Fort Lauderdale for Families: Enjoy Kid-Friendly Fun and Adventures
What to Do for Fun in Fort Lauderdale with Your Kids?
Home to postcard-worthy beaches, extensive canal systems, and a diverse collection of both indoor and outdoor attractions, there’s a ton of family things to do in Fort Lauderdale. It may be crowned the “Yachting Capital of the World,” but its attractions are far more diverse than this moniker suggests.
For a bit of fun in the sun, you and your family can explore the waters by boat, picnic at a local park, or go for a refreshing dip in the Atlantic Ocean. If it rains or it’s simply too hot out, head inside for Go-Kart races, interactive science exhibits, and trampoline parks, or simply admire some gorgeous art together. Here’s our guide to family-friendly entertainment in Fort Lauderdale.
1. Fort Lauderdale Beach
Calm waters, soft sand, and a laid-back vibe
Good for: Families, Adventure
While Fort Lauderdale Beach may be a prime party spot for spring breakers, it spends the rest of the year like a cat enjoying the sunlight, quiet and completely relaxed. Crystal-clear blue waters, gentle tides, and a broad expanse of soft, white sand make this beach both photogenic and family-friendly.
Lounge, swim, build sandcastles, or stroll down the famous promenade along the wave wall. If you’re traveling with adventurers, you can head out on a glass-bottomed boat tour, go snorkeling along the Fort Lauderdale Twin Ledges reef, or even sign up for scuba lessons. Should you need an air-conditioned break, numerous restaurants, shops, and waterfront hotels await just across the street.
Location: Jimmy Buffett Mem Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, USA
Fort Lauderdale Beach
2. Sawgrass Recreation Park
The heart of Floridian’s wildest wetlands
Good for: Adventure, Photo
For a wilderness excursion like no other, head out to Sawgrass Recreation Park, located less than 30 minutes away from central Fort Lauderdale, for a swamp safari. Explore the Everglades, Florida’s famous “river of grass,” via airboat tours led by guides who will regale your group with thrilling gator tales while you watch for low-flying ospreys and egrets, sunbathing snakes and turtles, and of course, alligators.
Early morning or nighttime tours are typically the best times to spot the most wildlife. For a less crowded experience, avoid peak tourist season, which is December through April. Stop by The Gator Grill to try some gator bites, and don’t forget the gift shop. Children of all ages are welcome on any tour.
Location: 1006 US-27, Weston, FL 33327, USA
Phone: +1 954-389-0202
Sawgrass Recreation Park
3. Funky Fish Ocean Camp
Informational and inspirational fun for budding young thalassophiles
Good for: Families, Adventure
Funky Fish Ocean Camp is a year-round educational camp for young beach lovers, ocean explorers, and would-be marine biologists ages 4–17. Under the expert tutelage of CPR-certified, professionally trained instructors, kids learn fun ocean facts and a variety of skills, including snorkeling, boogie boarding, and even scuba diving.
Beach games and team-based activities like beach cleanups offer a chance to make friends for a day or for life, while eco-crafting sessions allow your kids to express themselves creatively and make mementos to take home with them. Book as little as one day or as many as five at any of the following Fort Lauderdale resorts: the Bahia Mar, Conrad, Hilton, Pelican Grand, or Ocean Manor.
Location: 505 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, USA
Phone: +1 954-712-9900
Funky Fish Ocean Camp
4. Xtreme Action Park
All the fun of an amusement park and more
Good for: Families, Adventure
One of Florida’s largest indoor entertainment spaces, Xtreme Action Park is a wonderland of thrilling rides, games, and activities for the whole family. Gamers will delight in the expansive arcade room, home to over 100 exciting arcade games and virtual reality experiences. Puzzle fans, meanwhile, can enjoy one of several escape rooms.
Racers as young as five years old can safely compete on the Go-Kart track, while roller skaters can glide through the Arena Roller Rink. A rope course overlooks the arcade, and bowling, mini golf, and laser tag provide yet more entertainment options for the young and young at heart alike. Note: minimum age and height requirements vary between activities; be sure to check these ahead of time.
Location: 5300 Powerline Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309, USA
Phone: +1 954-491-6265
Xtreme Action Park
5. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
A beautiful park by the beach; Florida’s answer to Central Park
Good for: Photo, Adventure
A well-tended haven for nature lovers of all ages, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park provides a peaceful space in which to enjoy a bit of fresh air. Located next to Fort Lauderdale Beach with direct access via the A1A crosswalk, it’s a favorite gathering place for both locals and the local wildlife, including gopher tortoises, raccoons, and over 250 species of birds.
Trails abound for hikers, cyclists, and in-line skaters. Pre-register for a ranger-guided tour or enjoy a self-guided audio tour anytime. Fishing is permitted in certain areas, and paddlers can take canoes out on Lake Helen. A playground at the north end will keep youngsters entertained, and shady picnic areas are plentiful throughout the park.
Location: 3109 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, USA
Phone: +1 954-564-4521
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
6. Museum of Discovery and Science
An enthralling and immersive educational experience
Good for: Families, Photo
The Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) in downtown Fort Lauderdale makes learning an adventure for children of all ages, and adults, too. Explore over 20 interactive exhibits diving into all manner of STEM subjects. Budding paleontologists will get a thrill out of Dino Dana Adventures, while future architects can build anything they can dream up in the KEVA exhibit. Meanwhile, children six years of age and younger can let their imaginations run wild while exploring Floridian ecosystems in the Discovery Spot.
The museum also offers in-depth programs and a summer camp, as well as family-friendly events throughout the year. Families can also enjoy a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience together on the largest IMAX screen in South Florida.
Location: 401 SW 2nd St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, USA
Phone: +1 954-467-6637
Museum of Discovery and Science
7. Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
A safe space to dream big and fly high
Good for: Families, Photo
At the Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park, little daredevils and high-flyers can fearlessly defy gravity in the safety of a controlled environment. Specialized trampoline areas offer the chance to constructively bounce off the walls, dunk basketballs, and even play a bouncy game of dodgeball. Or, practice “falling with style” in the Drop Zone, where giant inflatable airbags wait to safely cushion every landing.
Thrill-seekers are invited to challenge themselves, or each other, on rope and obstacle courses, rock walls, the Battle Beam, or the Warrior obstacle course, while the Sky Rider provides a zip line-like experience overhead. Hopeful gymnasts can practice their tumbling on the Runway, and for the littlest of adventurers, there’s always the Tubes playground to explore.
Location: 801 S University Dr, Plantation, FL 33324, USA
Phone: +1 954-905-6888
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
8. Jungle Queen Riverboat Cruises
A charming tropical voyage along “The Venice of America”
Good for: Photo, Couples
Tour the New River’s sparkling waters and shiny shoreside mansions with a Jungle Queen Riverboat Cruise. Sail away by day or night from the Bahia Mar Yachting Center and listen as your guide shares fun facts about local flora and fauna, including the rich and famous owners of the homes along Millionaire’s Row.
Younger sailors will enjoy spotting seagulls and pelicans from the prow and may even catch a rare glimpse of a dolphin or manatee. Choose the premium “Ignite the Night” cruise to savor an all-you-can-eat BBQ dinner, watch Polynesian fire dancers, and explore a lush private island before returning to the Yachting Center.
Location: 801 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, USA
Phone: +1 954-462-5596
Jungle Queen Riverboat Cruises
9. Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
Where art and nature are both on full display year-round
Good for: History, Photo
The Bonnet House Museum & Gardens is a beautiful place to spend a mellow afternoon with the kids, come rain or shine. Built by, and ultimately for, artists in 1920, the house’s gallery now hosts an impressive collection of paintings, murals, and more by the likes of Pablo Picasso, Georges Seurat, Paul Gauguin, and others, including the house’s former owners.
Outdoors, guests are welcome to explore the estate’s gardens, which encompass 5 distinct ecosystems ranging from freshwater sloughs to an arid desert area, and much in between. Visit in December to watch the grounds light up for the Holiday Magic celebration, or plan a trip in April to see and smell bountiful blooms during the annual Orchid Festival.
Location: 900 N Birch Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, USA
Phone: +1 954-563-5393
Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
10. Flippo’s Indoor Playground
A cheerful, welcoming place for youngsters to play and socialize
Good for: Families, Photo
Founded by a mother and inspired by her sons, Flippo’s Indoor Playground is bright, colorful, and full of fun activities for little ones with big imaginations. A rope course, rock wall, and multi-story jungle gym provide thrilling opportunities for youngsters to enjoy themselves while building motor skills and hand-eye coordination, while the sports court gives them a chance to make friends for a day, or a lifetime, while playing basketball or soccer.
There’s also an arcade and the Jungle Activity Floor, where upbeat bops invite energetic youths to dance and jump to their hearts’ content. Children three years old and younger, meanwhile, can step away from older, more rambunctious kids to safely play in the separate Toddler Zone.
Location: 1455 SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, USA
Phone: +1 954-525-1816
Flippo’s Indoor Playground
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