where to take your kids this summer in miami

This week I teamed up with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) to visit some kid-friendly places around Miami. I always forget to get out and explore in Miami because it’s my hometown. But the truth is that Miami is full of great activities for the whole family. If you’re a mom living in Miami that needs some new ideas to keep the kids entertained during what’s left of summer break or a mom visiting Miami with your kids, these 3 places are definitely worth a visit!

Miami Children’s Museum

Our first stop was at Miami Children’s Museum and I can’t believe we hadn’t been yet. I assumed my daughter was still too young (she just turned 2), but I was sooooo wrong. It is nothing like the museums I remember visiting as a kid. This museum was fun, interactive and honestly, just so cool! 

Miami Children’s Museum has 2 floors of exhibits, each with its very own theme. Our favorites exhibits were the Music Makers Studio, the Multi-Sensory Room and the All About Art exhibit. 

The Music Makers Studio has a huge piano that you play when you step on it. We spent quite some time running on the keyboard! I loved watching her face light up every time she realized she was making that sound. 

The Multi-Sensory Room was my personal favorite exhibit, especially the interactive floor. It’s a dark room filled with lights, bright colors and an interactive floor that are all constantly changing. When the floor appears to be covered in leaves, the leaves get pushed aside when you kick your foot. When it’s a sky, everywhere you step becomes a firework. It’s such a fun way for children to learn how their action causes something else to happen.

Then in the Art Studio there’s a screen where you paint using your fingers and your deign is projected up on a huge screen. There’s also the peg wall with colorful rings, which my daughter loved. I really think we might have to make her one for our house. 

And that’s just a few of the rooms. There’s also several exhibits focused on workplaces, such as a bank, a grocery store (you can be a shopper or a cashier), a construction zone, a vet, etc. They even have exhibits that are specific to our community. One of the exhibits is the Port of Miami, where children can learn to drive a remote control boat or operate a crane to move cargo off the ships. 

The museum is full of fun activities that promote learning while having fun. It’s a perfect summertime activity for kids of all ages. You could easily spend the entire day there.

MORE INFO

Location: 980 MacArthur Causeway, Miami, Florida 33132
Hours: Open daily from 10am – 6pm
Ticket Price: General Admission is $22, FL residents pay $15 with valid ID (Children under the age of 1, military and veterans are all complimentary)

Website:https://www.miamichildrensmuseum.org/

Miami Beach Botanical Garden

Our second visit was to the Miami Beach Botanical Garden. It’s a little tropical oasis in the middle of Miami Beach (across from the Convention Center) that I never knew existed.

They have different areas that are all beautiful, but each with its own personality. They have a Japanese garden that made me feel like I was back in Japan. It even has the little red bridge Japan is known for. There’s also a fountain by the lawn, which is the perfect area to just hang out and enjoy a beautiful day in Miami Beach. You can pack a picnic lunch and spend the afternoon in the garden with your kids. 

We had a tour with Gaylord (if you go, you have to meet him and check out his hat collection…. You won’t regret it, I promise). He taught us so much about the garden and their collection of plants from around the world.

What I loved most is gardens ties to the community. The garden always hosts tons of events, such as art camp, poetry in pajamas, yoga on the lawn, etc. They also love to include the kids. There’s an Earth Loom where children can add a piece to their fabric and last summer they held a contest to name the unicorn in their garden. His name is now Spirit. 

If you’re looking for something to do with the kids without the expense, this is a great option. There is no entry fee for visiting the garden and their events are free of charge as well (even the Summer Art Camp).  Check out their website for their upcoming events.

MORE INFO

Location: 2000 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach, FL 33139
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, from 9am to 5pm
Ticket Price: Free

Website:https://www.mbgarden.org

Zoo Miami

Our final visit was to Zoo Miami. They currently have over 500 animal species on over 750 acres of land, so you could easily spend the entire day there. Miami’s unique climate allows for Zoo Miami to have species from all over the world unlike any other zoo in the country, making it extra special to visit.

There’s so much to do at Zoo Miami beyond seeing the animals. They have animal feedings, presentations, rides, character meet and greets, etc. I was most looking forward to the animal feedings. They are set for specific hours throughout the day with certain animals. We got to feed the giraffes and it was such a great experience. My daughter laughed the first time that huge black tongue grabbed a piece of lettuce out of her hand. 

If your kids love to play in the water, make sure you pack them a change of clothes. There’s a splash pad to play on and an Everglades ride on an air boat, but get ready to get wet! And make sure you don’t miss the Miami Walls by the entrance! It’s like a mini Wynwood Walls inside the zoo.

The best part of Zoo Miami is their involvement in conservation efforts. They are currently involved in many projects around the world dedicated to wildlife and environmental conservation. 

MORE INFO

Location: 12400 SW 152^ndSt, Miami, FL 33177
Hours: Open daily from 10am to 5pm
Ticket Price: Adults (13+) are $22.95, Children (ages 2-12) are $18.95, Children under the age of 2 are free

Website:https://www.zoomiami.org

Disclaimer: This post was a paid partnership with Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, however all views and opinions expressed on this post are purely my own.