Free Things to do with the Kids

With miles of pristine beaches, lush city parks, museums and even a symphony under the stars, there are more free things to do with kids than you might think. If you’re planning a budget-friendly trip with the whole family, use this handy guide to discover the best free, kid-friendly places to go and things to do in Miami.

A Day at the Beach

The beauty of Miami is that the beach is absolutely free. You don’t need much more than a beach blanket, bathing suit and sunscreen to enjoy it. Of course, you can always pack a picnic with refreshments, chairs, an umbrella, a good book and beach toys to add to the fun. With gorgeous shoreline stretching from the tip of South Beach up to Sunny Isles Beach and surrounding the islands of Key Biscayne, there are miles of beaches to choose from.

Residential Surfside is home to a wonderfully laidback, family-friendly stretch of beach for a fun-filled afternoon with the kids playing in the sand and gentle waves. North Beach, lined with picnic shelters and barbecue pavilions, is another popular spot for families to gather and enjoy quality time together in the sand. Sunny Isles Beach, with the Newport Fishing Pier and plenty of playgrounds, is also an ideal spot for a family beach day.

Free Movies & Symphony Under the Stars

From October-May

Designed by award-winning architect Frank Gehry, New World Center is home to SoundScape Park and its monumental 7,000 square-foot wall that acts as a screen for simulcasts of symphony performances and movie screenings.

Adjacent to the Lincoln Road mall (another fun and free way to spend time with the family in Miami Beach), SoundScape Park makes for a memorable evening with the kids beneath the palm trees listening to Bach or watching Pirates of the Caribbean.

From October to May, movies are typically screened on Wednesday nights starting at 8 p.m., while symphony Wallcast concerts are usually on Saturday nights.

Museums With Free Admission

Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami

When the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami opened in the Miami Design District, it made a commitment to providing free museum admission for all. The museum showcases thought-provoking contemporary art with a focus on under-recognized and emerging artists.

With a captivating sculpture garden in addition to the museum proper, it’s ideal for older kids interested in art. Arrive at noon to can take advantage of the daily free guided tour for an engaging educational experience. Or visit during Family Sundays at 11:30 a.m., when the museum hosts art-making activities inspired be the current exhibits, recommended for kids from pre-K to 2nd grade.

Afterwards, take a stroll down the neighborhood’s shady sidewalks, where you’ll encounter captivating architecture and beautifully landscaped plazas with free public art. Many of the pieces are interactive and your kids can even play on them.

Frost Art Museum

Situated on the Florida International University campus, the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum is always free. Take the kids to view visiting exhibitions where they’ll have the opportunity to learn more about contemporary Latin American and Caribbean artists. The museum’s collection also focuses on photography, printmaking and pre-Columbian objects that date back to 200 AD, while also hosting visiting exhibitions.

Museums with Free Admission For Kids

Wynwood Walls

The Wynwood Walls is Miami’s museum dedicated to street art, a magical destination that will spark your child’s imagination. With murals covering dozens of former warehouse walls, as well as an indoor gallery and gift shop, it features street artists ranging from pioneers like Kenny Scharf and Keith Haring to today’s biggest stars, like Shephard Fairey.

Make your mark with a freestyle spray painting experience (for an additional cost). Kids age 5 and under enjoy free admission, while adult admission is $12.

Museum of Miami

Part of the prestigious Smithsonian Institution Affiliations Program, Museum of Miami in Downtown Miami is an entertaining and educational museum with more than 13,000 artifacts. Fascinating exhibits highlight the region’s history, and admission is free for children under age 6, while adult admission is $15.

Don’t miss Tropical Dreams: A People's History of South Florida, the museum’s permanent exhibition about Miami’s history, which will deepen your family’s entire experience in Miami.

Pérez Art Museum Miami

The stunning Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) overlooking Biscayne Bay in Downtown Miami is home to an impressive collection of contemporary art from across the Americas. Admission is free for children age 6 and under, while admission for adults is $18.

If you visit on Thursdays after 5 p.m., admission is free for everyone, and there’s usually special programming. The captivating architecture, which draws inspiration from Miami’s iconic Stiltsville homes built offshore in the 1930s, is worth the visit alone.

With abundant outdoor space and interactive sculptures, the PAMM is a great place for kids to play and dream.

The Wolfsonian-Florida International University

Located in the heart of South Beach’s Art Deco District, The Wolfsonian-Florida International University focuses on primary objects and design that span the Industrial Revolution to present day with thought-provoking exhibitions. It offers free admission on Fridays, when the museum stays open late from 6 to 9 p.m.

Children under 6 and Florida residents always enjoy free admission, while regular admission for adults is $12. It makes for a fun night at the museum where your kids might even be able to pick up extra credit at school with a fun report on what they learned.

Discover Miami’s Parks

After a few hours at the museum, enjoy Miami’s great outdoors at any one of the countless scenic local parks that your family can enjoy for free. Head to North Beach and explore North Beach Oceanside Park with the kids, where you’ll find a lovely, shaded oceanfront park with jogging trails, picnic tables and a dog park.

At the tip of South Beach, South Pointe Park is beautifully landscaped with views of the Atlantic Ocean that wrap around to the channel, PortMiami and the Downtown Miami skyline. Take a stroll out on the pier, let your kids run around on the playground and splash pad, and take in public art along the paved path while cruise ships enter and exit the port.

In Coconut Grove, David T. Kennedy Park is another gorgeous bayfront park boasting jogging trails, beach volleyball, a dog park and wooden docks to enjoy the gentle bay breeze with the kids. 

Further west, Doral Central Park in Doral offers 82 acres of green space, complete with sports courts, playgrounds, walking trails and a lake for family-friendly activities, like kayaking and fishing.