Thanks to its beautiful beaches, beautiful natural areas and, of course, great amusement parks, Sunshine State Florida is an ideal vacation destination with kids. Of course the kids, and perhaps the rest of the family, will want to visit Walt Disney World in Orlando, but this state has so much more to offer. To the north is the Daytona Speedway, where young and old can have a blast, and to the south are the beautiful Everglades. Wondering what other activities are fun in Florida with kids? We collected the following tips during our family trip.
Best travel time Florida with kids
The best time to visit Florida with kids is between November and April. During these months, the weather is pleasant, with temperatures between 20°C and 25°C. Also, this is the dry season, so the chances of rain showers are a lot less than in the summer months. But Florida is also a fine vacation destination with kids during the months of July and August.
Temperatures may exceed 30°C more often than not, but that’s what life is all about. For example, there are many shaded areas in popular places and there are also many indoor activities, which is a nice change from the heat outside. Summer does see hurricane season in Florida, but you don’t have to worry too much about that.
Of course, there are exceptions, but in general you are more likely to be surprised by a heavy rainfall during this period than a hurricane.
Transportation in Florida
The easiest means of transportation to explore the state of Florida with kids is by rental car. Like many other states in the United States, Florida is vast and most of the attractions are a long distance from each other. Moreover, with a rental car, you can travel at your own pace and adjust the trip to the kids’ energy levels.
Most families with kids arrive by plane at Orlando or Miami airports. Both airports are great places to rent a car and explore Florida that way. If you want to rent a car in Orlando, take a look here and if you want to rent a car in Miami take a look here.
Florida is also great for taking the whole family on the road. The roads are well maintained and most rental cars are equipped with navigation systems. Parking is generally free except in major cities and at major parks such as Disney World and Universal Studios.
The only drawback is that you need a credit card in the driver’s name to rent a car. Don’t you have one? Then you can apply for a prepaid credit card in advance and deposit money on it. If you don’t have a driver’s license or prefer not to drive yourself, public transportation is also a fine option in Florida. Within major cities, such as Tampa, Miami and Orlando, public transportation is well organized.
For longer distances, intercity buses are available or you could opt for a domestic flight.
Children’s activities in Florida
#1 Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is home to the Daytona International Speedway and according to connoisseurs it is the home of the famous Daytona 500 one of the most fun racetracks in the world. And how nice is it when you get to experience that with your own eyes? Upon arrival at the track, you are immediately overwhelmed by the impressive grandstands and the sound of roaring engines.
During the Speedway Tour, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at this extraordinary track. In a golf cart, you will be taken to the center field, get a chance to briefly crawl on the honorary podium and get to visit one of the pit boxes. Although experts will say that the Indy 500 does not compare to Formula 1, most kids will briefly imagine themselves to be Max Verstappen in this environment.
After the tour, you can visit the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America museum, also located on the grounds. Here, kids can see historic race cars up close. The interactive part of the museum is especially fun for the kids. Here they can test their driving skills in racing simulators and even get to sit in a real race car.
For families with older kids with nerves of steel, the Richard Petty Driving Experience is also an option. Here you can sit next to a driver and experience how speed and G-forces work on such a circuit. My partner is a real daredevil and came out of the car very excited after three laps of the track. Highly recommended, though I skipped for a while.
#2 Great Explorations Children’s Museum, Saint Petersburg
For families visiting Florida with kids under 10, the Great Explorations Children’s Museum in Saint Petersburg is a very nice option. This interactive museum is specially designed for kids who are learning about the world around them through play. Upon entering, you’ll lose the kids immediately, thanks to the fun play corners with bright colors and round shapes.
The museum is divided into different themes, making it manageable even for toddlers. One of the most enjoyable “exhibitions” for us was Great Beginnings. This is a small children’s village where the kids are completely immersed in their own world. They can go shopping at the supermarket, take the dog to the vet or put out a fire at the fire station.
The touch tunnel is also quite a challenge, where the kids, in a soft and dark maze, try to find the exit. Of course, there is also a construction corner, where kids can go wild with giant building blocks. When we were there, there was a craft workshop, which our daughter was unfortunately too small for.
According to the website, there are regular workshops on art, science, music and dance, so it’s definitely worth a try. The museum is located near the Sunken Gardens. Therefore, after a morning at the museum, it is great fun to walk around the park and enjoy downtown Saint Petersburg for a while.
#3 Alligator Farm and Airboat Rides, Homestead, Everglades NP
The Everglades National Park is a vast swamp area in southern Florida where the American alligator is one of its most famous inhabitants. And what is the best way to experience this southern Florida gem with kids? That, of course, is a visit to an Alligator Farm including an airboat ride.
If you watch National Geographic regularly, you probably know what an airboat looks like, but for those who have no idea: it’s a kind of raft with seats and a huge propeller motor on the back. At just the idea of a ride on an airboat, most get excited and that was why we went to the Alligator Farm in the first place.
But upon arrival, it turned out to be much more than just a tour of the boat. In addition to the standard Alligator show and holding the babies (which is offered throughout Florida), the park has an educational angle and takes in abandoned or weakened alligators. In the wild, an alligator cannot hunt by itself once it has been fed once by humans.
This “farm” therefore cares for the animals that can no longer take care of themselves Then back to the airboat, because that is and always will be the highlight of the park. In fifteen minutes you tear through the beautiful countryside, making one u-turn after another. Although you might not expect it after my story, the boat is accessible to all ages.
Life jackets and ear protection are provided and required for everyone, young and old. Along the way, alligators swim past the boat, which is why you absolutely must not put your hands or feet in the water. By the way, the farm is located near “Robert is here,” so afterwards, it is a must to drive by Robert’s for a delicious juice (see below Family-friendly restaurants in Florida).
If you want more information about this national park, read the blog Everglades NP with kids for more information.
#4 Peppa Pig and Legoland Themeparks, Winter Haven
Peppa Pig Theme Park and LEGOLAND Theme Park in Winter Haven should not be skipped when visiting Florida with kids. These two parks are next to each other and both parks are exactly what you expect. At the Peppa Pig Theme Park, you will meet all the characters from the series. For example, there is Daddy Pig’s Rollercoaster and little ones can cool off on the Muddy Puddles Splash Pad.
Just like at the Disney parks, little fans can have their picture taken with a life-size Peppa, George, and Suzy Sheep. Most attractions are designed for toddlers and preschoolers, and the park is uncluttered, allowing parents to have a quiet drink while the kids have fun. The slightly older members of the family will have more fun at LEGOLAND next door.
In addition to rides, roller coasters and shows, this amusement park has the Miniland USA, where famous American cities and monuments are recreated with Lego. Of course, the park also allows for construction. We built our own LEGO car and got to run it against other visitors’ cars.
For the little ones, there is “DUPLO Valley,” where they can play with Duplo. Tickets for the parks can be purchased separately, but are slightly cheaper in combination. It is also possible to purchase a total package including hotel. Furthermore, there is the Rainy Day Promise. If it is applied, due to the weather, you may return another day with the same ticket. And that promise applies to both parks.
#5 Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay
Earlier I wrote about a visit to Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay. This amusement park, zoo and safari adventure all in one is a perfect outing for the whole family. Roller coaster enthusiasts will know Busch Gardens primarily for the SheiKra. This roller coaster is one of the steepest roller coasters in the world, with a free fall of sixty meters.
The Cheetah Hunt is also highly recommended, as the roller coaster flies down the track at the speed of a cheetah. For younger kids, there is a Sesame Street theme park where they can ride Air Grover’s roller coaster and play in Bert and Ernie’s wild water adventure. But it’s not just the adrenaline of roller coasters that gets your heart rate up.
In fact, at Busch Gardens you may just come face to face with giraffes, zebras and rhinos on a ride in the Serengeti Safari. This little train travels through the safari area while the animals roam. That sounds very exciting, of course, but in the park, safety comes first. Thus, the carriages are very spacious and offer enough room for four people.
Moreover, large windows give enough protection so that the small and enthusiastic visitors cannot fall out. A variety of admission tickets are available for Busch Gardens. You can opt for a single ticket, but combo tickets with Seaworld, for example, are also available.
If you want to eat and drink all day long in the park, you can opt for the All-Day Dining Deal. This add-on to the regular ticket allows you to get a complete meal every hour and a half. Also read the blog Busch Gardens with kids, for more information about this park.
Other children’s activities Florida
Of course, you have plenty of other children’s activities to do in Florida besides those described above. Below we list some of the other children’s activities.
#6 Walt Disney World Orlando: Many families with kids visit Florida because of DIsneyland Orlando’s theme parks. You have a total of 4 different theme parks in Orlando located by Disney and also 2 water parks. You can easily enjoy yourself here for a whole week already. Bloggers Joep and Sanne visited these 6 parks for no less than 11 days with their daughter and have listed all the information in the blog Disneyland Orlando.
#7 Amusement Parks Orlando: Besides the theme parks of Disney World, you can go to many other amusement parks in Orlando. The city is also called the amusement park capital of the world. Among other things, you have the theme parks of Universal Studios located here that are fun to visit. If you want to know more about which theme parks to visit in Orlando, read our blog Orlando with kids for more information.
#8 The Florida Keys: you can also go all the way south in Florida with kids to the Florida Keys. This region has some very nice beaches that you can visit with kids, and you have several islands here where there are all kinds of things to do for families with kids. If you want to learn more about what you can do in the Florida Keys with the family, read our blog Florida Keys with kids for more information.
#9 Naples: You can also do a lot of things in the city of Naples in Florida with kids. For example, you can spot dolphins here on the Naples Pier. This resort also has beautiful beaches and you can take kids to the zoo here. When it’s a hot day in Naples, you and kids can also have fun at the city’s water park. You can therefore have a great time in this city for a few days with the family.
#10 Miami: This is one of the most famous cities in Florida and also in this city you can go to the beach with the family. The most famous beach here is South Beach and, of course, the most famous boulevard is Ocean Drive Boulevard. You can visit the city’s many pools with kids on hot days, and from Miami you can also visit the Everglades park just fine. If you want more information on what to do in Miami, read the blog Miami with kids for more information.
#11 Fort Lauderdale: this city is a few hours drive from Miami and is a quieter place, where you can also go to the beach just fine in Florida with kids. Fort Lauderdale is sometimes called the Venice of the United States, and you can take a boat through its various canals. Also in this city you have a water park that you can visit and also from here you can easily visit the Everglades Park. For more information about this city, read the blog Fort Lauderdale with kids.
Family-friendly restaurant Florida
You can eat just fine in Florida with kids, too. You have several nice family-friendly restaurants in Florida. We list some of them:
Robert is here: The story of Robert is here is actually a little fairy tale. Six-year-old Robert Moehling was asked by his father to sell a surplus of cucumbers from their farm. The little boy stood along the road all day, but sold nothing. So his father placed a large sign with the words “Robert is here” next to the stall.
The next day, the entire shipment was sold, and legend has it that this was the success of the business. But let’s be honest; of course that’s nonsense! Robert simply sells the region’s tastiest jams, juices and tropical fruits. The mango and passion fruit drinks are regionally famous, but the real must as far as I’m concerned is the coconut-pineapple shake.
Behind the stall is a small petting zoo with goats, turtles and emus. There is also a picnic area with old tractors.
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is a popular chain in the United States, but that doesn’t make it any less fun. Thanks to the decor, atmosphere and food, you immediately catch the nostalgic atmosphere of an American country store. There are wooden games on each table for the kids to play with.
Of course, they can also walk around the Old Country Store, where they sell candies, toys and things we recognize from American movies and sitcoms. Best of all is the classic rocking chair on the porch, where you can sit comfortably and take the obligatory photo.
The menu features dishes Americans call comfort food, such as pancakes, hashbrowns, fried chicken and cookies with sauce.
Family-friendly hotel Florida
You can spend a great night with kids in many different places throughout the state of Florida. This state is hugely popular with families with kids because of its many children’s activities, so naturally there are many family-friendly hotels. We list some family-friendly accommodations for a number of Florida cities. Click on the blue link for more information.
Orlando:
Budget hotel: Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Orlando at FLAMINGO CROSSINGS® Town Center
Mid-range hotel: Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando – Disney Springs Area
Luxury Hotel: Parc Soleil by Hilton Grand Vacations
Do the above hotels not include a suitable option? Then check out the full list of family-friendly accommodations in Orlando.
Miami:
Budget hotel: Hyatt Place Miami Airport East
Mid-range hotel: Courtyard Miami Dadeland
Luxury hotel: Fortune House Hotel Suites
For the entire list of all family-friendly accommodations in Miami, take a look here.
Tampa:
Budget accommodation: Extended Stay America Premier Suites – Tampa – Fairgrounds – Casino
Mid-range accommodations: Sleep Inn & Suites Tampa South
Luxury accommodations: Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay
For the entire list of family-friendly accommodations in Tampa, take a look here.
Key West:
Budget accommodation: Blue Marlin Motel
Mid-range accommodation: Truman Hotel
Luxury Accommodation: Santa Maria Suites Resort
For the entire list of family-friendly accommodations in Key West, take a look here.
About the author: along with her daughter and partner, Lesley is always looking for new adventures. Thanks to their love of the Spanish language and culture, they are most often found in Spain, Central and South America.
