Destin, the city on the Florida Panhandle located in northwest Florida, is renowned for its white sandy beaches, emerald, green waters, and more. Whereas these are the main attractions for the locals, there are also numerous attractions for families with toddlers! Whether you’re looking for something to wear your kids out, something to educate them, or both, I’ve got the list for you!
So, what are the 6 fun Things to do in Destin with Toddlers?
I’ve picked out six gems across the city for you to visit with your toddlers. From playgrounds to beaches, waterparks to harbor walks, mini-golf to zoological gardens. There’s no shortage of things to do in Destin with toddlers!
The Gulfarium Fort Walton Beach
When you are pursuing an exciting activity with your toddlers in Destin, the Gulfarium in Fort Walton Beach is the place to be. Every kid loves the beach, even if all they do is get sand in their pants!
The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is a 10-minute drive from Destin. The park has entertained and educated visitors and locals for over 60 years. It has many highlights that kids will enjoy. For example, the animal shows (including a dolphin and dancing sea lion!) will instill a love of wildlife in your toddlers from the very beginning!
Even though the park has many marine animals to show off, they also have several non-marine animals like alligators, turtles, tortoises, and birds for the visitors to enjoy.
Most enclosures for the animals are at a height comfortable enough for kids to see, saving you the stress of having to pick up your toddler at every stop.
Things to do in Destin with Toddlers: Water parks in Destin Florida
A trip to the waterpark with your toddlers is a fantastic family activity. While water parks are fun for both kids and adults, it is undoubtedly a great way to keep the kids cool and out of the house on a hot summer day in Florida. Waterparks pique curiosity and even help encourage gross motor skills and critical thinking!
There are several water parks located in and near Destin, FL. They include:
- Big Kahuna’s Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park
- Shipwreck Island Waterpark
- Sam’s Fun City
- Waterscape Resort
- Splash Resort
- Boardwalk Beach Hotel & Convention Center
Most of these waterparks have other attractions attached or nearby, just for you to maximize your family time out. If money and time are not a barrier, you can book an overnight adventure to get the best out of the fun location, making it an all-day event.
Harborwalk in Destin, Florida
The Harborwalk is a lively entertainment center and a perfect waterfront place for adults, kids, guests, and residents looking to have endless fun. It is a place where you will find something for everyone, from paddleboarding to kayaking, pontoons to jet-ski rentals for adults, as well as parasailing, glass-bottom boat tours, fishing, ship excursions, and dolphin cruises for the family. Toddlers love the glass bottom boat tours in particular as it gives them a unique look at the water below them!
Your toddlers will also love the Adventure Zone of the Harbor Walk, with events like playtime at the amusement. This great and interactive area features numerous activities for your toddlers to engage their brains and bodies! With activities like pearl picking, laser mazes, virtual rides, mini-golf, and more, your toddlers are sure to get a thrill they’ll never forget!
The Gulf Breeze Zoo
This adorable oo is another option for fun things to do with toddlers in Destin FL!
The Gulf Breeze Zoo, formerly known as the Zoo Northwest Florida, spans about 50 acres. It neighbors Navarre and Gulf Breeze, Florida. The zoo is the home of over 900 exotic animals, including rhinos, hippos, Western lowland gorillas, and orangutans.
One of the Gulf Breeze Zoo highlights is the option to hand-feed some animals like the giraffes! The Gulf Breeze Zoo is an experience toddlers love as the humongous animals gently munch on the pellets in their hands!
The 20 acres of walking exhibits are also an excellent way to soak in the outdoors. There are so many animals to see including primates, lions, tigers, marsupials, bears, and tortoises. There is also a large variety of exotic birds such as peacocks, owls, macaws, rhea, emu, ostriches, toucans, flamingos and storks.
Fun things to do with toddlers in destin fl: Mini Golf
Mini Golf arenas in Destin give you and your toddlers a break from the beach and the zoo! Instead, teach your kids some fine motor and gross motor skills and watch their eyes light up at the creatively built mini-golf courses! Here are a few mini-golf courses you can find in Destin.
- Surfin Safari Golf At The Track
- T-Rex Island
- Tropical Mini-Golf at big Kahuna’s
- Golf Garden’s 18 Hole Putting Course
These mini golf courses provide a diverse range of fun, including Sky Coaster and the Honolulu Half Pipe at the Big Kahuna’s, the jungle animal sculptures and waterfalls at the Surfin’ Safari, and lots more.
Destin Commons Playground
Playgrounds are essential to kids as it brings happiness to their faces and the sound of bliss in their voices. It provides the ability for kids to enjoy playing and engaging in friendships in their community.
Almost all childhood experts agree that playgrounds and the unstructured activities that come with them are essential to both the physical and mental wellbeing of a child. What better way to give them the time to explore themselves and their surroundings than to visit a playground in Destin, Florida?
Playgrounds near or in Destin, Florida, include:
- Morgan Sports Center
- Clement Taylor Park
- Niceville Children’s Park & Splash Pad
- Fort Walton Landing Park
- Henderson Beach State Park
- Mattie Kelly Park and Nature Walk
- Rocky Bayou State Park and lots more
Final Thoughts about things to do in destin fl with toddlers:
With this list of unique places in the charming city of Destin, you will always have a destination for an exciting and fun family time with your toddlers.
Whether you choose to spend your family time with your toddlers, we wish you have the most exciting time with your family in Destin, Florida!
Since you are looking for things to do in Destin with Toddlers, I’d love to chat about your family photography needs! Click this link to view my work, and let’s start the conversation!
Are you looking for other Destin Florida resources? Check out the links below!
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