There is a whirlwind of things that occur during the first year of your baby’s life. The first months go by in a sleep-deprived haze, but afterward? You begin to see how much your baby grows and changes. They start eating solids, might utter their first words, perhaps they even take their first steps. Even better, you get to begin introducing them to all the wonderful things the world (and Miami!) has to offer. So, strap on your carrier and pack up your diaper bag because here are 40 things to do in Miami before your baby’s first birthday!
1. Make the drive over the Rickenbacker and head to Virginia Key Beach Park for a ride on their historic carousel. Bring a picnic or goods for a barbecue and make a full day of it.
2. A trip to the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science is always worthwhile. If you’re bringing your baby, though, look into visiting during the monthly Mini-Me Science program designed for their youngest visitors.
3. There’s always something going on throughout Miami-Dade County’s Public Library system. Check out the calendar to find a fun storytime or other baby-friendly event, meet local parents, and create special memories (and an early love of literacy)!
4. Or if you can’t make it in during storytime hours, ask to check out one of the library’s Storytime Express kits. Each kid includes music, books, finger puppets, and other goodies to host your own storytime in the comfort of your own home.
5. Introduce them to a plethora of animal life at Zoo Miami. Take your baby on a relaxing tram ride around the park, have them encounter giraffes and other animals at feeding stations, and teach them the names of each creature they come upon.
6. Visit the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center with your baby and learn about the unique ecosystems of Biscayne Bay. They’ll especially love the touch tanks!
7. Take a shady walk underneath the shade of Pinecrest Gardens’ lush plant life. Make sure to check out their calendar as well as they frequently offer live entertainment including children’s concerts and family-friendly theater.
8. Pop by the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami or The Bass and share your love of painting, sculpture and more with your teeny on. Both offer family day programs throughout the year!
9. A trip to Jungle Island is a must for any youngster in Miami, thanks to the number of exotic animals, including many free-flying parrots. While your little one might not fully grasp everything that’s going on, you’ll definitely want to take them to at least one of their animal shows as well.
10. While this is probably already on your radar, the Miami Children’s Museum is an amazing place to visit for children of all ages. No doubt their little imaginations will go wild seeing all the colorful, interactive exhibits.
11. Enjoy an afternoon of antique shopping at Cauley Square. Why? Because your little one’s still too small to do any damage (trust us), plus they often have art to peruse and the occasional classic car show outside.
12. It’s never too early to teach your littles about the Native American and indigenous peoples of the land we inhabit. Drive out to the Miccosukee Indian Village so they get some exposure early to the culture.
13. Speaking of local culture and history, spend a day with your babe at HistoryMiami—our local historical museum. Many of the exhibits are interactive and kid-friendly, and you might learn a few new things, too!
14. Libraries are lovely, but if you feel like bringing some reading material home for good, one place to try is Books and Books. This local bookstore has a cozy children’s section where you and your baby can select some wonderful picture books for your next pre-bedtime ritual.
15. Spend a quiet day among the flowers and palms at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. This gorgeous, sprawling garden is free for kiddos (you’ll have a small fee) and a nice place for your little one to get in nature without having to go too far.
16. Build sandcastles and splash on the ocean’s edge in Bill Bagg’s State Park. It’s one of the more family-friendly beaches in town, and your baby might get a kick out of the beautiful, on-site lighthouse.
17. Some say you’re never too young to enjoy a good race. The Homestead-Miami Speedway frequently hosts inexpensive racing events with light crowds so your baby can enjoy the view with some elbow room (just don’t forget the ear protection!)
18. Another major Miami milestone is reached the first time a kid attends the Miami-Dade County Youth Fair. They’ll likely be too small for most or all rides, but you bet their interest will be piqued by simply taking in the sights and smells of the yearly carnival.
19. Ball games are fairly family-friendly events, and we’ve got our own local team to root for. Catch a game at Marlins Park and make a lifelong baseball fan out of them.
20. Sure, babies don’t exactly fully understand the complexities and often political messages behind street art, but they’ll love them just the same. And there’s no better place in town to explore these massive works of art than by walking around the Wynwood Walls and surrounding areas.
21. Have someone else teach them something new over at Silly Monkeys Playhouse in the Grove. Their Monkey See class includes music, sensory, and playtime activities (or try the Spanish-language Monito Canta musical class for littles as young as six months).
22. Every Miami family has to take their child to Santa’s Enchanted Forest at least once during the holidays. Bringing them when they’re a baby means they’ll stay put for cute photos in front of the festive lights and dioramas, while also not having to deal with the ride lines.
23. The Miami Beach JCC’s Parent Place is another great resource for mamas and their babies. Sign up for Water Guppies and get them acquainted happily with the water, or try Zumbini (which is exactly what you’re expecting—a Zumba style class for mama and her tot).
24. Make like a local and pick up some Azabache jewelry for your baby at Santayana Jewelry. These small, black jewels are worn by many a Miami-born babe, supposedly to protect them from harm. Hey, why not?
25. If your baby is already demonstrating a love of music, a music class might be a great option for them. Lucky for you both, the Pinecrest Community Center offers Music Together classes for youngsters as little as, well, birth!
26. Walk down the pier at South Pointe Park on the southern tip of South Beach. It’s a lovely place to catch a sunset or simply gaze out into the water while your baby gets some nice sea air.
27. Is it time for their first haircut yet? Get them sheared at Cut-N-Play Salon in Aventura, where babies (and their mamas) will receive a certificate honoring the momentous occasion, along with a lock of their hair and a commemorative photo.
28. Grapeland Water Park is by far the best water and splash park in our city. While your baby will still be a bit too young to go down the waterslides, you can certainly get them comfortable in the water and have fun taking turns splashing one another (especially since babies are free).
29. Nearly every parent in Miami has either attended a Gymboree class (or a birthday party at one of their several locations across the county). Sign your baby up for a Play and Learn or Music class, and consider hosting a party there if they love it.
30. If you got around to prenatal yoga during your pregnancy, awesome! But if you didn’t, you can always take baby along to a post-natal yoga class over at Prenatal Plus Yoga in the Gables.
31. Bayfront Park downtown offers lovely waterfront access and views of, what else? The bay, and South Beach far beyond. Have a relaxing afternoon here on a picnic blanket, and bring some books and toys (and diapers).
32. If you’re comfortable, consider going to a kid-friendly movie with your baby. Cobb Theaters offer free ones just for young kids in the summer months, which could be a great way to intro them to your love of the cinema.
33. Go on a self-guided tour of the Kampong Garden hidden deep in the Grove—with baby in tow. Explore their lush, tropical plant life and enjoy a level of peace rarely found in most other Miami attractions.
34. Watch the planes take off at 94th Aerosquadron Restaurant. You’ll love their brunch, and your baby might delight in seeing planes landing in and flying out of Miami International Airport directly across the street.
35. Wondering if you need to give up your brews while you’re out with your baby? Not necessarily. Head to Lincoln’s Beard Brewing for their Sunday RECESS Fam Jam, where a PG-friendly DJ spins tunes for kiddos, while rugrats can crawl around on baby mats while older kids can play with bubbles and more.
36. Go bananas with your baby down south at Monkey Jungle. This unique wildlife park is totally free for littles under three and features a wide array of primates and other animals to gaze at in wonder.
37. Take them for their first Cuban breakfast at the world-renowned Versailles Cuban Restaurant. But please do hold off on trying to give them a cortadito or tostada until they’re a bit older.
38. Homestead’s historic Robert is Here fruit stand offers families a lovely (and absolutely free!) petting zoo and splash pad experience. You’ll want to pick up a rich smoothie and some fresh fruit while you’re at it.
39. Enjoy a baby-friendly playground experience at Palmetto Bay Park’s Boundless Playground Pavilion (where younger and older kiddos have separate area just for them). You can also take them to watch the skaters in the skate park, or possibly catch a little league game at one of the ballfields.
40. Get your little one interested in aviation with a visit to Wings Over Miami. It’s smaller and quieter than some of Miami’s more heavily frequented museums and perfect for introducing your babe to a variety of airplanes.
