Things To Do In Miami With Toddlers
A city well-known for its vibrant nightlife and great shopping, Miami isn't a place where only adults go to have fun. Every year, parents with young children (ages 1-5) are finding out why Miami makes for a stellar family vacation destination. With multiple kid-friendly museums offering free admission days, miles of family-friendly beaches, and numerous annual events scheduled with children in mind, Miami, Florida has plenty of free opportunities for families with toddlers.
"Play, Learn, Imagine, Create" at the Miami Children's Museum. Featuring an array of interactive exhibits for children (and adults who are young at heart), this exciting museum gives you and your youngins a chance to explore everything from a supermarket to a television studio. Stop on by every third Friday of the month for Free Target Friday where there's no charge for admission from 3-9 p.m. Located at 980 Mac Arthur Causeway. For more information, call 305-373-5437.
It's never too early to get your kids hooked on art. Parents and their artistically-inclined toddlers will greatly appreciate a trip to the Miami Art Museum, hosting a range of activities for families with kids including live music, storytelling, games and guided tours. The museum offers free admission every second Saturday of every month from 1-4 p.m. Located at 101 West Flagler Street. For more information, call 305-375-3000.
Are you a proud parent of a star child? Bring them on down to the star show at the Weintraub Observatory at the Miami Science Museum. Every first Friday of each month from 8-10 p.m., the observatory puts on a free planetarium show, followed by a special observatory session where children can peer through telescopes and marvel at the Milky Way. Make sure to call ahead, starting times vary per season. For more information, call 305-646-4200.
Hoping to spend a family-fun beach day, far away from the rowdiness often sparked by excited spring breakers? The family-oriented stretch of Miami Beach from 53rd to 63rd Street is your best bet for a relaxing day at the beach. This area of sand and ocean offers a playground and plenty of open space for building sand castles, enjoying picnics, and searching for treasure.
Can't get enough of the ocean? Check out Biscayne National Park, where kids can spot out porpoises and manatees from the shore. The park features a special Free Family Fun Fest every second Sunday of the month from December-April. Kids are given free "passports" to be punched at each of the five hands-on activity stations located throughout the park. Collect all five and your kids will earn a souvenir button! This great public program is perfect for kids who love to be outside, surrounded by nature. Don't forget to check out the Cape Florida Lighthouse at Biscayne. It's the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County. Families can feel free to pack a picnic to eat outside of the lighthouse, and if you're feeling up to it, consider participating in one of the ranger-guided lighthouse tours. For more information, call 305-230-1120.