Kids' activities in Fort Lauderdale: playgrounds and water playgrounds, library story times by branch, the science museum, ice skating and rainy-day picks.
Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. Park details come from the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Parks and Recreation pages, story times from Broward County Library’s events calendar, and venue hours from each venue’s own site, linked below. City help line: 954-828-8000.
Fort Lauderdale families have city parks with playgrounds and water playgrounds, free library story times in several neighborhoods, the science museum downtown and a few big indoor options for hot or rainy days. Here is where to go, with addresses and hours.
At a glance
- Free: playgrounds, water playgrounds at Carter and Riverland pools, library story times.
- Indoors: MODS (open daily), Xtreme Action Park, public skating at the Baptist Health IcePlex.
- Closed for now: Holiday Park’s playground, being rebuilt through summer 2027.
Playgrounds
| Park | Address | Phone | For kids |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snyder Park | 3299 SW 4th Ave. | 954-828-4585 | Playground, nature trail, butterfly garden, fishing |
| Mills Pond Park | 2201 NW 9th Ave. | 954-828-8943 | Playground, fishing, radio-controlled car track |
| Carter Park | 1450 W. Sunrise Blvd. | 954-828-5411 | Playground, pool and water playground |
| George English Park | 1101 Bayview Drive | 954-828-4620 | Playground, kayak landing, fishing |
| Riverland Park | 950 SW 27th Ave. | 954-828-5320 | Pool and water playground, walking trail |
Holiday Park’s playground is closed while parks bond work builds a new one; the city expects to finish by summer 2027. Park hours and more amenities are in our parks and trails guide.
Water play
The city’s water playgrounds are at the Carter Park and Riverland Park pools. The big pool is the city’s Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center, 501 Seabreeze Blvd., 954-828-4580. Pool hours, admission and summer camps are in our summer camps and pools guide.
Library story times
Broward County Library’s events calendar lists these weekly story times at Fort Lauderdale branches this fall. They are free; check the calendar before you go, as dates change around holidays.
| Branch | Address | Story time | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Library | 100 S. Andrews Ave. | Toddler Storytime, Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. to noon | 18 to 36 months |
| Imperial Point Branch | 5985 N. Federal Highway | Family Storytime, Mondays, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. | Babies to school age, with families |
| Riverland Branch | 2710 W. Davie Blvd. | Pre-school Storytime, Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to noon | Preschool |
| Galt Ocean Mile Reading Center | 3403 Galt Ocean Drive | Baby and Toddler Storytime, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. | 3 to 36 months |
The Main Library also lists a Sensory Storytime for preschoolers, kids and families at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. Branch phones: Main Library 954-357-7444, Imperial Point 954-357-6530, Riverland 954-357-7455, Galt Ocean Mile 954-357-7840. Branch hours and holiday closures are on the library’s locations page.
Indoor and rainy-day picks
Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS), 401 SW 2nd St., across from Esplanade Park on the New River. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, 363 days a year, with the AutoNation IMAX theater inside. Its Sprouting STEM early childhood learning lab has its own hours: 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Details: hours and directions.
Xtreme Action Park, 5300 N. Powerline Road, 954-491-6265. A large indoor entertainment center with a trampoline park, roller skating, laser tag, an arcade, bowling, go-kart racing and escape rooms. Hours: noon to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, noon to 1 a.m. Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday; the park says hours can change without notice. Details: hours and directions.
Baptist Health IcePlex, the Florida Panthers’ practice rink at Holiday Park, runs public skating sessions with skate rentals from toddler to adult sizes. Admission is limited and pre-registration is always required through its booking account. See the public skating page for the drop-in calendar.
Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, 900 N. Birch Road, is open Tuesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; guided house tours are not recommended for children 7 and younger, and self-guided visits cover the house and gardens. See hours and admission.
Camps and school breaks
MODS runs Camp STEAMology for kindergarten through fifth grade on school-out days and in summer. School break dates and camp options are in our spring break guide and summer camps and pools guide. School calendars are in our schools guide.
Family events this season
- Halloween events and trick-or-treat hours
- Fall festivals and pumpkin patches
- Holiday lights and Christmas events
- Free things to do
Frequently asked questions
Where is story time in Fort Lauderdale?
Broward County Library runs story times at Fort Lauderdale branches, including toddler story time at the Main Library, 100 S. Andrews Ave., at 11:30 a.m. Thursdays, family story time at Imperial Point at 10:30 a.m. Mondays and preschool story time at Riverland at 11 a.m. Tuesdays.
What can kids do in Fort Lauderdale on a rainy day?
The Museum of Discovery and Science, 401 SW 2nd St., is open daily; Xtreme Action Park, 5300 N. Powerline Road, has trampolines, roller skating, bowling and laser tag; and the Baptist Health IcePlex has public skating with pre-registration.
Where are the splash pads in Fort Lauderdale?
The city lists water playgrounds at the Carter Park and Riverland Park pools.
Which Fort Lauderdale parks have playgrounds?
Snyder Park, Mills Pond Park, Carter Park and George English Park have playgrounds. Holiday Park’s playground is closed for a rebuild the city expects to finish by summer 2027.
What are the Museum of Discovery and Science’s hours?
MODS is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, 363 days a year.
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