12 Things to Do in Florida With Kids

Share

355

Florida is arguably the most popular state for vacations in America.

In 2022, more than 137 million people went to the sunshine state to get away from it all.

It’s a great place for families.

You’ll find beautiful beaches, a number of theme parks, and swamps if you are adventurous enough.

There are plenty of activities that the entire family can enjoy.

If you are planning a Florida vacation, check out the top 12 things to do in Florida with kids.

12 Things to Do in Florida With Kids

1. Get Excitement at Universal Studios

Universal Studios offers three Florida theme parks in Florida.

If you love movies, you’ll love Universal Studios.

You and your children can enjoy rides based on your favorite characters, from Harry Potter to Despicable Me.

Universal Orlando features a top rollercoaster, including Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Ride.

Dinosaur fans can ride the Jurassic World Velocicoaster, or get wet on the Jurassic Park River Adventure.

For water fun, visit Volcano Bay Water Theme Park.

2. Soak up the Sun at the Beach

Florida is well known for its beaches.

You’ll find white sands and crystal clear waters.

The weather is typically warm all year round, so it’s always beach time.

Vero Beach offers oceanfront hotels, and bike rentals so you can forget your car keys.

It’s on the Treasure Coast, where Spanish Galleons went down, leaving behind the treasure.

You can even rent a metal detector and go on a treasure hunt.

Panama Beach is perfect for families with younger children.

The waters of the Gulf are usually very calm, and you’ll find a long stretch of undeveloped beach at St. Andrews State Park.

You can also check out Pier Park for restaurants and shops right on the beach.

3. Make Dreams Come True at Disneyland

Disneyland is arguably the most well-known attraction in Florida.

If you have younger children, visiting Disneyland is a must.

They can see their favorite characters, and ride rides that range from toddler-friendly to teen terror-inducing.

Disneyland is divided into different lands with its own themes, including Tommorland, Fantasyland, and Adventureland.

The park also offers fun experiences for adults.

While the kids are playing, you can visit Tenanya Stone Spa.

Stop in for a massage, or spend the entire day treating yourself.

Popular attractions include It’s a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Haunted Mansion.

4. Make a Splash at Seaworld

Seaworld is another iconic Florida destination.

It was voted the Best Themepark in Florida in 2023, which is a huge accomplishment given the competition.

Young children can visit Sesame Street Land, while older children can enjoy coasters including Mako and Ice Breaker.

Of course, you can also get up close and personal with ocean animals.

You can see sharks, dolphins, and manta rays as they swim through the water.

Everyone will love the dolphin nursery, where you can see mother and baby dolphins.

Bird lovers should check out Flamingo Cove, Antarctica, and Pelican Preserve.

In addition to seeing animals, there are plenty of opportunities to get hands-on and touch your favorite marine life.

5. Everglades National Park

The Everglades are the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S.

If you love nature and adventure, you must visit Everglades National Park while in Florida.

There’s a lot to see and do while you are there.

Bird watching is popular, and of course, you’ll see plenty of gators and crocodiles.

You can also bike, canoe, or fish.

The park offers lots of hiking trails, ranging from short to long.

You can also go off the trails and get your feet wet, which is known as slogging.

If you are brave, consider camping in the park as well.

If the idea of navigating the park alone is intimidating, there are plenty of guided tours.

You can take a Ranger tour, which also allows you to learn more about the park and local wildlife.

The park has a wide range of wildlife, thanks to their unique habitats.

Freshwater, brackish or swamp waters, and salt waters are found within the park, and each habitat has its own unique species.

6. Lift Off at Kennedy Space Center

Does your child dream of being an astronaut?

Do you want to give them an educational experience while enjoying your vacation?

You should visit Kennedy Space Center.

You can see a variety of rockets at Rocket Garden.

Speak with a real astronaut at Astronaut Encounter, and learn about NASA’s early history at Heroes and Legends.

You can also get an up-close view of the Saturn V Rocket, which brought humans to the moon.

The space shuttle Atlantis is also displayed and has over 60 interactive exhibits.

Journey to Mars showcases NASA’s current missions and displays Mars Rover replicas.

You can even test your Martian astronaut skills with games and simulators.

7. Discovery Cove

Discovery Cove is currently owned by Seaworld, but it provides a different experience.

While Seaworld bills itself as a theme park, Discovery Cove calls itself a day resort.

It offers a more laid-back experience than Seaworld and is great if you want an interactive experience.

Many rides at Seaworld are not for young children.

However, everything at Discovery Cove can be enjoyed by everyone, provided they are comfortable in the water.

You can swim with tropical fish, otters, and flamingos.

In fact, you’ll need to swim to visit many of the animals at Discovery Cove.

In addition to aquatic life, you can check out Explorers Aviary.

The Aviary allows you to get up close and personal with a variety of tropical birds.

You can even feed them.

8. Visit Kelly Park

If you want to avoid crowds and get closer to nature, you should spend a day at Kelly Park.

You’ll need to get there early, however.

The park allows the first 280 vehicles into the park.

After it reaches capacity, the next 50 vehicles can enter the park at 1 p.m.

This means getting into the park can be tough, but it also means that you won’t see a lot of people while you are there.

Instead of crowds, expect to see otters, turtles, and a variety of birds.

You can camp at the park. You can launch a canoe, paddleboard, or kayak.

Tubing on Rock Springs can allow you to kick back and relax.

The water is clear and stays 68 degrees year-round.

There’s also a swimming area and a playground.

Water is only waist-deep in most areas, making it a good place for children to get their water wings.

9. Take a Dolphin Tour

There are plenty of businesses that offer dolphin tours in Florida.

Most last for 2 to 3 hours.

Book a tour on a catamaran and relax while you tour the water.

Some cruises also allow you to paddle boat, dive, or snorkel while on the tour, so you can get into the water with dolphins and other marine life.

It’s a great way for kids to experience nature in a rare way.

The whole family will have some great memories.

10. Go Wild at Wild Florida Drive-thru Safari Park

Wild Florida Drive-thru Safari Park allows you to drive through a safari.

You’ll see more than 150 animals on 170 acres of unspoiled land.

You’ll drive your vehicle through the park’s gravel drive.

You’ll see zebras, giraffes, bison, sheep, and more.

You can even feed giraffes from the giraffe platform.

You can then visit the Gator Park.

You’ll meet Crusher, a gator that weighs more than 1,000 pounds, along with 200 other animals.

There are daily shows, including alligator feeding, and the exotic animals show.

11. Museum of Arts and Sciences

The Museum of Arts and Sciences is affectionately known as MOAS.

You’ll find many things to do inside the museum.

You must visit the Children’s Museum.

You’ll find a pretend pizza parlor, doctor exhibits, a race track, and a video light microscope.

The North Wing is one of the original wings of the museum.

You’ll find a gallery devoted to American art, including paintings, furniture, and decorative items.

The Root Museum features the largest Coca-Cola collection in the world.

You’ll also find two mid-century train cars and more than 800 teddy bears.

12. Horseback Ride on the Beach

It may seem like something straight from a movie, but there are several places that offer horseback riding on the beach.

Kids usually love the idea of riding, and some stables allow children.

The horses are well-trained, so you don’t need to worry if you are a beginner.

It’s a great way to relax and see the beach in a new way.

You can check out Beach Tours on Horseback if you are in Southeast Florida.

If you are in North Florida, you can contact Equasterian Adventures.

Coloring Pages

Going to Florida with the kids?

Get our Free Florida Coloring Pages for Download (Printable PDF)

Florida Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Florida Safety Review

Safety Index:

70

• OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
• MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
• TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
• SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW