What to Do in North Beach Miami with Kids: Family-Friendly Activities, Beaches & Restaurants (2026 Local’s Guide)

When most people think of a Miami Beach vacation, South Beach comes to mind. However, there are tons of things to do in North Beach, Miami, with kids that should make this neighborhood a must-see on your family vacation to Miami. 

I spent three years living in North Beach when I first moved to Miami back in 2017, and I frequently come back to the area with my godsons to check out some of the restaurants, attractions and attractions here. If you’re planning a family-friendly vacation to Miami Beach, North Beach should 100% be on your list — and a lot of visitors don’t realize this yet!

The Best Family-Friendly Area in Miami for Vacation

No question, North Beach is one the best family-friendly areas in Miami for vacation. As a local who used to live in the neighborhood, I’ve come to the beaches here for many family functions, holiday celebrations and church potlucks. 

So, safe to say, I’ve spent a lot of time with my family in North Beach!

If you’re looking for the perfect home base for your family vacation but don’t want to read a whole article about it (no worries, I understand!), here are some quick reasons why I believe North Beach is one of the top family-friendly areas in all Miami: 

• The beaches are calm. Compared to South Beach, North Beach and nearby Surfside are quieter and usually less crowded, making them a great place to visit with young kids. 
• There are plenty of parks. North Beach as a whole is home to multiple parks, so you always have somewhere fun (and free!) to take the kids. 
• It’s close to the mainland. North Beach is in Miami Beach, and North Miami Beach is in mainland Miami. I know — confusing. Miami and Miami Beach are different cities, but it’s easy to travel from one to the other, giving you even more access to kid-friendly things to do in Miami.  
• There are lots of cafes and restaurants nearby. This is true in South Beach, too, but the restaurants and coffee shops in North Beach are usually cheaper than in other parts of Miami Beach. 
• It’s pet-friendly. There’s a dog-friendly Bark Beach on 81st street where your pup can run and play. 
• It feels safe. Maybe it’s due to the smaller crowds or the kid-friendly atmosphere, but I always felt super safe in North Beach. 

What to do in North Beach Miami with kids today? 

If you’re wondering what to do in North Beach Miami with kids today, I recommend heading to the beach, visiting North Beach Oceanside Park, going to the Miami Children’s Museum or sampling some of the Mexican or Colombian food in the area. 

Want even more ideas for what to do in North Beach Miami with kids this weekend? Here are some other great activities you can try. 

Outdoor Activities for Kids in North Beach Miami

Getting outdoors is easily one of the best things to do with kids in North Beach Miami — and you’re in luck! There are plenty of parks with picnic tables, playgrounds, slides and public restrooms so you can have a great time as a family while enjoying the gorgeous Florida sunshine. 

North Beach Oceanside Park

North Beach Oceanside Park is a classic when it comes to family-friendly parks in Miami Beach. As the name suggests, this park runs parallel to the ocean and the Miami Beach Boardwalk. Here you can rent pavilions for fun family gatherings, and there’s a playground onsite, too. It’s also right next to the Bark Park and Bark Beach if you’re visiting with pets. 

Location: 8328 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33141

Parking: street and lot (for pay)

Pirate Park Playground

I used to walk by what would eventually become the Pirate Park Playground each morning when I lived on Miami Beach, and it’s amazing how they’ve transformed this space. This cozy playground is technically located in the Altos Del Mar Park, and the ocean theme, tiny slides and climbable pirate ship make this best for toddlers and smaller children. It also has some covered play areas so you can relax while your kids run around.  

Location: 7601 Atlantic Way, Miami Beach, FL 33141

Parking: street and lot (for pay)

Like a Local: There isn’t a restroom directly in the playground, but there’s one nearby in the Altos Del Mar Park itself. 

Oleta River State Park

You’ll find Oleta River State Park over on the mainland in the (confusingly) named “North Miami Beach.” This is a great place to take a nature walk through the mangroves and along the meandering trails. If you’re into off-road biking, this is also one of the best places in the city to do it. Plus, if you want to try your hand at kayaking, canoeing or stand-up paddle boarding, you can rent the necessary equipment onsite at the Oleta River Outdoor Center. 

Location: 3400 NE 163rd Street, North Miami Beach, FL 33160 

Parking: onsite ($6 per vehicle)

Like a Local: On weekends and holidays, Oleta gets super busy. Come early — when the park hits capacity for the day, it closes no matter what time it is. 

Greynolds Park

At 249 acres, it’s easy to spend a day exploring Greynolds Park. I like to come here whenever I’m missing the West Virginia wilderness and want to feel like I’m out of the city for a minute. It’s close to Oleta on the mainland, has plenty of walking paths and two playgrounds throughout the park. There’s also an observation mound that’s fun to climb if you’re like me and occasionally miss the rolling hills of Appalachia. 

Location: 17530 W Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach, FL 33160

Parking: free on weekdays, $10 per vehicle on weekends and holidays

Enchanted Forest Elaine Gordon Park

Transparently, the Enchanted Forest Elaine Gordon Park is one I like walking through but never fully understand. I like to come here when I want an easy walk over covered bridges and around winding, shaded pathways, but there are some other activities for kids here, too. For example, there’s a tot lot with different playground equipment for younger children to enjoy. I’ve heard there’s also a petting zoo somewhere on the grounds. I’ve seen people riding horses around the corral, but I’ve yet to find the pigs, ducks and goats. If you find them before I do, let me know! 

Location: 1725 NE 135th Street, North Miami, FL 33181

Parking: free

Like a Local: This park has a small private lot, but it fills up quickly. Come early because there aren’t too many parking spots, and there isn’t another place nearby where you can easily leave your car. 

Best Beaches Near North Beach for Kids

Ever wondered, “Which North Miami beach is best for families?” My personal favorites are North Beach and Surfside because of all the amenities they offer like picnic tables and huge restrooms, but other families love Sunny Isles Beach. Here’s a quick summary of each so you can decide which is best for your family. 

North Beach

North Beach is part of Miami Beach. You can access this neighborhood by the 79th Street Causeway from Miami or by taking the free trolley up from Mid or South Beach. Unlike South Beach, North Beach is a little sleepier and more residential. The neighborhood is changing a lot and quickly becoming more touristy, so stop by sooner rather than later if you want to experience one of the last quiet parts of Miami Beach. 

Highlights: 

• Miami Beach Bandshell – great place to hear live music
• Normandy Fountain – frequent festivals and events here for families 
• Miami Beach Boardwalk – easily one of the best outdoor things to do in Miami

Surfside

Surfside is a residential neighborhood near Miami Beach, and it’s technically its own city. Regardless, it’s close to shopping centers like Bal Harbour, and it’s one of the quietest, most secluded beaches in Miami. If you’re traveling with younger kids and want a little more space for them to be able to run around, this is a great spot for it. 

Highlights: 

• Turtle nesting – season runs from April 1 – October 31(cool to see but not to touch)
• Surfside Community Center – featuring a pool, kids’ activity pool and slide
• Hawthorne Tot Lot – located on Biscayne Bay, great for little kids 

Sunny Isles Beach

If you can find parking on Sunny Isles Beach, coming here is definitely worth it. It’s located in the northern part of Dade County right by Broward, so not as many Miami tourists come here. The wide shoreline and white sand are perfect if you want to spend an easy beach day with your tots, tweens and teens. 

Highlights: 

• Newport Fishing Pier – an easy walk out onto the ocean for great views with kids
• Samson Oceanfront Park – park with a playground, pavilions and performance area
• Heritage Park – local park with two playgrounds, a water play area and free wifi

Like a Local: Haulover Beach is near Sunny Isles. It’s super family friendly, and it’s also Miami’s only clothing-optional beach (the northern part of the park from lifeguard towers 12-16). If you want to avoid this, you can head to the southern part instead. 

Arts & Culture for Families in North Beach Miami

The Ancient Spanish Monastery 

The Ancient Spanish Monastery is one of my favorite Miami hidden gems, and it’s a beautiful place to take a break from the city with kids. If you have any history buffs in your travel group, you’ll want to watch the introduction video when you first enter the monastery. This place was built in Spain in 1133, and after some twists and turns, made its way to South Florida. 

Location: 16711 West Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach, FL  33160

Parking: free onsite

Like a Local: The Ancient Spanish Monastery is also a lovely spot to visit if you need some peace and quiet outdoors. Beyond the gorgeous cloisters, you can explore the charming grounds with your kids for an easy, safe day in nature. 

IPIC North Miami Beach

IPIC North Miami Beach is a movie theater in the Intracoastal Mall near Oleta. It’s known for having super comfy seats and being a great indoor attraction on rainy days in Miami. While this theater is geared towards adults (usually after 6 pm), kids are especially welcome during the daytime. 

Location: 3701 NE 163rd Street, North Miami Beach, FL 33160

Parking: free onsite 

Miami Children’s Museum

The Miami Children’s Museum is closer to South Beach than North Beach on Jungle Island/Watson Island, but it’s definitely worth the drive if you’re visiting Miami Beach with kids. It’s less of a museum and more of an interactive playspace. I took a mixed-age group of students here when I was teaching at an ESL school on South Beach, and they loved building creations in the Construction Zone, jumping in the Health & Wellness Center and shopping at the fake Publix inside. 

Location: 980 MacArthur Causeway, Miami, FL 33132

Parking: parking lot on the east side of the museum ($2 per hour)

Dezerland Action Park Miami

Kids, tweens and teens love visiting Dezerland Action Park Miami, and it’s a fun place for adventurous adults, too. At this indoor adventure land, you’ll find massive trampolines, virtual reality games, a roller skating rink, go-karts, a mini ninja area and an arcade. You can easily spend a full day here, and prices vary depending on what ticket you buy. 

Location: 14401 Northeast 19th Avenue, North Miami, FL 33181

Parking: free onsite

Like a Local: You can purchase tickets to individual attractions, but your kids will probably want to do everything once they’re here. If you all want to try everything, buying the Limitless Attractions All Day Pass is probably the best deal. 

Dining with Kids in North Beach Miami

Personally, I hate having to decide in the moment where to eat once we’re already out for the day. In order to avoid a hangry decision (mostly from me!), I like to have an idea where we’ll be going for lunch or grabbing snacks before we head out for the day. 

To help you plan, too, here are some of my favorite restaurants (and some of the most popular ones) in North Beach, North Miami Beach and North Miami.

Family-Friendly Restaurants in North Beach Miami

• Pizza Fiore
• Burgers & Shakes
• Mi Colombia (limited seating!)

Best Restaurants in North Miami Beach for Kids

• Duffy’s Sports Grill
• Paquito’s Mexican Restaurant
• Neverland Coffee Bar (great for breakfast!)

Where to Eat with Kids in North Miami

• Flannigan’s Seafood Bar and Grill
• King Chef (Chinese takeout)
• Three Palms Cuban Cafe (no website but worth it!)

Best Family Hotels in North Beach Miami

If you plan on visiting North Beach, I definitely recommend you choose a hotel on the actual beach and only head to the mainland for some of the activities I mentioned in the previous sections. 

Here are some of the best hotels in North Beach, Surfside and Sunny Isles along with their price range. Keep in mind though — while staying on the beach is super convenient, the hotels and resorts over here are generally more expensive than what you’d find in mainland Miami. 

• Aqualina Resort & Residences – Sunny Isles, luxury ($$$$)
• Beach Place Hotel – North Beach, budget/mid ($$)
• Carillon Miami Wellness Resort – North Beach, mid ($$$)
• Four Seasons at The Surf Club – Surfside, luxury ($$$$)

Free Things to Do in Miami Beach with Kids

There’s no way around it — visiting Miami/Miami Beach can be expensive. This was true when I first moved here in 2017, but prices have especially increased since the Pandemic. 

But that doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune on your family vacation to Miami. If you plan on visiting Miami Beach, here are some easy, free activities you can do with kids to help you pass the time without spending a lot of money. 

• Miami Beach Boardwalk – a 9-mile pathway that runs from Surfside to South Beach
• Lincoln Road – an outdoor, pedestrian-friendly shopping mall on South Beach
• Miami Beach Trolley – a free trolley that takes you from North to South Beach 
• Lummus & South Pointe Park – two popular, scenic parks in the Art Deco District
• Miami Botanical Garden – scenic garden in South Beach with beautiful plants
• The Bass Museum of Art – free family events on the last Sunday of every month

Conclusion & Next Steps

There’s so much to do in North Beach, Miami, with kids. This part of Miami Beach is very family-friendly, and it’s a great place to use as your home base thanks to the parks, playground and attractions nearby. 

If you’re ready to start planning your North Beach family vacation, download this free budget planner to help you keep track of your costs while you book. 

FAQs: What to Do in North Beach Miami with Kids