Spot exotic birds and animals along the Anhinga Trail in the Everglades. Discover Vizcaya Museum and Gardens’ critters and plants at the majestic Coconut Grove estate. Search for sea horses through seagrass at Biscayne Nature Center or foster an orphan kitty from a shelter for spring break pet therapy. Miami-Dade County offers a cornucopia of affordable, uplifting and educational family activities - many with online alternatives - for fast approaching spring break March 29-April 4.
So get planning, grab your mask and take advantage of 10 attractions or refreshing home activities that are safe and COVID-19 appropriate.
Sea Grass Adventure Children 6 and older can drag nets in the seagrass bed of the Biscayne Nature Center to capture and gently release marine treasures from sea horses to pufferfish. Call 305.361.6767, ext. 119 to reserve a spot or just make a free visit to the center at Crandon Park for an adventure with wildlife and beaches included.
Flagler 101 Meander through a majestic mansion on a West Palm Beach day trip to the Flagler Museum. Learn about the visionary Florida builder whose Florida East Coast Railway and iconic hotels opened Florida to the world.
Full Steam Ahead Visit the Gold Coast Railroad Museum and check out the 40 historic railcars. You can also learn “Facts on the Tracks” virtually. On April 3 and every first Saturday of the month, there is free admission at 11 a.m.
Animal Awesome/Furry Friendship Stroll or tram ride through the nearly 750 acres and behold some 500 species in Zoo Miami. Children staying home can experience the healing joy and responsibility of fostering an animal for the week through the Humane Society of Greater Miami.
Quiet Creativity Children of all ages and developmental abilities can enjoy creative fun at home whether sending a Miami postcard to their cousin in Atlanta, painting a spring-themed watercolor for their bestie or crafting an Easter or Passover card for their grandma in Cuba, Jamaica or Haiti.
Culture Shock Teens and young adults can find artistic inspiration at featured museums and performances around Miami-Dade County from the Bass Museum of Art to FIU Theatre with $5 tickets. View spring break week offerings at www.cultureshockmiami.com.
Starry Vizcaya Vizcaya Museum and Gardens provides free audio tours (purchase tickets in advance online) of the mansion. On April 1 at the monthly Vizcaya Late, young adventurers can explore the estate after dark and learn about its plants and animal denizens and urban gardening.
Art Scavengers Perez Art Museum Miami sends kids on a gallery scavenger hunt with artful bags of activity sheets to explore the beautiful bayfront gallery. Plus, it offers free admission to all kids in Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
Junior Rangers At Everglades National Park, canoe, fish, bike or hike at the Flamingo campgrounds and bird watch while spotting alligators and turtles along Anhinga Trail near Royal Palm Visitors Center. Fourth graders enter national parks for free through EveryKidOutdoors and fifth graders have free access through Aug. 21.
Fit and Healthy Kids can participate in spring break camps focused on fitness, nutrition and wellness as well as nature, science and cultural arts at Miami-Dade County Spring Camps at various parks. Or learn how to build a tent and start a campfire from home with virtual Camp Hummingbird.