Must-Visit Family Fun Spots in South Florida

By Alejandra Zamora

With Palm Beach County schools ending on May 26, summer is literally just weeks away. The kids will be out, which means you’ll probably need some new family friendly activities to add to your arsenal! In this blog post, we’re listing some must-visit family fun spots in South Florida, from new places you haven’t been to yet to classic establishments you may have forgotten about. We’re keeping the heat in mind, too, so some of these activities will be appropriate for even the hottest summer days. 

1. Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton

Located off of A1A in Boca, Gumbo Limbo is one of those classic family summer spots because it’s home to some of our area’s most cherished marine life: turtles! At this indoor/outdoor facility, you and the whole family can browse around looking at turtles, fish, reptiles, and more wildlife; walk the nature trail; watch an aquarium feeding; see a hatchling release; and much more! Only a donation is required to enter, so this is an affordable activity, too. 

2. Coconut Cove Water Park in Boca Raton

We all know Rapids Water Park in West Palm Beach, but sometimes that location can get super crowded, especially on the hottest summer days. For a more low-key waterpark experience, visit the Coconut Cove Water Park, where you and the kids can cool off by riding two 4-story waterslides, floating on the lazy river, playing on an interactive water playground, and more! 

3. Miami Children’s Museum

On a rainy or extra hot day, this is the perfect place to head to for a day trip. The Children’s Museum in Miami is fun for ALL ages; endless interactive exhibits are available, like role-play job centers, a sensory room, a music maker studio, and so much more! The best part? Admission for Florida residents is discounted at $15! 

4. Butterfly World in Coconut Creek

Located in Tradewinds Park, Butterfly World is the largest butterfly park in the world, hosting all kinds of exhibits like the macaw landing, tropical rainforest aviary, insectarium, and of course, the butterfly gardens. The whole park takes about 2-3 hours to walk through at a leisurely pace, so this can be an all-day family activity. 

5. Flamingo Gardens in Davie

Another wildlife activity you can do with the whole family is visiting the Flamingo Gardens in Davie. Not only can your kids check out the flock of cool pink birds, but they can also explore the on-site botanical gardens, the Wray Home Museum, and the wildlife sanctuary, where a number of other rescued and rehabilitated animals are housed. 

6. Jaxon’s Ice Cream Parlour in Dania Beach

This one isn’t necessarily an activity per say, but it is an iconic pit stop on Federal Highway that you can take your whole family to when you’re in the mood for an indulgent sweet treat. Jaxon’s is a restaurant, too, but you won’t want to leave without having at least one scoop of their old fashioned, homemade ice creams and maybe a knick knack from their country store for the road. 

7. Putt'n' Around in Delray Beach

Mini golf is always a fun activity for everyone in the family! Delray Beach has a great location just north of downtown, where you can play 18 holes on two different courses. There’s an on-site clubhouse with food and drinks, too, so you can spend the whole afternoon here. 

Where else do you like to go with your family?