an attraction. When walking in crowded areas (like Lincoln Road or Bayside Marketplace), keep a close hand on younger children as foot traffic and bicyclists can be unpredictable. It’s also smart to apply mosquito repellent if you’ll be out around dusk, especially near water or parks, to prevent bites.
FAQ
Which Miami beach is best for young kids?
Crandon Park Beach is calm, shallow, and has playgrounds and picnic areas.
What’s the best museum for children in Miami?
The Miami Children’s Museum is designed for kids with 14 interactive galleries.
Is Zoo Miami stroller-friendly?
Yes, strollers and wagons can be rented, and shaded paths make it family-friendly.
What’s a good rainy-day activity for families?
Launch Trampoline Park, Kendall Ice Arena, and FunDimension arcade are top indoor picks.
Overall, Miami is a safe city for families, but like any big city just keep aware of your surroundings and stick to well-known tourist areas after dark (though chances are your little ones will have you back at the hotel by bedtime anyway!).