Things to Do with Miami Babies Before They Turn One

1. Animal Edventure Park and Safari

Take babies to Animal Edventure Park to pet and feed animals, as well as walk or stroll along a safari with animal meet-and-greets.

2. Beaches

Enjoy a leisurely beach day with baby! Mathisen Hammock Beach and Red Reef Park offer short walks to the beach, nearby parking, indoor bathrooms, shallow wading water, and more details to make them great beach options for young children. Red Reef Park offers a boardwalk for stroller walks; the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center features mesmerizing turtles and other sea creatures.

Stroll through the grounds of Flamingo Gardens and get your baby close to nature. Photo courtesy of Flamingo Gardens

3. Butterfly World

Walk through the butterfly gardens at Butterfly World in Coconut Creek

4. The Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast

Head to Jensen Beach for The Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast and treat your little one to a day of learning and discovery. Much of the museum focuses on developing gross motor skills, self-confidence, and more for the younger children.

5. Delray Beach Children's Garden

The Delray Beach Children's Garden offers early childhood nature classes for ages 5 and under, and includes nature crafts, storytime, water play, garden exploration, and sandbox fun. Caregivers included.

6. Flamingo Gardens

Explore one of the oldest botanical gardens in Florida as well as visiting a wildlife sanctuary with black bears, bobcats, otters, hawks, and flamingos.

7. Free First Birthday Cake

With Publix locations throughout South Florida, any customer who orders a decorated sheet cake reading "Happy 1st birthday" and your child's name receives a free corresponding, seven-inch ("smash cake") decorated in the same design as the order for your baby to smash on his or her big day.

8. Frost Science Museum

Head to Frost Museum's Mini-Me Science monthly program to expose babies and toddlers to experiences that engage senses and promote exploration.

9. Founders Park Splash Pad

A great spray park is Founders Park Splash Pad in Aventura with restrooms, a fenced splash pad, playground, and walking trails.

10. Happi Farm

Happi Farm allows guests to pet bunnies, goats, chicks, ducks, pigs, tortoises, guinea pigs, ​a miniature donkey, lamb, alpaca, llama, hedgehog, and a miniature bull. ​You can also take a pony ride for added fun!

 
Children get sensory input at fun indoor playgrounds like Sol Playce. Photo courtesy of Sol Playce

11. Indoor Playspaces

Indoor playspaces are great options for kids under 1 as they can attend either a drop-in session or enjoy membership opportunities. Many indoor playgrounds offer traditional equipment, like slides, swings, and climbers, while some offer newer options including imaginative play equipment, sensory opportunities, ball pits, and more.

12. Key West Aquarium

Key West Aquarium offers touch tanks, tours, brightly colored exhibits, and the laid-back vibes of Key West.

13. Lion Country Safari

Lion Country Safari features a drive-thru safari where you never have to leave your car to enjoy the animals! After enjoying the drive-thru safari you can then enjoy rides including a train and carousel, a spray park, and a water playground and petting zoo, to complete your day of fun.

RELATED: 9 Drive-Thru Safaris and Wildlife Tours Near Orlando

14. The Little Farm

Guests can interact, feed, and touch animals, explore the butterfly garden, and run around in a play field with swings, a rope bridge, jungle gym, and more.

 
Let young kids discover the amazing world of the Miami Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of the museum

15. Miami Children's Museum

Almost every exhibit of Miami Children's Museum is primed and ready for little ones. Make sure to visit on Mondays ("Mini Mondays") for a day of programming focused on children from birth to age five, in a quieter, safer setting.

16. Miami Seaquarium

Miami Seaquarium offers shows, touch tanks, exhibits, and interactions with animals for older children.

 
Bond with your baby during classes at My Gym. Photo courtesy of My Gym

17. Mommy and Me Classes

Whether you are a mommy, daddy, grandma, grandpa, aunt, or caregiver, there are many baby classes where kids can learn to swim, play, and interact with their peers in a fun and safe environment. Check out our Miami Guide for Mommy-and-Me Classes (parent-child classes) that have locations throughout South Florida

18. Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS)

The Sprouting Stem exhibit allows little learners to make big discoveries at MODS! In addition to exhibits like these, focused on younger children, the museum always has amazing programming for kids of all ages, including special events.

19. Naples Botanical Garden

The Naples Botanical Garden offers over 170 acres of beauty to stroll around with baby. 

 
Babies will LOVE seeing the animals at Palm Beach Zoo! Photo courtesy of the zoo

20. Palm Beach Zoo

Bring young kids to Palm Beach Zoo to see hundreds of animals, play in the interactive nature area, and explore the giant world around them.

21. Pinecrest Gardens

Spend the day at Pinecrest Gardens, where you can stroll through the upper garden, have fun at the reimagined playground, see animals at the petting zoo, and wander the learning center. Families can also enjoy the splash and play area on hot days.

22. Story Time

Enjoy a story with your child at Barnes & Noble or a local library. Offering monthly or weekly events, families enjoy a fun and engaging story with other babies and moms. A great outdoor story time happens at Flamingo Gardens, where children gather in the outdoor reading area, under the shade of the Southern live oak, and listen to a story related to nature.

23. Sugar Sand Park

Sugar Sand Park features a carousel, walking nature trails, science playground with slides, swings, and sensory wall. While the Children's Science Explorium is designed for kids ages 5-12, it can offer a fun place to see and feel things with bright colors.

RELATED: Boca Raton, Florida with Kids: 30 Best Things to Do in Boca Raton, FL 

24. Welleby Park

A great new and large park is Welleby Park, offering a safety town play-learn area, splash pad, and great walking paths.

25. Zoo Miami

Zoo Miami is worth an annual membership since one day is just not enough time to explore this extensive zoo filled with amazing animals, cool shows, an age-appropriate playground, and splash pads.