I know what you’re thinking. Boca? Really? For kids? Yes, really. It’s true — 301 miles to the city center, we go down to Boca Raton a few times a year to visit my brother who doesn’t have children, so finding things to keep my two kids busy is a priority.
Every time we visit, I am pleasantly surprised to find even more things to do with my family that involves our love for the outdoors and warm and sunny weather. And this is just within the city limits.
South Florida is home to hundreds of kid-approved destinations and a lot of iguanas if your kids like giant lizards, some as big as them! Here are just a handful of our favorites within the heart of Boca Raton.
Sugar Sand Park
We were blown away by this 132-acre park, home to the Children’s Science Explorium, which is a free hands-on science center for kids ages 5 to 12. Also at Sugar Sand Park is the Willow Theatre and The Field House, a 14,000-square-foot gymnasium with one college and two high school-sized basketball courts, two volleyball courts, and seating for 400 people. We spent most of our time in the Science Explorium which kept my third grader’s attention for over two hours, and the Science Playground, which is a tri-level play area featuring many interactive components, slides, sensory walls, and a huge climbing structure. My little one loved the splash pad and the train station-themed toddler play area. It’s hard to believe this place is only a mile from my brother’s house. We’ve been back several times now that we know! Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset, except holidays.
Tip: Plan to spend at least a few hours here. The kids won’t be bored and should be tired when you leave. There are pavilions where you can sit down and eat or have a picnic. We also saw an ice cream truck and a few food trucks nearby in the parking lot.
Pondhawk Natural Area
We drove by what looked like a nice walking trail and stopped to check it out — we were so glad we did! We grabbed the scooter and the baby stroller and set out on this 12-foot-wide multi-use trail around Blue Lake and a portion of the natural area. There’s a picturesque bridge, a passageway under the road and gorgeous views of woodlands and wetlands. We ended up walking three miles along the paved portion and two hiking trails that are to be explored by foot only. We saw loads of turtles, birds, flowers, iguanas, and more! The nature area is named after a dragonfly which my older son thought was cool. So many great photo backdrops along the way if you like to take a lot of photos like I do! Hours: Open sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year.
Tip: Park at the Spanish River Library and Community Center and hop on the trail there to avoid parking congestion at the entrance across the street.
Rocco’s Tacos and Tequila Bar
This may sound crazy, but this is one of my 9-year-old son’s favorite restaurants — but not for the tequila obviously. While he does love the tacos, and I’ve deemed it the best guacamole I’ve ever had, you can’t beat the atmosphere and the friendly staff. Situated in Boca Center (also home to Morton’s, Joseph’s Italian Market, Tap 42, and Brio), Rocco’s features plenty of family-friendly outdoor seating that makes it easy to keep an eye on your little ones who are guaranteed to be running around and playing freely in a little courtyard area that seems like it was designed just for kids! At any given time, you will find dozens of youngsters enjoying the open space, doing cartwheels on the artificial grass, running their fingers through the water fountains, dancing, and tossing around footballs. At night, the courtyard is beautifully lit and makes you forget you’re in a strip mall. It’s also a stone’s throw from a Marriott if you need somewhere to stay in a great location less than a mile to Boca Town Center (Bloomingdales, Macy’s, etc.), the parks mentioned above, and it’s about a 15-minute drive to the beach. Hours: Open daily for lunch and dinner, late nights until 12:30/1 a.m.
Tip: The happy hour menu is worth an early visit. $2 and $3 tacos (great for the kids and parents) and very affordable drink specials (great for the adults).
Boomers!
If you like Adventure Landing or mini adventure parks, you’ll love Boomers! family adventure park. The only location in Florida (others are in California), Boomers has lazer tag, batting cages, mini golf through rocks, caves and waterfalls, go-carts, a rock wall, bumper cars that spin, bumper boats with water guns to soak your friends and family (especially moms!), and a giant game room with a bar for food and drinks. I even put on a helmet and got back in the batting cage to test out my old softball skills. We visited on Black Friday and couldn’t resist BOGO season passes. An all-day, all-attraction pas is $48.99 online and $30.99 for military, or you can pay by attraction. Season passes are only $42.99 when you buy three or more online. Hours of fun without the long lines, and it’s right off I-95 next to the Boca Raton Airport if your kids enjoy watching planes take off and land. Hours vary by day.
Tip: Don’t bring a stroller on the mini golf course unless you’re prepared to carry it up and down steps and navigate through tight and wet areas.
Next time we visit Boca, we have a few new places to explore including Gumbo Limbo Nature Center and La-La Land. And, the beach is always a given. One other tip for families, we used a company called ABC Guest Rentals that rents cribs and other family must-haves so you don’t have to worry about finding space in an already jam-packed car. For $75, I rented a crib for five days, and my toddler slept as if he were at home, and they deliver and pick up!
Year-round gorgeous weather, so many outdoor spaces and kid-friendly destinations make Boca Raton a place you may want to consider visiting.
