Known for its expansive beaches, scenic waterfront dining and need for speed, Daytona Beach is the ideal place to escape for a sunshine-filled vacation. Luckily, the adventures don’t end there — the area offers a wide range of activities that are fun for all ages! If you have a vacationer who’s too small to paddleboard, drive a race car or enjoy the ziplines, try one of these fun, toddler-friendly things to do!
1. Museum of Arts & Sciences
Daytona Beach is a hub for cultural and historical venues in Florida, including the Smithsonian-affiliated Museum of Arts & Sciences (MOAS). The museum could fill several days with learning, exploration and inspiration for visitors of all ages. Among the must-dos include the state-of-the-art planetarium, viewing of the popular Prehistory of Florida gallery featuring Florida's Giant Ground Sloth skeleton, and the Root Family Museum, which displays restored railroad cars, antique automobiles and the largest collection of Coca-Cola® memorabilia in Florida.
2. Marine Science Center
A favorite of area visitors of all ages, the Marine Science Center is an especially fun place to explore for those with young children. Take your child on a fun and educational journey through marine life. Along the way, pet stingrays, see sea turtles up close in the rehabilitation hospital, view a variety of exhibits and meet the creatures of the artificial reef system. It’s always a hit with the kids, and adults love it, too.
3. Daytona Lagoon
The Daytona Lagoon is a premier water park and family fun entertainment center. From thrill slides to chill polls, the waterpark offers attractions for the entire family to enjoy. For young children, the Pelican's Drift Lazy River, the Castaway Children's Play Area and the Treasure Lagoon Wave Pool are must-dos. The Fun Park offers both indoor and outdoor entertainment with bumper cars, a mega arcade, laser tag, go-karts, a sky maze ropes course, miniature golf and a rock wall.
The Fun Park is open all year and the Waterpark is open March through September.
4. Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure
The Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure is the destination's first aquarium and offers an interactive educational experience featuring animals from both land and sea. Visitors can explore over 60 separate exhibits including a 110,000-gallon shark exhibit and two interactive touch pools including a 10,000-gallon stingray touch pool. Inside the Rainforest portion, view multiple species of mammals and exotic birds including Toucans, Sloths, Otters, Tamarins, and many more.
Children can learn all about reptiles in one of the many Animals Up-Close Educational Presentations. Guests can also purchase a cup to feed the rays in the touch pool.
5. Oceanfront Parks
As exciting as playhouse theaters and interactive art displays are, sometimes the most fun for toddlers is found in simply playing outside. When your vacation crew needs to burn off some energy, head to one of the many magnificent oceanfront parks in the Daytona Beach area. Let your little ones enjoy the splash parks, playgrounds and more while you soak in a beachy breeze. Most of the parks feature shaded picnic areas, barbeque grills, restrooms, fishing areas and readily available parking, making them good places to set up with the whole family.
Whether you’re wandering through a nature preserve with your children or enjoying some much-needed “me time” at one of the area’s most relaxing spas, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect activity for all ages during your stay in Daytona Beach.
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