Family Fun Things to Do in Miami
The best things to do in Miami with kids are activities the entire family will enjoy! From visits to the best Miami historical landmarks and spending the day getting in touch with nature, to close encounters with incredible marine life and savoring the bold local flavors of South Florida, it’s no wonder why tourists and locals alike keep returning to the Deering Estate for their family fun vacation experiences.
Nature Trails
It’s hard to find more enjoyable family fun in Miami than exploring the beauty of nature. Nature trails around Miami offer a fun way to boost your entire family’s physical and mental health while promoting creativity and alleviating stress! Explore various nature trails for one of the best things to do in Miami with family.
Deering Estate — Palmetto Bay
A visit to the legendary Deering Estate is lauded as one of the best things to do in Miami with kids. A top destination for nature lovers and family fun, Deering Estate features a rich history coupled with incredible nature trails. Discover a rare showcase of native Miami-area habitats, from Pine Rocklands to the dense hardwood Addison Hammock, and the mangrove-lined shores of Biscayne Bay.
Learn & Explore
Miami is a vibrant city overflowing with a melting pot of diverse cultures. That’s part of what makes it such a special place for children to learn and grow. For the best things to do in Miami with kids, there aren’t any better options than the activities highlighted below. Let your child’s imagination run wild with some of the most thrilling and educational kids’ activities in South Florida.
Deering Estate — Palmetto Bay
The historic Deering Estate offers children a fun and unique way to reconnect with nature with their seasonal kids’ camps. Campers, ages 6-14, will be immersed in the mission of Deering Estate as they explore, learn, and get a better understanding of how they can help save the environment. Every camp session has a different theme and explores a different aspect of nature, allowing campers to have an unforgettable hands-on experience, while also improving their science and environmental skills.
Miami Children’s Museum — Watson Island
The Miami Children’s Museum located on Watson Island is a staple for tourists and locals alike, looking for an engaging activity to spark their children’s creativity. If you’re looking for fun and educational things to do in Miami with kids, the Miami Children’s Museum is a great place to start. Utilizing eight distinct areas of multisensory activities located within the museum, campers receive a true taste of the diverse art and cultures located around the city. These include food, world crafts and art, music, dance and performance, language, literacy, geography, and games and sports.
Frost Science — Downtown Miami
The Frost Science Museum offers an exhilarating program for kids and teens. Have your child explore, experiment, investigate, invent and discover, through animal encounters, star shows, multimedia experiences, interactive exhibitions, live science demos, and unforgettable engaging hands-on activities. The Frost Science Museum camps are fully inclusive and presented by teachers, scientists, and their highly knowledgeable museum staff, making it one of the top things to do in Miami with kids. Your child will unleash the power of science through several captivating experiences only available at the Frost Science Museum and a day of family fun in Miami will be one that they never forget.
Outdoor Play
The clear skies and warm rays of sunshine help paint the perfect backdrop for a classic Miami day outdoors. Take advantage of South Florida’s incredible weather and explore these family fun activities in Miami!
Deering Estate — Palmetto Bay
Overlooking the breathtaking endless sea and beneath towering Palm trees, the Royal Palm Grove is a picture-perfect spot for a family picnic. Remember to bring your binoculars because there’s no better place to spot a variety of birds, butterflies, as well as views of nature and wildlife. Enjoy the refreshing sea breeze as you marvel at the incredible wildlife living in the air and below the sea, all while experiencing one of the best things to do in Miami with family.
Tropical Park — Glenvar Heights
Featuring a 3.7 mile lightly trafficked loop trail, Tropical Park is a popular family fun location part of Miami-Dade Parks. The simple trail is primarily used for walking, running, and nature trips with your children. Tropical Park’s beautiful lake provides the ideal scenery while enjoying the relaxing trail, designed for all skill levels.
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens — South Miami
The extravagant home of James Deering, Charles Deering’s brother. The lush gardens of Vizcaya, set along Biscayne Bay, are the real star attraction. Designed by Paul Chafin and Diego Suarez, the Italianate formal gardens beautifully showcase classical elements such as labyrinths, grottoes, reflecting pools, and a waterfall. A journey through this iconic Miami landmark is a must-see family fun experience.
Kayaking
With South Florida’s shallow, calm waters and majestic marine life, kayaking and canoeing offer fantastic things to do in Miami with kids. Visit one of these locations and explore the ocean with your friends and family for an unforgettable vacation experience.
Deering Estate — Palmetto Bay
The Deering Estate provides a perfect place for kayakers of all skill levels to start their adventure. The wide array of activities at the Deering Estate allows for it to be one of the best things to do in Miami with family. Discover the scenic views of Biscayne Bay as you paddle over sea-grass beds and explore the mangroves. Rental fees include the use of a kayak, life vest, paddles, and a small dry bag for personal belongings.
Matheson Hammock Park — Coral Gables
Matheson Beach is a great location for kayakers and kite-boarders or those who are simply looking for some peaceful time by the sand. Matheson Hammock Park features an iconic man-made atoll pool, which is flushed naturally with the tidal action of Biscayne Bay. The beach is a haven for family fun in Miami, for those looking to enjoy the warm waters and beautiful views.
Thrill Rides
Take a ride on the wild side and kick up the action! Enjoy one of the best things to do in Miami with family, by taking a turn on these popular thrill rides. Great for all ages, these activities are guaranteed to provide a good time for everyone involved.
Miami Speedboat Adventures — Downtown
Miami Speedboat Adventures offers the ultimate sightseeing experience of Biscayne Bay, South Beach, Fisher Island, and the Miami Gold Coast. Discover the beauty of family fun in Miami from the sea and take pictures of the magical Downtown Miami Skyline.
Airboat Tour — Florida Everglades
Few South Florida experiences are as memorable as the Airboat Tour located in the Florida Everglades. Experience an educational and exciting airboat tour of the National Park. Then, prepare to see a wildlife show with the unique opportunity to hold a baby gator. This tour is the perfect opportunity for family fun in Miami!
Revisit History
Home to a diverse array of cultures, Miami is built on a rich history unlike any other city in America. Spend some family fun in Miami exploring the unique history of the Magic City.
Deering Estate — Palmetto Bay
A visit to the iconic Deering Estate is like walking through time. This historic landmark is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, history buffs, and lovers of the outdoors. The Deering Estate presents a diverse season of contemporary art installations and ongoing historic exhibitions, as well as concerts, performances, film screenings, and a comprehensive Artist-in-Residence program that provides visitors with a behind-the-scenes, peek at the creative impulse inspired by the natural beauty of the diverse ecosystems surrounding the Estate. The historical collections of the Deering Estate encompass Charles Deering’s legacy and the many cultures inhabiting the land over thousands of years, including Paleo-Indians, Tequesta, Seminoles, Afro-Bahamians, and early settlers.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens — South Miami
The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, previously known as Villa Vizcaya, is the former villa and estate of businessman James Deering. Not to be confused with his brother, Charles Deering, James sought to build his own opulent home, influenced by Veneto and Tuscan Italian Renaissance models and designed in the Mediterranean Revival architecture style, with Baroque elements
Experience the Arts
Finding activities where children can tap into their imagination and spend the day building up their creativity is a true joy for parents. Exploring artistic experiences can create valuable learning opportunities for the entire family.
Deering Estate — Palmetto Bay
The historic Deering Estate is an iconic South Florida landmark for wildlife enthusiasts, history buffs, and nature enthusiasts. It’s also an incredibly inspirational adventure for visitors of all ages. The Deering Estate offers a wide variety of ongoing exhibitions that tap into the rich history of South Florida. Additionally, Deering Estate presents a diverse season of contemporary art installations and ongoing historic exhibitions, as well as concerts, performances, film screenings, and comprehensive Artist-in-Residence programs. These incredible events offer visitors a unique behind-the-scenes, peek at the creative impulse inspired by the natural beauty of the diverse ecosystems surround the Estate.
PAMM — Downtown Miami
Miami’s flagship art museum is an absolute must-see for families with children seeking a rich cultural experience in South Florida. Learn about modern, contemporary, and international art at Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). In addition to exploring the galleries, visitors can marvel at the waterfront Verde restaurant, shop a unique selection of art books, furnishings, and handmade items at the museum’s gift store. Take in the spectacular views of Biscayne Bay as you enjoy quality family fun and the most exquisite art in Miami.
Water Parks
Find refuge from the warm rays of the South Florida sunshine and visit any of these exciting water park attractions located around the city. Spending a day at the water park to beat the summer heat is one of the best things to do in Miami with family. Inexpensive and accessible from most neighborhoods, these water parks are a perfect outing for quality family fun in Miami.
Tidal Cove Water Park — Aventura
Tidal Cove is a popular new addition to Aventura’s JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa. This exciting new park packs in all the essentials such as slides, a lazy river, a FlowRider surf simulator, and a splash zone for the smaller children in your family. Free for hotel guests and open to the public, Tidal Cove is easily one of the most fun things to do in Miami with kids.
Venetian Pool — Coral Gables
Enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world, the Venetian Pool is one of the most prominent tourist attractions located in the City of Coral Gables. Created in 1923 from a naturally occurring coral rock quarry, the 820,000-gallon pool is surrounded by palm trees, shady fields, and beautiful porticos. Everyone three years of age and older are welcome from March through October, making the Venetian Pool one of the top things to do in Miami with family.
Wildlife
Home to some of the most beautiful wildlife in North America, Miami offers unforgettable opportunities to get up close and personal with incredible animals. A visit to either of these locations is truly one of the best things to do in Miami with family.
Zoo Miami — South Miami Heights
With more than 3,000 animals and spanning over 700 acres in South Dade, Zoo Miami is an enjoyable experience for the entire family. The open-air exhibits focus on animal habitats from around the world, including Florida’s Everglades, the Amazon, Africa, Australia, and Asia. Zoo Miami recently unveiled a brand-new indoor interpretive exhibit called the Conservation Action Center. This immersive experience will showcase the impacts on invasive species and how our everyday lives impact our ecosystem. Discover what makes Zoo Miami such an inspiring and remarkable experience for family fun in Miami.
Deering Estate — Palmetto Bay
A visit to the Deering Estate brings you closer to history and nature with over 170 resident migratory bird species just waiting to be spotted by birdwatchers of all levels. See what makes this local gem a premier member of the Biscayne Bay IBA (Important Bird Area) and Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. Discover one of the most perfect things to do in Miami with family!
Why Deering Estate Is Great For The Entire Family
From bird watching and beautiful nature walks, to its iconic history on display, there’s no better family fun activity than a day at the Deering Estates! Make the most of your time in South Florida and spend the day marveling at all the activities, located in one historic landmark. Make lasting family memories and discover the beauty of this South Florida landmark, loaded with fun things to do in Miami with kids.
