Published: January 23, 2025
By: Adriana
When people think of being “outdoorsy,” South Florida doesn’t always come to mind. But as a mom and founder of Play Outside, I’m here to tell you that Fort Lauderdale offers endless opportunities to connect with nature, spark adventure, and raise outdoor-loving kids. You don’t need mountains to embrace an outdoorsy lifestyle—just a little creativity and a sense of fun!
From local parks and beaches to bike trails and water sports, here’s your guide to living the outdoorsy life in Fort Lauderdale—and why it’s worth it for you and your kids.
The Value of Outdoor Habits for Families
Spending time outdoors isn’t just about fresh air and sunshine (though those are major perks). It’s about building resilience, confidence, and curiosity in our kids while creating meaningful family memories. Studies show that kids who spend time in nature are less stressed, more creative, and even perform better in school. Plus, outdoor activities promote healthy habits for the whole family.
By incorporating outdoor play and sports into your routine, you’re giving your kids tools to explore the world, stay active, and connect with their community.
The Best Nature Spots in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale may not have towering mountains or dense forests, but it’s packed with hidden gems that make for incredible outdoor adventures.
- Tree Tops Park (Davie):
With its elevated boardwalks, scenic trails, and observation tower, Tree Tops Park is perfect for family hikes. My kids love spotting turtles in the marshy areas and climbing up the observation tower.
- Snyder Park (Fort Lauderdale):
This is a go-to for nature play, with shady trails, a butterfly garden, and 2 lakes, one for dogs to play in and one that is great for fishing. We love the bike trail as an easy ride, even great for a balance bike.
- Wolf Lake Park (Davie):
This tranquil spot feels like a mini escape. The loop around the lake is about a mile long great for bikes, dog friendly (on leash) and super scenic, making it ideal for kids of all ages. Bring fishing poles for extra adventure.
- Flamingo Gardens (Davie):
For a mix of wildlife and education, this botanical garden and wildlife sanctuary is a must. It’s a magical place for kids to connect with animals and tropical plants. NOTE: this park does have an admission fee as it’s private.
Nestled between the beach and the Intracoastal, this park offers shaded trails, bike rentals, and a chance to paddle through mangroves. It’s one of our favorite spots to spend a full day outdoors. It also has a great spot for lunch called the Grove.
Get Active with Outdoor Sports
Adding outdoor sports to your family’s routine is a fun way to stay active and adventurous. Fort Lauderdale has fantastic options for biking, wakeboarding, surfing, and more.
Mountain Biking:
Fort Lauderdale might be flat, but parks like Quiet Waters Park offer trails that are perfect for beginners and experienced riders alike. My kids love zipping through the loops, and it’s become one of our favorite family activities.
Wakeboarding:
For a unique water adventure, check out Quiet Waters’ Ski Rixen Cable Park. This cable park lets you wakeboard, kneeboard, or water ski without needing a boat. It’s a thrilling way to beat the heat while trying something new.
Surfing:
Hit the waves at Fort Lauderdale Beach or Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. We pack a couple of foam surfboards and let the kids practice catching small waves—it’s a great way to build their confidence in the water.
Starting an Outdoor Kids Club
One of the best decisions we’ve made as a family is starting an outdoor kids club in our neighborhood. It’s a simple way to stay consistent and intentional about outdoor play while building a sense of community.
Here’s how it works: Every Saturday at 9:30am, we plan an activity like hiking, biking, or a beach day. Some days we explore local trails, some days we bike together, and other days we hit the beach with surfboards and sand toys. We invite about 6 families in our neighborhood. It’s flexible, low-pressure, and a ton of fun for everyone. It also helps fill time on the weekends that is usually hard to fill, and we try to keep everything either free or cheap.
Not only does the club keep the kids active, but it also gives parents a chance to connect and share ideas for outdoor adventures. If you’re looking for a way to bring people together and make outdoor play a habit, I can’t recommend starting a kids club enough. We have a downloadable free guide on how to do it here. And we even created some items to keep kids engaged like stickers that act like achievement badges.
When It’s Too Hot to Be Outside
South Florida summers can be intense, but that doesn’t mean outdoor fun has to stop. 90% of the time, we hit the water. We head to the beach, splash pads or even sprinklers in our back yard, but when that is simply not an option, here are some creative ways to bring nature indoors:
- Start an Indoor Garden: Let your kids grow herbs, succulents, or even microgreens in the kitchen. It’s an easy way to teach them about nature while staying cool.
- Nature Crafts: Use leaves or twigs collected on outdoor adventures to make art. My kids love creating collages or painting rocks.
Visit the Museum of Discovery and Science: The exhibits on Florida’s ecosystems are a fun way to learn about nature while staying in the A/C. This place is also our rainy day plan and if you love it, the memberships are not too expensive. NOTE: The parking garage is expensive, so try for street parking if available.
Why It’s Worth the Effort
Being an outdoorsy mom in Fort Lauderdale isn’t about scaling mountains or braving extreme conditions—it’s about finding joy in the natural beauty around us and passing that love onto our kids.
Whether we’re hiking at Tree Tops Park, biking trails at Quiet Waters, or paddling through mangroves, every adventure strengthens our connection to each other and the world around us. It’s in those moments—covered in sand, sweat, or even a little mud—that I see my kids light up with wonder.
So pack the sunscreen, grab a water bottle, and head out. Fort Lauderdale is calling, and the outdoorsy life is closer than you think.
Love,
Adriana
Founder of Play Outside