Fun Activities for Kids in Miami

When it comes to fun things to do with kids in Greater Miami and Miami Beach, there’s no limit to the exciting experiences you can explore together. If your family enjoys spending time in the great outdoors, choose from sailing aboard a pirate ship, picking your own strawberries on a farm or having up-close wildlife encounters with alligators in the Everglades – just to name a few.

Indoors, Miami is home to neon-lit bowling alleys, high-tech mini golf courses, sprawling arcades and so much more. Whether you’re on the hunt for kid-friendly attractions today or planning ahead for a trip, we’ve got you covered with the best family-friendly things to do in Miami.

Outdoor Thrills & Chills

Everglades Adventures: Alligators & Airboats

Stretching 1.5 million acres across South Florida, Everglades National Park’s lush, subtropical wetlands comprise one of the world’s most unique ecosystems. Home to a mix of sawgrass prairies, hardwood hammocks and saltwater marshes, the Everglades supports a diverse ecosystem and wildlife population that includes bald eagles, panthers, wild boars, white-tailed deer and, of course, alligators.

There’s perhaps no better place to get up close and personal with the famed Florida alligator than at Everglades Alligator Farm, where more than 2,000 of the reptiles are said to reside. Watch an alligator and snake show, witness feedings, hike along nature trails and take an airboat ride.

There’s no shortage of airboat operators and alligator encounters throughout the Everglades, especially along the Tamiami Trail, including the Miccosukee Indian Village and Coopertown Everglades Airboat Tour & Restaurant, so take your pick for a thrilling adventure you can’t experience anywhere else.

Wildlife Encounters: Zoos, Eco Parks & Zip-lining

Zoo Miami is home to more than 3,000 animals on view from habitats around the world, including Florida’s Everglades, the Amazon, Africa, Australia and Asia. You’ll have the chance to visit the kids zone, feed animals, watch wildlife shows and so much more.

For a more intimate animal experience, the 5-acre Zoological Wildlife Foundation in South Dade is dedicated to animal education and conservation, offering private tours by appointment. You and the kids can get up close and personal with alligators, leopards, monkeys, flamingos, tigers and lions.

Meanwhile, Jungle Island is a fascinating zoological park on Watson Island in Biscayne Bay filled with exotic animals and colorful tropical birds where kids can also go zip-lining at the on-site Treetop Trekking experience.

Swashbuckling Sailboat Rides: Biscayne Bay Pirate Tour

Set sail from Bayside Marketplace aboard El Loro pirate ship with Miami Aqua Tours. You’ll experience Miami’s beautiful sights from the sparkling waters of Biscayne Bay, including Star Island, celebrity mansions, the Venetian Islands and the iconic skyline. With refreshments, snacks and pirate music along the way, it makes for a fun-filled family adventure at sea.

Fun on the Farm: Strawberry Picking & Cinnamon Rolls

Considered Miami’s heartland, South Dade is home to farms and parks that grow exotic fruit and vegetables. During season, which runs from roughly November through May, pay a visit with the kids to The Berry Farm or Knaus Berry Farm and discover acres of rolling fields where you can pick your own strawberries.

Both farms specialize in sweet treats like strawberry milkshakes and strawberry shortcake, while the cinnamon buns at Knaus Berry Farm incite annual pilgrimages. The Berry Farm is also home to beautiful sunflower fields, finger-licking delicious barbecue and seasonal events and festivals that range from hayrides and pumpkin patches to Easter egg hunts and more.

Gaming & Sports Fun

Modern Nostalgia: Bowling & Arcades

For some fun, family-friendly competition with the kids indoors, take a spin at one of Miami’s top bowling alleys. These spots combine the old-school pastime of knocking down pins with modern amenities, refreshments and other fun games.

In Downtown Miami, Lucky Strike features an arcade and 28 lanes of bowling, with lane-side food and drink service and a festive atmosphere. In Doral, take your pick from Kings Dining & Entertainment at CityPlace Doral or Bowlero at Dolphin Mall. The former also offers billiards, arcade games and tasty food, while the latter is home to 34 lanes, laser tag and party rooms.

Maximum Mini Golf: Putt-Putt & Games

In Palmetto Bay, Palmetto Mini Golf is a whimsical, 18-hole outdoor mini golf course where you and the family can putt away on a classic course amidst tropical foliage, water hazards, caves and waterfalls.

For an updated spin, take the kids to Puttery in Wynwood, home to 3 elaborate, 9-hole indoor mini golf courses. It also hosts kids club activities, family Olympics games and trivia nights. For the grownups, each of the courses at Puttery serves its own exclusive cocktails inspired by the design.

In Brickell, check out Puttshack at Brickell City Centre, where you’ll find 3 indoor courses lit up by neon lights with games, food and drink. While it caters more to adults, kids are welcome and it’s a family-friendly environment before 8 p.m.