When you’re done here, don’t forget to check out 30 Things to Do in Miami for Kids and 30 things to do from Miami to Key West.

Renting a car in Fort Lauderdale

Unless you drive to Fort Lauderdale, you’ll need a rental car! If you decide to rent a car during your Florida vacation, I recommend renting a car from Discount USA Car Rental. You can pick up your vehicle in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or any airport you fly into in Florida.

Discount USA Car Rental offers the lowest rates through all the major companies; there is no payment due upfront (you pay when you pick up the car), and cancelation is free.

If you love cheap rental cars, I bet you love cheap flights too. You can sign up for Going alerts for free!

Things to do in Fort Lauderdale with kids

Here are the 15 best things to do in Fort Lauderdale with kids, listed in no particular order. Check out even more things to do in Fort Lauderdale with kids on Viator.

1. Fort Lauderdale Beaches

One of the best things to do in Fort Lauderdale with kids is to hit the sandy beaches! Fort Lauderdale offers several family-friendly beaches perfect for a day of fun and relaxation.

Fort Lauderdale Beach Park stands out with its soft sand, calm waters, and amenities like picnic areas, playgrounds, and restrooms. Just north, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea provides a charming small-town atmosphere with a fishing pier and vibrant coral reefs close to shore, perfect for snorkeling adventures.

Further south, Hollywood Beach features a boardwalk with plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.

Fort Lauderdale Beach.

2. Jungle Queen Riverboat Cruise

Lots of sightseeing in a short amount of time is perfect with kids! This 90-minute narrated Jungle Queen Riverboat Cruise along Fort Lauderdale’s New River is a great option for families. You’ll relax and enjoy the views of Millionaire’s Row, lined with stunning mansions and impressive mega-yachts, all while your guide shares fun and informative stories about the landmarks you pass.

Cruises are offered at different times throughout the day, so you can easily find one that fits your schedule. if the kids (or you) get hungry or thirsty, food and drinks are available for purchase on board.

3. Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale

The Downtown Riverwalk District features 10 beautiful parks and a lush, tropical waterfront in the heart of Fort Lauderdale.

4. Go Shopping at Sawgrass Mills

You might not know that the largest outlet mall in the US is located in Fort Lauderdale! While visiting, make sure to visit the 2,370,610-square-foot mall. You may even be able to spend an entire day here!

5. Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi

Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi is a fantastic option for families looking to explore the “Venice of America” in a fun and relaxing way. With 10+ stops along scenic waterways, it offers easy access to top attractions like the beach, museums, restaurants, and shopping areas—all while avoiding traffic and parking hassles.

Kids will love seeing the mega yachts and spotting wildlife along the Intracoastal Waterway, while parents can enjoy the beautiful views and informative, entertaining commentary from the crew. The cost is reasonable at $38 for adults, $18 for children 5-11, and free for children under 5.

6. Bluefoot Pirate Adventures

Bluefoot Pirate Adventures offers a 1-hour interactive Pirate Adventure Cruise along Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal Waterway.  Young pirates-in-training will have a blast hunting for hidden treasure, learning how to talk and dress like real buccaneers with face painting and temporary tattoos, and even defending the ship from sneaky rival pirates using onboard water cannons!

Every child gets a special Pirate Certificate and a bag of loot to take home.

7. Museum of Discovery and Science

MODS is one of the best children’s museums in Florida. It features many interactive exhibits and an IMAX theater.

8. Eat fresh seafood

If you’re going to be near the ocean, you might as well enjoy some great seafood! Some of the best seafood restaurants in Fort Lauderdale include:

• Rustic Inn Crabhouse: A Fort Lauderdale staple since 1955, Rustic Inn is renowned for its iconic garlic crabs and offers a casual, family-friendly atmosphere.

• 15th Street Fisheries: Located at the Lauderdale Marina, this restaurant offers waterfront dining with fresh seafood options and the opportunity to feed tarpon from the dock.

• Southport Raw Bar: Known for its laid-back vibe, Southport Raw Bar specializes in oysters and other shellfish, making it a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

• Truluck’s: An upscale dining experience focusing on sustainable seafood, particularly noted for its responsibly sourced Florida stone crabs.

• Boatyard: Offers a waterfront setting with a diverse menu featuring fresh catches and a popular Sunday brunch. ​

• Coconuts: This iconic waterfront eatery offers a laid-back atmosphere and a diverse menu featuring classics like fresh oysters, grilled fish tacos, and their famous coconut shrimp.

• Blue Moon Fish Co.: Known for its elegant waterfront dining, Blue Moon Fish Co. offers an array of fresh seafood dishes with a Creole influence. ​

• Lobster Bar Sea Grille: Combines a sophisticated ambiance with a menu featuring a variety of lobster dishes and other seafood specialties.

9. Fort Lauderdale Segway Tour

If your kids are a little older, a Segway Tour can be a fun and unique way to explore Fort Lauderdale. Segway Fort Lauderdale offers several options for those who are 11 and up.

10. Ride the LauderGo! MicroMover

FREE, eco-friendly shuttle that operates daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Riders can use the “Ride Circuit” app to request a ride anywhere within the service area, which covers downtown Fort Lauderdale, Las Olas and Fort Lauderdale beach.

11. Everglades Alligator Airboat Tour

Adventurous families will enjoy a thrilling airboat ride through Everglades National Park—perfect for kids who love wildlife and excitement! This half-day tour from Fort Lauderdale makes everything easy, with round-trip transportation from your hotel.

You can choose a morning or afternoon departure, whichever works best for your family. Along the way, your guide will share fun facts about the park and help you spot alligators, birds, and other amazing wildlife. It’s a hands-on way for kids to experience nature up close.

12. Flamingo Gardens

You know that at Florida Travel with Kids, we love wildlife sanctuaries! Flamingo Gardens has been around since 1927 and is one of the oldest botanical gardens and attractions in South Florida. Flamingo Gardens’ mission is to depict, preserve, and provide education about the natural and cultural heritage of South Florida and the Everglades with their botanical gardens and wildlife sanctuary.

13. Paradise Cove Water Park

One of the best things to do in Fort Lauderdale with kids is to visit Paradise Cove Water Park! With several large slides and a large lazy river, Paradise Cove is a great way to beat the heat in south Florida.

14. Xtreme Action Park

We know it can get hot in Florida, so if you’re looking for indoor things to do in Fort Lauderdale, check out Xtreme Action Park! Here, you’ll find a go-kart race track, a skating rink, laser tag, arcade games, a ropes course, escape rooms, and more!

15. NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale

If your family loves museums, specifically art museums, check out NSU Art Museum. To make things even better, this museum offers free admission and extended hours on the first Thursday of every month.

Things to do in Fort Lauderdale for kids

We hope you enjoyed this guide packed full of things to do in Fort Lauderdale with kids. Did your favorite family-friendly Fort Lauderdale activities make the list? If not, make sure to share them in the comments!

More things to do in Florida

If you enjoyed this post with things to do in Fort Lauderdale for kids, you might also enjoy:

• The 40 best places to eat in Key West Florida
• The best Gulf Beaches in Florida
• The best place to find sharks teeth in Florida
• Disney Vocabulary and Disney Lingo Explained!
• A complete list of rides at Universal Orlando

We also have many posts about Orlando, theme parks, Key West, etc. If it’s about Florida, you can find it here! If you have any special requests for blog posts, let us know in the comments.

About Florida Travel With Kids

Florida Travel with Kids was started by a family who loves to travel the state of Florida with kids! This site will help you explore the fun state of Florida and all of the kid-friendly activities you’ll find here.

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