We're also updating our guides, so keep checking our Miami calendar of events with more fun, free events for families to enjoy. 

Free Things to Do in Miami & South Florida with Kids

 
Explore the underwater world for free! Photo courtesy of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Concession

1. Beaches

The beach is always a great option for a day of free fun. Pack snacks, lunches, games, and towels for a great experience. Check out our list of great family friendly beaches for options.

2. John Pennekamp State Park - Key Largo

Pull out your kayak, canoe, or paddle board, and head to your nearest launch for free outdoor fun. 

3. Matheson Hammock Park - Miami

Matheson Beach is great for beginners or those who enjoy a simple, peaceful space. The park features a manmade atoll poll, flushed naturally with the tidal action of Biscayne Bay.

4. Jupiter Beach Park - Jupiter

This beach lies on the south side of the Jupiter Inlet, with 1,700 feet of beach, picnic areas, outdoor showers, and a sand volleyball court. Enjoy inlet fishing.

5. Fishing

Grab your fishing pole and head to any local canal, lake, and fishing piers. Though many fishing piers require a nominal fee to enter the pier and cast a line, check out this list for some great options that have free fishing days in Palm Beach County and Broward County.

6. Snorkel

Getting in the water with a snorkel and exploring the underwater world is always hours of fun.

7. Red Reef Park - Boca Raton

Enjoy beautiful South Florida with super snorkeling at Red Reef Park, feature almost 40 acres of outdoor fun.

8. Fort Lauderdale Beach - Fort Lauderdale

Build sandcastles and take a dip in the gorgeous blue waters of Fort Lauderdale with kids.

 
Bring kids for storytime at local libraries. Photo courtesy of Boca Raton Public Library

9. Library Programs

Many local libraries offer free programs for children including art projects, exhibitions, story times, homework help, and more. Check out the events at your local library in Broward County, Palm Beach County, and Miami-Dade County.

10. First Thursdays at NSU Museum of Art - Fort Lauderdale

Visitors enjoy free museum admission on every first Thursday of the month at the Sunny Days and Starry Nights program. The event also features all-day happy hour in the Museum Cafe.

11. First Saturdays at Gold Coast Railroad Museum - Miami

Go on a train ride or just check out the vintage rail cars, model train displays, and Thomas play tables for little ones. Free the first saturday of each month.

12. Institute of Contemporary Art Museum - Miami

Admission to this museum is free, and kids will learn a lot about art and creativity. Sundays are for families with the museum's one-hour workshops. 

13. Family Fun Days at Perez Art Museum Miami - Miami

Visit the Perez Art Museum Miami for free family fun days every second Saturday of the month. This family fun day includes family-friendly tours and chances for children to create their own art.

14. Free Family Day at Coral Gables Museum - Coral Gables

Walk through history for free at this museum on the historic site of the old police and fire station in Coral Gables.

15. Free Saturday at the Jewish Museum of Florida - Miami Beach

The Jewish Museum of Florida offers free admission on Saturdays. Housed in two historic art deco buildings, the museum preserves and interprets Florida's Jewish history from 1763 through today.

16. Farmers Markets

Many of local farmers marketshave free kids activities that kids enjoy while parents browse. Some great farmers markets include: Coconut Creek Hometown Market, Tamarac Community Farmers Market, Vizcaya Village Farmers Market, City of Parkland Farmers Market, and Green Market Pompano Beach.

17. Jupiter Family Movie Night - Jupiter

Bring your own chairs and blankets and come early to get a good seat at this free, outdoor family-friendly movie night shown on a two-story inflatable screen.

18. Home Depot Kids Workshops - Multiple Locations

Sign your kids up for a monthly build workshop at participating Home Depot locations, where kids can build a project to take home with them.

 
Catch a film under the stars at Screen on the Green. Photo courtesy of City of West Palm Beach

19. Screen on the Green - West Palm Beach

The West Palm Beach Waterfront transforms into a theater under the stars for family-friendly movies featuring both classic films and newer flicks for you to enjoy.

20. Movie in the Park - Parkland

Enjoy a movie in a park that has been transformed into a movie theater with an 18-foot inflatable movie screen and delicious popcorn (limited supplies available).

21. More Free Movie Nights

So many of the towns in South Florida offer monthly or seasonal movie night series' that allow the community to come together in one of the local parks. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and more to enjoy a movie under the stars. Movie nights that just ended their run were in Davie, Coconut Creek and Pembroke Pines, so be on the lookout for those starting back up.

22. Saturday Night Public Astronomy at Fox Observatory - Sunrise

The Observatory is open to the public on Saturday evenings from sunset until midnight, hosted by the South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association.

 
Eyes to the Skies event welcomes families to see the wonders of space. Photo courtesy of Sugar Sand Park

23. Eyes to the Skies - Boca Raton

The Science Explorium at Sugar Sand Park hosts a monthly telescope night in the Camino parking lot behind the Explorium (weather permitting)

24. Preschool Storytime at The Four Arts - Palm Beach

All children 4 years of age and younger are welcome to enjoy a story time and connected craft with a different theme each week.

25. Family Storytime - Boca Raton

Little ones ages 5 and under can enjoy a class with fun stories, music and movement, songs, and rhymes.

26. Barnes & Noble Storytime - Plantation

Every Saturday on the Children's Stage, Barnes &Noble at Broward Mall hosts an upbeat storytime featuring seasonal stories. Check out other nearby Barnes & Noble to see if your local bookstore hosts its own storytime.

27. Apple Store Workshops - Multiple Locations

South Florida Apple stores offer free workshops such as coding an app, making emojis, photography, and more.

28. Tunes 'N Trucks Concert Series - Sunrise

Each Tunes 'N Trucks event features live music and food trucks. Bring your lawn chair or blanket. Admission is free.

29. Sounds at Downtown - Palm Beach Gardens

Head to Downtown Palm Beach Gardens every Saturday at the interactive water feature to enjoy live performances from the local sounds of musical solos, duos, and trios.

30. Rock the Park - Plantation

This free concert series takes place the first Friday or select Saturdays of the month at Pine Island Park.

31. Savor the Sounds - Pembroke Pines

Enjoy the fusion of music and food at Pembroke Pines' Savor the Sounds free concert series. Each month features a new music genre.

32. Music at the Hollywood Bandshell - Hollywood

This free live outdoor venue is both picturesque and casual with its oceanside location. Favorite local bands play nightly from Wednesday to Sunday.

33. First Friday @ 5 Concert - Boynton Beach

Boynton Beach offers a free concert series the first Friday of each month at Centennial Park & Amphitheater.

 
Learn about beautiful manatees at the always free Manatee Lagoon. Photo courtesy of Manatee Lagoon's Facebook page

34. Manatee Lagoon - West Palm Beach

View manatees up close during Florida manatee season (November - March) and learn more about these gentle mammals.

35. Animal Feeding at Green Cay Nature Center - Boynton Beach

A Green Cay naturalist leads a free animal feeding presentation for all ages, no reservation required. Kids get to watch the animal eat and learn about it at this weekly Feed and Talk.

36. Marine Environmental Education Center - Hollywood

Visitors are invited to view a daily sea turtle feeding with an educational presentation about resident green sea turtles Captain and Coral. The Marine Environmental Education Center focuses on protecting the oceans and sea turtles.

37. Great Backyard Bird Count

The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are.

38. Caffeine & Chrome - Coral Springs

This classic car celebration is open to the public and welcomes the collectible car owner or daily driver. Check out the cars while indulging in pastries and coffee.

39. Supercar Saturdays Florida - Hollywood

This car show is the largest gathering of supercars, exotic cars, hyper cars, luxury cars, classic cars, race cars, and custom cars in South Florida

40. Cars and Coffee Palm Beach - West Palm Beach

This family friendly car show is free and open to the public. Showcasing unique vehicles, vendors, stores, free coffee, prizes, swag, charities and demos.

41. Sugar Sand Park - Boca Raton

Impress your kids with one of the nicest parks in Florida! Sugar Sand Park features a carousel, splash pad, and much more. Note: Certain attractions in the park do come with an admission fee.

42. Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park - Palm Beach County

This massive park includes sports courts, fishing, a playground, and lots of water activities.

43. Patch Reef Park - Boca Raton

We can't fit into one article all the awesome amenties available at Patch Reef Park, but the standout must be Pirates Cove Playground. This swashbuckling spot includes cargo nets, rocks and a splash pad.

44. Plantation Woods - Plantation

This woods-themed park is located within the Historic District, and contains three shaded playground areas with tree houses, grizzly bears, and speciality tree swings.

45. Welleby Park - Sunrise

Kids will never get tired of this 29-acre park! Welleby Park features a splash pad, an amazing playground, lakeside boardwalk, pavilions, and more.

46. Tiger Shark Cove - Wellington

This ocean-themed playground features awesome attractions like a tiger shark play structure, sand castles, sunken pirate ship, and much more.

47. Cultural Saturdays at Dania Pointe - Dania Beach

Celebrate cultural diversity with live entertainment, dance classes, samba workshops, dazzling fire dancers, and many other culturally-focused activities.

48. TGIFamily - West Palm Beach

Make it a night out with the whole family! Join The Square for a special storytime with Rohi's Readery. 

49. Free Family Fun Days

Many South Florida attractions offer FREE family fun days/nights! Family Sundays at Dania Pointe, Daytime Playtime at The Square, and Family Day at the Underline are all great options.

50. Free Art Experiences

Creative kids will love free art workshops! Free art workshops include Creation Station at Boca Museum, Celebrate the Arts, Kids' Graffiti Drawing Class, The Lincoln Road Kids Club, and Teen Art Club in Pembroke Pines.