When some people think of Miami, they think sunny Florida beaches, cocktails by the pool, late night bar hopping in South Beach, and spending up big in Miami’s boutiques. But Miami has a long list of natural wonders, world-class museums, and fascinating areas to explore with children. With the help of this handy guide, parents can take advantage of Free Things to Do with Kids in Miami and find activities and attractions to do with their children in Miami!
One way to get a feel for downtown Miami and introduce children to the size and feel of this dynamic city is to get onboard the Metromover. This free, driverless sky train takes passengers to 20 stations on three separate loops. Trains arrive every 90 seconds in peak hour, and every three minutes in off peak periods.
With stops including sites such as Freedom Tower and the Pérez Art Museum and city library at the Miami Dade Cultural Centre, the Miami Metromover is a great way to save on taxi fares, and is easily accessible with prams and trolleys. Visitors can see a list of Metromover stops and plan their trip by visiting the official Metromover website.
Free Things to Do with Kids in Miami Florida
1. Miami Museums Open Their Doors to Children for Free
Children who like to explore museums will love Miami. Not only does the Florida city have the usual art and history museums, it’s also home to a Children’s Museum, filled with interactive exhibits. Kids can see sands from around the world as they climb through a two-storey sandcastle, design their own bank bills in a six foot piggy bank, dress up as superheroes, and steer a fire truck to an emergency, and much more.
Every month, the Miami Children’s Museum lets children explore the hundreds of exhibits for free. To take advantage of this offer, simply visit the museum at 980 MacArthur Causeway, Miami, on the third Friday of the month between 3 and 9pm.
Kids who love art will enjoy a trip to the Miami Art Museum, which has a range of activities for children including live music, storytelling, games and guided tours. The Museum is free for families with children between 1 and 4pm on the second Saturday of every month. The Miami Art Museum is found at 101 West Flagler Street.
Star gazing children will be blown away by the star show at the Weintraub Observatory. On the first Friday of each month at 8pm, the Observatory puts on a free planetarium show which is then followed by an Observatory session where children can peer through telescopes and marvel at the planets, including the rings of Saturn and the moons of Jupiter.
2.Making the Most of Miami’s Beaches and National Parks with Kids
While some may believe certain sights on Miami’s beaches are best suited for adults, families with young children can claim a patch of sand in the family friendly stretches of beach between 53rd and 63rd Street. This is where big and small kids throw themselves into sand castle building and searching for buried treasure. Not to mention enjoying the local playground.
The fun continues in the stunning natural areas surrounding Miami, including Biscayne National Park, where children can spot porpoises and manatees from the shore. Budding young fishermen can learn tips and tricks at the National Park’s free fishing classes, while those with kayaks and canoes can launch them for free into the mangrove fringed waters and look out for sharks and rays amongst the schools of fish.
On the second Sunday of the month from December to April, Biscayne National Park is host to a Free Family Fun Fest. Children are given free passports which they can have punched at each of the five hands on activity stations around the park. Those who collect all five receive a special button as a souvenir.
3. The Cape Florida Lighthouse A Great Spot for a Family Picnic
Families can then check out the Cape Florida Lighthouse at Key Biscayne, and enjoy a picnic by the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County. They may then consider joining one of the lighthouse tours that are conducted at 10 am or 1 pm each day by a ranger.
Tour spots available on a first come best-served basis, and include a visit to the reproduction of the Keeper’s Cottage, and then the chance to step into the lighthouse itself. Weather permitting, it may be possible to walk up to the top of the lighthouse where the family can take in stunning views. To join the tours, visitors need to meet at the entrance gate to the lighthouse shortly before 10 am and 1 pm.
Then it’s back to the city to see what else takes a visiting family’s fancy! Every year Miami has a variety of special events that include free activities and festivals for the family. For more information about Free Things to Do with Kids in Miami Florida that may be on when they are in town, tourists can visit the City of Miami’s calendar of events!
It would be nice to visit Florida
oh my gosh that childrens museum looks like a blast! I love all the funky fun colors and elements and that it is free for children!
The Miami Children’s Museum is a great place to visit with your kids, love the super market room.
Great suggestions. I can hardly wait to travel again.