Key West Activities for Kids

To educate and fascinate your children at the same time, we recommend the 6,000 square-foot Florida Keys Eco Discovery Center, located at the end of Southard Street at Truman Annex.  Their latest exhibit is called  "Living Reef" courtesy of the Mote Marine Laboratory, and it features a 2,200-gallon tank containing live coral and reef fish.

There are also well-equipped parks on the island that your kids would enjoy.  They include: Astro City on Front Street, Bayview Park at Truman Avenue and Eisenhower Street and Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and Beach.

If your kid has a skateboard with him or her, the YMCA's Skateboard Park on Flagler Street is the place to be.

Mallory Square is a fun waterfront park and is the location of the daily Sunset Celebration, which features circus-style performers and food vendors.

Dolphin World has a neat Wild Dolphin Encounter program where your kids can swim with the dolphins.  The dolphins may be called "wild" but they are gentle creatures indeed.  

Key West Marine Park has a sectioned off area of water via demarcation buoys designed especially for children to swim and snorkel safely in.  There are also several diving and snorkeling charters that your children might enjoy as well.

Another activity your kids would enjoy at sea is a Pieces of Eight Pirate Cruise, where they will get to experience the realism of being with pirates on a real pirate boat.  We can assure you that your kids will not be summoned to walk the plank.

If these ideas don't appeal to your children or if they already had a great time at them but are looking for more fun things to do, there is always the kid-friendly option of the island's Beaches.  You can even take them to any of the Monroe County Libraries to occupy their time and minds.

It's also worth noting that some of the hotels and resorts in Key West have kids programs, so if you're planning a trip here, look into the activities that cater to children beforehand.