Rainy Day Activities in Miami

Florida might be the Sunshine State, but it still gets an average of 128 rainy days per year, especially during the summer months, which are its rainy season. But don’t fret; there’s still plenty of fun to be had indoors in The Magic City. When the storm clouds roll in, it might seem like your day’s plans are toast, but are they? We don’t think they have to be. There’s still plenty to do that’ll keep you totally entertained and totally dry. That’s why we came up with some fun alternatives to your favorite family-friendly activities. Check out a few of our recs below:

• Instead of the zoo, head to the aquarium.
  There, the only thing getting wet will be the fish, penguins, and sharks!
• Instead of the amusement park, head to an escape room.
  You’ll be inside, but instead of getting your thrills on a roller coaster, it’s a race against the clock to solve a series of tricky puzzles.
• Instead of the park, head to a trampoline park.
  You’ll be high and dry, emphasis on the high as  you’ll be able to bounce to new heights on giant, sturdy trampolines.
• Instead of the beach, head to an indoor water park.
  Okay, so this technically won’t keep you dry, but we think that’s just fine.

Looking for more awesome ideas on what to do on a rainy day? Check out our article, 8 Rainy Day Activities That Keep You Entertained—and Dry, for even more inspiration.

Tips for Bouncing Like a Pro

The indoor trampoline park has been a rapidly growing way to spend a fun-filled afternoon since the early 2000s. And it’s not just kids that love them, either. Adults have been getting in on the act, too. There are even trampoline-based fitness classes. But what if you’ve never been to one before? We break down a few tips that’ll have you bouncing with the best of ‘em in no time.

• Make sure you know how to stop! This is especially important for kids. The safest way to stop bouncing is to grab your knees on the way down from a bounce.

• Be ready for a workout. Just because it’s fun doesn’t mean you won’t work up a sweat. Bouncing requires you to use several of your core muscle groups, which means you can actually consider it a bit of a workout.

• Don’t try to flip! Yes, flipping looks like fun, but adult or kid, don’t try it your first time out! It’s a surefire way to get injured and that’s definitely no fun for anyone.

Wanna learn even more about trampoline parks? Check out our interview with the program director of Trampoline and Tumbling at USA Gymnastics in our article, An Indoor Trampoline Guide for Bouncy, Safe Jumps.

Best Educational Kids Activities in Miami

Feeling a little overwhelmed by all the educational options Miami has to offer? Here’s a quick rundown of some of the city’s top attractions from pristine nature preserves to local history museums. You’re sure to find a little something to appease everyone on this list:

Sawgrass Recreation Park

Learn about the Everglades and check out exhibits on the critters that make it their home, including alligators and iguanas.

The Wynwood Walls

Teach kiddos about contemporary art and get outside at the same time by perusing the city’s colorful and creative murals.

Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science

The museum explores elements of physics, engineering, and biology with tons of hands-on activities plus a planetarium.

HistoryMiami

Narrow in on the history of Miami itself with this cool museum. For extra fun, head out on the second Saturday of the month for crafts, music, and more as part of Family Fun Days.

Biscayne Nature Center

Turn a day at the beach into a valuable lesson in environmentalism as kids and teens learn all about coastal ecology, fossil reefs, and local sea life.

Questions to Ask Your Kids for a Better Museum Visit

If you want to get the most out of your trip to the museum, then having discussions about what you see is key. But this isn’t school, so you don’t want to end up lecturing your kids. Instead, focus on asking them questions about the things you’re looking at. This will help you learn what excites your kids, which is the best way to encourage their love of learning. Here are a few questions you can ask to get started:

1. What did they know about the item or exhibit before coming to the museum?
2. What’s their favorite part about a particular exhibit? Why?
3. Does the exhibit remind them of anything else they like? (i.e. TV shows, music, movies, books, etc.)
4. What jumps out to them about a particular piece? Why?
5. What don’t they like about an exhibit? Is there something they wish was different that would make them like it more? If so, what?
6. Does the piece or exhibit remind them of anything in their own lives?