Last Updated on January 3, 2025 by Tami
When it comes to considering a family vacation, there are a lot of moving parts. It should come as no surprise that it can be a bit stressful when kids are involved. We love them, but trying to figure out what activities will be fun for the whole family isn’t always easy. Whether you’re a Florida resident or you’re just visiting, Fort Lauderdale offers a wide variety of activities to enjoy. Today, we’ll be covering some of the most unique things to do in Fort Lauderdale with kids.
Before we start, just keep in mind that there’s a lot of things to do in Fort Lauderdale. It’s a vibrant area that has plenty of family-friendly activities. We’ll do our best to focus on unique ones that will give you and your family lasting memories!
Aquariums and Sea Experiences
One thing to note about the area is that, just like in most of Florida, the weather can change on a dime. You can track that sort of thing here: https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/fort-lauderdale/33301/weather-forecast/328168. What can you do if there’s a lot of rain forecasted?
There are plenty of aquariums and indoor experiences in the area, thankfully. In fact, several of them even have 3D IMAX experiences. That sort of thing provides children with fantastical visuals to keep them entertained for hours – and it can be educational!
Gardens and Historic Homes
Naturally, there are a ton of outdoor experiences to enjoy. One that may not seem all that appealing at first are public gardens. Many of them serve as museums as well as a garden to enjoy.
Historic homes litter the landscape, and several have been turned into such attractions. These types of outings can be educational as well as fun, which is always a bonus. It can also offer you some downtime as a parent since it’s a relaxing atmosphere.
Meanwhile, kids can enjoy a scavenger hunt and learn about local wildlife. This includes information about the exotic animals across the state of Florida.
State Parks
Fort Lauderdale is home to at least one state park. These are parks dedicated to protecting nature and the wildlife within them. Usually, you can get a pass that will allow you access to many state parks for one price.
If you’re looking for somewhere to go biking or hiking, these might be the option you’ll want to go with. There are even opportunities for canoeing or kayaking. Family picnics are another possibility which can make for a delightful outing.
Holiday Parks and the Everglades
Perhaps the most famous part of Florida, and Fort Lauderdale, is the Everglades. You can learn more about them on this website, but most of us have some idea of what they are. What sorts of attractions can you enjoy, though?
Boat rides are a big one. Some holiday parks offer airboat tours, which allow you to safely explore the Everglades with an expert guide. Children and adults alike can learn a whole lot while enjoying the beautiful scenery!
The weather won’t have an impact on those sorts of activities, either. Why? Well, typically, airboats will have cover so that they’re weather-protected. They’ll continue even when it’s raining, meaning you won’t have to cancel or change plans.
Another thing that can be appealing is the fact that there are sometimes opportunities to get hands-on with some of the animals. In particular, a few of the local holiday parks also have alligator rescue sanctuaries. That means your child could get to hold a baby alligator! Think about the memories made from that!
The Mall
Now, it might seem strange to bring up visiting a mall. However, malls can be a great way to let kids blow off steam. They’re an indoor activity again, also protected from the weather. There are a few in Fort Lauderdale that are big enough to explore.
While shopping may not seem like a kid-friendly activity, many malls have a variety of entertainment options. They often host events and have family-friendly restaurants. This makes it a good stop for lunch or snacks.
Butterfly Parks
Now, if your kids are afraid of bugs, this might not be the place for you. Otherwise, though, a butterfly park or garden can be a great place to bring the family! There’s one in the area (Butterfly World) that has the most butterflies in the world.
These sorts of attractions are, again, about relaxation. You and the kids can take in the beautiful sights. If you’re lucky, a butterfly could even land on you for a little while! Those types of memories can be amazing.
The Beach
If you look online, chances are you’ll see people recommending you visit the beach. Perhaps it’s not one of the most unique things to do in Fort Lauderdale. But it’s not hard to see why the beach is still a great option.
With all the beautiful natural sights around, it can seem a bit predictable to instead visit the ocean. After all, you can see that almost anywhere along the coast. Still, if you want to get a nice suntan and let the kids run wild, the beach could be a great choice. With warm water and plenty of sea shells to collect, perhaps the biggest positive is the relaxation aspect. Just remember that you’ll be cleaning sand out of everything afterwards.
Local Events
Depending on when you visit, you may be able to take advantage of local events. Try asking around. You can also search online for what will be active while you’re there! Many locals recommend these as underrated tourist destinations.
Some examples could include 10K runs on the beach or food and music festivals. You might be surprised what family friendly fun you can find. There’s also the Fort Lauderdale Air Show, featuring the Bllue Angels — and an international boat show.
Boardwalks
Another option that’s easy to overlook are boardwalks. There are several unique ones in the Fort Lauderdale area. Right next to Lauderdale is the famous Hollywood Boardwalk. It’s 2.2 miles of pedestrian boardwalk, with a bike-riding lane and jogging path. And of course, beautiful coastal views! Outdoor cafes sell meals and ice cream. See a live cam view here!
Hiking and Canoeing
With the Everglades nearby, it’s hardly a surprise that we’re recommending hiking and canoeing. We’ve mentioned those activities already here today. Still, we want to highlight them further.
As far as hiking goes, many people get intimidated by that phrasing. However, there are plenty of low-intensity options in the area. You don’t have to do anything intense and crazy to have fun with the family.
Canoeing is also difficult in some aspects. If you’d like a lower-energy option, you could consider kayaking. Either can make for a great story later on, of course.
Overall, there are a ton of unique attractions in Fort Lauderdale. Whether it’s a sunny day or a rainy one, there are plenty of options to explore. You don’t have to stress about finding activities for the whole family, either.
Of course, we haven’t covered absolutely everything. Hopefully, this list inspires you to find even more options that are off the beaten path. From cruising across the Everglades in an airboat to walking through an alligator rescue sanctuary, you have plenty of attractions to explore.
Conclusion of Unique Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale
Because of the variety of things to do in Fort Lauderdale, it is a simple task to entertain your family. From wildlife spotting and beach adventures, exploring the Everglades on an airboat, attending festivals and shows, or even visiting aquariums and gardens, it’s a great place to be!
Interested in other Florida cities to explore? Read these articles:
5 Reasons to Visit Jacksonville, Florida
Daytona Beach…and a Lighthouse
I miss living in Ft Lauderdale & loved the Everglades!