Where to Take Kids in Palm Beach County
One of the best parts of raising children in the Palm Beaches is that you’re so often just a short drive away from something fun. We have sea turtles and science museums, splash pads and nature trails, beaches for burning off energy and plenty of air-conditioned options for the afternoons when South Florida reminds you exactly where you live.
This isn’t meant to be a list of every place you can take your kids in Palm Beach County. It’s a list of places I think are worth you knowing about.
Key: FREE · INDOORS · TODDLER · WATER · ANIMALS · NATURE · RAINY DAY
JUPITER
DuBois Park
FREE · TODDLER · WATER
A protected lagoon, little beach and beautiful Jupiter Inlet setting make this one of my favorite places for small children to play in the water alongside you.
Busch Wildlife Sanctuary
ANIMALS · TODDLER · NATURE
This a wonderful introduction to native Florida wildlife, with rescued animals including alligators, bears, birds, panthers and more. It’s among the county’s notable attractions, and I think it’s pretty enjoyable for adults as well. It’s also the first call you’ll probably make if you happen to come across an injured wild animal.
Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum
NATURE · HISTORY
Save the lighthouse climb for children who are ready for it (there are 105 steps inside the lighthouse tower, plus 34 leading up the hill to the base), but this is one of those places local kids should experience at least once.
Riverbend Park
FREE · NATURE
Walking, biking, wildlife and paddling along the Loxahatchee River. You can make this a simple nature walk with little kids and turn it into a bigger adventure, in a canoe, perhaps, as they get older. However, mind the wildlife. I’ve seen a mama and baby manatee swimming together, looking for seagrass to eat while kayaking there, and also an alligator perched on a log at arm’s length.
North County Aquatic Complex
WATER · TODDLER
All the fun of a water park without all the walking. This city-owned and run facility features slides, lap lanes, beach-entry access, a dive well, leisure swim area and rock climbing walls. The Splash Zone is one of my favorite places to hang out with my toddler, with slides, interactive play features and an 18-inch max depth.
Carlin Park
FREE · WATER · TODDLER
Beach, playground and plenty of space for a picnic.
JUNO BEACH
Loggerhead Marinelife Center
ANIMALS · INDOORS + OUTDOORS · TODDLER · RAINY DAY
Established in 1983, this is one of the absolute essentials, and it just keeps getting better. Visit the sea turtles, explore the indoor and outdoor exhibits, don’t miss the great gift shop and then wander over to the beach. Donations are appreciated upon entry.
Loggerhead Park
FREE · TODDLER · WATER · NATURE
The natural companion to Loggerhead Marinelife Center, with beach access, picnic areas and a nature trail.
Juno Beach Pier
WATER · NATURE
Walk out over the Atlantic (I think it costs a dollar or two for access beyond the pier shop), watch people fish and look for marine life below. The pier extends 990 feet into the ocean.
PALM BEACH GARDENS + NORTH PALM BEACH
The Gardens North County District Park
FREE · TODDLER · WATER
Playground, splash pad and lots of space. Perfect for birthday parties, and this is also where the city hosts many events, including its pretty epic annual ‘Golden Egg Hunt’ at Easter time.
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
WATER · NATURE · ANIMALS
Named for the founder of Palm Beach Gardens, the long boardwalk over the estuary is part of the adventure, followed by trails, a nature center and one of the area’s more natural stretches of beach.
Anchorage Park
FREE · TODDLER · WATER
Waterfront playground, paths and boats to watch — this is an uncomplicated little-kid outing with beautiful views. I’ve had family photos taken here along the Intracoastal Waterway.
RIVIERA BEACH + SINGER ISLAND
Peanut Island Park
WATER · NATURE
Getting there by boat is half the fun. Once there, explore the beaches, wildlife and the paved path around the island. Palm Beach County specifically lists it among its attractions.
Phil Foster Park
FREE · WATER
A beach day for younger children and, eventually, an underwater snorkeling trail when you and they are ready.
Ocean Reef Park
FREE · WATER · TODDLER
Easy beach-and-playground combination.
Rapids Waterpark
WATER
The full-fledged water-park day.
WEST PALM BEACH
Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society
ANIMALS · TODDLER
One of the county’s best all-around outings with younger children, with a walkable layout, shaded paths and plenty to see no matter the weather or time of day. Wait until you see the tiger habitat. Here’s a hint: look up! Also, my daughter especially loves the aviary.
Cox Science Center and Aquarium
INDOORS · RAINY DAY · TODDLER · WATER
Hands-on exhibits, aquarium, planetarium, outdoor science trail and play areas. It’s one of the most comfortable of these options on a hot or rainy day.
Manatee Lagoon
FREE · ANIMALS · INDOORS + OUTDOORS
Especially worth remembering during cooler weather when manatees congregate around warm water.
Grassy Waters Preserve
FREE · NATURE · ANIMALS
Boardwalks, trails, wetlands and a nature center in a 15,000-acre preserve. Makes for a very good “let’s go look for an alligator” morning.
Mounts Botanical Garden
NATURE
A nice choice when you want somewhere beautiful that adults genuinely enjoy too.
Okeeheelee Park + Nature Center
FREE · NATURE · ANIMALS · TODDLER
A big, easy outdoor outing with trails, playgrounds, picnic spots and a nature center where little kids can see native animals up close. It’s one of those places you can make as short or as full-day as you want.
PALM BEACH
The Society of the Four Arts Children’s Library + Gardens
FREE · INDOORS + OUTDOORS · TODDLER
A lovely Palm Beach outing with a beautiful children’s library, peaceful gardens and just enough room to wander. It’s charming and especially good for a slower toddler morning.
Henry Morrison Flagler Museum
HISTORY · INDOORS
More appropriate as children get older, but it’s a landmark local childhood field trip.
Palm Beach Lake Trail
FREE · TODDLER
Stroller walk, bike ride or simply somewhere to wander along the Intracoastal. The perfect place for fresh air and beautiful views. Pack a picnic lunch and waters in the car. I used to work on the island and sometimes would enjoy my lunch on a picnic bench along the trail.
WELLINGTON
Tiger Shark Cove Park
FREE · TODDLER
Big destination playground and one of the better free options out west.
Scott’s Place Playground
FREE · TODDLER
Fenced, inclusive and especially good for younger children.
Wellington Environmental Preserve
FREE · NATURE · ANIMALS
Boardwalks, wetlands, wildlife and an observation tower to enjoy.
Wellington International
ANIMALS
A classic Palm Beach County experience during the winter equestrian season, with beautiful horses and world-class riders. A great one for kids who love animals, people-watching and a little local magic.
Wellington Aquatics Complex
WATER
A newly updated hot-weather outing with a recreation pool, interactive play features, shaded spots and a full competition pool for more experienced swimmers. Easy, clean and built for those South Florida days when the only reasonable plan is water.
WORTH THE DRIVE
Schoolhouse Children’s Museum — Boynton Beach
INDOORS · TODDLER · RAINY DAY
It’s specifically designed around hands-on imaginative play and is much more relevant to parents of little kids than another generic park.
Green Cay Nature Center & Wetlands — Boynton Beach
FREE · NATURE · ANIMALS
A 1.5-mile elevated wetland boardwalk plus indoor educational exhibits. Excellent for grandparents and toddlers together.
Sugar Sand Park — Boca Raton
FREE · TODDLER · INDOORS + OUTDOORS
Huge playground plus the Children’s Science Explorium, carousel and other facilities. It’s legitimately worth driving south for.
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center — Boca Raton
ANIMALS · NATURE
Another very Palm Beach County experience and an easy pairing with the beach. Palm Beach County includes Gumbo Limbo among its notable attractions. I love seeing the sea turtles and the inhabitants of its aquariums. I believe they have a famous pufferfish, too.
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens — Delray Beach
NATURE · CULTURE
Beautiful grounds and something children can grow into.
Sandoway Discovery Center — Delray Beach
ANIMALS · INDOORS · RAINY DAY
Small marine and nature center in a historic beachfront house. Better for a shorter outing than an all-day excursion.
Lion Country Safari — Loxahatchee
ANIMALS
A classic Palm Beach County field trip with a fascinating — and narrated through an app —drive-through safari. Go for the animals, stay for the walk-through park, giraffe feeding, splash pad, rides and enough to turn it into a full-day outing.
Palm Beach County alone lists dozens of playgrounds. I won’t list all of them, but here are some things you ought to know before you go:
Bert Winters Park’s playground is currently closed for redevelopment, with completion estimated for late fall 2026, and the West Jupiter Recreation Center playground closed for repairs beginning September 10.
