Kids Museums South Florida: 6 Museums for Kids in South Florida
In search of incredible museums for kids in South Florida? You’ve come to the right place! South Florida is home to a variety of educational and entertaining destinations for children. It boasts a selection of museums designed to stimulate young minds, making this region a go-to for fun learning experiences.
From interactive exhibits that spark creativity, to captivating displays that make learning enjoyable, the kids museums in South Florida are a must-visit for every family. In this guide, we’ll spotlight some of the best kids museums in the area.
Key Takeaways
- Discover Fun Learning: South Florida’s children’s museums offer interactive and educational exhibits that encourage kids to learn through play and creativity.
- Explore Diverse Exhibits: With a range of museums featuring science, art, and culture, families can enjoy a variety of experiences that cater to different interests and learning styles.
- Enjoy Family-Friendly Activities: These museums provide inclusive and engaging programs for children of all ages, making them perfect destinations for family outings.
1. Miami Children’s Museum
If you’re looking for a place where kids can learn, play, and let their imaginations run wild, the Miami Children’s Museum is the perfect spot. Nestled on Watson Island, this non-profit educational institution is a haven for children, offering a world of discovery and exploration.
The museum is a vibrant, exciting place filled with interactive exhibits, programs, and learning materials that cover a wide range of topics from arts and culture to community and communication. These exhibits are not just fun, but they’re also designed to be educational, providing children with a hands-on learning experience that’s sure to ignite their curiosity and creativity.
What sets the Miami Children’s Museum apart is its commitment to inclusivity. The museum offers programs, classes, and learning materials that cater to all children, including those who are bilingual and those with special needs. It’s a place where all children can learn and grow in a supportive and enriching environment.
The museum is a bustling hub of activity, featuring 14 permanent galleries, pre-school classrooms, a parent/teacher resource center, a Kid Smart educational gift shop, and a 200-seat auditorium. There’s even a Subway restaurant for when you and your little ones need to refuel. Since opening its doors in 2003, the museum has welcomed over 5 million guests and continues to attract over 400,000 visitors each year.
So, whether you’re a Miami local or just visiting, the Miami Children’s Museum offers a unique and educational experience that kids are sure to love.
Here are the admission prices for 2024:
| Admission Type | Price |
|---|---|
| General Admission | $24 |
| Florida Resident | $16 |
| Miami-Dade County Resident | $16 |
| The City of Miami Resident | $12 |
2. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
If you’re a fan of history, art, and nature, then the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a must-visit. Once the villa and estate of businessman James Deering, this National Historic Landmark is nestled in the scenic Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami, Florida. The museum is a testament to Deering’s vision, preserving the cultural and environmental resources of Vizcaya to inspire people to connect with the past, understand the present, and shape the future.
The Vizcaya estate is a journey back to the early 20th century, featuring extensive Italian Renaissance gardens, a native woodland landscape, and a historic village outbuildings compound. The landscape and architecture, influenced by Veneto and Tuscan Italian Renaissance models and designed in the Mediterranean Revival architecture style, are a feast for the eyes.
Located on Biscayne Bay, the museum is a charming spot for anyone interested in art, history, and nature. Whether you’re keen on exploring the beautiful gardens, admiring the unique architecture, or delving into the history of the estate, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens has something for everyone.
The museum also hosts a variety of events and programs, such as art-making workshops that merge art and sustainability, and festivals that combine fun, education, and community engagement. These events add an extra layer of experience for visitors, making each visit unique and memorable.
Here are the admission prices for 2024:
| Admission Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (13 and over) | $25 |
| Child (6-12) | $10 |
| Children (5 and under) | Free |
| Persons with a disability protected under the ADA and one accompanying caregiver | Free |
| United States military veterans and active duty US military personnel with ID | Free |
| Museums for all: SNAP EBT cardholders including up to 3 guests | Free |
3. Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami
If you’re passionate about contemporary art, the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami, or MOCA, is a place you won’t want to miss. Located in North Miami, Florida, MOCA is a collecting museum that’s recognized globally for its innovative exhibitions and educational programs. The museum’s mission is to make contemporary art accessible, enjoyable, and understandable to everyone, regardless of their age.
Housed in an 83,000 square-foot building, MOCA offers 25,000 square feet of exhibition space. The museum is committed to making contemporary art accessible to diverse audiences, especially those who are underserved. It achieves this through the collection, preservation, and exhibition of the finest contemporary art and its historical influences.
MOCA is renowned for its provocative and innovative exhibitions. It constantly seeks fresh approaches to examining the art of our time. The museum maintains an active exhibition schedule, presenting 8 to 10 exhibitions annually.
One of MOCA’s recent initiatives is the Art On The Plaza (AOP), a series of public art installations displayed on MOCA Plaza since 2021. This series continues to explore themes of spirituality, heritage, and transformation. The North Miami public art series has become a platform for artists to experiment, challenge norms, and engage with the public in unconventional ways. Its success lies in its ability to adapt and respond to the changing dynamics of the world.
Here are the admission prices for 2024:
| Admission Type | Price |
|---|---|
| MOCA Members | Free |
| Children (Under 12 years old) | Free |
| North Miami Residents (With proper identification) | Free |
| City Employees (With proper identification) | Free |
| Veterans | Free |
| Caregivers (Accompanying visitors with a disability) | Free |
| Bank of America Cardholders (On the first full weekend of each month through the Museums on Us program) | Free |
| Bal Harbour Unscripted Art Access Cardholders | Free |
| Senior (Ages 65 and over) | $5 |
| Student (A valid student ID will be required) | $5 |
| Youth (Ages 12 – 17) | $5 |
| Visitors with a Disability | $5 |
| General Admission (Ages 18 – 64) | $10 |
4. Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science
If you’re looking for a place where science comes alive, the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, also known as Frost Science, is the place to be. Situated in Downtown Miami’s waterfront Maurice A. Ferré Park, this leading science museum is a hub of discovery and learning. Frost Science is among the premier science museums in South Florida, offering interactive exhibits and educational programs that inspire and connect people through science and technology.
Frost Science is divided into four main areas: the Frost Planetarium, Aquarium, and the North and West Wings. Here, guests can delve into the core science behind living systems, explore the mysteries of the solar system and the known universe, understand the physics of flight, light and lasers, and learn about the biology of the human body and mind. With its diverse array of exhibits and programs, Frost Science has established itself as a leading science museum in South Florida.
At Frost Science, the power of science is shared, sparking wonder, investigation, and fueling innovation for the future. Visitors can immerse themselves in the world of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through interactive exhibitions and unique shows. The museum is also dedicated to education, earning national awards for its summer camps and after-school programs.
One of the museum’s standout features is its state-of-the-art planetarium and cutting-edge aquarium, making it one of the few institutions in the world to possess both. Since its opening in 2017, the museum has welcomed over one million visitors, far surpassing attendance expectations. Both Miami residents and visitors, adults and children alike, have been drawn to the multi-faceted museum and its planetarium, aquarium, and wide range of exhibitions.
Here are the admission prices for 2024:
| Admission Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $29.95 |
| Youth (ages 4-11) | $22.95 |
| Children (3 and under) | Free |
| Museum members | Free |
5. NSU Art Museum
If you’re an art enthusiast, the NSU Art Museum is a place you’ll want to explore. Nestled in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale, this museum is a cornerstone of the South Florida Art Coast, perfectly positioned midway between Miami and Palm Beach. The museum’s distinctive modernist building, which opened its doors in 1986, is a masterpiece designed by the renowned architect Edward Larrabee Barnes.
Inside the museum’s 83,000 square-foot building, you’ll find 25,000 square feet of exhibition space. The NSU Art Museum is home to a celebrated permanent collection that contains more than 7,500 works. It’s particularly known for its significant collection of Latin American and contemporary art, with a special emphasis on works by women, Black and Latinx artists, and African art that spans from the 19th to the 21st century. Among its highlights is the country’s largest collection of 19th and early 20th-century paintings and drawings by the American realist William Glackens, and the most extensive collection in the U.S. of works by post-World War II, avant-garde CoBrA artists.
But there’s more to the NSU Art Museum than just its collections. The museum also hosts a variety of events and programs, such as art-making workshops that merge art and sustainability, and festivals that combine fun, education, and community engagement. These events add an extra layer of experience for visitors, making each visit unique and memorable.
Here are the admission prices for 2024:
| Admission Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $16 |
| Senior | $10 |
| Student | $5 |
6. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is more than just a museum. It’s a cultural hub, a center for Japanese arts and culture, nestled in Delray Beach, Florida. Since its opening in 1977, it has been a beacon of culture and learning in South Florida.
The museum’s gardens, known as Roji-en: Garden of the Drops of Dew, are designed to be a living exhibit, an extension of the museum itself. The six distinct gardens are inspired by significant gardens of Japan, each one a unique creation by designer Hoichi Kurisu, constructed in the spirit of the masters.
The museum is set within 16 acres of expansive Japanese gardens, complete with strolling paths, resting areas, a world-class bonsai collection, and lakes filled with koi and other wildlife. Beyond the museum buildings, the wider 200-acre park features nature trails, pine forests, and picnic areas.
One of the recent initiatives by Morikami is the Art On The Plaza (AOP), a series of public art installations displayed on MOCA Plaza since 2021. This series continues to explore themes of spirituality, heritage, and transformation, providing a platform for artists to experiment, challenge norms, and engage with the public in unconventional ways.
Visiting the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is like stepping into a different world. It’s a place where visitors can immerse themselves in Japanese culture, enjoy the serene beauty of the gardens, and participate in cultural events and programs. Whether you’re interested in Japanese art, culture, or horticulture, the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens offers a unique and enriching experience.
Here are the admission prices for 2024:
| Admission Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Morikami Members | Free |
| Adults (ages 18+) | $16 |
| Seniors (65+) | $14 |
| Military (with ID) | $14 |
| College Students (with ID) | $12 |
| Children (ages 6-17) | $10 |
| Children 5 and under | Free |
Final Word
South Florida is a hub for educational and entertaining destinations for children. Each museum provides a unique and educational experience that kids are sure to love. From interactive exhibits that spark creativity, to captivating displays that make learning enjoyable, these kids museums in South Florida are a must-visit for every family.
Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor to South Florida, these museums offer a unique and educational experience that kids are sure to love.
