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:
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The Cheesecake Factory offers more than just sweets, and kids enjoy the variety of savory items on the menu
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The Historic Downtowner is kid friendly and offers views of the river
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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:
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Bonnet House Museum & Gardens – a great place for picnics
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Deerfield Beach Arboretum – a beautiful place to take a family walk
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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:
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Sushi Maki Las Olas – featuring great sushi bars
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Kilwin’s Ice Cream, Chocolates, & Fudge – providing sweet treats the whole family will enjoy
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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:
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Take a day cruise to the Bahamas
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Take a sightseeing cruise via the Carrie B Paddlewheeler
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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:
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Batting cages
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Shelter rentals
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Picnic area
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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!
