Why Greater Fort Lauderdale Is a Kid-Approved Destination

All-ages fun runs the gamut in Greater Fort Lauderdale. From indoor discoveries to outdoor adventures, it’s easy to plan an enriched itinerary. There are plenty of stops to make, whether you’re looking for engagement, education, action, or nature-based attractions. 

The Museum of Discovery and Science is a must-visit in Downtown Fort Lauderdale. It’s packed with interactive, hands-on exhibits and home to a five-story IMAX 3D Theater that makes learning feel larger than life. Highlights include immersive play spaces designed for family-friendly exploration and the MAGNA-TILES Studio, where kids can build, experiment and tap into their STEM-powered creativity.

For nature-loving families, Butterfly World in Coconut Creek is a mesmerizing haven, home to more than 20,000 butterflies representing up to 80 species. The attraction also features tropical birds in aviaries, a Bug Zoo and Insectarium, and botanical gardens filled with orchids, lush plants, and other exotic flora.

Flamingo Gardens is an outdoor adventure in Davie, where native flamingos wade and play among 60 acres of expansive gardens, alongside a wildlife sanctuary home to peacocks, otters, alligators, panthers, bobcats, and more. The landmark is dedicated to conservation and has been welcoming visitors for nearly a century. Hop on the tram for a full tour.

If your kids are thrill seekers, Xtreme Action Park can get their adrenaline pumping with go-karts, an indoor ropes course, a trampoline park, and glow-in-the-dark laser tag. The venue also offers escape rooms, VR games, a fully loaded arcade, and roller skating, plus The Green Hat Bar, a hidden speakeasy-style escape room for adults. 

Or, if your group prefers ice skating, take a field trip to the Baptist Health IcePlex, which doubles as the official Florida Panthers practice facility.

If your family is all about the fresh air, Greater Fort Lauderdale offers much more than the typical beach day. Consider getting outside to visit several family-friendly parks and farms.

For a more peaceful morning or afternoon, Tree Tops Park in Davie is laced with walking trails beneath the shade of oak trees. Kids can work off some energy at the playground or in the engaging, child-sized city of Safety Town, while families can go horseback riding, play volleyball, or spend time on the lake together.

Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek (near Butterfly World) is another prime place for horseback riding — or pony rides for the little ones — and there’s plenty of nature nooks to set up a picnic together. Don’t miss the Tradewinds & Atlantic Railroad, which has miniature train rides along a scenic route near the stables on the north end of the park. Note that train rides are weather permitting and only run certain times of the month. 

A popular community park in Sunrise, Welleby Park features a playground and Safety Town for kids, walking and running trails, a tranquil lake, and a dog park. On warmer days, kids can cool off on the splash pad.

Tigertaile Lake Recreational Center in Dania Beach is a versatile place to spend an outdoor day and offers a mix of on-the-water fun, including scuba lessons, an aqua challenge obstacle course, sailing, windsurfing, and more. The park also features a high-ropes and challenge course on land, with climbing walls, high descents, and aerial obstacles.

For farm-loving families, Marando Farms & Ranch in Davie offers a petting zoo featuring rescue animals, weekend pony and hay rides, festivals and events with live music, a farm-to-table cafe, and a local farmers market.

Next, visit HAPPI Farm, a community-backed nonprofit that has an on-site equestrian center with horseback riding and horse feeding, plus a petting zoo with chicks, ducks, bunnies, goats, guinea pigs, alpaca, and other furry friends.

With direct access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Intracoastal Waterway, the Everglades, and more, you can shape an entire family trip around time on the water alone. Here are a few ways to enjoy time above and below the waves.

A truly unique natural landmark, the Everglades are essentially in our own backyard. One way to tour the spectacular landscape together is on an Airboat Adventure with Everglades Holiday Park. Glide across the River of Grass, see a thrilling alligator show, and plan for other animal encounters along the way. 

Ready for the ultimate excursion? Bluefoot Pirate Adventures out of Dania Beach teaches kids pirate slang, the art of braving the high seas, and how to search for lost treasure. Of course, they’ll leave with a sack of pirates’ booty and freshly painted faces.

Known for its age-old fleet of themed sailings for all ages, Jungle Queen Riverboat offers a 90-minute sightseeing cruise along Fort Lauderdale’s New River, often called the Venice of America. The route passes Millionaire’s Row, where guests can spot floating mansions and more along the way.

Interested in another water vessel activity? The Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi offers a fun way to delight kids while taking a more sustainable route around town. With 30 stops between Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, and Pompano, including restaurants, landmarks, and nearby shops, it’s easy to make a full day of a self-guided tour.

From Dania Beach to Pompano and Deerfield Beach, a visit to one or several of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s active piers is a great way to take in the views, fishermen, laid-back eats, live music, and the local scene. Pier visits are great time-fillers between reservations or activities, and they are free and open to the public.

For more ocean exhilaration, Island Water Sports offers free surf and stand-up paddle lessons on Saturday mornings from 7 to 9 a.m. in Deerfield Beach, while Sea Rocket Water Adventures provides a safe and trusted way to experience parasailing. For calmer seas, rent a kayak and explore Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, which offers direct access to Fort Lauderdale Beach.

For more ideas, check out our guide to the best water activities for kids.

Hotels abound in Greater Fort Lauderdale, but there are definitely a few standouts when it comes to all-around family-friendly amenities. 

Pier Sixty-Six is a centrally located, well-rounded Fort Lauderdale hotel with a kids’ pool, where the waterslide is especially popular, along with cabana and lounge areas ideal for a luxurious pool day. Pier Explorers, the kids’ club, offers guided activities designed to foster creativity, outdoor fun, and blended play for junior guests.

At Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort, the Parakeets kids’ club offers supervised activities at the pool and on the beach, along with craft projects. The resort also features multiple pools, including a waterslide, and a FlowRider surfing simulator for adventurous kids and teens.

B Ocean Resort Fort Lauderdale Beach also features a great all-ages pool scene, and its beachfront location provides easy access to the ocean. Kids will be in awe of the mermaid performances, which help set this stay apart from others.

The lazy river at Pelican Grand Beach Resort is a huge hit with guests of all ages, and there is a zero-entry pool that is convenient for kids, along with a full-service beach setup.

Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club houses two outdoor pools, a direct-access 500-foot private beach area, and there’s pickleball, tennis, beach volleyball, basketball, foosball, putting, shuffleboard, an oversized outdoor chessboard, and a children’s playground. 

Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa sits on 16 stunning acres of beachfront property to get fully immersed in. Or, you can laze by the pool, play pickleball, or enroll the youngsters in Kids Surf Club, which includes arts and crafts, a multimedia area, video games, and more.

The Greater Fort Lauderdale dining scene is booming with flavors for the entire family. With hundreds of options to choose from, here are a few standout picks.

Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Show is an Oakland Park staple. Kids will love touring the outdoor gardens and waterfalls, along with the entertainment, including theatrical storytellers, hula hoopers, and fire dancers. There’s also a kids’ menu for less adventurous eaters.

On Hallandale Beach, you’ll find Mia Oceanfront, with breathtaking ocean views of waves crashing just steps away, and there’s a supervised kids’ play room which allows you to enjoy some adult time — perhaps a happier happy hour? 

After you visit Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to watch the airplanes taxi and take off, head to Jet Runway Cafe, a short drive away, for more action. Kid-friendly breakfast and lunch items are available to enhance your jet takeoff and landing watching experience in a laid-back setting.