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Kid-Friendly Museums in Miami-Dade and Broward

Rainy weekend or slow afternoon, these hands-on museums in Miami-Dade and Broward are dependable, cool, and close enough for a day trip.

By Nanci Gilbert, PA September 28, 2026
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On a rainy weekend or a slow summer afternoon, a museum is one of the most dependable ways to spend a few hours with children in South Florida. The strongest options in Miami-Dade and Broward are hands-on, air-conditioned, and close enough for a day trip from almost anywhere in the two counties.

Miami Children's Museum

On Watson Island, between downtown Miami and Miami Beach, the Miami Children's Museum is built for younger children with interactive exhibits on art, music, banking, and the body. It is a straightforward choice for toddlers and early elementary kids.

Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science

Downtown Miami's Frost Science pairs a large aquarium with hands-on science exhibits and a planetarium inside Maurice A. Ferré Park. Families can make a full day of it and walk the park afterwards, which is free and open to the public.

Museum of Discovery and Science

In downtown Fort Lauderdale, the Museum of Discovery and Science sits along the New River with hands-on exhibits, an IMAX theater, and live animal habitats. It is the Broward counterpart to Frost Science and a dependable rainy-day stop.

HistoryMiami Museum

HistoryMiami Museum in downtown Miami explores how South Florida became what it is, with exhibits on the Everglades, immigration, and everyday Miami life. It suits older children who are starting to ask how their city got here.

Plan the visit

Check each museum's hours and ticket policies online before you go, and look for member discounts and free-admission days. Many museums host free or reduced family programming on weekends, and the calendars change month to month.

A museum day and a home search

A museum date is a reliable way to learn what your children are curious about, and it is also a good excuse to explore a part of the county you have not considered. When you are ready to look at homes near the museums and schools your family loves, Nanci can guide the search.

Nanci Gilbert, PA is a South Florida realtor who guides growing families, sellers, and buyers across Miami-Dade and Broward. Questions about this topic? She answers every message within one business day.