Things to Do in Miami with Kids in Winter
If you're planning a Miami trip from New York, New Jersey or Massachusetts over winter break, Presidents' Week or spring break, you're probably asking the same question every parent asks: what are we actually going to do with the kids once we get there? I'm Captain Pablo Treto, and I've spent my life on the water around Miami. I run Coastal Runners, a small, family-run charter company out of Black Point Park & Marina in Homestead. Here's my honest list of the best things to do in Miami with kids in winter, from a local dad's point of view.
Why Winter Is the Best Time for a Family Trip to Miami
Winter is our dry season. Mornings are cool and breezy, afternoons are warm and sunny, and the summer storms are long gone. The water in Biscayne Bay usually sits in the low-to-mid 70s, which is perfect for wading and swimming on a calm day. For families coming from the cold, it feels like someone flipped a switch on the seasons. The one thing to plan around is crowds, because the Northeast school breaks all land at the same time. Book the big things early and leave room in your schedule for lazy beach afternoons.
1. Take a Private Boat Day in Biscayne National Park
I'm biased, but this is the one your kids will talk about at school when they get home. Biscayne National Park is about 95% water, and most of it can only be reached by boat. On a private trip it's just your family and your captain, and we go at your pace.
Boca Chita Key: a little island with a 1930s ornamental lighthouse, a calm harbor and a walking path. It's the classic family photo stop. See our Boca Chita Key boat tour.
The sandbar: knee-deep, crystal-clear water in the middle of the bay where kids can splash, look for shells and spot little fish. Check out our Miami sandbar boat charter.
Stiltsville: wooden houses standing on stilts in the open water, with stories of rum runners and old Miami. Kids think it's a town from a cartoon. Read about our Stiltsville boat tour.
Snorkeling: on calm, clear days we can snorkel the shallow patch reefs and grass flats. Snorkel gear is provided, and we carry life vests from toddler to adult sizes.
Along the way we often see dolphins, rays, sea turtles and, in the cooler months, manatees. I never promise wildlife, but the kids usually find something to point at. Browse all our Biscayne National Park tours to pick the day that fits your family.
2. Visit the Biscayne National Park Visitor Center
Before or after your boat day, stop by the Dante Fascell Visitor Center at Convoy Point. It's free, it has exhibits about the reefs and mangroves, and kids can work on a Junior Ranger booklet. The boardwalk and jetty out front are great for spotting fish and pelicans. Learn more about the park on our Biscayne National Park guide.
3. Explore the Everglades
Everglades National Park is less than an hour from our marina. The Anhinga Trail near the Homestead entrance is short, flat and stroller-friendly, and in winter it's packed with alligators, turtles and wading birds. Winter is the best season here because the mosquitoes are mostly gone. Pair it with a stop at a local fruit stand in the Redland for a fresh smoothie on the way back.
4. Spend a Morning at Zoo Miami
Zoo Miami is one of the biggest zoos in the country, and the cool winter mornings are the most comfortable time to walk it. The exhibits are open-air and spread out, so wear good shoes and bring a wagon for little ones. It's in South Miami-Dade, so it fits nicely into a day based near Homestead or Kendall.
5. Get Hands-On at a Science Museum
For a rainy day or a break from the sun, the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science downtown has an aquarium, a planetarium and lots of interactive exhibits. It's a good pick for the travel day or the afternoon after a big morning outdoors.
6. Do a Classic Beach Day
You can't come to Miami and skip the beach. Crandon Park on Key Biscayne has calm, shallow water, shade and a nature center. Matheson Hammock has a man-made atoll pool that stays calm even when the bay is choppy, which is great for toddlers. Homestead Bayfront Park, right next to the national park, has a protected swimming area too.
7. Take a Day Trip Toward the Keys
From Homestead you're already at the doorstep of the Florida Keys. Key Largo is about 45 minutes away and has parks, glass-bottom options and plenty of kid-friendly lunch spots on the water. Plenty of families stay in Homestead or Florida City and use it as a base for both the Keys and the national parks.
Tips for Visiting Miami with Kids in Winter
Book the big days first. Boat trips, popular tours and restaurant tables fill up fastest during Christmas week, Presidents' Week and spring break.
Pack layers. Mornings on the water can be breezy, so bring a light hoodie even when the forecast says 78. Our what to bring checklist has the full list.
Use reef-safe sunscreen. The winter sun is still strong, and it protects the coral we're showing your kids.
Plan outdoor time for the morning. Winds tend to build in the afternoon, so we often do family trips early.
Keep one flexible day. Weather on the water can change. We'll always reschedule or adjust the route if conditions aren't right for a comfortable trip.
Win a Free Family Boat Day
Right now we're running a giveaway for a free private boat day in Biscayne National Park. Entering takes about a minute, and you can earn bonus entries by following us on Instagram, Facebook and X. The current round runs through January 16. Enter the Coastal Runners giveaway.
Plan Your Family Boat Day
If you only do one thing on this list, make it a day on the water. Every Coastal Runners trip is private, family-friendly and built around your kids' ages and interests. We depart from Black Point Park & Marina, 24775 SW 87th Ave, Homestead, FL 33032.
📞 Call or text 305-842-1119
✉️ hello@coastalrunners.com
See you on the water,
Captain Pablo Treto
Coastal Runners, LLC
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