Summer in Miami is hot, and there’s no getting around that. Luckily, there’s plenty of things to do in Miami. Since we’re surrounded by water, there’s miles of public beaches along the coast and plenty of beach access via public parks. Not only that, the Miami area has plenty of great family-friendly pools and water parks for kids of all ages. Many towns in Miami including Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami and the City of Miami Beach have parks with pools and most offer swimming lessons, essential for children living in South Florida.
If you’re looking for things to do with kids, here are the best pools, water parks and family-friendly beaches in Miami.
1. North Shore Open Space Park
This beachfront park is considered one of the best beaches in Miami for families and is located at the northernmost end of Miami Beach. It’s also known as North Beach Oceanside Park. In addition to eight blocks of ocean beach, this park offers a playground, picnic tables, barbecue spots, and plenty of dog-friendly spaces for your Miami pup to run around.
2. Crandon Park Beach
Crandon Park is one of the best beaches in Miami, located on Key Biscayne. An offshore sand bar makes the waters calmer, and lots of palm trees make the beach area shadier than many others. This popular beach offers cabanas with showers for rent, a roller-skating area, a carousel, a playground, a golf course, and a tennis center.
3. Bill Boggs Cape Florida State Park
This Miami state park is at the southern tip of Key Biscayne and is great for swimming because there are fewer waves. The park also has a bike path, nature trails, places for fishing and a historic lighthouse. Located in the park is also one of the best beaches in Miami for families with gentle waves, thanks to a reef six miles offshore. Families can also rent beach chairs and umbrellas as well as beach wheelchairs. There are no lifeguards so it’s important to be a cautious in the water.
4. Hollywood Beach
This beach is just north of Miami-Dade County and is one of the most popular and family friendly beaches in South Florida. Its Broadwalk (not boardwalk) and funky vibe make it a great place for families to walk around in Miami. Unlike most of Miami-Dade’s beaches, the Hollywood Beach area has restaurants, shops, and motels along the beach, though the new Margaritaville Resort has made the vibe a bit more upscale in recent years.
5. Venetian Pool
On your list of best pools in Miami, you should include The Venetian Pool in Coral Gables. This pool is unique and is the only swimming pool on the National Register of Historic Places. It was dug out of a coral rock quarry in 1923 and is filled with spring water from the underground aquifer. The pool has waterfalls, grottoes, loggias, and a bridge. It’s usually open year-round, except for major holidays. Children under three (or still in diapers) are not allowed, and any child not 38 inches tall has to provide proof he or she has reached age three.
6. Grapeland Water Park
This perennial favorite park is one of the most family-friendly beaches in Miami and has special areas for younger and older children. Shipwreck Island has two slides, a shallow water play area, splash fountains and a waterfall – all for children smaller than 48 inches tall. Bigger kids can enjoy Pirate’s Plunge, which offers three twisty water slides, water-shooting cannons, and splash fountains. One of the best pools in Miami, the heated Captain’s Lagoon offers deep water and shallow water for swimmers and non-swimmers. The Buccaneer River Ride provides a calm coast through the water in a big inflatable vessel. Some of the areas require that life vests be worn, though some are provided. Put this place on your list of fun things to do in Miami with family. Though this water park was temporarily closed, it will be reopening summer 2024.
7. Flamingo Park Aquatic Center
If you’re looking for South Beach family activities, consider Flamingo Park. This South Beach Miami Park has two pools, one for lap swimming, and another with a play pool that goes from 0 to 15 inches deep. There also are locker rooms with showers, chairs, and umbrellas for shade. The park includes a tot lot/playground, sports fields, and a dog park area for you Miami pooch.
8. Oleta River State Park
This 1,048-acre Florida State Park on Biscayne Bay in North Miami Beach offers all kinds of date night ideas in Miami, as well as activities parents and older children can do together. The sandy beach is great for young ones since there is no surf but note that there are also no lifeguards. When you get tired of swimming, you can canoe, kayak, fish, hike, or ride along the miles of off-road bicycle trails for which the park is well known. You can even camp here in the simple (but air-conditioned) cabins.
9. Matheson Hammock Park
This county park in southern Coral Cables has a man-made atoll pool along Biscayne Bay and features one of the best beaches in Miami for families. The park also includes a marina, a snack bar, and a restaurant. You can also learn to sail at the Castle Harbor Sailing School, picnic around the lake or take to the trails for hiking or biking.
10. Paradise Cove Water Park at C.B. Smith Park
One of the nicest nearby water parks is just over the county line in Pembroke Pines. Paradise Cove Water Park includes four five-story water slides that provide a twisty ride into a four-foot-deep pool if you’re at least 42 inches tall and can swim. There is also a 410-foot tube ride. Younger kids can enjoy an all-ages water playground, with an 18-inch pool and three smaller water slides. If you’re worried about finding things to do in Miami with toddlers, you’ll be relieved to know that there is a separate water playground with a 12-inch pool for kids five and younger. You can rent umbrellas and bring in your own coolers of food and drink.
