Whether your kids are budding animal lovers, art adventurers, or just looking to burn off some energy, West Palm Beach is packed with activities to keep every age entertained. From wild animal encounters to hands-on science labs, you’ll find options that make family time fun and easy.
Let’s get to it.
‘McCarthy’ Wildlife Sanctuary
At McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary, you need a reservation to get in—no walk-ins allowed. Guests must be five or older, and each small tour is led by guides who know their stuff. You’ll spend about an hour on palmetto and pine trails, then step inside a reptile room filled with snakes and creepy crawlies.
The highlight is getting within four feet of big cats like lions and tigers while staying safely behind barriers. Photo ops are everywhere, but please don’t reach through the fence. After that, you can handle alligators or snakes under staff supervision, with sanitizer stations at every turn.
It isn’t the cheapest outing, but this non-profit uses fees to support animal care and conservation. Everything feels secure and well organized, so you won’t leave second-guessing your safety. If you’re looking for a hands-on wildlife experience beyond the typical zoo visit, this is the spot.
Norton Museum of Art
Stepping into the Norton Museum of Art feels both grand and welcoming at the same time. You’ll see rotating exhibitions of painting, photography and sculpture, then find plenty of hands-on experiences for families. Monthly Family Studio sessions cost $10 per household ($5 for members) and let up to five families create art side by side.
Creative Storytime is free and includes picture books, music, and art supplies for little hands. During school breaks, you might catch live performances like Capoeira dance or interactive music workshops. When you need a breather, take a stroll through the sculpture garden just outside.
Accessibility is a priority with bilingual labels, ASL interpretation, captions, and a quiet room for anyone who gets overwhelmed. Certain days bring free admission programs for all ages, making it easy to come back again and again. Between the priceless permanent collection and the friendly staff, it’s a spot everyone can enjoy.
Grassy Waters Preserve
When you head out to Grassy Waters Preserve, you’ll find a mix of paddling adventures and nature walks that suit beginners and families. Guided canoe and kayak tours are open to ages six and up, and everything you need—life jackets, helmets and basic training—is provided.
If you prefer dry land, sign up for one of the free craft or critter sessions at the Nature Center, though you’ll need an RSVP since spots fill up fast. Canoe cruises cost just $5 for kids and $10 for adults, which feels like a steal for an hour on the water.
Staff naturalists lead hikes through marshes and hardwood forests, pointing out birds, turtles and other Everglades wildlife. You might even meet Citrus the Rat Snake during a hands-on encounter. The preserve is fully ADA-compliant, with paved paths and accessible restrooms. Between the variety of experiences and reasonable prices, this place turns a day in the wild into an easy-going family outing.
Yesteryear Village
At Yesteryear Village you step back in time without sacrificing modern creature comforts. Tucked onto the fairgrounds, this outdoor museum has a collection of original and replica buildings, from an old schoolhouse and a general store to a working blacksmith’s shop. It feels like wandering inside a history book, only better, there are snack stands around so you won’t go hungry.
Most exhibits are outdoors, which means you’ll follow winding paths under the sun… Families gather for live demos, like blacksmithing and period games, while kids can pet goats or make seed necklaces. You might meet costumed interpreters who lead a stick-horse race or show you how people cooked over an open hearth. If the heat catches up to you, a few indoor displays offer air-conditioned relief with artifacts and museum-style exhibits.
Admission is easy on the wallet: kids pay $7, adults $10, and wee ones get in free. Seasonal events pop up throughout the year, from a kid-friendly Halloween Spookyville to spring frolics. It’s a hit with families, though history fans of any age have a great time here too.
Candy Tour by Bulk Candy Store
For candy fans, the Candy Tour by Bulk Candy Store is pure indulgence without guilt. You spend about 45 minutes walking through six themed rooms packed with colorful decor and giant candy displays… The tour guide is there live, sharing stories about how sweets evolved from ancient treats to your current movie theater favorites. You’ll also catch video clips and hands-on demos along the way.
The whole experience takes place indoors, so you’re not melting in the heat. Families are front and center, kids 3 and under join free, and everyone 13 and up needs a ticket. You can roll in with strollers or wheelchairs, since the route is fully accessible. Health and safety get top marks here, so you won’t worry about sticky floors or overcrowding.
Expect plenty of samples, from chocolate bites to the runts and jujubes lineup. After the tour, you can try popcorn flavored beyond butter, there are dozens of options. If you spot your favorites, there’s a discount to grab extras before you leave. Tickets stay under $13 for adults and a bit less for kids, and tours run most days except Sundays.
Manatee Lagoon
Manatee Lagoon offers all the perks of a marine center without charging for entry. It’s free to visit, free to park, and the exhibits won’t cost you a penny. Inside, you’ll find interactive displays on seagrass nurseries and conservation projects. Kids and adults can touch models, join hands-on activities, and learn about local wildlife at their own pace.
Outside, the viewing deck is the main attraction. During winter, manatees gravitate to the warm water discharge, and you can watch them glide around. Rangers, known as Manatee Masters, host guided tours, story times with crafts, and weekend rescue simulations. The schedule fills up fast, but you can also drop in for Sensory Saturdays, which dial down the noise and lighting for a calmer atmosphere.
Everything here is family friendly. You can bring strollers, and wheelchair access is seamless. Programs run year-round, so you never have to plan around a specific season. If you’re looking for a hands-on way to learn about marine life without spending a dime, Manatee Lagoon is tough to beat.
Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society
Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society feels like a playground for wildlife lovers. You’ll wander through open-air habitats showcasing everything from playful monkeys to towering giraffes. Along the paths, keep your eyes peeled for animal encounters and splash spots that let kids cool off after a stroll in the sun.
Inside the indoor tropical gallery, cool air greets you as you learn about exotic species in lush settings. Keeper talks and feeding demos happen all day, so you never have to schedule your entire visit around one show. The Nature Play Pavilion invites kids to climb, dig, and explore natural materials, while the splash pad nearby provides a refreshing break.
The zoo goes the extra mile for families. Kids get free summer admission, sensory-friendly mornings take place regularly, and you can rent wheelchairs if needed. There’s even a classic carousel that runs on quarters. Tickets aren’t cheapest in town, but with daily animal interactions, hands-on learning, and plenty of shade, you get a full day of fun and education.
Cox Science Center and Aquarium
Cox Science Center and Aquarium packs a ton into one spot. You can wander a planetarium, check out aquariums full of local and exotic fish, and explore an outdoor science trail dotted with experiments and dinosaur models. If mini golf is your thing, there’s a creative course designed by pros Jim Fazio and Gary Nicklaus. You don’t need a caddy, just bring your quarters.
Inside, hands-on labs cover everything from meteorology to robotics. Little ones have their own play zone and story time sessions, while teens can sign up for Observatory nights under the stars. In summer, the splash pad offers relief between exhibits and the Science Trail connects everything with shaded stations and interactive displays.
Staff makes it easy to dive into learning. Biologists, educators, and lifeguards are on site, and every space is wheelchair-friendly. General admission includes most exhibits, though planetarium shows carry a small extra fee unless you’re a member. Open year-round in all weather, Cox Science Center and Aquarium is a solid pick for families who want plenty of variety without driving all over town.
Osprey Park
Tucked away on just over three acres, Osprey Park isn’t one of those huge city spots where everyone’s trying to be seen. Instead, it crams in a lot without feeling crowded. You get a clear view of the Intracoastal Waterway, which is a nice backdrop for whatever you do. There’s a well-kept playground that works for toddlers all the way up to pre-teens, like slides, swings and climbing structures. It’s self-serve supervision, so adults stay close, but the open layout makes it easy to keep an eye on the whole gang. Watch out for the mango trees by the grass… they can steal your attention if you let them.
The vibe is totally casual. It’s free, open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and you don’t need a reservation. You’ll see kayaks launching, manatees popping up for their cameo, casual volleyball matches and families hanging out at the picnic pavilion. There’s a fenced dog area, too, but swimming is off-limits because of strong currents. And yes, actual osprey often glide overhead, which is how the park got its name.
Kids Empire West Palm
If you’re in West Palm Beach with high-energy kids, Kids Empire West Palm has you covered. The 1,000-square-meter, climate-controlled space is open rain or shine and gives little ones room to run. There are racing slides, maze zones, building blocks and a mini-motorcycle circuit that rivals a small theme park.
You’ll even find a disco room with pulsing lights and music, plus live mascot visits to keep the party going. Admission is just under $23 per child, and two adults get in free with each ticket. Best of all, you can come and go all day long.
Staff sanitize play areas on a regular schedule, and safety is built into the design with soft floors, a fenced-in layout, and wheelchair-friendly entry and parking. They only accept card payments, so skip the loose change. Whether you stick around under the same roof or step out for a coffee break, this place makes sure kids burn off energy and head home worn out.
PopStroke
PopStroke turns mini-golf into a next-level experience by mixing in tech, custom course design, and a full restaurant and bar. With over 17 locations so far, these courses ditch clown heads and windmills for bunkers, water features, and layouts that feel closer to a real golf green.
Play moves at your own pace—18 holes usually take about an hour—and groups of six fit perfectly, though you can book larger parties in advance. Beginners and pros alike will find challenges, and there’s a scoring app that tracks every putt.
Outside, you’ll find a full-service restaurant, beer garden, playground, and even an ice cream parlor. It’s all ADA-accessible, with ramps, elevators, and room for strollers. Admission runs about $30 for adults, with discounts for kids and seniors. Add TaylorMade club rentals and a side of fries mid-round, and you’ve got way more than your grandpa’s mini-golf.
Altitude Trampoline Park
When you step into Altitude Trampoline Park, it’s like every kid’s wildest dream got an indoor upgrade. The whole floor is a web of wall-to-wall trampolines and you’ll find foam pits for dramatic belly flops, dodgeball courts for friendly showdowns and balance beams where competitors try to push each other into soft landings. There’s also a ropes course if you crave a climb and an arcade section for a quick break from bouncing. On weekend evenings, the lights go low for a glow-in-the-dark party that really turns up the excitement.
Before you jump, everyone watches a brief safety video and laces up special grip socks. They’re part of the deal and yes, you have to wear them. Open jump sessions run from 60 up to 180 minutes, and group sizes can reach around 300 jumpers at once. Little ones aren’t left out, kids under four have their own time slot, and Junior Jumper sessions for ages six and under happen on weekdays, with a low-cost parent add-on. The facility is open most days and it’s fully wheelchair accessible. If you need to burn off energy or just want to nail some mid-air tricks, Altitude has you covered.
