12 Fun and Unforgettable Things to Do in Panama City Beach with Kids: Get Ready for a Family Adventure!

Panama City Beach is a beautiful seaside town known for its white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Because there are so many things to do in Panama City Beach, it’s a perfect family destination.

Families will love spending time by the beach, where calm waters invite even the tiniest toddlers to come play. Panama City Beach is home to two state parks, St. Andrews State Park and Camp Helen State Park, that families can explore while on vacation. There are plenty of activities for every age group, and it all adds up to a wonderfully memorable vacation!

Is Panama City Beach Good for Kids?

Panama City Beach is perfect for a vacation with kids and toddlers! Typically, you won’t see any waves crashing onto the beach, so this stretch of ocean is great for little ones to wade into. The sand is white sugar sand, perfect for families to build a sandcastle or picnic under a beach umbrella. Panama City Beach is definitely one of the best beaches in Florida to visit if you are staying with kids!

Indoor Activities in Panama City Beach for Toddlers

If you travel during Hurricane Season, June 1st – November 30th, you have a high chance of rain during your vacation. In spite of that, it’s still the most popular time of the year for visitors, perhaps because the rain showers usually only last for a short time. While Florida is known for its afternoon rainstorms, you shouldn’t let that deter you from visiting!

That being said, families traveling with toddlers may be concerned with keeping the little ones entertained while waiting out the rain. Thankfully, Panama City Beach has many great indoor activities, including a Dolphin Discovery Park, a Science and Discovery Center, and a Trampoline Park to keep kids busy during the deluge.

Fun Things to Do in Panama City Beach with Kids

1. Gulf World Marine Park

Gulf World Marine Park is a dolphin aquarium that’s been open to families since 1970. They have many interactive programs and educational shows to engage kids and help them learn all about this beloved sea mammal. Gulf World Marine Park has many different types of dolphins, including Bottlenose Dolphins and the rare Rough-Toothed Dolphin. To make your trip a little more magical, you can swim with dolphins during your visit.  

2. Science & Discovery Center of Northwest Florida

If you are looking for indoor things to do with kids in Panama City Beach, the Science & Discovery Center of Northwest Florida is just the place to visit. Perfect for families traveling with toddlers, the Science & Discovery Center of Northwest Florida is a children’s museum where kids can explore and play. Toddlers can discover the wonderful world of science with interactive exhibits. Kids of all ages will love the reptile exhibit, and the sensory room is perfect for toddlers to explore. There are many interactive play areas for toddlers, including a Medical Area, a Market, and Pirate Ship. This is the perfect place to bring your toddler during those pesky Florida afternoon rainstorms to keep them busy. 

3. St. Andrews State Park

St. Andrews State Park is a 1,200-acre Florida State Park known for its beautiful white sugar sand and turquoise waters. St. Andrews State Park is one of the best beaches in Florida for families, with many great activities for parents and kids to explore. The park offers many recreational activities such as swimming, hiking trails, kayaking, canoeing, two fishing piers, wildlife viewing, and snorkeling. If your family is looking to camp while you are in Florida, St. Andrews State Park also offers excellent camping facilities, but reservations are recommended. 

4. Just Jump Trampoline Park

Looking for a place where the kids can expend some of that energy? Just Jump Trampoline Park is a 30,000-square-foot trampoline park great for kids to run around and play. They have a large jump area and many activities, including a dodgeball court, basketball, a ninja course, and a gladiator pit. This trampoline park is not only for older kids. The Kiddie Area is perfect for toddlers, too. The Kiddie Area has a play structure, trampoline area, and a foam pit where toddlers and small children can play without worrying about older children. On Thursdays, they have Family Day from 12:00-8:00 pm.

5. Coconut Creek Family Fun Park

One of the most popular places for families to visit in Panama City Beach, Coconut Creek Family Fun Park is a fun adventure for the whole family. Coconut Creek Family Fun Park has two tropical 18-hole mini golf courses for families to test their putt-putt skills. The most popular attraction at Coconut Creek is the Coconut Creek Gran Maze. This human-size maze is the size of a football field and will challenge your family to get through and find the four checkpoints to complete the maze. 

6. Camp Helen State Park 

Camp Helen State Park is a 180-acre State Park with a rich history and beautiful beaches. The park borders the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Powell, Florida’s largest coastal dune lake. In 2012, Camp Helen was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and there are indications that humans inhabited the area more than 4,000 years ago. Families and kids will have an adventurous time exploring the state park, as it has both beaches and fresh water. They have family activities, including swimming, nature trails, and fishing. 

7. Emerald Falls Family Recreation Center

Kids will have a blast visiting Emerald Falls Family Recreation Center. This indoor-outdoor recreation park has it all: go-karts, mini golf, an arcade, and rides for kids. Kids Kingdom is an area with rides for kids, such as a Ferris Wheel, swings, and a train ride. There are two go-kart tracks to choose from, The Vortex, a four-story wooden track, and the Formula Track, which is on a concrete road with bridges and tightly curved overpasses, making you feel like you are a Formula One driver. Emerald Falls Family Recreation Center is a one-stop shop for family fun in Panama City Beach. 

8. ZooWorld Zoological Park

If your kids love animals, spend a day on your Florida vacation at ZooWorld Zoological Park. Kids will have a chance to see and learn about exotic animals from all over the world. The park has many shows throughout the day, where children can learn about these animals and their native habitats. Families will have many opportunities to get close to the animals, such as petting a sloth, holding a kangaroo, and snuggling a lemur. 

10. Pier Park in Panama City Beach  

Pier Park in Panama City Beach has everything you need to have a fun day by the beach. It has shopping, dining, and entertainment the kids will love. If you’re looking for a place to dine out, Pier Park has many tasty restaurants even the picky eaters in the family will love. Pier Park has many family attractions, including Laser Tag and a movie theater. Pier Park also features an 18-hole mini golf course and a ropes course. The SkyWheel is an indoor Ferris Wheel nearly 200 feet tall and will give your family a beautiful view of Panama City Beach. 

11. Goofy Golf

One of the most iconic things to do in Panama City Beach is Goofy Golf. This popular silly golf course has been around since the 1950s and is a tradition for many families to visit when on vacation. Goofy Golf was advertised as “A World of Magic” and is a place where kids and parents can see all kinds of silly, larger-than-life statues at each putt-putt hole.

Goofy Golf has two 18-hole miniature golf courses for families to play through, and some of the statues are even made for kiddos to climb and play on. Notably, Goofy Golf statues include dinosaurs, monkeys, a tiki statue, and even an Egyptian Sphinx. Not only will you have a great time playing through this course, but it’s the perfect place for some fun pictures while on your Florida family vacation. 

12. Shipwreck Island Water Park 

Shipwreck Island Water Park is the perfect place to bring your family for exciting fun in the water. Shipwreck Island has rides for the whole family, including family slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, and racing slides. They even have a toddler water play area, Tadpole Hole, that features small slides and shallow water. Shipwreck Island is perfect for parents and kids of all ages to have a fun water adventure. 

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Panama City Beach is a beautiful place for families to visit. The beach is one of the best in America and is perfect for kids and toddlers to safely enjoy the ocean. Whether you visit a state park, the Science & Discovery Center, or do a round of miniature golf at Goofy Golf, Panama City Beach has many great things to do that both kids and parents will love! 

Have you taken your family on vacation to Panama City Beach? Tell us about your favorite kid-friendly activities in Panama City Beach, Florida, in the comments below!

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