Just For Kids
Whether you are looking for an educational destination, one filled with sports and shopping for the whole family, the perfect dining spots for kids or South Florida's best family-friendly special events and packages, look no further than Greater Fort Lauderdale.
Kids of all ages will enjoy Wannado City, America's first "kidizen" theme park at Sawgrass Mills, and the Museum of Discovery & Science in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Young at Art Children's Museum is a great choice for the younger child, while Boomers and Gameworks will brighten your older child's day. For the animal-lover and budding environmentalist, don't miss a visit to the Everglades, Butterfly World and Flamingo Gardens. Scooter, canoe, jet ski and other watersports are sure to thrill the family. And Orioles spring training at Fort Lauderdale Stadium is always a hit.
Print PageBOOMERS! GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE
- 1700 NW 1st St., Dania Beach, 954-921-1411
- The latest state-of-the-art video games, go-kart racing and speedway kart racing, rock wall, miniature golf, batting cages, bumper boats, wave rider, magic samba balloons, frog hopper, Caribbean carousel, rollercoaster, laser tag, bowling, sports lounge, and two thrill rides. Open daily.
BROWARD COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION
- 950 N.W. 38th St., Oakland Park, 954-357-8100
- More than half a million people a year use picnic shelters or other meeting facilities in Broward County parks. Whether you’re planning a birthday party, shower, wedding reception, holiday gathering, family reunion, church event, or large corporate or association function, there’s a park to accommodate your needs. Our 18 regional parks offer more than 90 shelters, with capacities ranging from 20 to 400, as well as a variety of other facilities, including gazebos, outdoor amphitheaters, and conference and meeting rooms. Our neighborhood parks also have community centers available for rental. All shelters have picnic tables; most include grills. Amenities at indoor facilities vary.
BUEHLER PLANETARIUM (BCC Campus)
- 3501 SW Davie Rd., Davie, 954-201-6681
- Located at the Broward Community College, Central Campus. Experience shows that introduce you to space and expand horizons. $2-6.
BUTTERFLY WORLD
- 3600 W. Sample Rd., Coconut Creek, 954-977-4400
- Thousands of live, rainbow-hued butterflies dwell in acres of waterfalls, orchids, roses and tropical gardens that are also home to fish, hummingbirds, lorikeet, insectarium, butterfly farm and outdoor cafe. Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm (Admission closes at 4pm). Adults $24.95, children 3-11 $19.95, under 3 free.
CB SMITH PARK
- C.B. Smith Park, 900 N. Flamingo Rd. Pembroke Pines, 954-357-8115
- New Aquatics complex includes 2 interactive water playgrounds, tube ride and 2 waterslides.
DANIA BEACH HURRICANE
- 1760 NW 1st Street (next to Boomers), Dania Beach , 954-921-4921
- Wooden roller coaster with 3,200 ft. worth of adrenaline-pumping excitement with speeds up to 55 mph. $6.24 per ride or $12 for unlimited rides per person. Open daily at 10am.
EVERGLADES HOLIDAY PARK/AIRBOAT TOURS
- 21940 Griffin Rd, Fort Lauderdale, 954-434-8111
- Journey on an airboat through the "River of Grass." Expert fishing guide tours, fishing facilities, boat rentals, 24-hr. general store. 9am-5pm, departing every 20 minutes or less.
EZride Surf School
- Fort Lauderdale, 954-803-7988
- Professional Surf Lessons offered at multiple beach locations. Surf training and ocean education to start your surf journey, or turn your vacation into an exciting surf experience. Call for reserved lessons.
FORT LAUDERDALE CHILDREN'S THEATRE
- 640 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, 954-763-6882
- A not-for-profit organization offering theatre arts classes and camps for children and teens
FORT LAUDERDALE DUCK TOURS
- 17 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. (Across from BeachPlace), Fort Lauderdale, 954-761-4002
- Amphibious duck tours, the eye opening tour lasts 1 ½ hours and is narrated by entertaining tour guides. Cruise both land and sea including the landmark Fort Lauderdale strip, quaint Las Olas Boulevard, historical districts and the mansions and yachts dotting Millionaire's Row. Daily 10am-6pm. Adults $30, seniors $26, children $16, under 3 free.
FUN RENTALS
- 239 Almond Ave, Fort Lauderdale, 954-768-9020
- Scooters, new 2-person scoot cars, bicycles, skates, snorkeling, surfing. Prices vary for hourly, daily or weekly rentals. Deerfield Location: 1985 A1A, Deerfield Beach (954) 427-4647.
GAMEWORKS AT SAWGRASS OASIS
- 2608 Sawgrass Mills Cir., Ste. 1303, Sunrise, 954-845-8740
- American, $
- Open: Arena Sports Bar and Grill Hours Mon-Thurs 11am-9pm, Fri 11am-10pm, Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-9pm. Holiday Hours: Thanksgiving 2pm-12am, Christmas Eve 11am-5pm, Christmas Day 2pm-12am, New Year's Eve 10am-2am, New Year's Day 10am-12am.
- 20,000 sq. ft. interactive arena. Unique entertainment destination delivering all-around games, drinks, food, music. Players of all ages are the attraction.
IGFA FISHING HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM
- 300 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach, 954-924-4370
- Visit the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum and you are immersed in an underwater world filled with world record fish. The museum provides sport fishing and record information, interactive displays and virtual reality fishing. In The Wetlands exhibit experience the natural environment of marshlands complete with live alligators.
INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING HALL OF FAME
- 1 Hall of Fame Dr., Fort Lauderdale, 954-462-6536
- In addition to recognizing over 600 of the world's greatest aquatic athletes the museum is a multi-faceted attraction with exhibits featuring the world's largest, collection of objects d'art, rare photos, posters, films, swimsuits, Olympic medals, trophies and other swimming related artifacts dating from the days of ancient Assyria to modern times.
JUNGLE QUEEN RIVERBOAT
- 801 Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. (A1A), Fort Lauderdale, 954-462-5596
- American, $$
- Open: Departs Daily 6pm
- World Famous BBQ & Shrimp Dinner Cruise. Sail to their tropical isle for an "All You Can Eat" dinner of ribs, chicken, shrimp with all the trimmings followed by a hilarious variety show. Daily three hour fully narrated sightseeing cruises of the historic New River, Millionaire's Row, with a stop-off at their tropical isle to see rare birds, monkeys and alligator exhibition.
- Average Dining Cost: Adults $39.95, Children (12 & under) $21.75
MAI-KAI RESTAURANT & POLYNESIAN REVUE
- 3599 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, 954-563-3272
- $$$
- Open: Dinner: Sun-Thurs 5pm-10:30pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-11:30pm. Closed Mon. Showtimes (Dinner served before the show): Tue-Thurs 8pm, Fri-Sat 7pm & 10pm, Sunday 7pm.
- Authentically recreates a Polynesian village, complete with tiki torches, thatch roof and wooden plank entrance into a unique dining and entertainment locale. Show: Adults $10.95, under 12 free. Reservations required.
- Average Dining Cost: $30
MUSEUM OF DISCOVERY & SCIENCE & AUTONATION IMAX
- 401 SW 2nd St., Fort Lauderdale, 954-467-6637
- Dynamic hands-on exhibits and five-story IMAX 3D Theater puts you in the center of the action. Open daily, 365 days a year, Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-6pm with extended IMAX® hours on most evenings. General admission $15 adults; $14 seniors; $12 children 2 to 12; under 2 free. Ticket includes admission to the Museum exhibits and one 45-minute IMAX film.
MY JEWISH DISCOVERY PLACE CHILDRENS MUSEUM
- 6501 W. Sunrise Blvd., Plantation, 954-792-6700
- Alvin and Evelyn Gross Family Children's Museum is a hands-on, interactive museum of Jewish culture, history and values where children and families learn about the joys of Jewish life. It is dedicated to providing an environment where creativity, learning and play become a bridge to understanding in our multi-cultural world. Tues-Fri 10am-5pm. Sun 12-4pm. Admission: Under 2 free, $3-4.
OCEAN PROMOTION/FUNKY FISH KIDS DAY INC.
- Fort Lauderdale Beach, Fort Lauderdale, 954-712-9900
- Snorkeling, skim boarding, boogie boarding, scuba and glass boat trips. On the beach daily 10am-3pm, $49.
SAWGRASS RECREATION PARK
- 1006 N. U.S. Hwy. 27, Weston, 954-389-0202
- Come visit Sawgrass Recreation Park. Feel the excitement and learn the history of Florida's most remarkable treasure, the Everglades. Renew your spirit as you glide across miles of river at speeds up to 40 mph and get up close and personal with native wildlife, many of whom are endangered in this fragile environment. Start your adventure with a 30 minute airboat tour of the Florida Everglades. Catch a glimpse of endangered wildlife as you skim across the glassy water.
SEA EXPERIENCE SCUBA DIVING, GLASSBOTTOM & SNORKEL ADVENTURES
- 801 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-467-6000
- Glass bottom, snorkel and scuba diving trips. Try the Discover Scuba Diving, a 4 hour class and go scuba diving the same day. Visit the underwater beauty of natural reefs. View through the glass bottom or get up close and personal snorkeling with the tropical fish. An experienced staff helps beginners and seasoned snorkelers in every aspect of their tour. Great family fun and an educational eco-tour. Two trips daily (three trips during peak times), seven days a week; also offering private charters. Two tank scuba trips also offered daily.
SPAREZ BOWLING
- 5325 S. University Drive, Davie, 954-434-9663
- Open: Sun-Thurs 9am-1am. Fri-Sat 9am-3am.
- HammerJacks Sports Bar & Grille, 2 Billiard Areas, Arcade and Gaming, Public WIFI Access, Storms Pro Shop, Food and Beverage Lane Service. Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Rates: $3.50/Game, $17.50/Hour of Bowling, $3.75/Shoe Rental. Fri 5pm- Sun 1am Rates: $22/Hour of Bowling, $3.75/Shoe Rental. Check website for more offers and special rates.
SWAP SHOP
- 3291 W. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-791-4791
- A 180,000 sq ft air-conditioned shopping and entertainment complex featuring brand-name merchandise, international restaurants and 14-screen drive-in theater. Open daily.
WANNADO CITY
- 12801 W. Sunrise Blvd., Anchor D, 12801 Sunrise Blvd., Anchor D Sunrise, 954-838-7100
- The only kid-sized city where kids can make their wishes come true in a realistic and imaginative way. Wannado City is designed to allow kids to live out their dreams - from learning to be a firefighter to piloting an aircraft to working at a TV studio! A complete city at the size of 3 football fields, Wannado City is sure to bring the kid out in everyone! Designed to let children experience what they "wannabe" when they grow up. Adults will enjoy and experience a city that includes a theater, a circus, hospital, plus many more from a child's point of view.
XTREME INDOOR KARTING
- 5300 Powerline Rd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-491-6265
- Start your engines! Set up teams for an endurance race complete with pit stops to the final team victory lap. Race on one of the fastest & longest indoor karting tracks in the world in a Bowman Arrow Race Kart.
YOUNG AT ART CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
- 11584 State Road 84, Davie, 954-424-0085
- Enjoy South Florida's unique hands-on children's art museum. Admission $8, children under 2 free.
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