9 Fun Things To Do In Fort Lauderdale With Kids To Make Memories

Things To Do In Fort Lauderdale With Kids

Visiting the Fort Lauderdale area with kids can make for magical times, especially if you plan your trip around the best activities that the city has to offer. Children enjoy being near the water and visiting the beaches, and there are also many Fort Lauderdale attractions and eating establishments that your children will love.

Whether visiting state parks, shopping, or trying local cuisine interests your family, the city should be at the top of your list of possible destinations. You can spend quality time at museums, theme parks, and botanical gardens. Here are some fun things to do in Fort Lauderdale that will create memories with your kids.

1) Walk Around In Downtown Fort Lauderdale

Adults and children will enjoy seeing the downtown portion of Fort Lauderdale. If your kids are interested in art, they may enjoy visiting the NSU Art Museum. This museum features beautiful art to view each day and also events focused on different art-related topics all throughout the year. If your children are into books, they may enjoy spending time just browsing the Broward County Main Library.

Eating is a great activity to take on with your family while downtown. There are great eating establishments in the downtown area that are happy to serve children and adults.

Restaurants to consider in Downtown Fort Lauderdale:

  • The Cheesecake Factory offers more than just sweets, and kids enjoy the variety of savory items on the menu

  • The Historic Downtowner is kid friendly and offers views of the river

  • Big C’s Downtown Pizzeria provides your family with a favorite food in the heart of Fort Lauderdale’s downtown

2) Spend Time Relaxing At Lauderdale Beach 

Your entire family will enjoy being in the sand at Fort Lauderdale beach, and you can spend hours on the Atlantic Ocean, just appreciating the palm trees, listening to the water lap the shore, and talking and playing with one another.

Bring books for each family member to enjoy while on the beach, or make a game of looking for the best seashells.

3) Visit Everglades Holiday Park

If you would like to leave the city of Fort Lauderdale and spend time in nature in the greater Fort Lauderdale area, consider going to Everglades Holiday Park.

This park offers gator shows and an airboat ride that even older kids will enjoy. The park is open seven days a week, so you can fit it into your vacation on the day that makes the most sense for you.

4) Consider Camping At Sawgrass Recreation Park

When looking for things to do in Fort Lauderdale with kids, consider the memories that can be made by spending a night camping. Sawgrass Recreation Park features airboat rides, guided fishing trips, a store, and the chance for you to stay overnight in nature while vacationing in Fort Lauderdale.

Boat rentals are also available at the park if you would like to get out on the water with just your family.

5) Spend A Day At Flamingo Gardens

Your entire family will enjoy the beauty displayed at one of the oldest botanical gardens in South Florida. Flamingo Gardens features gorgeous flowers, a crocodile habitat, a flamingo pond, and all of the natural beauty you long to see while in Fort Lauderdale. 

There are a number of other botanical gardens in the greater Fort Lauderdale area if you find yourself longing to visit another after going to Flamingo Gardens. Additional botanical garden options:

  • Bonnet House Museum & Gardens – a great place for picnics

  • Deerfield Beach Arboretum – a beautiful place to take a family walk

  • Butterfly World – a tropical plant-filled space that younger kids will enjoy along with the rest of the family

6) Visit Las Olas Beach And Las Olas Boulevard

Las Olas Beach is one of the more beautiful Fort Lauderdale beaches and a great place for family fun, too. The beach features palm trees and white sand and is popular among tourists.

If you enjoy shopping with your family, spend a day at Las Olas Boulevard, exploring the stores there. Taste handcrafted chocolates at Hoffman’s Chocolates Fort Lauderdale, or find a bakery to visit. 

Delicious Las Olas Boulevard restaurant options for your family:

  • Sushi Maki Las Olas – featuring great sushi bars

  • Kilwin’s Ice Cream, Chocolates, & Fudge –  providing sweet treats the whole family will enjoy

  • Rocco’s Tacos and Tequila Bar – with Mexican options for adults and kids

7) Getting Out On The Water

Your family can get to know the Fort Lauderdale area by spending time on a Fort Lauderdale water taxi, or you can board the Jungle Queen Riverboat Cruise for a show and dinner. If your kids are interested in pirates, you can surprise them with BlueFoot Pirate Adventures and a pirate-themed cruise trip.

There are plenty of opportunities to add to your vacation in Fort Lauderdale by spending time out on the water:

  • Take a day cruise to the Bahamas

  • Take a sightseeing cruise via the Carrie B Paddlewheeler

  • Spend an evening cruising the downtown area

8) Enjoy Water Fun At C.B. Smith Park

Both younger kids and older kids will enjoy going down the waterslides at C.B. Smith Park. Spend a day in the sun as a family, enjoying interactive water playgrounds and tube rides. If your family is into sports, C.B. Smith Park also offers the chance to play basketball or golf, volleyball, and tennis.

Additional features that help C.B. Smith Park be the perfect place for your family to spend a quiet day:

  • Batting cages

  • Shelter rentals

  • Picnic area

  • Walking trails

9) Spend Time Paddle Boarding, Kayaking, Biking, And Snorkeling

If you are looking for things to do in Fort Lauderdale with kids and you want to find family-friendly attractions that help you have a real adventure as a family, we have options available for you.

When you visit Fort Lauderdale, let us take you on a paddle-boarding adventure or teach your family to snorkel. If you’d rather spend time in nature instead of at an art museum, rent a kayak through us and get out on the water with your family.

There are many Fort Lauderdale adventures awaiting your family. If you are looking to make memories and learn how to do new things while visiting the area, reach out to Sunrise Paddleboards.

From paddle boarding to waterslides, find activities to do with kids in Fort Lauderdale to enjoy a trip and make memories. Book your next adventure today!

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Team Building / Corporate Events

We are now offering Business Excursions! You can now bring your entire company and their significant others padding, just call us, and let's schedule your company!

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TBD
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no limit

Birthdays * Groups * Bachelorettes

Paddle for FREE on your Birthday. (ID Required)

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TBD
Duration
3 hours
Group Size
At least 1

Full Moon Paddle and After Party

Join us to watch the moon come up! This is perfect for those who want to explore the great outdoors and learn about nature. Stay for the After Party with Music and Mingling.

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50 USD
Duration
3 hours
Group Size
At least 2

Seven (7) MILE PADDLE

The 7 Mile is an awesome way to spend a half day or build your endurance and challenge yourself to fast-paced work out or race training. A casual pace typically takes 3.5 hours and a fast pace can be done in less than 2 hours. The 7 Mile Route is a Full Loop around Island City combining scenic landscaping from both the North and South Forks of the Middle River. This can be done as a Rental or a Guided Tour:

Sunrise Paddleboard Guides twist and turn thru Wilton Manor Landscapes and Ecological Mangroves on this adventurous Journey around “Island City” incorporated in 1947. It is bordered on the north by the North Fork of the Middle River and the city of Oakland Park; to the south, the boundaries include the South Fork of the Middle River and the city of Fort Lauderdale; the westernmost boundary reaches I-95; and the eastern terminus of the city limits extend to Federal Highway (US 1) and the Sunrise Paddleboard Showroom.

Our Journey will start from our Middle River Showroom conveniently located on Federal Highway. We have free parking and a healthy restaurant next door featuring Smoothies, Salads, and Sandwiches made with healthy local fruits and vegetables. A quick Video is available for Mental Preparation (Just Ask). If Guided, your Instructor will start off with some quick pointers and launch you into the Knee Position. Once you establish you're able to steer and control the direction of the board; then you will be ready to Stand Up.

The entire Voyage is great practice for First Timers as your Guide will provide Instructions along the way for those needing assistance or just give the advice to improve your technique. Experienced Paddlers and Locals are equally Informed as we provide Demos of our Skills and Teach everyone how to Navigate are winding River. We welcome those who learn our routes and return with friends to ultimately lead their own expeditions on the same routes. Due to popular demand advanced Reservations are required.

THIS ACTIVITY REQUIRES A MINIMUM OF 4 GUESTS PER TOUR. BE SURE TO INVITE FRIENDS AND FAMILY AS IT WILL BE A FUN ADVENTURE FOR EVERYONE!

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75 USD
Duration
2 hours
Group Size
At least 1

Saturday Sunset Paddle

Cruise into the Sunset for a part daytime and part night-time paddle guided by a Sunrise Paddleboards team member! Paddle Board or Kayak.

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35 USD