Fun Things to Do in Miami with Kids: Beaches, Boats, Wildlife & More

If you’re planning a Florida family holiday, you might be wondering:
what are the best fun things to do in Miami with kids — and is it actually worth adding to your trip?

Miami offers something very different from Orlando. Instead of theme parks and rides, you’ll find beaches, neighbourhoods, food, boat trips and outdoor experiences. That difference matters — because Miami isn’t built around entertainment in the same structured way.

This guide is for families with school‑aged children who want a clear, honest view of fun things to do in Miami with kids — based on real experience, not just a long list of attractions.

Quick Answer: What Is There to Do in Miami With Kids?

Miami works best when you keep it simple and build your days around a mix of beach time, water activities, and one or two easy experiences.

With kids, the most enjoyable things to do are:

• relaxing on the beaches (Miami Beach, South Beach, or quieter local spots)

• boat tours and water activities (often a real highlight)

• bike rides along the beachfront paths

• animal encounters at places like Miami Zoo or Jungle Island

• indoor options like museums or activity centres when you need a break from the heat

• visiting Wynwood Walls for something visual and different

• or taking day trips to the Everglades or Florida Keys for wildlife and outdoor experiences

The key is not trying to do everything. Miami works best when you combine one main activity with plenty of downtime, especially around the beach or pool.

We included Miami as part of a wider road trip, stopping between the Florida Keys and Orlando. Used this way, it worked really well — breaking up long drives, adding variety, and giving us a change of pace from more structured days.

In this guide, we’ll focus on what’s actually worth doing in Miami with kids, how to approach it as a family, and which experiences are genuinely worth your time.

Where helpful, we’ve included activities, tours and experiences we used or considered. These may be affiliate links, but we only recommend things we’ve done or would confidently choose again — with the aim of helping you plan a smoother, more enjoyable trip.

Boat Tours and Wildlife Experiences

Boat tours were one of the standout experiences for us. We visited Raccoon Island, which combined a boat ride with a wildlife encounter and views of the Miami skyline. It felt very different from anything in Orlando and gave the kids something more memorable than just another attraction.

If your kids enjoy animals or being on the water, this is one of the more unique things to do in Miami—see our full breakdown in Raccoon Island Miami with Kids: Is It Really Worth It?

Zoo Miami is a good option for families whose kids love animals.

Beaches (The Easiest Win with Kids)

The beaches are one of the simplest and best things to do in Miami with kids. They offer space to run around, warm water, and a much more relaxed environment than the theme parks.

We spent time at Hallandale Beach, which felt far more manageable than South Beach. It’s close to family-friendly hotels, less crowded, and just easier with kids in tow.

Bike Rides Along the Beachfront

Miami has long, flat beachfront paths that are ideal for family bike rides. Areas around South Beach and North Beach are particularly good for this. It’s an easy, low-cost activity that works well for a half day—especially if you want something active without committing to a full attraction or tour.

Indoor Activities for kids when its too hot or raining

Miami weather can be unpredictable, especially with afternoon storms. Having a backup plan is important. We found places like bowling alleys and entertainment centres (such as Xtreme Action Park) worked really well for expending some energy during the day.

There are also interactive museums and quirky stops that break up the day when the weather turns. One of the most popular stops for families is the Museum of Ice Cream, which is more of an interactive experience than a traditional museum. It’s very visual, very “Instagram-style”, and the kids loved the themed rooms and unlimited ice cream tastings. It’s not a long visit, but it’s a fun, light activity that breaks up the trip nicely.

The Frost Museum of Science and Planetarium offer a mix of hands-on exhibits and immersive displays that bring science to life for kids. From space and technology to marine life, it’s engaging without feeling like a traditional museum, making it a great option for a few hours—especially if you need a break from the heat or want something more educational but still fun.

Wynwood Walls (Best for Older Kids)

Wynwood Walls is an open-air street art area filled with large-scale murals. This worked better for older kids, especially those interested in photography or just something a bit different. It’s not a full-day activity, but it’s worth including alongside food stops or other plans.

Pool Days (Underrated but Essential)

One of the most valuable things we built into our Miami stay was downtime at the hotel pool. After busy travel days, having a few hours where the kids could just swim and relax made a big difference.

Easy Day Trips from Miami

Miami also works well as a base for exploring nearby areas.

You can easily:

• Head into the Everglades for airboat tours (see Everglades Airboat Tours: Are They Safe for Kids?)

• Compare areas like Big Cypress vs Everglades National Park: Which is better with kids?

• Drive down towards the Keys to try out snorkelling or explore coastal routes down to Key West

We combined Miami with both the Everglades and the Keys, which made the overall trip feel much more varied—see Are the Florida Keys Worth Visiting with Kids?

Is Miami Worth Visiting with Kids?

Yes, 100% - from our experience, Miami works best when you see it for what it is—not a theme park destination, but a mix of beaches, city life, and outdoor activities.

It’s a great addition if:

• You want a break from theme parks

• Your kids enjoy beaches and water

• You’re doing a road trip across Florida

How Many Days Do You Need in Miami with Kids?

For most families, 2–3 days is enough.

That gives you time to:

• Visit the beach

• Do a boat tour or activity

• Explore a small part of the city

• Build in some downtime

Final Thoughts

Miami won’t replace the theme parks—but it adds something completely different to a Florida trip.

For us, it worked really well as part of a wider itinerary. The mix of beach time, boat trips, and more relaxed days helped balance out the intensity of the parks, and it’s a part of the trip we were glad we didn’t skip.

Not sure where to start, our top picks are here:

plan your TRIP TO Miami

If you’re planning your family trip to Miami, these guides will help you pull everything together:

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.