Things to do with kids in Palm Beach Gardens: free splash pads and playgrounds, story time in the park, the Downtown carousel and free sea turtle and manatee centers.
Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. Facts come from the City of Palm Beach Gardens parks and special events pages, Downtown Palm Beach Gardens, Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Manatee Lagoon and Busch Wildlife Sanctuary. Hours change; check the link before you go.
Palm Beach Gardens is easy on families with small children: the city runs free splash pads and big playgrounds, a free monthly story time in the park and a toddler program, and the two open-air shopping centers add a carousel, a splash pad and a movie theater. For rainy days, a sea turtle hospital and a manatee center within a short drive are both free.
Who to call
- City parks and kids’ programs: Recreation Department, 561-630-1100, 4404 Burns Road
- Loggerhead Marinelife Center: 561-627-8280
- Busch Wildlife Sanctuary: 561-575-3399
- Downtown Palm Beach Gardens: things to do
Playgrounds and splash pads
| Place | What is there | Hours | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Gardens North County District Park, 5101 117th Court North | Two spray pads, two playgrounds, a nature trail | Sunrise to sunset | Free |
| Gardens Park | Three playgrounds, including an accessible one; home of the Miracle League of the Palm Beaches | Park hours | Free |
| Mirasol Park | Two playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment | Park hours | Free |
| PGA National Park | Playground, disc golf course | Park hours | Free |
| Burns Road Playground, 4404 Burns Road | Playground at the community center; home of Stories in the Park | Park hours | Free |
| Downtown Palm Beach Gardens splash pad, 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave. | Water jets and fountains | 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily | Free |
Pets are not allowed in city parks. More on every park in our parks and trails guide.
Story time and toddler programs
- Stories in the Park: 9 a.m. on the first Tuesday of the month, October through May, at the Burns Road Playground. Free. Each month has a costumed host: Corney Sue, the Scarecrow, on Nov. 3; Trixie, the Holiday Pixie, on Dec. 1; Nanny Gingerbread on Jan. 5; Palm Beach Gardens police and fire rescue on Feb. 2.
- Tot Time: a monthly hour of play, music, crafts and early literacy for children 1 to 4 with a caregiver, 10 to 11 a.m. on Fridays (Oct. 16, Nov. 20 and Dec. 18 this fall). A fee applies; register through the city.
- Films on the Field: free family movies at 6:30 p.m. at District Park, Field 10: “Toy Story 5” on Nov. 6, “Elf” on Dec. 4, “The Lego Movie” on Jan. 1 and “Space Jam” on Feb. 12.
Downtown Palm Beach Gardens
At Downtown Palm Beach Gardens, 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave.:
- The Downtown Carousel, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, on the lakeside waterfront since 2010, with hand-crafted animals unique to South Florida. Rides are sold at the kiosk, credit card only.
- The splash pad, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, with seasonal kids’ events.
- CMX Cinemas Downtown at the Gardens 16 & IMAX, open 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily, according to the center.
- Muse Paintbar, painting sessions for all ages.
Rainy-day and animal days out
- Loggerhead Marinelife Center, 14200 U.S. Highway 1, Juno Beach. A sea turtle hospital and ocean science center, open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. The campus is mostly outdoors with large shaded areas.
- Manatee Lagoon, 6000 N. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach. FPL’s eco-discovery center, free admission and parking, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Open daily in manatee season, Nov. 15 to March 31; closed Mondays the rest of the year.
- Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, 17855 Rocky Pines Road, Jupiter. A wildlife hospital with nature trails, open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., rain or shine; last admission 4:15 p.m.
Seasonal
- Halloween: the mall’s Batty Manor and the city’s Fall Festival; see Halloween events.
- Winter: Santa, Zoo Lights and real snow in Jupiter; see holiday lights and Christmas events.
- School breaks: city School’s Out camps; see spring break and summer camps and pools.
What this means for you
- Hot day: District Park’s spray pads or the Downtown splash pad, both free.
- Rainy day: Loggerhead Marinelife Center or Manatee Lagoon, both free.
- Toddlers: Stories in the Park on the first Tuesday, free.
More: free things to do in Palm Beach Gardens and things to do this weekend.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the splash pads in Palm Beach Gardens?
The Gardens North County District Park has two free spray pads, open sunrise to sunset, and Downtown Palm Beach Gardens has a splash pad open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Is there an accessible playground in Palm Beach Gardens?
Yes. Gardens Park has three playgrounds, one of them accessible, and is home to the Miracle League of the Palm Beaches’ artificial turf field.
Is there a free story time in Palm Beach Gardens?
Yes. The city’s Stories in the Park runs at 9 a.m. on the first Tuesday of each month from October to May at the Burns Road Playground, 4404 Burns Road. It is free.
What can kids do on a rainy day near Palm Beach Gardens?
Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach and Manatee Lagoon in West Palm Beach both have free admission, and Downtown Palm Beach Gardens has the CMX movie theater and Muse Paintbar.
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