There are a lot of kid-friendly things to do in Panama City Beach, Florida, and these activities are sure to make your vacation a success. Explore the beaches, visit Shell Island, and take advantage of the water parks and family fun attractions. There are even camping opportunities if your kids don’t mind a little bit of roughing it. This is a great family vacation spot for beach lovers and families with small children.
St. Andrews State Park
Just three miles east of Panama City Beach off U.S. 98 is 1,200-acre St. Andrews State Park. The park is home to one of the five AmeriCorps Florida State Parks chapters. Its amenities and pristine environment make it the perfect place to bring your kids for an afternoon of exploration. And if you want to make your trip even more kid-friendly, St. Andrews State Park offers several playgrounds and amusement rides that kids and adults alike can enjoy.
The two beaches at St. Andrews State Park are kid-friendly and have concession stands. The Jetty Beach is ideal for little kids, with water depths four to five feet. Its enclosed nature makes it ideal for young children, and the shallow water prevents the sand from getting muddy. Another section of the park is known as Surfer Central. Camping is also available at two campgrounds in the park. The campgrounds feature showers and camp stores.
With its natural habitat, St. Andrews State Park is a fantastic destination for families with small children. The park has several trails and a fishing pier. You can rent plastic kayaks and paddles at the park. The park also has an excellent Wildlife Center where you can learn more about different types of animals. Teddy Tollofsen, a boy who survived a shipwreck, helped make the park the place it is today.
Coconut Creek Family Fun Park
Coconut Creek Family Fun Park is a sprawling, family-friendly venue with two 18-hole mini-golf courses and a football field-sized maze. The venue has plenty of fun activities for all ages, including bumper cars, laser tag, and arcade games. It is especially kid friendly for families with small children. You can even try your hand at mini-golf if you don’t have a good swing.
Another one of the kid-friendly things to do in Panama City Beach is to head over to the Gran Maze. The park is home to two 18-hole mini-golf courses that are uniquely designed to challenge golfers of all skill levels. There are even giant-sized giraffes and elephants, which will definitely keep the kids entertained for a long time.
Coconut Creek Family Fun Park offers educational shows daily and a “Trainer for a Day” program where visitors can learn about animal care. A challenging Gran maze, resembling a football field, awaits adventurers, as do tropical themed mini-golf courses and a lake full of fish. The park is open daily and allows unlimited access to guests.
Another kid-friendly activity in Panama City Beach is to take your children to Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum. There are many fascinating exhibits in this museum, including a Titanic replica and shrunken heads. Children under six are admitted for free. In addition to the fun rides, you can also visit Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum, a place where children can learn about the real history of the city and have a blast.
Shipwreck Island Waterpark
This water park offers many exciting water attractions for your children to enjoy. You’ll find rapids, wave pools, and a lazy river. The park is open year-round, so your entire family is sure to enjoy the fun. Shipwreck Island Waterpark is also available for adults. This attraction features the same water attractions as the park’s adults-only counterpart.
Whether you’re visiting with children or adults, the Shipwreck Island Waterpark is sure to make your day! The waterpark features several rides, including a wave pool, river rapids slide, and a treetop drop, a pair of 65-foot slides. It’s great for families with young children. However, it’s important to check the season before visiting – the park may not be open every day, especially in April.
There’s a kiddie slide called Lickity Split, a giant tipping bucket, and pirate-themed activities for the whole family. This water park also has food outlets, a great playground for older children, and a kiddie area. If you have a birthday party, you can even book a package that includes a day at the waterpark for a birthday celebration.
If you’re bringing a group of children to Panama City Beach, you may want to consider going to the Shipwreck Island Waterpark. This water park is conveniently located about two miles from Panama City. It is free to enter and closes at a set time. However, be aware that it is best visited during the spring and early summer months when crowds are less.
Pier Park
For a fun day out with the family, make your way to Pier Park in Panama City Beach, Florida. Open since 2008, Pier Park is home to a variety of anchor stores and restaurants. It’s kid-friendly, too! You can take the kids for a picnic or a stroll around the waterfront promenade. You can shop for clothes, groceries, toys, and more! What’s more, Pier Park is pet-friendly too!
This family-friendly destination has a great view of the beach, 124 stores, an IMAX theater, and plenty of places to eat. Families can also enjoy live music and fun games at Pier Park. The museum in the Pier Park is a great place to get a glimpse of Panama City Beach’s culture. And don’t forget to take advantage of the free parking and huge kid-friendly activities in the area.
There are tons of kid-friendly activities in Panama City Beach, including an oceanfront aquarium, a water-based museum, and a pier that’s kid-friendly! From the sea to the bay, Panama City has a little something for everyone! No matter how old your kids are, you’ll find something that will keep them entertained for hours! If you want to take the kids on a vacation, a beach trip is the perfect place to visit.
David’s Sno-Balls
For the sweet tooth in your family, head to David’s Snow-Balls, located at 13913 Panama City Beach Parkway. They serve flavored ice and a selection of delicious desserts, including beignets and jambalaya. David’s also serves coffee and a variety of take-out foods. While you’re enjoying your delicious sno-balls, grab a snack to go.
If your kids are still small, you can grab a bite at David’s New Orleans Style Cafe and Sno-Balls, located less than a mile from the shore. You’ll want to try the Stuffed Sno-Balls, which have a layer of creamy soft-serve ice cream in the center of a shaved-ice flavor. You can choose from one of the 50 flavors. Guests can also stop for a casual lunch at Runaway Island. The restaurant’s fleur-de-lis signage signals a taste of New Orleans. Owner David Ellingson and Bulger are former residents of New Orleans.
Another fun option for kids in Panama City Beach is a visit to Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum. The museum’s more than 500 exhibits are sure to thrill your little ones. The museum is perfect for families because it offers a great variety of activities for the entire family. In addition to the museum, you can try face painting, limbo, or pirate tattoo.
Scuba diving
Scuba diving is one of the most exciting and fun activities that kids can enjoy in Panama City Beach. The area is home to a thriving marine ecosystem with a variety of sea creatures including bottlenose dolphins, goliath groupers, and sea turtles. The water surrounding Panama City Beach is home to several wrecks, including the famous SEALAB-1.
In addition to scuba diving, there are several kid-friendly activities in Panama City Beach. The beach is the perfect place to get certified and learn more about the world below. The city is also home to the world’s largest artificial reef. Diving is also an exciting way to interact with the local marine life and enjoy some of the best scenery on the Gulf Coast. If you’d rather spend a day at the beach, consider snorkeling and taking a dolphin-watching tour. You can also visit the Man in the Sea Museum to learn more about diving.
Kids will love snorkeling. Scuba diving off St. Andrews State Park or Shell Island is an excellent way to see the beauty of the area. The Gulf of Mexico offers crystal-clear water and even better visibility during the fall months. Thousands of fish and shellfish can be seen on these excursions. Once you’re back on the surface, you can enjoy a delicious meal and a tropical drink on the beach.
