Where to Find the Best Family Fun in Florida Keys

The Florida Keys are famous for their breathtaking sunsets, and a family-friendly sunset cruise is a great way to enjoy them. Some tours offer snacks, live music, and even pirate-themed experiences with storytelling and treasure hunts for kids. Watching the sun set over the water while dolphins swim nearby is a magical way to end the day.

The Florida Keys are known as the fishing capital of the world, and many local charters offer kid-friendly fishing trips. These short excursions take families to calm waters where kids can catch snapper, grouper, and other easy-to-reel fish. Guides provide all the gear and teach children how to bait hooks and reel in their catch. Many charters offer a “catch and cook” experience where local restaurants will prepare your fresh fish for dinner.

No trip to the Florida Keys is complete without tasting authentic Key lime pie. Many bakeries and cafés serve this sweet and tangy treat, and some even offer mini pies or frozen chocolate-dipped versions that kids will love. Some places allow children to watch the pie-making process, making it a fun and delicious experience for the whole family.

This stunning state park is home to some of the best beaches in the Florida Keys. Families can enjoy a relaxing day playing in the soft sand, swimming in calm, shallow waters, or exploring nature trails with scenic ocean views. Kids can look for seashells, spot small fish near the shore, and even see dolphins swimming in the distance. The park also offers kayak rentals for families who want to paddle through the peaceful waters.

This magical indoor garden in Key West is home to hundreds of colorful butterflies fluttering around lush tropical plants. Kids will love walking through the conservatory, spotting butterflies up close, and learning about their life cycle. The exhibit also features exotic birds and even a pair of friendly flamingos named Rhett and Scarlett. It’s a peaceful and visually stunning experience that captivates children of all ages.

Located in Islamorada, Robbie’s Marina is famous for its tarpon feeding experience. Kids can buy a bucket of fish and dangle them over the dock while massive tarpon leap out of the water to grab a snack. It’s a thrilling and interactive activity that gets kids excited about marine life. The marina also has a marketplace with local crafts, a restaurant, and kayak rentals for more family fun.

Located in Marathon, this interactive aquarium lets kids get hands-on with marine life. They can touch stingrays, feed nurse sharks, and even snorkel in a giant saltwater tank filled with tropical fish. The facility is designed to be engaging for all ages, with fun exhibits about coral reefs, mangroves, and ocean conservation. Families can also watch animal feedings and educational presentations throughout the day.

The Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum is a fascinating place where kids can learn about real pirate treasure and historic shipwrecks. The museum combines storytelling, interactive exhibits, and live reenactments to bring history to life. Kids can climb a lookout tower, touch artifacts from actual shipwrecks, and hear dramatic tales of maritime adventures. It’s an exciting mix of education and entertainment for the whole family.

The Florida Keys are home to the adorable and endangered Key deer, a small species found only in this region. At the National Key Deer Refuge, families can take short hikes through nature trails where these gentle creatures roam freely. The refuge also has a visitor center with educational displays about the deer and other local wildlife. Seeing these rare animals up close is a special experience for kids who love nature and animals.

Located in Islamorada, Theater of the Sea is a marine park where kids can swim with dolphins, sea lions, and stingrays in a safe, controlled environment. The facility also offers boat rides through a natural lagoon, interactive animal shows, and touch tanks where children can learn about marine life. It’s a great way for kids to have up-close encounters with ocean creatures while learning about conservation efforts.

Located in Key West, this free, interactive museum teaches kids about the ecosystems of the Florida Keys. The center features exhibits on coral reefs, mangroves, and marine life, including a replica of the Aquarius underwater lab. Kids can see a giant reef tank with colorful fish and learn about conservation efforts through hands-on displays and short films. It’s a great indoor activity for a break from the sun.

Even the journey through the Florida Keys can be an adventure. Families can make stops at scenic viewpoints, quirky roadside attractions, and small hidden beaches along the way. Highlights include the famous Seven Mile Bridge, the quirky Rain Barrel Artisan Village in Islamorada (home to the giant lobster statue), and the Big Pine Key flea market. Kids will love spotting wildlife and seeing the endless ocean views.

This historic fort in Key West is a great place for kids to learn about history while enjoying the outdoors. Families can explore the old military fort, walk along scenic nature trails, and relax on the beach. Snorkeling here is also fantastic, with plenty of fish near the rocky shoreline. Picnic areas make it a great spot for a family lunch by the water.

Kids who love marine life will be thrilled to visit the Dolphin Research Center, a nonprofit facility dedicated to dolphin and sea lion care. Families can watch training sessions, learn about dolphin behaviors, and even interact with the animals through special encounter programs. Children can participate in fun activities like painting with a dolphin or getting splashed during a play session. The center also rehabilitates injured sea creatures, making it a great place to learn about ocean conservation.

This educational and heartwarming experience allows kids to see rescued sea turtles up close. The Turtle Hospital provides guided tours where visitors can learn about sea turtle species, the threats they face, and how they’re cared for before being released back into the wild. Kids will enjoy seeing turtles in various recovery tanks and hearing stories about their rescue. At the end of the tour, families can participate in feeding the turtles, making it a memorable experience for children.

If snorkeling isn’t an option, a glass-bottom boat tour is a fantastic way for kids to experience the underwater world without getting wet. Boats with clear viewing panels take families over coral reefs, where they can see tropical fish, sea turtles, and even sharks. Many tours include a fun educational narration, making it both entertaining and informative for children.

The Seven Mile Bridge is one of the most famous landmarks in the Florida Keys. While the full length is too far for little legs, families can take a short walk along the pedestrian section to enjoy stunning ocean views. It’s a great spot for taking family photos, spotting marine life, and watching boats pass by. During sunset, the views from the bridge are especially breathtaking.

The calm, shallow waters around Big Pine Key make it an ideal place for a family kayaking adventure. Guided tours take families through winding mangrove tunnels, where kids can spot crabs, fish, and even small sharks in the clear waters. Paddling through this unique ecosystem is a great way to experience nature up close while learning about the importance of mangroves in protecting marine life.

This beautiful park in Key West is a perfect stop for families with younger kids. It features a large playground, picnic areas, and an interactive splash pad where children can cool off. The park also has open green spaces for running around and offers scenic ocean views, making it a great spot for a relaxing family afternoon.

A great way for families to explore Key West without too much walking, the Conch Tour Train is a fun, narrated ride through the island’s most famous spots. Kids will enjoy the open-air train experience while learning about pirates, shipwrecks, and local legends. The tour stops at family-friendly attractions, making it easy to hop on and off to explore different areas. The entertaining guides keep kids engaged with interesting stories and fun facts.

Key Largo’s calm waters make it a great spot for families to try kayaking or paddleboarding. Guided eco-tours take families through mangrove tunnels, where they can spot birds, crabs, and small fish. Some rentals even offer clear kayaks so kids can see the water life beneath them. It’s a fun and gentle way to explore nature up close.

Some boat tours in Key West offer pirate-themed adventures where kids can dress up, search for treasure, and even have a pretend water cannon battle. These cruises provide fun storytelling and interactive elements that make kids feel like real pirates sailing the high seas. It’s a great way to add excitement to a day on the water.

A visit to Dry Tortugas National Park is an adventure for families willing to take a boat or seaplane ride from Key West. This remote island is home to Fort Jefferson, an impressive 19th-century fort surrounded by crystal-clear waters. Kids can explore the historic fort, snorkel in the shallow waters filled with tropical fish, and enjoy a picnic on the white sandy beach. The journey itself is an exciting part of the experience, offering breathtaking views of the ocean along the way.

Many of the beaches in the Florida Keys have hidden treasures just waiting to be discovered. Families can bring a bucket and hunt for beautiful seashells, coral pieces, and even the occasional shark tooth. Some areas, like Sombrero Beach and Curry Hammock State Park, are known for their calm waters and great shelling spots. It’s a simple but fun way to keep kids entertained by the shore.

Located in Key Largo, John Pennekamp is the first undersea park in the U.S. and a paradise for families who love the ocean. Kids can snorkel in shallow waters filled with colorful fish, coral reefs, and even a submerged statue of Christ. For those who prefer to stay dry, glass-bottom boat tours provide incredible underwater views without needing to swim. The park also has nature trails, picnic areas, and kayak rentals for more family fun.