Miami Beach For Families

A family trip to Miami Beach is exciting, serene and, most importantly, packed with fun for kids of all ages. This oceanfront paradise is walkable and easily navigable by bicycle or even the free Miami Beach trolley. Picturesque streets are lined with hotels, restaurants, museums and more that make it easy to break between beach visits.

Wondering what to do in Miami Beach with the kids? Whether you’re looking for unique family-friendly activities everyone will enjoy, nature-focused fun, cool cultural excursions or just a stretch of beach with calm water and plenty of soft sand, Miami Beach has it all. Here are the best things to do in Miami Beach for families.

Family Beach Days

With miles of pristine coastline, Miami Beach is of course home to some of the best beaches anywhere, with a stretch of sand that caters to every family. South Beach is a great starting point to stay in the center of the action. Skip toting your own beach gear and rent chairs and an umbrella from Boucher Brothers. This popular company also offers water sport rentals, like banana boat rides and jet skis. 

Or have a scenic picnic on the beach in front of South Pointe Park, which offers play areas, sculptures, restrooms and a snack shop – plus sweet views of the cruise ships entering and exiting the port.

If you’re looking for a low-key stretch of sand, North Beach, set between 63rd and 86th Streets on Collins Avenue, is always a hit with the kids. Grab quesadillas and chips and guac to-go from Taquiza for an excellent lunch on the sand at 75th and Collins, a beach that also has quick access to parking, restrooms, a playground and showers.

Nearby, North Beach Oceanside Park is another strong contender for a fun, no-stress day at the beach, with restrooms, a large shaded playground, picnic areas, a dog park and plenty of room to spread out a towel or let the kids run free on the sand.

Shop, Eat and Play on Lincoln Road

Lincoln Road, a pedestrian-only promenade in South Beach, is one of the best places for families to stroll, play and spend time together. Along the mile-long stretch, there are more than 200 restaurants, sidewalk cafes, shops, art galleries and even green spaces for children to enjoy.

The street is sprinkled with public artwork, including five Gillie and Marc wildlife-themed sculptures. One of the best spots for families to snap a memorable photo is the whimsical bench lined with seated animals. For an immersive, family-friendly meal, dine at Havana 1957, where you’ll find classic Cuban food in a nostalgic indoor-outdoor space.

Explore Miami Beach Parks and Playgrounds

One of the top things to do in Miami for families is to visit one of the many parks in Miami Beach. Located at the southernmost end of South Beach, South Pointe Park has many green spaces for playing or having a picnic under the palms, a kid’s splash pad and a waterfront pier.

Lummus Park on Ocean Drive is a beachfront favorite with a playground, public restrooms and sand volleyball courts. Active families will enjoy amenities like a running track, tennis courts, a swimming pool and water playground at Flamingo Park.

Further north at Mid Beach Park, kids will love the nautical-themed playground where they can climb a lighthouse and slide down.

Take a Beachside Walk or Bike Ride

One of the most scenic attractions in Miami Beach is the Beachwalk, a 7-mile path that winds along the ocean. Families can pick up the beachfront path anywhere in Miami Beach and walk north or south. Enjoy a leisurely stroll with ocean breezes and the natural and architectural scenery. If you’d prefer to bike, look out for easy-to-rent Citi Bike stands along the way.

Soak Up Natural Beauty at Miami Beach Botanical Garden

When you need a break from non-stop activities, the Miami Beach Botanical Garden is a serene tropical oasis in South Beach, where admission is always free. Walk along the tree-lined paths to take in a wide variety of native and exotic plants.

Kids will love the Japanese Garden, with its bright red bridge and ponds, and the Edible Garden filled with tropical plants bearing fruits and nuts. Check the garden’s calendar for events like music and yoga.

Catch an Outdoor Concert or Movie Together

From October to May, families can gather for a night under the stars on the lawn of the New World Center in South Beach. Bring a blanket and chairs, and even a picnic, to watch a free classical music concert or family-friendly movie projected on the wall at SoundScape Park.

You’ll usually find something exciting happening at the Miami Beach Bandshell, which hosts multicultural concerts and family-friendly events like roller discos throughout the year. Situated in North Beach, this open-air amphitheater is a great place to catch live music and other cultural happenings in a breezy and intimate setting.

Get Cultural at Miami Beach Museums

Take a break from the sunshine by squeezing in a couple of museum visits into your family’s Miami Beach itinerary. The Bass is a contemporary art museum in South Beach that offers free Family Days on the last Sunday of each month. Think: scavenger hunts through the galleries and hands-on art projects. Little ones will also love the museum’s Art Outside collection of colorful sculptures and murals in Collins Park.

The Wolfsonian - FIU, located in the Art Deco District of Miami Beach, also hosts free family days on select Saturdays. Each family day is a different theme and presents the chance for the kids to interact with artists, take a gallery tour, listen to musical performances and more.

Family-Friendly Hotels Everyone Will Love

Families visiting Miami Beach will find plenty of hotels designed with kids in mind. Loews Miami Beach in South Beach offers family-friendly amenities including a spacious oceanfront pool with a zero-entry area for children and private, air-conditioned cabanas with indoor showers. The hotel is also home to the SoBe Kids Club, where younger guests can enjoy supervised activities.

Another family-friendly hotel is The Angler’s Hotel, located in the South of Fifth neighborhood. While the hotel has spacious traditional guest rooms and suites, families love the private apartments with multi-level layouts, and kids will want to spend all day at the rooftop pool.

Both adults and kids will feel at home at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach in Mid Beach. The iconic resort has shallow family pools and a waterslide. Families can rent a cabana and relax by the pool for the day. There are numerous dining options on property, which makes gathering for family meals simple throughout your stay.