Miami For Kids: Outdoor Activities & Parks

 
There are so many family-friendly activities in Miami, this series could go on throughout the summer. Last week, we talked about things to do with the kids if the weather isn’t being cooperative. So this week, let’s talk about things to do on a more beautiful day.

Miami Beach Botanical Garden Free Art Class Miami Kids

1 – Miami Beach Botanical Garden

“The tropical oasis in the heart of Miami Beach” is an amazing outing for the kids. Among other things, the Miami Beach Botanical Garden has partnered with the Sunflower Society to bring free weekly art classes for the kids. Winsome Bolt and Denise Marlow assist young artists using mixed media. This year’s theme is insects & flowers.

The classes take place every Wednesday from 10am-noon and run from June 21-August 16 with an art exhibition on August 16.

Fairchild Botanic Gardens Mango Festival Miami

2 – Fairchild Tropical Gardens

The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens was ranked #1 Best Botanic Garden in the United States by USA Today. The Miami New Times also ranked it as the Best Outdoor Attraction in the area.

Coming up is the annual Mango Festival, July 8 & 9. This celebrates our 30-year history with mangos and you can do almost anything imaginable during the festival. There is a mango brunch, classes about the fruit, shop mango plants, and also enjoy the other attractions in the park.

For ongoing attractions, kids will love the summer camp, and even a dragons garden. There is a children’s garden and a discovery attraction where the kids can explore hidden corners. Loads of fun.

Pinecrest Gardens Playground Miami Frog

3 – Pinecrest Gardens

South Florida’s Cultural Arts Park is Pinecrest Gardens. One of our favorite programs there is called Little Lizards on alternating Wednesday afternoons. It is an informal science and art program with a monthly theme. Registration is required.

In the summertime, there is the Discovery Lab where kids can become a true scientist. The sessions encompass all areas of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math). There is chemistry, energy, mechanical engineering, life science and others. And of course there is fun in the splash pad, the play park, the zoo, gardens and indoor facilities.

If your kiddo is not yet big enough for the other activities but is potty trained, they can attend the Pinecrest Dance Project Toddler Camp. They also have a full menu of Mommy and Me classes that are ongoing.

Ferre Park Downtown Miami Sculpture Garden

4 – Bayfront Park & Maurice A Ferre Park

With the longest waterfront promenade in Miami, Downtown’s Maurice A Ferre Park and Bayfront Park off beautiful scenery, lots to do and offers direct access to the Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science and the Perez Art Museum. There is an amazing new sculpture garden, access to restaurants and monuments to Miami’s rich history.

In Bayfront Park, you will find a playground near the pavilion on the south side and direct access to Bayside Marketplace where you can experience the Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel. Boat rentals and tourist boats are also available in Bayside Marketplace.

Tinez Farms Miami

5- Tinez Farm

With a little bit of a drive, you can find something really special. Tinez Farm is a small family-owned center that is wonderful for kids to explore in. Jessica and Ruben Martinez are Miami-natives who realized how difficult it is to come by local, organically grown goods so off they went.

Our daughter loves it here. She can waddle around and pick from the seasonal veggies and take a pony ride. There are animal interactions, guided tours, a garden maze, Tinez yard games, climbing, swings, a zip line and a tubing slide. Sometimes special characters arrive too, so check their Instagram page for special announcements.

They also have a full menu of fresh, sustainably raised meats of all kinds. There is grass fed & finished beef, pasture-raised pig, lamb, goat, chicken, turkey and duck that were raised with zero hormones or antibiotics. It’s a really special place and we love that it’s locally-owned and operated.

Knaus Berry Farm Sign

BONUS – Knaus Berry Farm

Speaking of locally owned and operated, we can’t have a list of outdoor things for kids in Miami to do without including the famous Knaus Berry Farm in Homestead. I added it as a bonus since they close for the summer and here we are, but from November-April this is not a spot to miss.

Beginning as a small berry stand run by 2 brothers in 1956, a broker tasted the cookies made by Ray’s wife. He said they were good enough to sell and indeed they were! Be prepared to wait. You’ll see come November that local Miamians are proud to wait in the line for their famous cinnamon rolls and pecan rolls. For the kids, there is fresh berry picking and tomatoes which is an iconic Miami memory for generations.

We hope you’re enjoying these new lists and coming up with new ideas for how to beat the heat in Miami with your whole brood!