Nov 1, 2019

With so many fun activities for kids in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, keeping them happy and entertained is an easy task. Rather than sitting around watching TV or playing video games, head out and about and check out these fun places.

  1. Flippo’s

    “Scarlet swallowtail (Papilio rumanzovia) from Southeast Asia – captivity at Butterfly World, Klapmuts, near Cape Town” by Derek Keats, used under CC BY 2.0

Kids can burn off tons of energy while having tons of fun and testing their skills at Flippo’s. The indoor play facility features ropes courses to traverse, pathways to navigate, and seven adventure courses that will test kids’ confidence, coordination, and balance. They’ll have a ball in the Ball Blaster, a two-story maze they must may their way through while evading foam balls.

There’s even a special area for toddlers, which includes wall puzzles padded and colorful toys and shapes to climb. Bigger kids will dig the Laser Maze where they must use agility to stretch and weave through the room full of lasers without breaking the beam or getting caught.

Flippo’s is located at 1455 SE 17th Street. It is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  1. Butterfly World

The kids will become mesmerized by the beauty of the colorful butterflies as they flutter about at Butterfly World in Coconut Creek, a short 15 miles north of Fort Lauderdale. Walkthrough the tropical rainforest-like screened-in aviary and keep your eyes peeled for the nearly 2,000 caterpillars and butterflies. Outdoors, lush gardens await, including a rose garden and a small, peaceful pond. Tour the pavilion, which contains exhibits featuring exotic butterflies and insects and learn more about these amazing creatures.

Special events are offered throughout the year, including butterfly gardening workshops. A gift shop is onsite so you can pick up something special for yourself or gifts for family and friends.

Butterfly World is located at 3600 W. Sample Road in Coconut Creek. It is open Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  1. Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science

Learn about the local environment at Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science. Kids will enjoy walking through the museum’s exhibits that include a coral reef with marine life and an Everglades Airboat Adventure. Meander through a replica of an oak forest that features air plants, lichens, and moss and watch the otters play in the North American river exhibit. You’ll also learn about prehistoric Florida.

In the Storm Center, you can feel the force of hurricane winds in the hurricane simulator, stick your hand in the vortex of a 10-foot-tall tornado, peak into a plasmasphere, or create clouds. Catch a flick in the Imax theatre where you’ll feel as though you’re truly living the movie.

Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science is located at 401 SW Second Street and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m.

Whether you want to spend the day in nature, learn more about the world around you, or test your skills, there’s plenty of fun activities for kids in Fort Lauderdale.