There are so many things to do in Florida with kids and I’m here to share four of my favorites.
Beaches in Florida are amazing!
One of the top things to do in Florida with kids is to visit the beach. You just can’t ignore the beaches in Florida as there are so many different styles and types of beaches all across the state.
If you’re planning on visiting Florida, you definitely need to do some research. The beaches are beautiful and amazing and they’ll most likely be one of your kids' highlights. My kids no matter what we do, no matter how amazing it always seems to be, talk the most about going to the beach.
One of my personal favorite things to do in Florida with kids is to go hunting for seashells. If you didn’t already know, because I didn’t, Fort Myers is actually the capital of seashells throughout the world. I didn’t even know a seashell capital existed until doing a little bit of research, but when you’re there you’re literally walking on some of the most beautiful shells I’ve ever seen. Seashell hunting is something the whole family can do, so when visiting Florida, check out Sanibel Island in Fort Myers.
Visit the Florida Springs
Another of the things to do in Florida with kids is to check out the springs. There are so many independent springs to choose from all across Florida, and all are different and unique. On one of my family's first trips to Florida, we got hooked on the springs. And now we don’t visit Florida without exploring one.
In the springs you can see manatees, go kayaking, or go SUP boarding. There are all kinds of attractions at each of the springs, as they’re each set up differently. I recommend doing your research to figure out which ones allow you to take your own personal watercraft. And also which ones allow you to paddle next to manatees.
Our friend Ken Whiting has a great article on How to Get Your Kids Into Paddling. Check it out!
Eat, Eat, and Eat
The third of my favorite things to do in Florida with kids is eat. Now, I know that sounds silly, but the promise of food at the end of the day really adds to the adventure. When my family is out hiking or paddling, I’ll entice the kids to push harder or walk further by saying “Don’t forget, we’re going to this really awesome restaurant later, so if you want to be able to get ice cream, let’s push through this hike.” It tends to work quite well.
Florida in general has some really good food, even if you're not a seafood person. There are tons of varieties, including Mexican, and mom and pop style places, I was pleasantly surprised. You can even get gator bites and unique dishes to add to the element of adventure.
Be a Tourist
The last recommendation of things to do in Florida with kids is to just be a tourist. I’ve talked about the beach, and the springs, and although I love being outdoors, it’s okay to be a tourist. When you have small kids, they tend to remember the big balloons and all the colors. And although there are definitely some tourist traps, tourist attractions are really fun for the kids.
The trick for enjoying yourself with these tourist attractions is to just remember that it’s just for the day. You’ll be surprised how much fun you can have. For me, I’m not a big fan of paying to do putt-putt, for example, but when I act excited and the kids are excited, we end up having a great family day out.
When I talk about a tourist trap I mean like putt-putt golf, theme parks, and splash pads. These things aren’t the most things engaged with the outdoors, but you are still enjoying the outdoors with an added element of excitement for the kids.
One thing my kids did In Florida was feed baby alligators, which was really fun. It was just one minute of the trip, and it wasn’t a big part of our vacation, but the kids talk about it all the time. Don’t undervalue all these little things, because, in the end, it might just be what the kids talk about to all their friends.
Do Your Research
Florida can be overwhelming as there are so many things to do with kids, so be sure to do your research. If there’s something that you particularly enjoy or you’re looking forward to, do your research first. Figure out where is the best seafood, where is the best seashell hunting, and where are the best family-friendly beaches. It’ll really help you narrow down your list of where you want to go.
Some Recommended Florida Tours:
Snorkeling with Manatees: Manatee Snorkeling Tour
Kayak Tours – Mangroves and Manatees
Camera: GoPro Hero 11
Sunglasses: Wiley X
Life Vest: NRS Zen PFD
