Want more ideas of where to visit in Florida? Check out our Florida Family Vacation Guide with great ideas about what to see and do in the Sunshine State!

Boca Raton, FL: Outdoor Activities

 
Cool off with a day of splashes and silliness at Coconut Cove Water Park. Photo courtesy of venue

1. Coconut Cove Water Park

This outdoor water park features major attractions that kids will love! Awesome activities include a 986-foot river ride, lilypad walk, and water playground. Open every day during summer, with a varied schedule for spring and fall. Coconut Cove visitors can take swim lessons, enjoy birthday parties, or just go for an aquatic adrenaline rush.

2. Boca Raton Airboat Tours

Airboat rides are one of the top attractions in South Florida. Leaving from Boca Raton these private airboat tours take you on a tour to encounter the American Alligator, reptiles, birds, and some of the seven species of turtles in the Everglades. Airboat Rides are offered daily aboard custom-built airboats that were designed for a small, intimate airboat tour. All ages are welcome.

3. Boca Tierra Park

Need a break from the beaches? Visit the the six-acre Boca Tierra Park, complete with playground; tennis, pickleball, volleyball, and basketball courts; fitness equipment; and bathrooms.

4. Tim Huxhold Skate Park

This skate park for adults and kids with a concrete basin and ramps. If skating isn't your thing, or you are bringing someone to skate, you can enjoy 12 shuffleboard courts while they skate. This park also hosts free competitions.

 
Let kids run free at Pirates Cove Playground in Patch Reef Park. Photo courtesy of Great Boca Raton Beach & Park District

5. Patch Reef Park

Pirates Cove Playground at Patch Reef Park features a spray park in the shape of a huge pirate ship, sling swings, a tire swing, cargo climbing nets, and a water adventure island. The island has three water cannons! The water is on 8am-9pm, weather permitting, with outdoor temperatures above 72 degrees. Toddlers enjoy their own slides and swings; there is an additional playground with an electronic playground.

6. Daggerwing Nature Center

Learn about Boca's local wildlife and plantlife at Daggerwing Nature Center, set within the beautiful Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park. Standout features include a butterfly garden, exhibit hall, and elevated boardwalk with two trails and an observation tower.

7. The Girls Strawberry Patch and Market

Travel a few minutes north to Delray Beach and visit The Girls Strawberry Patch and Bambinis Garden Pizzeria for an awesome afternoon. After filling up on pizza and ice cream, visit the petting zoo and sweet garden, and enjoy the parakeet encounter, goat feedings, and more.

Boca Raton, FL: Beach Parks

8. South Beach Park

South Beach Park is a family-friendly spot in Boca Raton to catch some waves and some rays sunscreen. The park opens at 8am and closes at sundown every day; however lifeguards are on duty 9am to 5pm. This white-sand beach features three swimming areas plus snorkeling, fishing, and bird-watching opportunities.

9. South Inlet Park

Bring shovels, pails, and anything else you enjoy for a day at the beach when visiting the 11-acre South Inlet Park. This quiet beach features fishing (from the shore or jetty), a picnic area, swimming, snorkeling, and peace. It's about five miles south of downtown Boca Raton, and is open daily sunrise to sunset. Paid parking.

10. Spanish River Park

At almost 95 acres, this lush park offers swimming, beach access, fishing in the Intracoastal Waterway (with fishing license), surf fishing in designated swimming areas, walking trails, as well as shaded areas with a wide variety of small birds and on occasion, larger wading birds. There are also several nature trails, a picnic area with grills, and restrooms.

11. Red Reef Park

This 67-acre public beach and oceanfront park has a boardwalk, a 9-hole oceanfront golf course, and snorkeling area with artificial reef modules. The nearby Gumbo Limbo Nature Center educates families about sea turtles, wildlife, conservation efforts, and local ecology.

RELATED: 8 Best Day Trips from Miami for Families

Boca Raton, FL: More Places to See

12. Sugar Sand Park

Sugar Sand Park is a wonderful place to spend the day with kids. This Boca Raton attraction features pavillions, a carousel (closed until further notice), nature trail, science playground, and Children's Science Explorium. The Science Playground offers hands-on, interactive experiences for all ages. The Explorium is designed for children ages 5-12, which focuses on everyday physical sciences.

 
Cool off on the ice while bumping into your friends at Boca Ice. Photo courtesy of Boca Ice

13. Boca Ice & Fine Arts Center

Boca Ice teaches visitors to play hockey and figure skate, as well as hosting free skate, summer camp, and bumper ice sessions. The facility also has an Alpine ski machine and a 120-foot monster slide.

14. Boomers!

This Boca action center is a great place for fun, thrills, and laughs. Attractions include mini golf, go-karts, bumper boats, bumper cars, laser tag, batting cages, and arcade.

15. La-La Land

This 15,000-square-foot, indoor playground offers a three-level play structure. Activities include a four-person wave slide, ball fountain, foam ball dumping baskets, rainbow bridges, pyramid obstacles, net bridges, donut slides, ninja and ropes courses, and climbing wall. Younger kids can enjoy soft play rides like a spinning coconut tree.

16. Bowlero

With bowling, a sports bar, and arcade, Bowlero has fun for the whole family. Bowling lanes feature black lights, soft lounge seats, and HD video walls. Bowlero has an ample food and drink menu to keep kids and adults full and happy.

 
Green Market photo courtesy of Mizner Park

17. Mizner Park

Mizner Park is a shopping, dining, residential, and entertainment district that includes a movie theater and nearby ampitheater that hosts concerts and other events. This Boca Raton shopping center has outdoor music, holiday happenings, and more during holidays and special seasons.

18. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

Take a step into Japan without leaving the Florida grounds! Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens seeks to engage audience members by presenting Japanese cultural experiences that educate and inspire. In addition to fine art and breathtaking gardens, Morikami performs monthly tea ceremonies (October-May) and outreach programs.

19. Town Center at Boca Raton

Enjoy the best shopping at this mix of upscale and elite specialty shops, as well as the usual mall stores in an indoor environment. With five department stores and 220 boutique stores, shoppers are bound to find awesome gifts. Hungry? Dining options include The Capital Grille, True Food Kitchen, Cafes at Boca, and more. The Town Center hosts family-friendly events, such as putting greens, a butterfly garden, and little free library.

20. Boca Raton Museum of Art

This 44,000-square-foot building celebrates the power and beauty of creative expression. Boca Museum shows off permanent and traveling exhibitions and hosts interactive learning activities for kids. Check the museum's website for cool events!

21. Blow to Paris

Treat your little divas to a day of pampering and beauty at Blow to Paris! The petite's menu features princess fairytale blowouts, manicures, pedicures, and nail art.

RELATED: Florida Campgrounds with Extra Entertainment for Kids

Family-Friendly Restaurants in Boca Raton, FL

22. Duck Donuts

Whether you are there for the ready-made creations or want to create your own donuts with coatings, toppings, and sweet drizzles, Duck Donuts is THE eatery to check out. This spot serves coffee, espresso drinks, ice cream, and donut sandwiches.

23. Farmer’s Table

This community restaurant serves food that has been sourced cleanly and responsibly with no chemical, hormones, pesticides, or antibiotics in the proteins. The kids menu has something for every  palette and goes beyond the same fried items you see on other kids menues. 

24. Holyshakes

Fulfill your sugar high with milkshakes that wow with accompanying cotton candy, slices of cake and pie, brownies, and more! If you don't want one of these elaborate shakes, Holyshakes also offers smoothies, protein mixes, sundaes, desserts, coffees, and more.

 
Get ready for sweetness overload at Sloane's Ice Cream Shop! Photo courtesy of Sloane's

25. Sloane's

This fantastic ice cream shop has fun sundaes like the S'mores Sundae and Sandcastle Sundae. Sloane's offers exciting flavors with amazing toppings and many fun "bowl" options. Hungry patrons can also order milkshakes, ice cream floats, smoothies, candy, and chocolates as well as toys.

26. Tom Sawyer's Restaurant

For early risers and families who love a good breakfast, head to Tom Sawyer's to start the day off right. Known for delicious fresh pastries and homestyle breakfast, served in a country, cabin-like space. Also open for lunch.

Hotels in Boca Raton for Families

27. The Boca Raton Resort & Club

The Boca Raton Resort & Club is the perfect destination for a family getaway, with tons of family-friendly experiences across 200 waterfront acres. The hotel offers the Banyan Bunch, childcare for kids ages 4-12, where kids can play, exercise, learn, and craft. The Break is a poolside hangout spot for kids ages 11 to 15 where they can grab soda and treats while engaging in age-appropriate experiences, like VR gaming and video creation. Harborside Pool Club features FlowRider wave simulator, three pools, a 450-foot lazy river, water slides, luxury cabanas with personal butler service, and more.

28. Waterstone Resort & Marina

Active families who enjoy water sports will love staying at Waterstone Resort. This hotel overlooks the ocean and Intracoastal Waterway and features a huge marina, watersport rentals, chartered trips, swimming pool, beach access, fitness center, and more.

29. Embassy Suites by Hilton Boca Raton

Embassy Suites are known to be great hotels for kids, especially the Boca Raton location that features an outdoor pool, free made-to-order breakfast, complimentary evening reception, and a great location near Highland Beach and Mizer Park.

30. Wyndham Boca Raton

Bring the kids to stay at Wyndham Boca Raton while visiting all the great beaches and outdoor sports facilities. Besides updated guestrooms, the property also features a saltwater, heated pool with poolside bar; a specialty training facility, Meso Fit; TrendTea, a fully stocked tea shop and snack stop; and much more.

Additional reporting by Melanie Preis