When you live in paradise, you enjoy the sun, sand, and warmth most days of the year, but what’s the best way to entertain friends and family when they come to visit? I’ve written about where to go for good food, beer, and wine, and also a couple of posts about free, family-friendly activities here and here, but here are some ideas that are more kid-friendly and can be fun for the whole family!

Animal Fun
If you have friends and family with kids, then Zoo Miami is the perfect all-day outing where kids and adults alike can have the animal experience of their dreams. Zoo Miami is the largest and oldest zoo in all of Florida. Among the many animal attractions, your guests will be delighted by the likes of tigers, giraffes, orangutans, camels, rhinoceroses, and a myriad of other animals. You can cool off in the reptile house and then go view the lions! Zoo Miami also offers live shows, safari tram tours, pedal boats, and a wildlife carousel. And don’t forget to experience Lostman’s River Ride, which takes your through South Florida’s natural habitat of the Everglades. For an educational and fun day full of animals, Zoo Miami is the place to visit!

Beach Fun
Perhaps the biggest reason your friends and family come to visit is so that they can enjoy the beach! There are a ton of great beaches up and down the coast. To mix in a little shopping and dining, Miami Beach is a great choice. And if you and your guests are looking to avoid the crowds, go visit Crandon Park with its cool deserted tropical island vibes.

Science Fun
The Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale offers a whole lot of education in a fun, interactive environment. For the little kids visiting you, the museum will keep them enthralled with a discovery center where they can learn about counting and working as a team.

For older kids, aerospace technology is explored through hands-on exhibit about planes and space travel. The museum also has extensive exhibits that explore South Florida’s ecosystem, including an aquarium exhibit full of fish, sharks, and turtles! When you’re done exploring all the museum has to offer, then make sure you check out a movie on the gigantic IMAX screen. From nature documentaries to popular movies, you can escape the sun for a little while for a cool movie experience.