If you’re looking for the most amazing things to do in Florida with kids, you’re in the right place!

Florida wears many hats and is known for its delicious oranges, as being the theme park capital of the world, and is affectionately called the Sunshine State. If you are planning a trip to the sunshine state, you can rest assured that there are so many more things to do in Florida with kids than just Disney World!

Whether you want to spend most of your time searching for wildlife, laying on beautiful beaches, exploring history, or anything in between, Florida has you and your family covered. Which of these exciting things to do in Florida with kids will you do first?

What Is There To Do In Florida For Families?

You will be pleasantly surprised by how kid-friendly Florida is. You can find children’s museums, child-centric indoor activities, and outdoor fun as well.

What Can You Do In Florida For Free?

There are free museums and countless free outdoor activities in Florida! Keep reading to learn about some of the best things to do in Florida.

39 Amazing Things To Do In Florida With Kids

Since this list is so long, it’s organized into categories so it’s a little easier to navigate if there is a certain type of category that you’re interested in. We’ll talk about state and national parks, kid-friendly beaches, museums, theme parks, Zoos and Aquariums, and other amazing things to do in Florida with kids. We’ll discuss what makes each of these places great choices for visiting with kids and why they are worth checking out while you’re in the Sunshine State. Let’s get started!

State and National Parks

Everglades National Park

Home to alligators, mangroves, and the endangered leatherback turtle, the Everglades are a stunning natural wonder in Florida. What makes the Everglades National Park one of the best things to do in Florida with kids is the abundance of wildlife and the airboat tours that you can take.

There are several companies that offer airboat rides through the swamp for you to choose from. There are also many trails that give you a front-row seat to the wildlife that inhabits the Everglades. If you want to see the wildlife from a safer distance, consider taking the Bobcat Boardwalk Trail which will take you along half a mile of boardwalk out over the water. Taking an airboat ride is one of the most adventurous things to do in Florida.

Dry Tortugas National Park

If you haven’t heard of Dry Tortugas National Park before, get prepared to add it to your Florida bucket list! It is one of the most fun places to go in Florida! It’s an absolutely stunning national park in the Gulf of Mexico that you will love! The waters are so blue and there are a lot of shallow and calm places for your little ones to enjoy the water.

You can take a seaplane or a ferry to get to Dry Tortugas National Park. The ferry is the cheapest and most common option for transportation to the park. Snorkeling, diving, camping, swimming, and paddle sports are all common in the park. The park is made up of seven islands and surrounding coral reefs. You can see two lighthouses in the park as well as sea turtles

Blue Springs State Park

Would you and your kids love to see a manatee up close and in person? You can see the gentle giants in the Blue Springs State Park! The park is the perfect place for wildlife watching of all sorts. There are also boat tours, camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking, scuba diving, swimming, paddling, and other opportunities in the state park as well!

If you want to stay in the state park overnight, there is a campground as well as cabins to rent. You can make your visit to Blue Springs State Park a full experience by staying the night, eating on-site, and playing the day away in the beautiful blue waters!

Fort Clinch State Park

Near the northernmost part of Amelia Island is the Fort Clinch State Park. Fort Clinch is surrounded by stunning tidal marshes and has loads of things to do in the area surrounding the park! You can visit the museum, explore the fort, bike along the coast, swim, and hunt for seashells and sharks’ teeth on the beach.

Biscayne National Park

Assessable only by boat, Biscayne National Park is a beautiful park in the northern Florida Keys. Surrounded by breathtaking coral reefs and shipwrecks, the park is famous for its wonderful diving and snorkeling spots. You can also see dolphins, pelicans, and turtles in the lagoon in the park.

There are opportunities for hiking, camping, paddle sports, fishing, and much more in the park! A rocky shoreline is a perfect place for kids to go snorkeling. Kids will also love canoeing through the mangrove forests!

Beaches

One of the most popular things to do in Florida with kids is to go to the beach. It’s also one of the best free things to do in Florida! The Sunshine State has no shortage of amazing beaches. Deciding which one is right for you when you’re traveling with kids can be a little tricky. Are there a lot of waves, will there be bathrooms close by, is the sand soft or is it rocky? All of these beaches made our list because they have something that parents often look for when traveling with kids. This list will help you find a beach that fits your needs as a traveler.

Siesta Key

Siesta Key is a barrier island off from Sarasota, Florida in the Gulf of Mexico. The beach is wide and has soft, powdery sands perfect for little ones. Walking mats have been installed to help you walk through the expansive beach.

St. Augustine Beach

The waves around St. Augustine beach draw in kiteboarders, paddleboarders, surfers, and other water sport enthusiasts. This beach may be a good choice for your family because it is dog-friendly and allows you to drive your vehicle out onto the beach. (As long as the weather and tides are appropriate to do so.)

Fort De Soto Park

The beaches in Fort De Soto Park are amazing. Beautiful blue water and white sands are staples in the park. You can see the remains of the old fort in the crystal clear waters of the park. If you want to find sand dollars, enjoy a large tidal pool, and have a pirate play area for your kids, the North Beach in the park is the way to go!

Amelia Island

Amelia Island is the southernmost island of the Sea Islands. The thirteen miles of stunning beaches on Amelia Island are great for flying kites, fishing, swimming, and surfing. Being only 13 miles long and only a quarter miles wide as some points, visiting Amelia Island is one of the best things to do in Florida with kids because of its size. Having so many beach options in such a small area can be a great option for some family travelers.

Sanibel Island

There are several beach options on Sanibel Island. Sanibel Lighthouse Beach Park has a lighthouse, fishing pier, and soft sands. However, given that it is the first beach visitors arrive at on Sanibel Island, it can get quite crowded. Another great option is Turner Beach at Blind Pass. Turner Beach has restrooms, outdoor showers, and is the place to be to find the best seashells. However, it has strong currents and isn’t the best place to swim.

Museums

From children’s museums to interactive and educational museums, these are some of the coolest things to do in Florida with kids!

St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum

This lighthouse and museum have interactive exhibits and daily programs that kids will love. The museum also has an insane collection of artifacts and WWII-era structures that will make for a great learning experience for both kids and adults.

Miami Children’s Museum

The Miami Children’s Museum is overflowing with amazing exhibits for kids including a health and wellness center, a safety zone, an exhibit to learn about the ecosystem of southern Florida, a construction zone, outdoor exhibits, and many more! This is a great option for days when the weather isn’t ideal to be out exploring with young kids.

Orlando Science Center

One of the coolest things to do in Orlando with kids is the Orlando Science Center. A place where you and your kids can learn about our planet, dinosaurs, ecosystems, and much more all in one place! One of the most beneficial things you can do when traveling with kids is to include explorative educational experiences into your travels and a stop at the Orlando Science Center is a perfect opportunity for that!

The Ringling Museum

Do your kids love to go to the circus? Check out the fascinating Ringling Circus Museum. If you love to take photos of your kids in beautiful travel destinations, the Ringling Museum is a perfect place! The pink walls, stunning architecture, and palm trees make for a perfect backdrop for family travel pictures!

St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum

ARRRGHHH your kids will love the Pirate and Treasure Museum in St. Augustine! Transport your kids back to Port Royal 300 years ago to live life as a pirate during the golden age of piracy. The museum has many exhibits, is educational, and is home to the world’s oldest wanted poster, as well as Jack Sparrow’s sword.

Glazer Children’s Museum

One of the coolest things to do in Tampa with kids, is the Glazer Children’s Museum runs alongside the Tampa Riverwalk. Your kids will love the interactive learning laboratory where kids can learn about firehouses, banks, farms, vet clinics, and much more!

Great Explorations Children’s Museum St. Petersburg

Great Explorations is a huge children’s museum where kids can learn, run, and play to their heart’s content. The museum also offers camps and events on-site so make sure to check their calendar. They may be offering some cool events while you are there.

Golisana Children’s Museum

One of the coolest and most unique exhibits at this Golisano Children’s Museum is the Everglades exhibit. This exhibit and all of the others at the museum are designed to enhance your child’s development, be educational, and entertaining. This is one of the coolest things to do in Naples, Florida with kids!

Florida Museum of Natural History

See Florida fossils, explore the butterfly rainforest, and much more at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Outside there are nature trails, a flower and butterfly garden, as well as a fossil plant garden to explore!

Kennedy Space Center

At The Kennedy Space Center you can explore the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, the Rocket Garden, the Firing Room, stop into the Hubble Space Telescope Theater and so much more at the space center! For budget and family travelers, the daily admission might be a little pricey. Make sure to check their prices and their website ahead of time.

Theme Parks

Of all the things to do in Florida, theme parks are probably the most talked about. Despite the overwhelming amount of recommendations for the theme parks in Florida, they still are some of the very best things to do in Florida with kids.

Adventure Island

Adventure Island is one of the coolest things to do in Tampa, Florida for those hot days where you are looking to cool off from the hot Florida heat! There are waterslides, pools, lazy rivers, and restaurants at this waterpark in Tampa, perfect for entertaining little ones and handling the heat.

Disney World

Arguably the most famous of all Florida attractions, Disney World sees tens of thousands of guests every day. If you are a fan of Disney or you have young kids, Disney is an obvious choice to add to your Florida bucket list!

Busch Gardens

Tons of roller coasters, rides, and a sixty-five-acre Serengeti Safari, Busch Gardens is a great family-friendly attraction in Tampa Bay, Florida. Dining and shopping options are also provided at Busch Gardens, as well as other animal experiences.

Legoland

With a theme park, water park, and Peppa Pig World coming in 2022, Legoland is a kid’s wonderland! Legoland also holds special events at different times during the year that can make your time at the parks even more enjoyable. Make sure to check their events before you plan a trip if you’d like to experience one while you’re at Legoland!

Seaworld

Stingrays, sharks, belugas, and turtles oh my! Let your little ones get up close with beautiful sea creatures at Seaworld while learning about the sea and marine life rehabilitation that is done at the park. Ride rides, play in the water park, shop, and eat delicious food all at one place in Orlando, Florida!

Universal Studios

Head to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to pick out a wand and eat delicious magical treats or you could head over to Volcano Bay to cool off in the water. However you spend your time at Universal Studios, it’s sure to be hit for you and your kids!

Zoos and Aquariums

A perfect choice for those who are looking for things to do in Florida with kids, zoos, and aquariums are always a hit for kids! Check out these animal experiences in Florida that you and your family will love!

The Florida Aquarium

If you’re looking for things to do in Tampa with kids, The Florida Aquarium is a great option! With a dolphin cruise, splash pad, and a penguin backstage pass available, this is one of the coolest aquariums in Florida.

Zoo Miami

Also knowns as the Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens, this zoo offers more than just animal viewing. You can have animal encounters, watch live presentations, ride rides, play in the kid zone, and enjoy character meet and greets at the zoo.

Miami Seaquarium

One of the best things to do in Miami with kids, this aquarium is a must-see when in Florida! At the Miami Seaquarium, your kids can come face to fin with sharks and stingrays in a mangrove forest, meet a dolphin, touch sharks and other creatures in the touch pools, swim with dolphins and seals, meet a penguin, play with sea lions, watch a flipper dolphin show and so much more!

Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park

A great option for those of you who are traveling through Tampa. Zoo Tampa offers unique events like Toddler Tuesday and breakfast with the animals. The zoo has adorable pygmy hippos, manatees, and many other amazing animals to learn about!

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Meet rescued animals, take a boat ride, enjoy a guided tour, hang out on the dolphin terrace, and much more at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. They also offer cool experiences where you can take pictures with Winter the dolphin or help care for the sharks at the aquarium. This is a great opportunity to teach kids about sharks and how they are often misunderstood.

Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

If you’re looking for things to do in Key West with kids, this is for you! Hundreds of beautiful butterflies and colorful birds fly around the tropical paradise at the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. They also hold special events, including the Flamingle, where you can get up close and personal with the two resident flamingos at the conservatory.

Theatre of The Sea

One of the coolest things to do in the keys with kids is to visit the Theatre of The Sea. They offer some of the coolest sea life experiences in all of Florida. You can swim or wade with dolphins, swim with sea lions or sharks, meet a sea turtle, parrot, or alligator, and more!

Key West Aquarium

The Key West Aquarium has been the top-rated attraction in Key West since 1946! They have a touch tank and other interactive exhibits that kids will love!

Lion Country Safari

Your kids will love the Lion Country Safari! Offering a walk-through safari and a drive-through safari the Lion Country Safari has more than a thousand wild animals on more than 600 acres of land.

Gatorland

Gatorland is a wildlife preserve and park in Orlando, Florida. You can see wild cats, crocodiles, birds, snakes, and more! They also have two different zip-line experiences as well. If you want to see the real Florida, take part in one of the Gatorland Gator Night Shines. This is where you can go out over the swamp walk with flashlights to see what the wildlife do after the sun goes down!

Alligator Farm

See albino alligators, lemurs, snakes, sloths, and more at the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine, Florida! Another opportunity to zip-line over the crocodiles is available at this St. Augustine attraction. They offer two different river course zip-line opportunities!

Other

Here are a couple of additional fun things to do in Florida that you and your kids may just love!

Coral Castle

This castle built in 1920 is one of the most unique things to do in Florida with kids! Built by Latvian-American Edward Leedskalnin, the castle is quite a feat and has been featured on TV shows and websites by alien enthusiasts who think that Edward could have only built this with the help of aliens! It’s a super interesting thing to do while you’re in Florida.

Castillo De San Marcos National Monument

Located in the oldest city in the United States, Castillo De San Marcos is one of the coolest things to do in St. Augustine With Kids. At the monument, you can take a self-guided walking tour of the fortress, watch the historic weapons demonstration, and learn about the history of the fort and St. Augustine as a whole.

Florida with kids can be such a fun and memorable experience. The outdoor adventures, educational opportunities, and sunshine make for a lifelong memory in the making. Which of these amazing things to do in Florida with kids will you do first?

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