Fun Things to Do in the Florida Keys with Kids (Snorkelling, Beaches, Key West & More)

If you’re wondering what there is to do in the Florida Keys with kids, this is for families who want something completely different from the usual Florida holiday.

The Keys aren’t about theme parks or packed attraction days. Instead, they offer a slower, more outdoors-focused experience — think boat trips, snorkelling, wildlife encounters, and small beach and state park stops. It’s a very different kind of trip, but for the right family, it can be one of the most memorable parts of a Florida itinerary.

This guide is for families looking for a clear, practical answer to:

• what to do in the Florida Keys with kids

• whether the Florida Keys are a good fit for children

• the best activities in the Florida Keys for families

• and how to plan your time so it feels enjoyable rather than underwhelming

Quick Answer: What Is There to Do in the Florida Keys With Kids?

The best things to do in the Florida Keys with kids focus on nature and the water rather than traditional attractions.

Families can expect:

• snorkelling and boat trips

• visiting wildlife areas and state parks

• beach stops and shallow water swimming

• relaxed exploring between Key Largo, Islamorada and Key West

From our experience, the Keys worked best when we treated them as a slower, experience-led part of the trip, rather than trying to fill every day. The highlights were the simple ones — time on the water, spotting wildlife, and stopping at places that felt easy and relaxed rather than overly planned.

If you’re still deciding whether it’s the right fit, our guide Are the Florida Keys Worth Visiting with Kids? breaks down how it compares to the rest of Florida.

Where relevant, we’ve included the tours, stops, and places we either booked or seriously considered while planning our trip. Some of these are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book — at no extra cost to you. We only recommend experiences we genuinely believe work well for families and that help make a Florida Keys trip feel smooth, enjoyable, and worth the extra travel.

Snorkelling

Snorkelling is one of the best things to do in the Florida Keys with kids, and for many families it ends up being one of the highlights of the trip.

Unlike typical beach destinations, the Keys are all about what’s under the water — and getting out on a boat to snorkel makes this part of the trip feel completely different from the rest of Florida.

We took a snorkelling trip from John Pennekamp State Park (Key Largo), and it genuinely delivered. The reefs were full of colourful fish, the water was clear, and even spotting a sea turtle in the distance made it feel like a proper “wow” moment for Joshua. What worked especially well was that everything was organised — equipment, briefing, and guidance — so it felt easy rather than stressful with a child.

For families looking at other options, Sombrero Reef (Marathon) is another popular spot and often recommended for its accessible reefs and marine life.

From our experience, snorkelling works best with children who are comfortable in the water. It’s less about high-energy entertainment and more about giving kids a chance to experience something new in a calm, structured way.

If you’re deciding whether it’s right for your family, our guide Snorkelling Tours in the Florida Keys – Are They Worth It with Kids? breaks down what to expect and how to choose the right trip.

Snorkelling at John Pennekamp is one of the easiest ways to experience the Keys — but timing and conditions matter more than you might expect → Check the snorkelling tour we used in Key Largo

Beaches in the Florida Keys

Beaches are part of the experience in the Keys, but they’re not the main focus in the way they are in other destinations.

You won’t find long stretches of soft sand everywhere — instead, the best beach experiences are usually smaller, more relaxed, and combined with other activities.

Some of the most family-friendly options include:

• Bahia Honda State Park – one of the best beaches in the Keys, with clear, shallow water that works well for children

• Sombrero Beach (Marathon) – quieter, with good facilities and space for a relaxed stop

• Fort Zachary Taylor Beach (Key West) – a mix of beach time and history, with calm water areas

In reality, we found that beach time in the Keys worked best as part of a slower day — not a full day of activity, but somewhere to stop, reset, and let Joshua play without feeling rushed.

One thing that surprised us was how much we used our accommodation for this instead. Many places, including where we stayed in Key Largo, have small private beach areas or waterfront access, often with kayaks or calm water spaces.

Those afternoons ended up being some of the easiest and most enjoyable parts of the trip — no driving, no planning, just simple time by the water.

If you’re considering staying somewhere like this, our Kawama Yacht Club Key Largo Review: Beachfront Family Accommodation in the Florida Keys explains what worked well for us as a family.

Robbie’s Marina (Islamorada)

Stopping at Robbie’s Marina in Islamorada with kids is one of those simple experiences that ends up being far more memorable than expected.

The main attraction here is feeding the tarpon — large fish that gather around the dock and leap out of the water to grab food. It’s quick, slightly chaotic, and surprisingly exciting for children.

For Joshua, this was one of those moments where something small turned into a highlight. There’s just enough unpredictability to make it feel like an experience, but it’s still easy and low-effort from a planning point of view.

You can also:

• hire kayaks

• book boat trips

• or spend more time exploring the marina

But in reality, we found this worked best as a short stop rather than a full activity.

We included it as part of a drive from Key Largo to Key West, and it broke up the journey perfectly without needing a big time commitment.

Florida Keys State Parks

One of the best things to do in the Florida Keys with kids — especially if you want something more relaxed and budget-friendly — is visiting the state parks.

They’re not traditional “attractions,” but they often end up being some of the most enjoyable stops because they’re simple, open, and easy to explore.

We visited Long Key State Park, where a short walk along the Golden Orb Trail gave us a really good feel for the landscape and wildlife. It wasn’t a long or difficult walk, but it felt like a proper experience — and for less than $10 to enter, it was one of the best value parts of the trip.

Other options include:

• Curry Hammock State Park

• Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park

• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Most offer:

• short trails

• picnic areas

• calm water access

• and opportunities for wildlife spotting

From our experience, these parks worked best when used as low-pressure stops between bigger activities — somewhere to slow down, stretch your legs, and let kids explore naturally without needing a structured plan.

The Turtle Hospital (Marathon)

The Turtle Hospital in Marathon is one of the more structured activities in the Florida Keys for families who enjoy wildlife.

It’s a working rescue centre focused on rehabilitating sea turtles, and visits are done through guided tours.

For young children, this can be a really engaging experience because:

• it’s interactive and educational

• there’s a clear story (rescue and recovery)

• and you get to see the turtles up close

Compared to other stops in the Keys, it feels a bit more like a “planned activity,” but in a good way — especially if you want something different from beaches and boat trips.

Dolphin Research Center (Marathon)

For families looking for a slower-paced animal experience, the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon is another option worth considering.

It’s not a theme park-style attraction. Instead, it focuses on:

• education

• conservation

• and observation

Children can:

• see dolphins up close

• watch demonstrations and talks

• and learn about marine life in a structured but relaxed environment

From a family perspective, this works well as a calmer day activity, particularly if you’ve had a few busier days on the water or travelling between islands.

What These Stops Are Really Like With Kids

Across all of these experiences, what stood out to us was how simple activities often worked best.

The Florida Keys don’t rely on big headline attractions — they’re much more about:

• short, memorable stops

• wildlife encounters

• and giving kids time to explore without overloading the itinerary

For us, places like Robbie’s Marina or the state parks were just as memorable as the more “planned” activities, because they felt easy and fitted naturally into the day.

Key West

Visiting Key West with kids is less about one single attraction and more about the overall experience. It’s one of the most vibrant and varied stops in the Florida Keys, with enough to keep children engaged without needing a tightly planned itinerary.

There’s a mix of small, easy activities that work well when combined into a relaxed day:

• Duval Street – great for wandering, stopping for ice cream, and letting kids pick out souvenirs

• Southernmost Point – a quick and easy photo stop that feels like a “milestone” moment

• Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square – one of the most memorable parts of Key West with kids, with street performers and a lively atmosphere

• Boat trips from Key West – ideal for spotting marine life and seeing the Keys from the water

• Key lime pie stops – a simple but fun local experience kids always enjoy

There are also a few more structured options if you want a break from walking:

• the Shipwreck Museum

• Key West Aquarium

• the Butterfly Conservatory

These work well as short stops rather than full-day attractions.

What Key West Is Actually Like With Kids (Our Experience)

What stood out to us was how easy it was to dip in and out of things.

Instead of planning a full day of activities, we found ourselves moving between:

• short stops

• wandering streets

• grabbing food

• and pausing where something caught our attention

That flexibility worked really well with Joshua. The day didn’t feel rushed, and we didn’t need to constantly “entertain” him — Key West naturally has enough going on to keep kids interested without over planning.

Getting Around Key West With Kids (This Matters More Than You Think)

One thing we underestimated slightly was how much walking is involved.

Although Key West looks compact on a map, in reality:

• sights are more spread out than expected

• the heat can make walking more tiring

• and kids can lose energy quite quickly moving between stops

What works really well for families is using the tram or hop-on hop-off bus. If you’re planning a day in Key West, it’s genuinely worth looking at the tram. It takes the pressure off walking, makes it easy to move between key stops, and gives kids a chance to sit and reset — which makes a big difference to how enjoyable the day feels.

If you’re visiting as part of a wider trip, our 1 day Key Largo to Key West itinerary explains how to plan the journey and make the most of the drive.

Final Tips for Visiting the Florida Keys with Kids

When planning your time in the Florida Keys, it’s worth being selective. You won’t be able to do everything — and you don’t need to.

Focus on the stops and activities that genuinely appeal to your family, and build your days around those rather than trying to fit everything in.

From our experience, it also really helps to balance activity with downtime. Including pool or beach time each day kept Joshua refreshed and made the more active parts of the trip much more enjoyable.

The Overseas Highway is a big part of the experience, so don’t treat it as just a drive. Take it slowly, stop along the way, and enjoy the scenery — some of the best moments come from the journey itself rather than the destination.

Final Verdict: Is the Florida Keys Worth It with Kids?

Yes — the Florida Keys are absolutely worth visiting with kids, especially for families with school-aged children who enjoy wildlife, snorkelling, and being outdoors.

It works best as part of a wider South Florida road trip, rather than a standalone “activity-heavy” destination.

For most families, basing yourselves in Key Largo or Marathon is the easiest option. Both give good access to the main experiences while offering family-friendly accommodation and a more relaxed pace.

plan your South florida trip

If you’re planning your South Florida trip, these guides will help you decide what’s worth doing — and what actually works with kids:

About Plan Family Escapes

We’re a UK-based family sharing real, experience-led travel guides based on trips we’ve taken with our school-age son Joshua across destinations like Lapland, Turkey and India.

Everything we share is based on what we’ve personally experienced — with honest advice on what actually works when travelling with kids, focusing on making family travel easier, more comfortable and genuinely enjoyable.