Free Things to Do in Miami With Kids

Miami is, without a doubt, a gorgeous city and has so many nice sights and activities to offer. However, our beautiful city has a bad rep for being quite pricey. If you feel like everything in the 305 is expensive, you’re going to be surprised to learn how many fun things you can do FOR FREE. Here is a list of free things to do in Miami.

Go to a museum.

A lot of museums in Miami and its surrounding areas offer at least one free day per month. Here are a few examples below:

The Gold Coast Railroad Museum is free every first Saturday of the month. It is located right next to Zoo Miami and features trains to take a ride on and a fun room full of model trains for kids to play with.

The modern Perez Art Museum Miami offers free admission every second Saturday with advance reservation. This is one of my favorite museums. It’s absolutely worth visiting. While you’re there, eat at their spectacular restaurant, Verde.

History Miami Museum offers a Free Family Fun Day every second Saturday of the month. If you are a Bank of America cardholder, you get to visit these participating museums for free on the first weekend of every month.

The Coral Gables Museum hosts a free Family Day on the second Saturday of the month. Admission is free on that day and there are educational activities and performances outside of the museum. 

Visit a national park on a fee-free day.

Miami is famous for the Everglades and its wildlife. Visiting Everglades National Park is a true treat. You can explore by kayak or by bike while spotting alligators, manatees, and more. On select holidays, the park is admission-free. This year, you will still get a chance to explore these fascinating wetlands on the anniversary of the American Great Outdoors Act (August 4), on National Public Lands Day (September 24), and on Veterans Day (November 11). Don’t want to wait? No worries. In the meantime, you can visit Biscayne National Park which is always free.

Enjoy one of the many playgrounds, parks, and beaches.

Miami’s sunny weather makes it fun to go outdoors year-round. There are numerous gorgeous parks, outdoor centers, and beaches all around town. Here are a few select favorites:

(1) Salvadore Park in Coral Gables. This playground has recently been fully renovated and is now inclusive and sensory-friendly.

(2) Peacock Park in the Grove is located right by the water. The best part: You can have a glass of wine at the adjacent restaurant while watching your kiddos play.

(3) Coral Way Community Center Playground: This fun and clean playground is split into two different parts for different age groups and includes a cute little train.

(4) Altos del Mar Park: This cute ocean-front park in Miami Beach is completely shaded and pirate ship-themed.

(5) Robert is Here: In addition to a variety of locally-grown fresh fruits, shakes, and other homemade goodies, this Homestead farm stand also offers a free petting zoo. Just head straight to the back.

(6) Enchanted Forest (Elaine Gordon Park): Note that we are not talking about Santa’s Enchanted Forest here. This beautiful park offers a butterfly garden, a petting zoo, and horseback riding.

(7) South Pointe Park: The beach at the southernmost part of South Beach is my favorite! The waters are mostly clear and the atmosphere is a lot calmer than the rest of SoBe. You can walk on the pier or go to the oceanfront playground.

(8) Key Biscayne: The beach at Key Biscayne is very popular amongst families with small children due to its shallow and calm waters.

Events at the Library

Did you know that Miami-Dade public libraries offer a lot of free book readings and other free events for children? My local library used to be my go-to place for my son’s enrichment before he went to preschool. Look up the closest library under this link and check out their events calendar.

Not enough action for you?

If you were hoping to find something with a little more action on this list, let me assure you that I saved the best for last! Check out the Aventura Mall Sliding Tower. Slide down this 93-foot tall, spiraling structure and have some adrenaline-filled fun!

Did you know that Miami Mom Collective has an events calendar that is constantly updated and includes many free events? Moreover, you can check out our Instagram page to find out about more free things to do for the family. If we missed any cool free activity, please let us know in the comments!

In case you missed it, be sure to check out this post for more local budget-friendly family fun. Also be sure to check out our Guide to Water Parks, Pools, and Splash Pads Around Miami!