36 Great Things to Do with Preschoolers and Toddlers in Miami and South Florida

Toddlers and preschoolers love to be on the move, and we parents love to keep them entertained. In Miami and South Florida, we have plenty of great options for all interests that will keep your toddler having fun and with a smile on his or her face. Who knows —you might have a little fun, too.

Our list of time-honored toddler choices begins below. For more inspiration, see our rundown of the best indoor play spaces in the Miami and South Florida area or restaurants in the area where kids can play.  On a budget? See our list of 50 FREE things to do in the area with kids.

 
Enjoy creative play space at Sol Playce. Photo courtesy of the venue

Indoor Playgrounds and More

1. Sol Playce 

If you are looking for a location with modern and natural elements, check out Sol Playce for open play, a Zumbini class, a tiny toes class, or a creative movement class.

2. I Love Indoors

Working parents or parents looking to foster independence can head to I Love Indoors. Here, you can engage with your child on play structures and in imagination-inspiring themed areas, or enjoy the parent lounge, where you can use your laptop or phone, connect with other adults, or watch your children in action.

3. Explorico Indoor Playground

Take a music or sensory class at Explorico Indoor Playground, then stay for open play.

4. My Gym

Get your child's body moving at one of the My Gym locations throughout South Florida.

5. La La Land

Let your child run, explore, jump, and play in this soft, contained three-level play structure with colorful tubes, slides, climbing structures, obstacle course, and ramps.

6. Candy Wonderland

Jump into the wonderful world of candy, where the interactive kids playground has a two-story candy maze with rotating donut ride, colorful ball pits, four pretend houses, and more to spark pure imagination.

7. Flippo's

Head to Flippo's in either Fort Lauderdale or Hallandale to play in its indoor playground, on its sports courts, or in its dedicated toddler zone with multicolor toys, shapes, and wall puzzles that are safe and engaging.

RELATED: Great Public Pools for Kids in Miami and South Florida

 
Ice cream sundaes at Jaxson's are a throwback delight. Photo courtesy of the venue

Fun Lunch or Snack Destinations

8. Menchie's

Make your own frozen yogurt sundae at your local Menchie's, which has locations throughout South Florida, including in Davie, Pembroke Pines, Aventura, Miami Lakes, and Boca Raton.

9. Jaxson's

Try an ice cream float or ice cream sundae, including the unrivaled "Monster Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae" at Jaxson's, a fun throwback restaurant in Dania Beach.

10. Larry's

Enjoy a delicious ice cream cookie skillet and other amazing dessert creations at your closest Larry's, which has locations in Boca Raton and Coral Springs. 

11. 15th Street Fisheries

Feed the tarpon with your leftover fries at the 15th Street Fisheries.

12. Jet Runway Cafe

Bring your airplane-loving kid to eat while watching the planes take off and land at Jet Runway Cafe.

 
Chill out and learn at Sugar Sand Park's science playground. Photo courtesy of the venue

Cool Off at Local Splash Pads

13. Sugar Sand Park

In Boca Raton, this park features a gigantic, all-inclusive playground with a splash pad that includes a sea-creature design and a train station-themed toddler play area. 

14.  Patch Reef Park

Ahoy matey's, head to Patch Reef Park and cool off on water adventure island, which boasts three rotating cannons that shoot water while a ship’s mast and palm trees shower kids with more water.

15. Welleby Park

Take a ride around this amazing kid-sized safety town play-and-learn area, then cool off at the nature-themed splash pad.

16. Water's Edge Park

Enjoy a 3,000-square-foot splash pad and 6,000-square-foot covered playground, where kids can get wet, climb, run, slide, and swing.

RELATED: The Best Splash Pads and Spraygrounds in Miami and South Florida

 
See marine animals up close at Zoo Miami. Photo courtesy of the venue

Zoos, Aquariums, Gardens, and Wildlife Centers

17. Manatee Lagoon

Get up close with the manatees at this 16,000-square-foot aquatic center that features engaging, hands-on exhibits.

18. Zoo Miami

Enjoy a splash pad, and animals representing all of the continents at Miami's largest zoo.

19. Palm Beach Zoo

Meet ands greet the animals at Palm Beach Zoo.

20. Lion Country Safari

Go on a drive-thru safari at Lion Country Safari.

21. Flamingo Gardens

Take a walk through the beautiful gardens and check out the flamingos, panthers, and bears.

22. Marine Environmental Education Center

Here, your toddler can watch daily sea turtle feedings and educational presentations about resident green sea turtles Captain and Coral.

23. Green Cay Nature Center

Take your toddler to the weekly Feed and Talk session at Green Cay Nature Center.

Indoor Trampoline Park and Action Sports Centers

24. In Broward County

Try Off the Wall in Davie or Coconut Creek, Urban Air in Plantation, or Flying Squirel in Weston

25. In Palm Beach County

Enjoy Adrenaline Entertainment in Lake Worth, Sky Zone in Palm Springs or Boynton Beach, or Urban Air in Boynton Beach or Wellington.

26. In Miami-Dade County

And don't forget Urban Air in Kendall, Sky Zone in Cutler Bay or Doral, or Megajump in Miami.

Hands-On Learning Museums

27. The Schoolhouse Children's Museum

Explore interactive exhibits that give toddlers a glimps of the lives of early Florida pioneers before the days of computers, cellphones, televisions, or even cars. Here, they can touch, play, and interact with historically based, sensory experiences.

28. Miami Children's Museum

Spend the day at the Miami Children's Museum and explore, touch and learn, with exhibits that include a cruise ship, and marine tanks filled with South Florida wildlife.

29. Museum of Discovery and Science

Get hands on with STEM activities and 300 active exhibits at the Museum of Discovery and Science.

Public Pools or Public Beaches

30. South Pointe Park Beach 

Head to South Pointe Park Beach, where kids can watch cruise ships go in and out of port while on the beach, and then jump in the splash pad.

31.  Fort Lauderdale Beach

Enjoy the waves, sand, and the one-of-a-kind playground at Fort Lauderdale Beach.

32. Matheson Hammock Beach

Enjoy small waves and safe water play at Matheson Hammock Beach.

33. Red Reef Park

This location is perfect for toddlers, with shallow waters and short walks from car to the beach.

RELATED: Family-Friendly Beaches Across Miami and South Florida

 
Enjoy time with the resident animals at Happi Farm. Photo courtesy of the venue

Petting Zoos and More

34. Animal EDventure Park

Enjoy all-day access to the petting, feeding, and exotic animal areas, as well as the camels at the Animal EDventure Park.

35. The Little Farm

Feed, touch, and interact with animals, and explore the butterfly garden at The Little Farm.

36. Happi Farm

Spend the day petting the bunnies, goats, chicks, ducks, pigs, tortoises, guinea pigs, lambs, alpaca, hedgehog, and more ​at Happi Farm.