Family Fun In The Palm Beaches

Kid-Friendly Beaches in The Palm Beaches

At the top of the list of kid-friendly activities: the beach! With 47 miles of coastline, families can snorkel vibrant reefs, paddleboard, hop on a boat, or build sandcastles at beautiful beach parks like Singer Island and Carlin Park in Jupiter, both renowned for their shallow clear, gentle waters, picnic pavilions, and on-site playgrounds. Dubois Park in Jupiter is ideal for toddlers with its protected cove and sandy shallows. And Coral Cove Park in Tequesta features a natural reef just offshore, perfect for introducing older kids to snorkeling.

Top Things to Do with Kids

Beyond the beach, The Palm Beaches packs in enough family attractions to fill a full week. Explore everything from Florida’s only drive-through safari to interactive science centers and waterfront parks.

Animal Encounters & Wildlife

Get up close with incredible animals across The Palm Beaches. At Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee, drive through Florida’s only drive-through safari, where giraffes, zebras, rhinos, and other wildlife roam freely. After your safari, explore Safari World, featuring animal encounters, a petting zoo, rides, and a splash pad for kids to cool off. In West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society is home to nearly 200 species across 23 lush tropical acres. For marine life lovers, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center offers sea turtle rehabilitation exhibits, aquariums, and educational programs where visitors can learn about local coastal wildlife up close.

Water Adventures

Cool off at Rapids Water Park in West Palm Beach, the region’s largest water park, featuring more than 40 slides and attractions, including thrill rides, a lazy river, wave pool, and dedicated play areas for younger children. Open seasonally from spring through fall, it’s a favorite for warm-weather fun. Older kids and teens can test their skills at Shark Wake Park in Okeeheelee Park, home to cable wakeboarding and Obstacle Island, one of the East Coast’s largest floating inflatable playgrounds. Families can also enjoy paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling tours, and catamaran cruises throughout the county. At Phil Foster Park in Riviera Beach, a shore-accessible artificial snorkel trail lets beginners discover colorful marine life without needing a boat.

Science, Museums & Interactive Experiences

TheCox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach is a family favorite, featuring a 10,000-gallon freshwater aquarium, planetarium shows, hands-on neuroscience exhibits, an outdoor mini golf course, fossil-digging pit, and splash pad—all on one campus. In Boca Raton, Sugar Sand Park combines outdoor fun with educational experiences, offering the Children’s Science Explorium, a vintage carousel, nature trails, and a 155-seat community theater presenting family-friendly performances throughout the year.

Rainy Day Activities for Families

When afternoon showers roll in, there’s still plenty to explore indoors. The Cox Science Center and Aquarium offers interactive exhibits, immersive planetarium laser shows, and hands-on activities for all ages. Younger children will love the Schoolhouse Children’s Museum in Boynton Beach, where two floors of educational play encourage creativity and discovery. Older kids and teens can spend hours at Silverball Retro Arcade in Delray Beach, featuring nearly 200 classic pinball machines and arcade games. Or lace up your skates at Boca Ice in Boca Raton, where twin NHL-size ice rinks provide year-round fun, rain or shine.

Free & Budget-Friendly Family Activities

Family fun doesn’t have to come with a big price tag. Manatee Lagoon in West Palm Beach offers free admission year-round, with interactive exhibits and seasonal opportunities to spot manatees in the warm-water outflows. Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach also provides free walk-in admission, where visitors can view sea turtle patients and learn about marine conservation. John D. MacArthur Beach State Park in North Palm Beach charges a small vehicle entry fee and includes beach access, nature trails, a kayak launch, and free ranger-led programs for kids. From October through May, the West Palm Beach GreenMarket is free to enjoy every Saturday, while Screen on the Green brings complimentary outdoor movies to the West Palm Beach waterfront on the second Friday of each month.

Dining with Kids in The Palm Beaches

Finding a family-friendly meal is easy in The Palm Beaches. PGA Commons in Palm Beach Gardens features more than a dozen restaurants with spacious outdoor seating, plus life-sized lawn games like chess, checkers, and cornhole to keep kids entertained. Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach pairs casual dining with easy beach access, and its Saturday GreenMarket is perfect for grabbing pastries, smoothies, or fresh treats. Along the West Palm Beach waterfront, family-friendly restaurants are within walking distance of the GreenMarket, scenic green spaces, and year-round outdoor events.

Family-Friendly Events

From weekly markets to outdoor movie nights, The Palm Beaches offers family-friendly events all year long. Screen on the Green transforms the West Palm Beach waterfront into a free outdoor movie theater on the second Friday of every month. From October through May, the West Palm Beach GreenMarket fills the waterfront every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with live music, local produce, vendors, and free activities for kids. On Sundays, the Gardens GreenMarket at the Palm Beach Gardens Municipal Complex offers fresh foods, artisan crafts, and outdoor seating from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Family-Friendly Places to Stay

Many of The Palm Beaches’ resorts make traveling with kids even easier. Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa features the Loggers Kids Club for ages 3–12, the Hide Away teen space, a lagoon-style pool, and supervised evening activities. Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort offers a zero-entry pool with a waterslide, a Family Entertainment Center with an arcade and mini golf, a kids club, and direct access to the Atlantic Ocean. In Delray Beach, Opal Grand Resort welcomes young travelers through its Waves Kids Club, offering engaging activities.

Plan Your Trip to The Palm Beaches

The Palm Beaches is a year-round destination for family vacations, with accommodations ranging from beachfront resorts to spacious family-friendly hotels. Browse our Places to Stay page to find the perfect home base for your trip.

Summer (June–August) is ideal for beach days, water parks, and resort activities, while spring (March–May) offers warm weather with fewer crowds. Visiting between May and October? Sea turtle nesting season brings guided turtle walks and unforgettable wildlife experiences.

Pack reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes, a lightweight rash guard for kids, and a small cooler—most beaches allow outside food and drinks. Reserve water sports rentals in advance during the summer months, and always swim at beaches with lifeguards.