The best things to do in Miami with kids for family fun all year round

This cutting-edge museum along the Downtown Miami bayfront connects people of all ages with science through a range of inspiring programming, some of which is even bilingual. Exhibitions such as the “MeLab” let kids learn about health by using their own bodies to conduct experiments, while the aquarium, with its iconic "Oculus" viewing window, teaches them about marine life.

Why kids love it: Nearly every exhibition provides some sort of hands-on opportunity—kids can touch, smell and see their way to a greater understanding of science. 

Why parents love it: The planetarium gives kids a chance to learn in a fantastical, larger-than-life setting, and parents get a moment to cool down in a comfy seat with air conditioning.

No kid will ever want to visit another hotel pool after a day at Tidal Cove, JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa’s splashy water park. The sprawling attraction features a lazy river, a 4,000-square-foot kids’ pool, a splash pad for the little ones, two eateries, and plenty of lifeguards on duty so that parents can also enjoy themselves.

Why kids love it: Adventurous tykes can zoom down seven waterslides and safely test their surfing and boogie-boarding skills on the FlowRider.

Why adults love it: The bar at the breezy Surf House restaurant rivals the best cocktail spots in South Beach. Get yourself a fancy margarita and kick back in your own personal cabana while you watch the kids slide all afternoon.

Every inch of the Miami Children’s Museum and its 20 interactive exhibits were designed to foster creativity and inspire little ones to play as they explore and engage in educational activities. Locals enjoy access to after-school programming as well as part-time preschool and seasonal camps.

Why kids love it: Tot-sized replicas of places like the grocery store and the bank make kids feel like grown-ups.

Why parents love it: Behind the fun exhibits and installations is real educational programming that teaches kids about everyday subjects like health and wellness. It's a great rainy-day activity for kids, but it also has outdoor exhibits (weather permitting), such as the space-themed Planet Soccer training environment for ages two to 12.

Founded in 1938 on 83 acres of urban waterfront, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden boasts an immaculate collection of rare tropical flora along with an awe-inspiring butterfly garden that's included in the price of admission. The garden was designed by William Lyman Phillips, who worked with the famed Olmsted Brothers landscape architecture firm. Accordingly, every collection and exhibit of rare tropical plants, from the arids, succulents and cicads to the fern glade, sunken garden and rainforest, has been curated and maintained to perfection.

Why kids love it: Major annual events like the Bunny Hoppening Easter egg hunt, the Mango Festival and the twinkling Night at the Garden are packed with activities that cater specifically to the kiddos.

Why parents love it: There's plenty of green space, fresh air and educational moments to keep the kids occupied for hours. Should you get hungry, hot or both, there's the indoor-outdoor Glasshouse Cafe (that also serves beer and wine), plus guided tram tours when little legs need a break.

No kid will turn down a visit to Zoo Miami. The animals here are a draw—lions, zebras, giraffes and elephants, to name a few—and so are the splash zones and activity areas. Bring an extra change of clothes for the kiddos and spend the rest of the day peddling around on a Safari Cycle, a covered bicycle large enough for a family of four.

Why kids love it: Besides visiting with the animals, water-loving children enjoy the opportunity to splash around at the zoo’s waterplay areas—they’ll keep cool at the Ocean Voyage playground and have a blast getting soaked as they stand underneath a whale tail waterfall. (Call ahead to confirm availability.)

Why parents love it: No need to pack snacks when you visit: Zoo Miami has multiple cafes, vending machines and restaurants positioned strategically throughout the grounds.

This huge park down south has a marina for boaters, green space for picnicking, bike trails for cyclists of all skill levels and a small beach for sunbathing. Beyond the waterfront, there's a grove of mature oak trees and picturesque historic stone structures to explore throughout the grounds.

Why kids love it: The shallow atoll is definitely a highlight, providing a fun, safe place to splash around for hours on end.

Why parents love it: It feels like a trip to Miami Beach without a trek over the causeway, and there’s plenty of parking ($7 for the day). The bathrooms are clean, and there are showers and a changing room.

A first-of-its-kind immersive experience in Miami, Superblue is a mind-opening art museum that is alternately whimsical and gorgeous. Both kids and adults can revel in the interactive, tech-driven elements and have fun navigating misty “cloud” rooms and mirrored labyrinths. 

Why kids love it: There’s ample room to run around in the cavernous exhibition spaces and plenty of hands-on “touch” elements. Unlike other museums, there’s also a cool, vibey soundtrack playing in the background, and you don’t have to worry about using your “indoor voice.”

Why parents love it: World-class installations from well-known artists like James Turell and Es Devlin create a memorable experience. For neurodiverse guests, there are also dedicated sensory-friendly sessions scheduled throughout the year.

It's possibly the most beautiful swimming pool in the world, even if it is jam-packed on hot days. The Venetian Pool combines an impossibly idyllic setting (tropical foliage, waterfalls, Italian architectural touches) with freshwater, replenished nightly in summer months from a subterranean aquifer. Everyone wants a piece of the pool. Luckily, it’s open to the masses seven days a week.

Why kids love it: The shallow pool and cool grotto provide hours of entertainment for water-loving kiddos—plus, the on-site café serves ice cream, pizza and French fries.

Why parents love it: One of the most pristine public bathing areas, Venetian Pool takes the stress out of planning an outing—it boasts clean showers, lockers, free parking and a place to grab a bite. Note that children must be a at least years of age and 38 inches tall to enter the facility. 

Located on Watson Island in Biscayne Bay, Jungle Island is Miami's urban eco-adventure park, home to wildlife exhibits, live shows, themed playgrounds, a waterpark and much more. A major highlight is Treetop Trekking, South Florida’s first and only aerial zipline adventure park, situated across six acres of Jungle Island. Adults and kids ages five and up can choose from three exhilarating courses. With more than 55 elements, seven zip lines and ample opportunities for visitors to get out of their comfort zone, Treetop Trekking is an excellent way to get immersed in nature in the heart of the city. 

Why kids love it: They get to channel their inner Tarzan on a combination of cables, ropes and zip lines. Additionally, at various points along the courses, guests climb over ponds and can see and hear animals from below and up high. Several of the cool critters surrounding the adventure park include capybaras, gibbons, lemurs, iguanas and ibises.

Why parents love it: You’ll feel accomplished after finishing the course—the ultimate family bonding experience. 

This multifaceted venue is a 32,000-square-foot skate park with an outdoor, street-style plaza for traditional tricks and a covered pump track ideal for when it rains, but you still want to practice on wheels. 

Why kids love it: While the space is perfect for experienced skaters, it also accommodates beginners and even young kickboard scooter riders. The park holds regular skate camps and classes and offers memberships for frequent riders.

Why parents love it: Located in El Portal, a few blocks north of the 79th Street Causeway and just west of Biscayne Boulevard, Skatebird also boasts a Clubhouse where guests can hang and fuel up with food and drinks for purchase.

Occupying the southern tip of Key Biscayne, this park’s wide beaches regularly make the national top-10 lists. But this is more than just a place to catch some rays: there’s history, wildlife and plenty of activities, too. Covered pavilions are available for picnics, and the Lighthouse Café offers good food.

Why kids love it: Kids will love climbing to the top of the 65-foot-tall Cape Florida Lighthouse, exploring native wildlife and experiencing outdoor activities like kayaking and cycling.

Why parents love it: The beach at Bill Baggs is a relaxed alternative to Miami Beach with easy parking, with lots of room on the sand for lying out and relatively calm waters for little swimmers.

The first and only bowling alley in Downtown Miami is located in the sleek and sprawling Miami Worldcenter development. You’ll find 28 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, an expansive arcade, a craft cocktail bar, and a more intimate VIP area with six private bowling lanes and dedicated service. If your crew gets hungry, the food menu covers classics like chicken wings and tacos along with more sophisticated fare like Moroccan steak and Caribbean mahi-mahi. 

Why kids love it: The massive arcade ensures there’s plenty to do once you’ve finished bowling. 

Why parents love it: Close to downtown attractions like the Kaseya Center and Brickell Avenue, this spot is conveniently located and a great option for an indoor activity on rainy or sweltering summer days.

Here, kids learn every aspect of the Florida Miccosukee tribe’s fascinating history and culture, browsing authentic crafts and patchwork, sampling the tribe’s cuisine and visiting the Indian Museum, which is packed with artifacts and exhibits. 

Why kids love it: History lesson aside, this place offers airboat rides that take visitors through the Everglades to see typical hammock-style Indian camps.

Why parents love it: Just 30 minutes south of Downtown, the educational facility exposes kids to Native American history in a fun, engaging way. 

See alligators on an airboat ride.

This massive, immersive monument to our favorite frozen dessert spans two floors and more than 14,000 square feet of the Miami Worldcenter in Downtown. The fifth MOIC location blends nostalgia and innovation to transport guests into a pastel-hued, sprinkle-coated wonderland designed for play, discovery, yummy samples and (what else?) selfies.

Why kids love it: Visitors of all ages will find 10 interactive, Miami-inspired installations, like the first-ever Cream Liner, a luxury airliner experience inspired by the ’60s and ’70s; The Hall of Freezers, a trippy exploratory room filled with dozens of mysterious refrigerator doors, and MOIC’s iconic sprinkle pool.

Why parents love it: The super-sweet photo ops and easy access to Miami Worldcenter's growing roster of shops and dining options.

Parrot Jungle Island, which occupied this site for more than 60 years, flew the coop in 2001 to a $50-million complex on Watson Island. Although the owners took their thousand-plus alligators and crocodiles, flamingos, peacocks and parrots, they left the thousands of plants and flowers that now form the basis of this municipal park.

Why kids love it: After you've strolled flower-lined trails, fed the koi and admired the wildlife on Swan Lake, your kids will appreciate the reward of cooling off at Pinecrest Gardens’ recently upgraded Splash 'N Play area.

Why parents love it:  Approximately 1,000 times less overwhelming (and expensive) than a full-blown waterpark, this splash pad boasts plenty of sprays and misters and will only set you back $8 (included with the price of park admission). Kids two and under are free.

Walk a few blocks south from where most of the artsy action is in Wynwood and you’ll find this massive warehouse-turned-indoor-arcade with not just video games, but also laser tag, bumper cars, rock climbing, VR experiences and more.

Why kids love it: Combo game passes allow children to play as much as they want on prepaid game cards.

Why parents love it: There’s coffee, wine, beer and cocktails for sale, plus a happy hour that runs on weekdays from 4 to 10pm.

Get a Miami sightseeing pass and save on more than 35 attractions.

A prime location on Miracle Mile makes this historic playohuse a great destination for theatergoers, who can enjoy a meal and shopping before the show. This non-profit organization presents a full season of staged productions for adults, a children’s theater series, educational programming, acting classes, and a wide array of community services.

Why kids love it: The robust selection of top-tier musical theater productions geared toward kids each season, from Junie B. Jones to Shrek. There's even a dedicated stage just for youth programming.

Why parents love it: Seasonal camps and classes for aspiring kid actors of all ages, plus fun birthday packages and even sensory-inclusive performances.

This tech-infused mini-golf course inside Brickell City Centre occupies 27,000 square feet, including an expansive outdoor terrace that overlooks the Miami cityscape. It features three nine-hole competitive courses complemented by food and beverage offerings in a lively atmosphere.

Why kids love it: Colorful and funky putt stops and the possibility of delectable burgers and pizza before or after your game. (Be aware the venue switches to 21+ after 8pm.)

Why parents love it: The balls are electronic, so no need to keep score. There’s a full cocktail menu, should you need a margarita while the kiddos perfect their putt. 

This popular and picturesque Miami farm becomes particularly festive around the holidays. Family-owned by two Miami natives, this small farm at the edge of the Redlands is open year-round from Tuesday through Sunday and boasts a market stocked with organic produce and meats, home goods, plants and more. Toddlers can get hands-on with the farm's resident animals, including goats, sheep, and chickens, while older kids can explore the zip line and bounce house.

Why kids love it: During the fall, little ones can frolic in the pumpkin patch, while Easter is an idyllic time to hunt for eggs, pick berries and hang with the bunnies.

Why parents love it: Iced coffee and fresh coconut water are a couple of the most popular items from Tinez's organic market. 

It’s everything you desire in an arts and crafts room—except you don’t have to spend days picking glitter out of the carpet. Drop-in with your creative little ones, pay by the hour (prices start around $20 per person) and kids can float from station to station with different crafty options.

Why kids love it: Painting, molding sand, creating their own invention—oh, the possibilities here.

Why parents love it: Because these kids sure as hell won’t be making slime in your living room.

A hub for theater kids of all sizes, this charming theater in Miami Shores regularly hosts kid-friendly performances, a drama camp and workshops for local schools and organizations.

Why kids love it: Shows are geared to kids of all ages, so you, little Hamilton superfan, can get started early.

Why parents love it: The staff is awesome and will turn your kid into a little star.