5 Florida Adventures Perfect for Kids and Parents

To discover the best family-friendly fun in Florida, I consulted my best source: my eleven-year-old daughter. Who would know how to have fun as a kid in the Sunshine State better than a child filled with endless amounts of energy? I asked her what makes her feel restless, and she replied, exasperated, “When we just sit around and wait forever before we do anything.” So I asked, “What excites you about Florida? What are the places you like going?” That's when she lit up with excitement to tell me all the best spots for kids. 

1. Visit Great Explorations in St. Petersburg

When I asked my daughter to help me come up with this list, she got a big smirk, and I already knew what she was going to say: Great Explorations. We went to this hands-on museum, and it left a lasting impression on her. This space may seem small at first glance, but it packs a lot of learning and fun into every corner. She remembers shopping at a mini Publix, creating her own art sculptures, riding in a fire truck, and reporting the news. My daughter loved it and was already asking to go back again. The museum has changed locations around the city over the years, and I remember going as a kid and loving it as well. The last time we went to Great Explorations, I had just as much fun playing as my child did. 

To add to the day of fun, this museum is located right next to Sunken Gardens. This is a great spot for a peaceful and pretty walk among the flowers, and don’t forget to see the flamingos. Then, for lunch right across the street is one of my favorite Florida restaurants: Tijuana Flats. 

2. Have some fun in the sun at the beach

“The next obvious choice is the beach,” my daughter exclaimed. “The sand is perfectly soft, the water is shallow and fun to play in, and there are tons of cool seashells to collect.” She raises a good point; the beach is a great place for families to go to get out those restless wiggles of the littles. I’ve watched with delight as my girls splashed in the water, marveled at the shells, and chased away a few seagulls. The shores of Florida are second to none and offer a place to dip your toes in the sand and relax. I asked her what beach she would suggest, and she said, “Any of them, they are all good, just get to a beach.” Some of our favorites are Pass-A-Grille, St. Pete Beach, Fort DeSoto, and Venice Beach. 

3. Cool off at a splash pad

It is a pretty well-known fact that Florida can be a hot place from time to time, so cooling off is the top priority. There is no better place to do that than a good park with a splash pad. “I remember flying down the slide with the rollers on it,” she told me as she recounted our time at Dell Holmes Park. The playground at this park was massive and had a lot of unique qualities, but when the heat bore down, we headed straight to the splash pad. Excited squealing kids dashed through the shooting water spouts, and I even ran through the water tunnel a few times myself. If you haven’t been to a splash pad, just imagine the joy you had with a single hose and a sprinkler in the backyard, then multiply that by one hundred.

4. Check out ZooTampa at Lowry Park in Tampa

When my daughter was little, we took her to ZooTampa at Lowry Park and had a blast. “I remember feeding the giraffe lettuce and petting its soft head.” This was one of the coolest experiences I’ve had with our long-necked friend until I was licked in the face by a giraffe, but that is a story for another time. While at the zoo, we watched the primates hop around their enclosure, witnessed a Komodo dragon, and saw some unique African creatures. It's an experience I would recommend to anyone who plans to explore the Tampa Bay area. 

5. Take a trip to Disney World in Orlando

A magical and whimsical world filled with multiple parks and endless entertainment — now that will settle any restless kid. From the fairytale castles to the thrilling rides, Disney certainly left an impression on me that has stuck for well over a decade. I won’t lie, I had a fun time at Space Mountain, and the Small World song is still stuck in my head. Explore the park and see your children's eyes light up with excitement in one of the world's best theme parks.

As you can see, there is a world of possibilities when it comes to family-friendly fun in Florida. My daughter did a fine job curating a great list of some simple and fun things to do with kids in the Sunshine State. So whether you are just looking for a fun activity for the day or you need to let those wiggles out, make sure you check out these family-friendly places with your little ones. And if you're looking for more ways to enjoy some time with the kids, be sure to check our itinerary planner for recommendations!