Things to Do with South Florida & Miami Babies Before They Turn 1
Miami babies have access to some amazing activities and fun spots in South Florida, all geared for that specific age group. Parents may wonder what to do with their babies in Miami and South Florida, but don't worry! Our guide of things to do with babies in Miami and South Florida before they turn one has it all! We've rounded up great Miami museums, zoos, playgrounds, and other attractions for babies to explore and learn.
Check out these great places to visit in South Florida and Miami before your baby turns one!
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Things to Do with Miami Babies Before They Turn One
1. Animal Edventure Park and Safari
Take babies to Animal Edventure Park to pet and feed animals, as well as walk or stroll along a safari with animal meet-and-greets.
2. Beaches
Enjoy a leisurely beach day with baby! Mathisen Hammock Beach and Red Reef Park offer short walks to the beach, nearby parking, indoor bathrooms, shallow wading water, and more details to make them great beach options for young children. Red Reef Park offers a boardwalk for stroller walks; the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center features mesmerizing turtles and other sea creatures.
Stroll through the grounds of Flamingo Gardens and get your baby close to nature. Photo courtesy of Flamingo Gardens
3. Butterfly World
Walk through the butterfly gardens at Butterfly World in Coconut Creek
4. The Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast
Head to Jensen Beach for The Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast and treat your little one to a day of learning and discovery. Much of the museum focuses on developing gross motor skills, self-confidence, and more for the younger children.
5. Delray Beach Children's Garden
The Delray Beach Children's Garden offers early childhood nature classes for ages 5 and under, and includes nature crafts, storytime, water play, garden exploration, and sandbox fun. Caregivers included.
6. Flamingo Gardens
Explore one of the oldest botanical gardens in Florida as well as visiting a wildlife sanctuary with black bears, bobcats, otters, hawks, and flamingos.
7. Free First Birthday Cake
With Publix locations throughout South Florida, any customer who orders a decorated sheet cake reading "Happy 1st birthday" and your child's name receives a free corresponding, seven-inch ("smash cake") decorated in the same design as the order for your baby to smash on his or her big day.
8. Frost Science Museum
Head to Frost Museum's Mini-Me Science monthly program to expose babies and toddlers to experiences that engage senses and promote exploration.
9. Founders Park Splash Pad
A great spray park is Founders Park Splash Pad in Aventura with restrooms, a fenced splash pad, playground, and walking trails.
10. Happi Farm
Happi Farm allows guests to pet bunnies, goats, chicks, ducks, pigs, tortoises, guinea pigs, a miniature donkey, lamb, alpaca, llama, hedgehog, and a miniature bull. You can also take a pony ride for added fun!
Children get sensory input at fun indoor playgrounds like Sol Playce. Photo courtesy of Sol Playce
11. Indoor Playspaces
Indoor playspaces are great options for kids under 1 as they can attend either a drop-in session or enjoy membership opportunities. Many indoor playgrounds offer traditional equipment, like slides, swings, and climbers, while some offer newer options including imaginative play equipment, sensory opportunities, ball pits, and more.
12. Key West Aquarium
Key West Aquarium offers touch tanks, tours, brightly colored exhibits, and the laid-back vibes of Key West.
13. Lion Country Safari
Lion Country Safari features a drive-thru safari where you never have to leave your car to enjoy the animals! After enjoying the drive-thru safari you can then enjoy rides including a train and carousel, a spray park, and a water playground and petting zoo, to complete your day of fun.
RELATED: 9 Drive-Thru Safaris and Wildlife Tours Near Orlando
14. The Little Farm
Guests can interact, feed, and touch animals, explore the butterfly garden, and run around in a play field with swings, a rope bridge, jungle gym, and more.
Let young kids discover the amazing world of the Miami Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum
15. Miami Children's Museum
Almost every exhibit of Miami Children's Museum is primed and ready for little ones. Make sure to visit on Mondays ("Mini Mondays") for a day of programming focused on children from birth to age five, in a quieter, safer setting.
16. Miami Seaquarium
Miami Seaquarium offers shows, touch tanks, exhibits, and interactions with animals for older children.
Bond with your baby during classes at My Gym. Photo courtesy of My Gym
17. Mommy and Me Classes
Whether you are a mommy, daddy, grandma, grandpa, aunt, or caregiver, there are many baby classes where kids can learn to swim, play, and interact with their peers in a fun and safe environment. Check out our Miami Guide for Mommy-and-Me Classes (parent-child classes) that have locations throughout South Florida
18. Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS)
The Sprouting Stem exhibit allows little learners to make big discoveries at MODS! In addition to exhibits like these, focused on younger children, the museum always has amazing programming for kids of all ages, including special events.
19. Naples Botanical Garden
The Naples Botanical Garden offers over 170 acres of beauty to stroll around with baby.
Babies will LOVE seeing the animals at Palm Beach Zoo! Photo courtesy of the zoo
20. Palm Beach Zoo
Bring young kids to Palm Beach Zoo to see hundreds of animals, play in the interactive nature area, and explore the giant world around them.
21. Pinecrest Gardens
Spend the day at Pinecrest Gardens, where you can stroll through the upper garden, have fun at the reimagined playground, see animals at the petting zoo, and wander the learning center. Families can also enjoy the splash and play area on hot days.
22. Story Time
Enjoy a story with your child at Barnes & Noble or a local library. Offering monthly or weekly events, families enjoy a fun and engaging story with other babies and moms. A great outdoor story time happens at Flamingo Gardens, where children gather in the outdoor reading area, under the shade of the Southern live oak, and listen to a story related to nature.
23. Sugar Sand Park
Sugar Sand Park features a carousel, walking nature trails, science playground with slides, swings, and sensory wall. While the Children's Science Explorium is designed for kids ages 5-12, it can offer a fun place to see and feel things with bright colors.
RELATED: Boca Raton, Florida with Kids: 30 Best Things to Do in Boca Raton, FL
24. Welleby Park
A great new and large park is Welleby Park, offering a safety town play-learn area, splash pad, and great walking paths.
25. Zoo Miami
Zoo Miami is worth an annual membership since one day is just not enough time to explore this extensive zoo filled with amazing animals, cool shows, an age-appropriate playground, and splash pads.
Places featured in this article:
Barnes and Noble - Fort Lauderdale
Flamingo Gardens
Naples Botanical Garden
Delray Beach Children's Garden
Welleby Park
Zoo Miami
Miami Seaqaurium
Palm Beach Zoo
Lion Country Safari
Key West Aquarium
The Little Farm
Aquachamps Swim School
Goldfish Swim School - Pembroke Pines
My Gym - Pembroke Pines
The Little Gym - Boca Delray
WowMoms World - Coral Springs
Museum of the Treasure Coast
Golisano Children's Museum
Publix - Cooper CIty
Little Town Play
Explorico Indoor Playground
Sol Playce