True to its mission, the new 250,000-square-foot museum connects people of all ages with science through a range of inspiring programming - some of which is even bilingual. The updated Frost Science (an upgrade from its previous Coconut Grove location) occupies four buildings - the Aquarium, the Frost Planetarium, and the North and West Wings - features year-round exhibits such as “Feathers to the Stars,” “Power of Science” and “MeLab,” an interactive exhibit that lets kids learn about health by using their own bodies to conduct experiments (think hands-on simulations).

The “Aquarium” is a remarkable display across three levels, one of which includes the museum’s 500,000-gallon Gulf Stream aquarium that houses all sorts of sea creatures. While the planetarium is a 250-seat, air-conditioned respite with an 8K projection screen and state-of-the-art sound system, offering dazzling visual displays and virtual tours through outer space. The downtown Miami facility is open 365 days a year and is open to people of all ages. An all-in-one ticket, which includes museum exhibitions, an aquarium, live science demonstrations, and one Frost Planetarium show, is $30 for adults and $21 for children 3–11. Children under 2 are free. The duration of a typical visit to Frost Science is five hours.

• Website: https://www.frostscience.org/
• Address: Museum Park, 1101 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, 33132
• Contact: 305-434-9600
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4/5
• Price: $29.95, Children $21.95, Under 2-year-old free
• Opening Hours: Daily 10 AM – 6 PM

Miami Children’s Museum is one of the best things to do in Miami with kids. The 56,500-square-foot facility is located on Watson Island. It was designed by Arquitectonica International Inc., an award-winning Miami-based architecture and design firm. The building, for and about children, represents the elements of the world; earth, wind, water, and fire. The facility includes 17 galleries, a preschool (ages 12 months – 5 years), a charter school (kindergarten – 5th grade), the KidSmart educational gift shop, a 200-seat auditorium, and a Subway restaurant.

The Miami Children’s Museum turns as many heads as the parrots, it’s nothing like the familiar boring old museums at home, but rather a highly interactive kid’s playground. The fun includes a colorful mosaic-tiled, two-story sandcastle, a sea room designed especially for under-fives, the world’s most cultural teddy-bear exhibit, and a television studio. But what kids seem to like best are the exhibits celebrating the mundane: the bank with teller stations and fake checks, the supermarket with checkout lanes, and the police motorcycle and fire truck.

• Website: https://www.miamichildrensmuseum.org/
• Address: 980 MacArthur Cswy, Watson Island, Miami, 33132
• Contact: 305-373-5437
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4/5
• Price: Admission $20
• Opening Hours: Daily 10 AM – 6 PM

Venetian Pool is possibly the most beautiful swimming pool in the world. It combines an impossibly idyllic setting (tropical foliage, waterfalls, Italian architectural touches) with freshwater, replenished nightly in summer months from a subterranean aquifer. It's got a cafe that sells pizza by the slice, french fries, hot dogs, and ice cream, plus other quick bites. Everyone wants a piece of the pool. Luckily, it's open to the masses seven days a week, but it is perhaps best enjoyed when not overrun with toddlers and boom-box blasts (avoid weekends). Once the pool is at capacity, admissions will cease to sell tickets. Rates are one-third cheaper for residents of Coral Gables than they are for the general public. Currently, admission for adults who reside in Coral Gables is $5.75 whereas nonresidents are required to shell out $20 to get in. Annual members are available for families and singles as well.

One of Coral Gables' most famous landmarks features everything from towers and waterfalls to cave-like grottos and its signature bridge. Plus, germaphobes can rest easy: the 820,000-gallon pool is fed with spring water from an underground aquifer…and drained and refilled daily. And parents, you'll always spot more than one lifeguard on duty watching your kiddos (though kids under the age of three are not permitted in the facility).

• Website: https://www.coralgables.com/venetianpool/
• Address: 2701 de Soto Blvd, Miami
• Contact: 305-460-5306
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4/5
• Price: Admission $12
• Opening Hours: Hours vary with the season

Frustrated by her inability to find a high-quality indoor play area that catered to adults as well as kids, Miami Beach mom Joyce Frohman opened this 15,000-square-foot Wynwood complex in late 2017. FunDimension is more than a neighborhood play area and entertainment center. FunDimension revolutionizes Miami’s family entertainment scene with a world-class amusement complex in Wynwood. FunDimension believes imagination is fundamental for people of all ages and the best way to communicate and bond with friends, coworkers, and families.

For every child and family that FunDimension have the privilege of welcoming into the facility, there are many others that need the help. With that in mind, FunDimension provides ongoing support to the local community with special offers on food and entertainment to the neighboring communities of Wynwood, Overtown, Allapattah, and Midtown. While kids enjoy laser tag, bumper cars, a mind-blowing 7-D theater, coin-operated games, and a four-story playground, parents relax with a cup of Panther coffee and complimentary Wi-Fi. It’s a win-win for all.

• Website: https://fundimensionusa.com/
• Address: 2129 NW First Ct, Miami, 33127
• Contact: 786-360-1766
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5
• Price: Under $5.00-30.00
• Opening Hours: Sun–Thu (10 AM – 8 PM); Fri, Sat (10 AM – 11 PM)

Tidal Cove Waterpark is one of the best things to do in Miami with kids. It might just ruin all other hotel pools for you forever. The huge new addition to Aventura’s JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa is less a pool and - as the name implies - more of a waterpark. Among thousands of square feet of space, you’ll find a 60-foot tower with seven water slides, a lazy river, a 4,000-square-foot kids pool, a VIP adult pool area, and what’s being called the first-ever FlowRider Triple surf simulation pool in the entire country.

Guests of the resort will have access to it all but locals can get in with the purchase of a day pass, which will cost $75 Monday through Thursday and $105 Friday through Sunday. That also gets you access to the amenities available to hotel guests, like the spa, which you might need after an afternoon of going down all seven waterslides. Tidal Cove also boasts two restaurants: the casual Surf House Bar & Grill, a two-story, coastal-inspired restaurant; and the fast-casual Freestyle, featuring a wide variety of grab-and-go items, from fruit bowls and pastries to New York-style pizza and gelato.

• Website: https://www.tidalcovemiami.com/
• Address: JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, 19999 W Country Club Dr, Aventura, 33180
• Contact: 786-235-8435
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4/5
• Price: $55.00-500.00
• Opening Hours: Daily 9 AM – Sunset

Founded in 2001 by Mario and Maria Tabraue, this private zoo, preservation, and conversation facility for rescued and endangered animals are home to about 150 different primates, exotic species, predatory birds, and mammals. Large organizations and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service send animals in need of extra care to the ZWF, where they’re rehabilitated and domesticated to thrive in controlled environments. To date, the facility has rescued 15 South African lions and helped a number of animals escape harmful conditions - such as Lola the vulture, whose talons were amputated due to frostbite before arriving at the facility.

This is the only zoo in Miami that allows children to hold primates and interact with other wildlife - though it comes at a hefty surcharge. Throughout the year, the Zoological Wildlife Foundation hosts many events to raise awareness. They strive to educate people about the conservation, education, and preservation of exotic wildlife. ZWF is a self-funded organization, so these events, combined with the tours, help them provide for the animals. Adoptions can also be made to support the maintenance of a particular animal.

• Website: https://zoologicalwildlifefoundation.com/
• Address: 16225 SW 172 Ave, Miami, 33187
• Contact: 305-969-3696
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5
• Price: $85-Adults; $45-Children (4–17); Under 3 free
• Opening Hours: Daily 10 AM – 6 PM

Occupying the southern tip of Key Biscayne, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park’s wide beaches regularly make the national top ten lists. But this is more than just a place to catch some rays: there’s history, wildlife and plenty of activities too. Cape Florida Lighthouse - Miami-Dade County’s oldest standing structure is the park's most famous attraction. Constructed in 1825, it guided mariners off the Florida Reef, which starts just near Key Biscayne. Free lighthouse tours are offered Thursday through Monday at 10 AM and 1 PM. Brace for a heart-pumping climb to the top.

Explore native wildlife planted in the aftermath of 1992’s Hurricane Andrew; and try your hand at shoreline fishing, ocean kayaking, windsurfing, cycling, and in-line skating. Covered pavilions are available for picnics, and the Lighthouse Café offers good food. Visitors are also allowed to camp near No Name Harbor for a nominal fee. Pass the toll that gets you through to Key Biscayne and over Rickenbacker Causeway and keep driving; the park is located at the very end of Key Biscayne on that very same road. It's open daily from 8 AM until sundown and admission depend on your mode of transportation.

• Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/
• Address: 1200 S Crandon Blvd, Miami
• Contact: 305-361-5811
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5
• Price: Admission: $8;Vehicle: $2
• Opening Hours: Daily 8 AM – Sunset

Launched during Art Basel in 2009, what began as a few commissioned murals to beautify the area has morphed into the city’s only outdoor street art park, featuring more than 40 murals. Some of the world’s most acclaimed artists and muralists have contributed over the years, including Shepard Fairey, Ryan McGuinness, Kenny Scharf, How and Nosm, Faile, Retna, the Date Farmers, and Liqen.

There are really no concepts in Miami that can compare to the Wynwood Walls. It is sort of a walkable outdoor museum, where entire buildings have replaced the usual gallery canvas. The works are impressive in their scale and are reflective of the spunky personality that put Wynwood on the map as Miami's art district. Certain murals have remained the same over the years, but usually—around December for Art Basel—new murals pop up in a matter of days. Inside the Wynwood Walls, there's the very popular Wynwood Kitchen & Bar, an upscale restaurant. The Wynwood Walls is the undisputed selfie capital of Miami and chances are you’ll recognize some of the murals from the profile pics in your Facebook feed. Kids maybe love Wynwood Walls because there’s lots of green space to run around

• Website: https://thewynwoodwalls.com/
• Address: 2520 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, 33127
• Contact: 305-531-4411
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5
• Price: $10.00
• Opening Hours: Mon–Thu 10:30 Am –11:30 PM; Fri–Sat 10:30 Am – Midnight; Sun 10:30 AM – 8 PM

One of the best things to do in Miami with kids is playing in Matheson Hammock Park. Matheson Hammock opened in 1930 as the first county park of Dade County, a gift of 80 acres to the county from William J. Matheson. The park surrounds the north and western ends of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. This picturesque park has an artificial atoll pool that’s good for safe, quiet bathing. A fair warning for boaters hoping to use the marina on the weekends arrives early. Matheson Hammock Park has one of the city's most popular boating docks, so expect traffic driving into the park even if you're not headed for a day out on the water.

Besides, this huge park down south has green space for picnicking, bike trails for cyclists of all skill levels, and a small beach for sunbathing. The shallow atoll provides a fun, safe place to splash around, kids maybe love it. And parents love it because it feels like a trip to Miami Beach without a trek over the causeway, and there’s plenty of parking.

• Facebook: https://bom.so/oixOpk
• Address: 9610 Old Cutler Rd, Miami
• Contact: 305-665-5475
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4/5
• Price: Admission $5.00–$6.00
• Opening Hours: Daily sunrise–sunset

Performances here are produced, acted, and choreographed by children. The audience is also underage, but watch out for the occasional PG rating. Miami Children's Theater has additional locations in Coral Gables and Miami Beach. Kids definitely like it because budding actors can relate to the pint-size talents on stage. And parents can foster children's love of acting.

Miami Children's Theater was founded in 1996 by Angela Ardolino as an after-school program based at the Coral Gables Youth Center. Ms. Ardolino grew the program quickly as she transitioned the young company to South Florida's premier performing arts center for young people in South Florida. Combining classes and summer camps with remarkable main stage productions, it did not take long for Miami Children's Theater to be recognized for its artistic excellence. In 2002 Miami Children's Theater was awarded the rights to the newly created Les Miserables Student Edition - the first youth children's theater in the Southeast to earn such a distinction. 2006 proved to be a historic year for Miami Children's Theater as they won the county-wide bid to become the resident theater operator for the state-of-the-art Robert Russell Theater in Kendall.

• Website: https://miamichildrenstheater.com/
• Address: 11155 SW 112th Ave, Miami
• Contact: 305-274-3595
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4/5
• Price: Ticket prices vary
• Opening Hours: Mon–Fri: 11 AM – 6 PM

Oleta River Outdoor Center is the official concession operator for Oleta River State Park, Florida’s largest urban park. Oleta River State Park is located on Biscayne Bay in the busy Miami metropolitan area. Although it offers a variety of recreational opportunities, the park is best known for miles of off-road bicycling trails, ranging from novice trails to challenging trails for experienced bicyclists. Bicycle trails offer a fun and safe way for beginners to learn to ride therefore it appeals to kids. And full moon kayak tours are a big hit with parents and older children

Oleta River State Park currently has over 10 miles of challenging, intermediate mountain bike trails. For the beginner, there are over 4 miles of novice trails and 3 miles of paved trails. The paved trail also offers great conditions for rollerblading. Helmets are highly recommended for all cyclists and Florida law requires helmets for cyclists aged 16 and under. Canoeing and kayaking are available at the park. Visitors enjoy paddling on the calm waters of Biscayne Bay adjacent to the Haulover Inlet. Several routes to choose from consist of open water and mangrove trails and the Oleta River.

• Website: https://oletariveroutdoors.com/
• Address: 3400 NE 163rd St, North Miami, 33160
• Contact: 786-274-7945
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5
• Price: Vehicles: $4.00-6.00; Pedestrians: $2.00
• Opening Hours: Daily 8 AM – Sunset

Skatebird Miami is among the best things to do in Miami with kids. This multifaceted venue is a 32,000-square-foot skate park with an outdoor street-style plaza for traditional tricks and a covered pump track ideal for when it rains but you still want to practice on wheels. While the space is perfect for professional skateboarders and rollerbladers, it also accommodates beginners and even young kickboard scooter riders. The park holds regular skate camps and classes and offers memberships for frequent riders. Daily classes and Summer camps are offered by Skateboard Supercross Academy (SBSX) for all ages and abilities. Skateboards, roller blades, bikes, and scooters are welcomed in the park.

Located in El Portal, a few blocks north of the 79th Street Causeway and just west of Biscayne Boulevard, there are small retail shops that line the pump track including a barbershop, and tattoo parlor, streetwear fashion, and galleries, therefore Skatebird is also suited for parents. The family atmosphere makes Skatebird a unique place to hang out and improve your skating technique or burn out some steam after a day/week of hard work.

• Website: https://www.skatebirdmiami.com/
• Address: 533 NE 83rd St, Miami
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4/5
• Price: $15.00
• Opening Hours: 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM

No kid will turn down a visit to Zoo Miami. This zoo was once considered one of the best in the country, but Hurricane Andrew took its toll in 1992. Though it hasn't returned to its former heights, it's not for want of trying. It certainly has cred with the animal welfare brigade. The animals here are a draw - lions, zebras, giraffes, and elephants, to name a few - and so are the splash zones and activity areas. Bring an extra change of clothes for the kiddos and spend the rest of the day peddling around on a Safari Cycle, a covered bicycle large enough for a family of four.

Besides visiting with the animals, water-loving children enjoy the opportunity to splash around at the zoo’s waterplay areas - they’ll keep cool at the Fiesta Fountain and have a blast getting soaked as they stand underneath overflowing buckets of water. And undoubtedly parents love it too because no need to pack snacks when you visit: Zoo Miami has multiple cafes, vending machines and restaurants positioned strategically throughout the grounds.

• Website: https://www.zoomiami.org/
• Address: 12400 SW 152nd Street, Miami
• Contact: 305-251-0400
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5
• Price: Admission $20; Children (3–12) $16; Children (0-2) free
• Opening Hours: Mon–Fri: 10 AM – 5 PM (last entry 3:30 PM); Sat, Sun 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM (last entry 4 PM)

For decades, children of all ages have learned all about Florida’s array of sea creatures through visits to this Key Biscayne attraction. It’s where you’ll catch the dolphin show (Flipper was even filmed at the Seaquarium!), jolly sea lions flapping about, and the park’s most famous resident, Lolita, the killer whale.

The Miami Seaquarium, one of the first marine life parks in America and considered the largest marine life attraction in the world during its opening time, first opened its doors in 1955. The amusement park has a total of 38 acres and offers animal shows, daily presentations, and educational experiences for children of all ages. You can see the homes of sea lions, endangered sea turtles, dolphins, manatees, and other mammals, without a doubt visiting the Miami Seaquarium is the best family experience. From dolphin encounters and swimming with seals to exhibits, dinners, and VIP tours, the Miami Seaquarium offers an experience for every member of the family. In addition, at the Miami Seaquarium, families can send their children to "Summer Camp" or let children "Swim With Dolphins".

• Website: https://miamiseaquarium.com/
• Address: 4400 Rickenbacker Cswy, Miami, 33149
• Contact: 305-361-5705
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4/5
• Price: $43.00-249.00
• Opening Hours: Daily 10 AM – 6 PM

Come to Poppet Project to get crafty (without having to clean up the mess). This is great for kids. There are various craft stations for them to bounce to and from: painting, molding, and even making slime. It’s everything you desire in an arts and crafts room, except you don’t have to spend days picking glitter out of the carpet.

Poppet Project is a children’s drop-in art, craft, and science studio. They’re open all day for you to design, tinker, create, and explore with your children. Poppet Project's goal is to promote and provide the creative environment, encouragement, and tools to foster the children’s imaginations and skill sets to create the next generation of artists. The planned projects rotate constantly, so every day is a new exploration. Budding artists will love the art supplies, crafts, and collaborative masterpieces. Plus, future scientists will have plenty to experiment with. If you can imagine it, the Poppet Project can help create it!

• Website: https://thepoppetproject.com/
• Address: 8650 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, 33138
• Contact: 786-773-1750
• TripAdvisor Rating: 4/5
• Price: $16.00/hour
• Opening Hours: Mon 10 AM – 6 PM; Wed-Sat 10 AM – 6 PM; Sun 10 AM – 5 PM