Family Friendly Activities in Fort Lauderdale

Maybe you are headed to South Florida this Winter for a break from the snow and cold. We wanted to share a few fun family friendly activities in Fort Lauderdale. We were provided promotional pricing for these events but our opinion is still  100% our own.

Family-activities-Fort-Lauderdale

My boys, including my husband, love fishing and have been on a few fishing charters in the past. I was concerned about the day they set off as it was raining and cool. When they came home after a fishing charter with JP Outfitters, I had never seen bigger smiles on their faces. Not only had they successfully caught their limit of fish that day, but they truly learned a lot about the South Florida Waters.

fishing-in-florida

JP OUTFITTERS Inc has many different outdoor experiences from beginning to advanced sportsman. He offeres a wide variety of personalized charters tailored to suit your sporting ambitions from bay fishing, to everglades frogging and wild boar hunting to name a few. JP is a United States Coast Guard licensed Captain and Florida Certified safe hunter that provides professional equipment on all charters.

JP was very knowledgeable about fishing the waters of Florida but also very much focused on my children’s needs and skills. His boats are small so you get the individualized attention  you wont find on a larger fishing charter.

Since we knew the boys would be tired that night, the girls headed out to Mai-Kai restaurant and Polynesian show.  My mother has been driving by this place the last 25 years they have owned the property in south Florida so we thought we would end her curiosity and share this experience with her. They have been in business since 1956, and personally I was surprised to see the restaurant packed that evening.

mai-kai-restaurant

You forget you are in Florida as the Mai-Kai takes you miles away to the Polynesian Islands. We had dinner and the show. The drinks were all fun and tropical followed by an Asian Themed dinner. We all chose a stir fry entree which was plentiful.

 

While waiting for the show, you are able to explore the gardens and waterfalls in the back of the restaurant that has hosted many weddings and vow renewals.

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The show was entertaining and educational as well, as the dancers changed costumes as we cruised from island to island learning about their traditional dancing including the Samoan Fire knife Dance. The audience was filled with all ages, from honeymooners, large family parties to couples celebrating their anniversaries. For dinner and a show  the Mai-Kai is definitely a value and unique experience for kids as they are entertained and fed for under $20.

jungle queen

Maybe you are looking for  family friendly activities to give you a break from the beach or maybe it’s an overcast day. Head over to the Jungle Queen for a 3 hour adventure. This classic steam boat has been taking tourists up and down the new river since 1935. The kids will enjoy the boat ride while the parents can check out all the amazing mansions and boats along the fully narrated cruise down the “Venice of America,” Fort Lauderdale’s historic New River. See Millionaire’s Row with homes of the Rich and Famous, spectacular Mega Yachts, and sights beyond belief.

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After about an hour cruise, you will be dropped off at their “own tropical isle” (more like a lot converted to look like an island) where you can watch an alligator show, see exotic birds and other animals, hold a baby alligator (for a $5 fee or one of our birds (free), and have your picture taken with them.

The kids enjoyed the break from the beach and sun and enjoyed watching the alligator wrestler put his head inside of an alligator. The ride back to port you can just sit back and enjoy some music as you pass the same homes. Check out Groupon for deals before you head out.

Which of these family friendly activities in Fort Lauderdale would your family most enjoy?

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40 Comments

  1. It looks like you had a lot of fun. I just recently went on my first fishing trip. It was so nice being out on the water. I guess that’s one of the best things about living in Florida.

  2. It looks like you had a lot of fun. I just recently went on my first fishing trip. It was so nice being out on the water. I guess that’s one of the best things about living in Florida.

  3. I haven’t been to south Florida in a while. Clearly I need to plan a trip!

  4. I haven’t been to south Florida in a while. Clearly I need to plan a trip!

  5. Looks like a lot of fun! I love Florida, and the Ft. Lauderdale area is one of my favorites. Thanks for sharing!

  6. Looks like a lot of fun! I love Florida, and the Ft. Lauderdale area is one of my favorites. Thanks for sharing!

  7. I may be going to Fort Lauderdale in a few weeks and will definitely bookmark this for then.

  8. I may be going to Fort Lauderdale in a few weeks and will definitely bookmark this for then.

  9. The Mai-Kai restaurant looks like so much fun! it’s been a few years since I’ve been to Ft Lauderdale, but our next trip down is going to include a trip to see the Polynesian Island show!

  10. The Mai-Kai restaurant looks like so much fun! it’s been a few years since I’ve been to Ft Lauderdale, but our next trip down is going to include a trip to see the Polynesian Island show!

  11. The Mai Kai sounds like an awesome restaurant and show. I should bring my daughter to Fort Lauderdale!

  12. The Mai Kai sounds like an awesome restaurant and show. I should bring my daughter to Fort Lauderdale!

  13. The beach is so pretty there! I love going fishing, drinking fruity drinks, and relaxing. I’m about three hours away.

  14. The beach is so pretty there! I love going fishing, drinking fruity drinks, and relaxing. I’m about three hours away.

  15. I see a road trip in our future. These places look awesome.

  16. I see a road trip in our future. These places look awesome.

  17. I have never been to Florida and now I want to go NOW! Looks so fun and WARM!!

  18. I have never been to Florida and now I want to go NOW! Looks so fun and WARM!!

  19. What a great list. I have a lot of family in Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, so we visit often. Thanks so much for sharing.

  20. What a great list. I have a lot of family in Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, so we visit often. Thanks so much for sharing.

  21. I was born in South Florida and have lived here all my life. There is a ton to do! The Jungle Queen was my favorite as a kid!

  22. I was born in South Florida and have lived here all my life. There is a ton to do! The Jungle Queen was my favorite as a kid!

  23. There are so many great things to do while in Florida. I would love to visit a zoo next time while there!

  24. There are so many great things to do while in Florida. I would love to visit a zoo next time while there!

  25. Everything looks son fun and wonderful. We used to live about 45 minutes north of Ft. Lauderdale and I loved it!

  26. Everything looks son fun and wonderful. We used to live about 45 minutes north of Ft. Lauderdale and I loved it!

  27. That show looks like a lot of fun! What a great way to learn more about other cultures and experience it first hand!

  28. That show looks like a lot of fun! What a great way to learn more about other cultures and experience it first hand!

  29. That looks like such a great time! I would LOVE to be somewhere warm for a little bit!

  30. That looks like such a great time! I would LOVE to be somewhere warm for a little bit!

  31. I’ve never been to Ft. Lauderdale, though I’d love to! I’ve been to Florida once and really enjoyed it.

  32. I’ve never been to Ft. Lauderdale, though I’d love to! I’ve been to Florida once and really enjoyed it.

  33. Looks like a lot of fun things to do in Florida, instead of Disney!!

  34. Looks like a lot of fun things to do in Florida, instead of Disney!!

  35. Oh my gosh. My brother lives there and has never mentioned the restaurant and show. I may have to smack him next time I am there…

  36. Oh my gosh. My brother lives there and has never mentioned the restaurant and show. I may have to smack him next time I am there…

  37. I have never been to Ft. Lauderdale. I have always wanted to visit.

  38. I have never been to Ft. Lauderdale. I have always wanted to visit.