Endless Family Fun: Kid-Friendly Activities in The Palm Beaches

Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, Jupiter 

Address: 17855 Rocky Pines Road, Jupiter, FL 33478

View furry, feathered, and scaly creatures at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, a local family favorite dedicated to the protection and conservation of Florida’s wildlife and natural resources. See Florida panthers, bobcats, black bears, and other native wildlife, and walk through various Florida habitats such as pine flat-woods, oak hammocks, and cypress wetlands.

Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC), Juno Beach

Address: 14200 U.S. Highway One, Juno Beach, FL 33408

Fans of the ocean can’t miss this stop, which houses rescued sea turtles, as well as engaging exhibits on the marine environment. Loggerhead Marinelife Center promotes the conservation of ocean ecosystems with a special focus on rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing sea turtles back to the wild. It’s steps away from some of the most densely nested loggerhead sea turtle beaches in the world, so plan to enjoy the beach pre- or post-visit.

Lion Country Safari, Loxahatchee

Address: 2003 Lion Country Safari Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33470

Roam in the comfort of your own vehicle through Florida’s largest drive-through Safari Park and view hundreds of animals. Lion Country Safari is also home to a walk-through safari area with a petting zoo, giraffe feeding experience, amusement rides, gift shops, and food and beverage options.

Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society, West Palm Beach 

Address: 1301 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33405

Home to hundreds of animals and several different species, many of which are endangered, the Palm Beach Zoo likely has at least one animal you’ve never seen before. Popular animal exhibits include the tigers exhibit and the Aldabra tortoise exhibit. The Fountain Plaza splash pad is also a super-fun activity for small children.

Sandoway Discovery Center, Delray Beach

Address: 142 S Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach, FL 33483

At Sandoway Discovery Center, you can learn about Florida’s fragile marine and freshwater environments through educational outdoor and indoor animal encounters. Open since 1998, the center is most recognized for its shark, stingray and alligator feedings, as well as Southeast Florida’s largest private shell collection.

Manatee Lagoon, Riviera Beach

Address: 6000 North Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33407

Go see the famous Florida’s manatees at Manatee Lagoon– An FPL Eco-Discovery Center. This wonderful facility is a free educational attraction dedicated to educating kids and grownups about manatees and the Lake Worth Lagoon, and inspiring communities to preserve and protect Florida’s environment and wildlife for future generations. 

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

Address: 1801 N. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33432

This joint project between the City of Boca Raton, Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District, Florida Atlantic University (FAU), and Friends of Gumbo Limbo hosts environmental programs for all ages, as well as sea turtle-themed activities and events: sea turtle summer camps, turtle walks, hatchling release observations, and free outdoor marine feedings, to name a few.

Museums & Historic Sites

Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum, Jupiter 

Address: 500 Captain Armour’s Way, Jupiter, FL 33469

Explore the grounds and take in the view from atop of the landmark lighthouse, a guiding light in The Palm Beaches since 1860. Listen to audio tours from your phone via the Jupiter Lighthouse Tours smartphone app in English, French, or Spanish. Wear comfortable shoes for the 105-step climb to the top, and marvel at one of the best vistas in The Palm Beaches. The lighthouse museum also offers several educational programs for kids and families, such as the Lighthouse Explorers’ Club, or Lighthouse Story Time & Crafts for Kids. Children must be a minimum of 48″ tall to climb the Lighthouse.

Cox Science Center & Aquarium, West Palm Beach 

Address: 4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach, FL 33405

This is not your typical science museum. The Cox Science Center & Aquarium is a highly educational but fully-fun attraction with over 50 hands-on educational exhibits, an 8,000-gallon fresh- and saltwater aquarium, a digital planetarium, a Conservation Research Station, Florida Exhibit Hall, and an interactive Everglades Exhibit. Weekend programs, concerts, and mini-golf are also available for visitors of all ages.

Silverball Retro Arcade, Delray Beach 

Address: 19 NE 3rd Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33483

This retro museum features a collection of nearly 200 classic pinball machines and arcade games. Not only are the machines on display available for play, but each includes an informational card noting the year it was made and the quantity produced. Silverball Retro Arcade also has a bar and restaurant as well as live music on select nights.

Thrill Rides & Fun Games

Boomers, Boca Raton 

Address: 3100 Airport Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431

This mini amusement park may be small, but it’s big on excitement and outdoor attractions. Go for a spin in the disco-themed bumper cars, race go-karts, tackle the climbing wall, play mini golf, float around in the bumper boats and take a swing in the batting cages.

Drive Shack, West Palm Beach 

Address: 1710 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach, Florida 33406

The whole family can enjoy golf in a new way at Drive Shack. From your open-air, temperature-controlled bay, you can virtually play courses from all over the globe as well as interactive games, while enjoying delicious food and refreshing drinks.

PopStroke, Delray Beach

Address: 1314 N Federal Hwy, Delray Beach, FL 33483

PopStroke is a family-friendly mini-golf and dining destination that reimagines the classic game with modern twists. Featuring two 18-hole putting courses, jumbotrons, and large TVs throughout the property, PopStroke ensures entertainment for all ages. Beyond mini-golf, families can enjoy amenities such as an ice cream parlor, a playground, and various outdoor games like cornhole and foosball. With lively bars and a full-service scratch restaurant, PopStroke offers a fun and engaging environment for family outings, making it a perfect place for creating unforgettable memories together.

Fun Depot, Lake Worth 

Address: 2003 10th Ave. North, Lake Worth, FL 33461

Visit Fun Depot for ultimate fun for the whole family! Feel the breeze through your hair as you enjoy the half-mile go-kart track, or opt for a fog-filled, black-lit laser tag adventure. Play an abundance of arcade games, ranging from old classics to new favorites. If you work up an appetite, grab a bite at the on-site café.

Rapids Water Park, West Palm Beach 

Address: 6566 N. Military Trail, Riviera Beach, FL 33407

Founded in 1979, Rapids Water Parkoffers dozens of water attractions, including a variety of slides, a FlowRider wave machine, a lazy river, and Florida’s 1st Dueling Water Coaster Mega Mayhem. Tickets and parking passes are available for purchase online to make it even easier for your whole family to stay cool this summer.

Shark Wake Park, West Palm Beach

Address: 1401 Eshleman Trail Located in Okeeheelee Park, West Palm Beach, FL 33413

Shark Wake Park, located in Okeeheelee Park, offers thrilling water activities perfect for family fun and special events. The park features a cable park where riders are pulled around a lake by a pulley system, with options for both beginners and advanced riders, and an Obstacle Island, one of the largest floating playgrounds on the East Coast, featuring slides, climbing towers, and more.

After a day of adventure, visitors can relax at the Shark Shack with refreshments and a scenic view of the park.

Boca Ice & Fine Arts Center, Boca Raton 

Address: 900 Peninsula Corp Cir., Boca Raton, FL 33487

Escape the Florida heat at Boca Ice! This “cool” place in Boca Raton features twin NHL-size Hockey rinks, elite figure skating, NHL coaches and best-in-class Hockey Programs, professional ice shows, real snow, and performing arts dance, music, ballet). You can even organize your kid’s birthday party here!

Piquet Entertainment & Race Park, Loxahatchee Groves

Address: 16169 Southern Boulevard, Loxahatchee, FL 33470

Piquet Entertainment & Race Park in Loxahatchee Groves is a family-friendly destination offering a variety of exciting activities. The park features six customized paintball fields for ages 8 and up, and Gellyball, a low-impact sport perfect for kids aged 4-12.

The 18-hole mini-golf course, free for kids under 5 with a paying adult, offers fun obstacles for all ages. Additionally, the park boasts one of South Florida’s largest and fastest kart tracks, catering to both experienced and novice racers.

Outdoor Wonderlands

Riverbend Park, Jupiter 

Address: 9060 Indiantown Road, Jupiter, FL 33478

This lush, green paradise has nearly 10 miles of hiking and biking trails, 7 miles of equestrian trails, and 5 miles of canoeing and kayaking trails. This site is also home to the Loxahatchee Battlefield, a site of two battles during the Second Seminole War, and the Loxahatchee River, one of only two nationally designated Wild and Scenic Rivers in Florida. Learn more on the Wild & Scenic Loxahatchee River Tour offered at Riverbend Park through the Jupiter Outdoor Center. Canoe, kayak, and bicycle rentals are available.

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, North Palm Beach 

Address: 10900 State Road 703 (A1A), North Palm Beach, FL 33408

At John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, Palm Beach County’s only state park, nearly 2 miles of pristine beaches and warm waters beckon for swimming, snorkeling, and fishing. Keep an eye out for dolphins, manatees, mullet, and bird species as you paddle the park’s estuary waters. Prefer dry land? Hike nature trails through this preserved subtropical coastal habitat. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available.

Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Delray Beach

Address: 13026 Jog Rd., Delray Beach, FL 33446

Established in 1996 on 50 acres of former wastewater utility land, Wakodahatchee Wetlands feature a picturesque three-quarter-mile boardwalk that winds above ponds and shrubby islands. Visitors can enjoy close-up views of a variety of wildlife, including numerous bird species, turtles, alligators, fish, frogs, and even rabbits and raccoons. It’s thrilling for kids to spot so much wildlife in their natural habitat, and the experience also serves as an excellent lesson in effective public land use. Each day, two million gallons of treated wastewater are pumped into the wetlands, which function as a percolation pond, returning billions of gallons of fresh water back into the water table.

Snorkel Trail at Phil Foster Park, Riviera Beach 

Address: 900 East Blue Heron Boulevard, Riviera Beach, FL 33404

Phil Foster Park is a premier spot for experienced scuba divers and beginner snorkelers alike. Snorkelers may spot a unique variety of marine life, including sea turtles, tropical fish, sailfish, goliath grouper and dolphin, along this 800-foot stretch of limestone boulders and artificial reef. Manatee sightings are frequent, especially in the winter months. Sea turtle sightings are common year-round.

Autism-Friendly Nature Trails, The Palm Beaches

The Palm Beaches are home to several interactive natural areas that offer a variety of activities that allow kids on the autism spectrum to enjoy the beauty of nature while still fulfilling their sensory needs. Explore our guide to autism-friendly nature trails in The Palm Beaches and discover tranquil paths tailored to sensory needs, offering inclusive experiences for everyone.

More Sensory-Friendly Activities

Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation, The Palm Beaches 

Days of outdoor recreation await at Palm Beach County’s park facilities. At more than 80 parks, you’ll find ample space and outdoor activities including kayak and canoe rentals, disc golf, basketball, volleyball, racquetball, tennis, water skiing, dog parks and equestrian trails. Some favorite spots include John Prince Golf Learning Center, Okeeheelee Golf Course, Osprey Point Golf Course, and Shark Wake Park.

The Palm Beaches are an ideal destination for visitors of all ages. From animal sanctuaries and thrilling amusement parks to kid-friendly museums and outdoor wonderlands, you’ll find countless opportunities to create unforgettable memories together. Plan your next family getaway to The Palm Beaches and discover why this vibrant area is the perfect place for an extraordinary family adventure year-round.

Discover even more family fun in The Palm Beaches!

​