How2Day: Fun Places to Take Kids in Florida

There's a lot more to Florida for family entertainment than Disney World; take the kids on a trip filled with animals, water slides and games. Florida is full of tourist destinations, and the ones that cater to a child's entertainment and imagination can make family vacations delightful for little ones. With mild weather year round, play outdoors in the Florida sunshine with dolphins or explore science and technology indoors on a rainy day with kids.

A year round water park, the Daytona Lagoon is located right on the Daytona Beach and offers indoor and outdoor water attractions for kids of all ages. Fast and slow water rides let parents and children enjoy swimming and floating in the water. One such ride called Blackbeard's Revenge shoots individuals down a 62 foot twisty tube in the dark. Another ride, Pelican Drift, lets people relax in tubes as they float along in a man-made river.

When you want to dry off for a while, play miniature golf and laser tag, or climb a rock wall. The park passes operate on a pay-as-you-go system, where admission to the park is free and you pay only for the rides and attractions you use.

Visit St. Petersburg, Florida and have kids explore the various exhibits at the Great Explorations Children's Museum. Located next to the historic Sunken Gardens on 4th street, the museum offers a chance for children to get active and learn the basic principles behind such things buying and selling, sound waves, and construction and firefighter jobs.

This non-profit museum seeks to stimulate learning for kids throughout 18,000 square feet of regular and touring exhibits. They are open daily and admit children 2 and under for free. Group rates make the museum an affordably active and creative place for birthday parties.

Go on an African safari in the comfort of your own car at the Lion Country Safari in West Palm Beach, Florida. This park is located about 20 miles away from downtown West Palm Beach. Divided into different preserves, the theme park allows guests to drive through re-created habitats such as the Serengeti Plains, the Las Pampas grasslands and the Gir Forest. This drive-through safari has been in operation since 1967, and also provides walking tours with various tropical birds, small mammals and reptiles for viewing pleasure.

Animal presentations, exhibit speeches and personalized tours provide custom options for a family or group of children to visit. A gift shop, restaurant and snack shop on site let tourists satisfy their hungry and come away with a memorable trinket or two. The park is open daily and offers discount and group rates for senior citizens and toddlers.

Make a marine mammal buddy in Southern Florida at the Miami Seaquarium. Situated on 38 acres, the Miami Seaquarium is a haven for some of the most endearing creatures of the deep, including dolphins, sea lions and manatees. It's also home to crocodiles, alligators, deer, fish of all kinds and tropical birds. Regular shows featuring killer whales, dolphins and sea lions let kids marvel at the creativity and acrobatics of these precocious animals. Parents and kids alike might also enjoy a chance to swim with a bottlenose dolphin and take some pictures.

With multiple programs for children, including summer camps, slumber parties and field presentations, the park offers a host of ways for families and groups to learn about water animals in detail. Roving food carts, snack bars and cafes help fuel explorations and swimming expeditions. Group rate discounts and senior citizen discounts are available as well.

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