Atlantic Coast for Kids
Your young ones have so much to love about Florida - and this state’s Atlantic Coast is packed to the brim with activities for kids. Your little outdoorsperson, scientist, or zoologist will find awesome parks, museums, zoos, and more to enjoy! Plus, there are great resorts for the whole family.
For the Little Outdoors-person
The beaches may be an obvious choice for outdoor activities, but don’t miss the great chance to take the kids out into Florida’s amazing nature. Your little treehugger will find their paradise here!
Packed with history, nature, and scenic backroads, Martin County is a hidden gem of Florida’s Atlantic Coast and an excellent place to let kids be kids in the many nature areas, the beach, and even paddling along scenic rivers. One of the most popular paddle trips is on the Martin County Scenic Blueway Trail, which spans almost 38 miles which include the St. Lucie River and Indian Lagoon and offers you the intrinsic beauty of Martin County, from the thick tropical forests to playful wildlife.
discovermartin.com
Cape Canaveral's flagship park, Manatee Sanctuary Park, boasts over 10 full acres of riverfront beauty. Situated on the Banana River, this park has a little something for everyone - it is indeed one of the friendliest and most peaceful parks out there. Relax with the kids on a half-mile trail that offers doable hiking for little legs. Walk along the riverside boardwalk and, of course, be on the lookout for Manatees! Check for dolphins, osprey, waterfowl, fish, and so much more.
cityofcapecanaveral.org
At the northern end of Anastasia Island is Anastasia State Park, which offers white-sand beaches, sweeping sand dunes, and tidal marshes amidst a stunning 1,600 acres of unspoiled natural beauty. Along the Salt Run, you’ll find plenty of wildlife like roseate spoonbills, osprey, and eagles. You can canoe or kayak on the water, or hike along the Ancient Dunes Nature Trail. It’s a great opportunity for your little outdoorsperson to learn about nature and history!
floridastateparks.org/anastasia
For the Little Scientist
Your little Einstein or Marie Curie will have so much to see at Florida’s scientific attractions, whether it’s the thrill of outer space or the chance to get into STEM.
Get your family vacation to really “take off” with a trip to one of the most out-of-this-world attractions: The Kennedy Space Center in Brevard! Become an honorary space explorer as you view the $100 million Atlantis shuttle exhibit, visit launch areas, meet veteran astronauts, train in spaceflight simulators, walk through new rotating exhibits, live the experience with a five-story 3D presentation in the IMAX theater, journey through the magical Rocket Garden, and more. Imagine the heart-racing delight of seeing a rocket launch from the center’s viewing platform.
kennedyspacecenter.com
Located in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale’s Arts and Science District, the Museum of Discovery and Science is an incredible experience for your family. The museum features 120,000 square feet packed with dynamic science exhibits, both permanent and rotating. Kids ages six and under will enjoy hands-on learning in the Discovery Center; older children can board the 20-person airboat ride simulator for an amazing journey into the Everglades, the bi-level Florida Ecoscapes exhibit, the Prehistoric Florida exhibit that explores ancient species that lived millions of years ago, and so many more exhibits to delight the whole family! Outdoors is the Science Park, which expands the museum’s hands-on learning with multiple opportunities to experiment with basic principles of the physical world.
mods.org
This attraction could also go into the “Little Zoologist” column. The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium is a hands-on, minds-on experience for the whole family. The SFSCA features more than 50 interactive educational exhibits, a 10,000 gallon fresh and salt water aquarium, a newly renovated digital planetarium, Conservation Research Station, Florida Exhibit Hall, traveling exhibits, and much more. The Science Center’s 10,000 gallon Aquariums of the Atlantic house some of Florida’s most beautiful native fish such as Queen Angels, Lookdowns, Moray Eels, Stingrays and seahorses as well as a few fish that have invaded Florida’s coasts. The different habitats take visitors through the depths of Florida’s coral reefs and interpret the diverse ecosystems of the Everglades, Coral Reefs, Gulf Stream, and the Open Ocean. There are daily touch tank demonstrations and live feedings (check their website for days and times).
For the Little Zoologist
All children seem to love animals, and the animal attractions of Florida are sure to delight! Check out the alligators and aquariums of St. Augustine, the who’s-who of zoos, and bounties of butterflies.
Opening their doors in 1893, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is one of the oldest attractions in the area (and, quite possibly, the state). The original owners began this attraction with their own collection of alligators, and it has grown to become a beloved animal adventure. Enjoy educational shows that teach as well as entertain. The farm offers an intriguing zipline and aerial adventure course called “Crocodile Crossing.” Guests can coast at eye-level with exotic birds and dangle above crocodiles on one of two courses that reach up to 60 feet high!
alligatorfarm.com
The St. Augustine Aquarium is a brand new attraction where visitors will see hundreds of reef fish, sharks, seahorses, and other exciting marine life. Feed and handle some of the marine life at the Aquarium, including starfish and other invertebrates. There's even an opportunity to feed a shark, for those who dare! If you want to feed yourself, visit the onsite Snack Shack and gift shop. Get even closer to the animals with a snorkeling adventure.
saaquarium.com
The Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society is home to more than 500 animals on 23 shaded tropical acres, including endangered Malayan tigers, Mexican spider monkeys, jaguars and many more! Focusing on connecting humans with these unique creatures, you’ll get closer to the animals than you would at most zoos. To deepen your interaction, add a featured animal experiences to get even closer. Kids will love splashing in the Interactive Play Fountain.
palmbeachzoo.org
This is a truly WILD experience! At Brevard Zoo in Melbourne you can kayak through Africa or zipline through South America. Adventure around animal exhibits and see the residents themselves up-close and personal. Let a giraffe eat right from your hand, pet a gentle rhino, or have colorful parrots land on your arms. Brevard Zoo is home to more than 650 animals representing more than 165 species from Florida, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia. Explore each habitat by walking along shaded boardwalks surrounded by lush, unspoiled Florida, paddle-boat around the 22-acre restored wetlands area in the Wild Florida exhibit, or kayak around the 10 acre Expedition Africa exhibit. In the summer months you can cool off in the Indian River Play Lagoon or the touch tank in the “Paws on Play” area for kids. To get the wind in your hair, zoom through the “Treetop Trek,” a thrilling zip line and obstacle course.
brevardzoo.org
In Fort Lauderdale neighborhood Coconut Park is an enchanting attraction that children, and the whole family, are sure to enjoy: Butterfly World. The world's largest butterfly park, it is home to more than 20,000 live butterflies from every corner of the globe. Working in conjunction with scientists there, Butterfly World has been instrumental in saving the endangered Schaus Swallowtail, a species of butterfly that is becoming reestablished in South Florida, and may, one day soon, be taken off of the endangered species list. Marvel at hundreds of exotic birds in the six Free-Flight Aviaries, hand-feed the lorikeets, and explore the butterfly museum and Bug Zoo! Waterfalls, botanical gardens, passion vines, and roses complete this natural habitat.
butterflyworld.com
Another fantastic animal attraction are the Flamingo Gardens in Davie. Spend the day in this 60-acre, not-for-profit botanical garden and wildlife sanctuary featuring thousands of rare, exotic and native plants, some of Florida’s largest and oldest trees, and over 90 species of Florida native animals. Visit alligators, eagles, otters, panthers, bobcats, a black bear and of course, flamingos. Step back in time at the historic 1930s Wray Home Museum. The gardens offer venue rentals, not only for weddings but also for children’s birthday parties - in fact, they offer special birthday packages to anyone planning to host a party.
flamingogardens.org
For the Whole Family
It’s not just the kids who will enjoy these resorts (although they’re going to get a big kick out of them) but you adults will have a chance to enjoy yourselves, too.
On the idyllic shores of Cocoa Beach, known for decades as a playground for beach-loving families, sits the beautiful Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort. A tropical hotel offering spacious two-bedroom suites perfect for family stays, it’ll quickly become your troupe’s tropical getaway. Enjoy splashing around the pool (they even have a smaller kids pool for young tykes) , or head down the short path to the beach. If you want to explore the area, be sure to take advantage of their shuttle service. They are also not far from the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier, a landmark of the area since 1962.
westgatecocoabeach.com
Most of Cocoa Beach’s accommodations are found by the water, ranging from high-end hotels to family-owned resorts. International Palms Resort & Conference Center Cocoa Beach is a resort with a long name that’s just a short drive from the downtown area. Set on 13 oceanfront acres, the resort offers a complete getaway from the cares of life. Relax in your retro-chic guest room or villa. Lounge by the pool in a cool cabana. Watch the kids splash through the pirate-themed pool area (or splash along with them).
internationalpalmscocoabeach.com
One of the most fantastic things about Fort Lauderdale is its array of high-rise hotels that line the oceanfront - which is not only beautiful from the street view, but provides amazing views from the hotel rooms! Directly on Fort Lauderdale beach is the Pelican Grand Beach Resort, with more than half of the rooms and suites sporting ocean views and 7,500 sq. ft. of event space also facing the ocean. Enjoy dinner at their onsite restaurant, OCEAN2000 with spectacular outdoor seating, keep your tummy happy at their ice cream parlor, or spend the whole day floating in the pool or lazy river.
pelicanbeach.com
Situated on 10 lush acres on the oceanfront in Fort Lauderdale, Lago Mar Resort & Club is the ideal spot for families who like everything in one place (which saves a lot of time piling in and out of the minivan - so you can actually enjoy your vacation). The first thing that you need to know are that there are a wide choice of spacious, comfortable, and posh suites featuring amazing views and top notch room service; and the first thing the kids need to know is that there are two mind-blowing tropical pools. If that’s not enough to tire them out for bedtime, you can also hit the area’s largest private beach. Take some “parents only” time for yourselves at the full-service European spa, and dine at the modern American bistro, Aquario.
lagomar.com
